CountyScore

Wayne County

Iowa · IA

#40 in Iowa
70.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Wayne County, Iowa

Top performer among Iowa counties

Wayne County scores 70.9 on the CountyScore index, significantly exceeding the national median of 50.0. The county ranks around the 42nd percentile nationally, placing it among stronger-performing regions.

Outperforms Iowa's statewide average

At 70.9, Wayne exceeds Iowa's state average of 69.3, positioning it in the upper tier of Iowa counties. The county's overall performance demonstrates competitive advantage statewide.

Exceptional affordability and risk resilience

Wayne County shines with a Cost Score of 85.5 and a median home value of just $102,300, making it one of Iowa's most affordable counties. The Risk Score of 78.0 is exceptional, indicating strong resilience to economic or environmental challenges.

Income growth remains constrained

The county's Income Score of 22.0 reflects a median household income of $59,118, significantly below state and national benchmarks. Limited wage growth is the primary headwind to overall livability.

Haven for resilient, budget-minded settlers

Wayne County is ideal for people who value rock-bottom housing costs, strong economic resilience, and small-town living over high incomes. It suits retirees, first-time buyers, and those building financial security in an ultra-affordable environment.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax64.4Cost85.5SafetyComing SoonHealth71.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome22Risk78WaterComing Soon
🏛64.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡78
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Wayne County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Elmore County
Alabama
70.9
Median income: $75,553
Randolph County
Arkansas
70.9
Median income: $52,838
Wilcox County
Georgia
70.9
Median income: $48,036
Putnam County
Illinois
70.9
Median income: $77,526
Greene County
Iowa
70.9
Median income: $59,159

Deep Dives

Wayne County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Wayne County

via TaxByCounty

Wayne County taxes run below national average

At 1.346%, Wayne County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median, placing it in the lower-tax tier nationwide. The median property tax of $1,377 is roughly half the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower home values and a favorable tax environment.

Iowa's tax-friendly counties

Wayne County's 1.346% effective rate is nearly identical to Iowa's state average of 1.344%, sitting right in the middle statewide. However, its median property tax of just $1,377 trails the state average of $2,160, indicating relatively modest home values in the county.

Lower taxes than most regional neighbors

Wayne's 1.346% rate matches Van Buren (1.201%) in the tax-friendly category, both significantly outpacing Wapello (1.642%). With a median tax of only $1,377, Wayne offers one of the region's lowest absolute tax bills.

What you'll pay on a typical home

On Wayne's median home value of $102,300, the typical property tax bill comes to $1,377 annually, or about $115 per month. Those with a mortgage typically pay $1,644 once escrow and insurance are added.

Check if your assessment is fair

Even in rural, lower-value Wayne County, some homeowners are overassessed and could benefit from appeals. If your assessed value seems inflated compared to recent neighborhood sales, filing an appeal could further reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wayne County

via CostByCounty

Wayne offers exceptional rental affordability

Wayne County residents spend just 13.4% of household income on rent—among the best affordability metrics in the nation and well below Iowa's 14.1% state average. At $660 monthly, Wayne's rents are $152 cheaper than the state median, delivering genuine value.

Wayne ranks among Iowa's most affordable

Wayne County's 13.4% rent-to-income ratio places it in Iowa's top tier for affordability, competing with the state's most budget-friendly counties. This ranking reflects both modest rents and a tight-knit community where housing remains genuinely accessible.

Cheapest rents in the southeast Iowa region

Wayne's $660 monthly rent is the lowest in its cluster of counties—$26 cheaper than Van Buren, $176 below Wapello, and $202 below Warren. Combined with a median home value of just $102,300, Wayne delivers unmatched affordability for the region.

Minimal housing burden leaves room to breathe

Wayne households earning $59,118 annually spend $660 on rent, consuming just 13.4% of gross income and leaving over $4,800 yearly for other priorities. Homebuyers at $737 monthly similarly enjoy exceptional affordability, making Wayne attractive for budget-conscious families.

Wayne County: Iowa's affordability champion

If you're relocating to Iowa on a tight budget, Wayne County delivers the state's most affordable rents ($660) and entry-level home prices ($102,300). The county's 13.4% rent-to-income ratio means your paycheck stretches further here than nearly anywhere else in Iowa.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wayne County

via IncomeByCounty

Wayne falls furthest behind nationally

Wayne County's median household income of $59,118 trails the national median of $74,755 by $15,637, representing the steepest 20.9% gap in this dataset. Per capita income of $34,623 further reflects depressed individual earning power across the county. This significant shortfall positions Wayne among America's most economically challenged rural counties.

Lowest income tier in Iowa

Wayne County ranks among the lowest-income counties in Iowa, with median household income falling nearly $11,000 below the state average of $69,830. Per capita income of $34,623 trails Iowa's average by $2,513, indicating systemic earning constraints. Wayne's position in the state's bottom tier underscores the severity of local economic headwinds.

Wayne at the regional bottom

Wayne's $59,118 median income is the lowest in its peer cluster, marginally behind Van Buren ($60,183) and Wapello ($60,034), and dramatically below Winneshiek ($75,652) and Warren ($92,990). The $33,872 gap to Warren represents a stark contrast in earning capacity within Iowa. Wayne's isolation in the income hierarchy reflects concentrated job loss and limited employer diversity.

Housing affordability masks deeper stress

Wayne's rent-to-income ratio of 13.4% appears healthy on paper, but the low income base means even affordable rents consume significant discretionary resources for working families. With a median home value of $102,300 and median household income of $59,118, homeownership reaches the edge of affordability for many households. Low housing costs reflect weak property demand rather than genuine affordability gains.

Start small, think long-term in Wayne

Wayne residents should prioritize debt reduction and emergency savings before investing, given the tight income margin typical in the county. Even saving $50 per month through automatic transfers into a high-yield savings account builds a buffer against unexpected expenses. As stability improves, low-cost index funds and employer retirement plans become viable pathways to gradual wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wayne County

via HealthByCounty

Wayne's Health Below National Average

At 76.4 years, Wayne County's life expectancy matches the U.S. national average but trails Iowa's state average of 77.7 years by 1.3 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.9%) report poor or fair health, the second-highest rate among these eight counties.

Lower Rankings Within Iowa

Wayne County ranks toward the lower end of Iowa counties for life expectancy and self-reported health outcomes. The county's 5.9% uninsured rate sits nearly at the state average of 5.7%, suggesting coverage gaps remain manageable.

Struggling Relative to Peers

Wayne County's 76.4-year life expectancy significantly lags neighboring Warren (78.4 years) and Washington counties (78.5 years) to the north. Its primary care provider density of 77 per 100K is solid, but mental health coverage remains limited at 31 per 100K.

Limited Mental Health Access

Wayne County maintains adequate primary care access with 77 providers per 100K but offers limited mental health services at 31 providers per 100K. At 5.9% uninsured, the county's insurance coverage rate is close to state average, though behavioral health gaps may deter some care-seeking.

Improve Coverage, Boost Health

Nearly 6% of Wayne County residents remain uninsured, missing opportunities for preventive care that could extend life expectancy. Families should explore Iowa's marketplace and Medicaid options to ensure consistent access to primary and mental health services.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wayne County

via RiskByCounty

Wayne County ranks among America's safest

Wayne County's composite score of 22.01 places it in the Very Low category and 45% below the national average. The county enjoys one of the lowest natural disaster risk profiles in the United States.

Iowa's lowest-risk county

Wayne scores just 22.01, the lowest among all Iowa counties and far below the state average of 39.68. The county benefits from minimal exposure across nearly all major hazard types.

By far the safest in the region

Wayne's 22.01 score dramatically undercuts all neighboring counties, including Van Buren (33.62), Warren (36.10), and Washington (44.18). Wayne stands as a genuine natural disaster safety haven in south-central Iowa.

Tornadoes remain the primary concern

Tornado risk at 55.18 is Wayne's leading hazard, though wildfire risk (43.16) and flood risk (14.03) are both remarkably low. The county's exceptional safety stems largely from minimal flood and earthquake exposure.

Standard homeowners policy likely sufficient

Wayne residents enjoy substantially lower insurance risk than most Americans, making standard homeowners coverage with wind protection appropriate for most properties. Focus on competitive quotes rather than specialty coverage.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.