CountyScore

Wayne County

Illinois · IL

#32 in Illinois
67.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Wayne County, Illinois

Top-tier national livability performer

Wayne County's 67.1 score crushes the national median of 50.0 by 34%, placing it in approximately the 67th percentile nationally. This exceptional ranking reflects outstanding performance in tax burden and housing affordability.

Top performer among Illinois counties

At 67.1, Wayne County substantially outpaces Illinois' 62.1 state average by nearly 5 points, securing a position among the state's elite. This strong statewide ranking reflects particular competitiveness in measured dimensions.

Unmatched tax efficiency and affordability

Wayne County delivers a Tax Score of 59.3 (1.526% effective rate) and Cost Score of 85.1—the highest in this group with median rent of just $632/month and median home value of $109,400. These factors create exceptional financial accessibility.

Income levels lag behind affordability gains

The Income Score of 18.1 and median household income of $53,107 are the lowest earners in this county set, indicating limited economic opportunity. Data gaps on safety, health, schools, and infrastructure remain significant.

Ideal for ultra-budget-conscious households

Wayne County is perfect for retirees, single-income families, and anyone whose primary goal is maximizing financial security through minimal expenses. Its combination of lowest rents and lowest effective taxes makes it compelling for households on fixed or limited incomes.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.3Cost85.1SafetyComing SoonHealth69.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.1Risk59.3WaterComing Soon
🏛59.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.3
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

Elbert County
Georgia
67.1
Median income: $49,727
Monroe County
Indiana
67.1
Median income: $63,372
Warren County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $92,990
Webster County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $68,054
Logan County
Kansas
67.1
Median income: $71,389

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 taxes near national median

Wayne County's effective tax rate of 1.526% sits below the national median of 1.831%, making it a relatively affordable county for property taxes nationwide. The median property tax of $1,670 is 38% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Bottom 30% of Illinois counties

Wayne County ranks in the lowest third of Illinois counties for effective tax rate at 1.526%, well below the state average of 1.831%. This positions Wayne as one of the more tax-friendly counties in Illinois.

Competitive taxes in the region

Wayne County's 1.526% rate places it between Wabash County (1.471%), the regional lowest, and Vermilion County (1.793%). Homeowners here enjoy some of the best tax rates in southern Illinois.

Median home costs just $1,670 yearly

A median-valued home in Wayne County ($109,400) carries an estimated annual property tax of only $1,670. This modest bill makes Wayne County an affordable choice for property owners.

Still worth appealing your assessment

Even with favorable tax rates, some Wayne County homeowners are overassessed and can appeal their valuations at no cost. A successful appeal could provide additional savings on your tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wayne County

via CostByCounty

Wayne County matches national affordability

Wayne County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio sits just above the national average of 14.7%, indicating reliable if unremarkable housing affordability. With median household income of $53,107—the third-lowest in this group—modest rents of $632 help maintain acceptable affordability despite lower wages.

Mid-tier affordability within Illinois

Wayne County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio performs slightly better than the Illinois state average of 14.7%, ranking it in the middle tier of state counties. The county's below-average incomes are offset by genuinely low rents, delivering competitiveness within Illinois's housing market.

Wayne offers strong value against peers

Wayne County's $632 monthly rent ranks among the lowest in this group, beat only by Union County's $658. At 14.3% rent-to-income, Wayne underperforms only Union (14.0%), Warren (12.9%), and Washington (12.3%), delivering solid regional value.

Low rents offset modest household incomes

Wayne residents earning $53,107 annually pay just $632 in median rent—the lowest absolute cost in this group—consuming 14.3% of income. Owner costs of $795 pair with modest home values of $109,400, creating an attainable path to homeownership.

Wayne County suits budget-first relocators

If minimizing rent expense ranks above maximizing income opportunities, Wayne County delivers exceptional value at $632 monthly. Compare this lowest-cost option against neighbors like Vermilion or Wabash to see the financial difference a county move could deliver.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wayne County

via IncomeByCounty

Wayne County significantly trails national income

Wayne County's median household income of $53,107 falls $21,648 below the U.S. median of $74,755. This steep deficit places the county among the nation's lowest earners, creating substantial budget constraints for residents.

Among Illinois's lowest-income counties

At $53,107, Wayne County earns $15,473 less than Illinois's state average of $68,580 and ranks among the state's most economically challenged regions. Per capita income of $31,073 significantly underperforms the state average of $36,009, signaling limited employment quality.

Lowest-earning county in regional cohort

Wayne's $53,107 median ranks last among the eight-county region, trailing Tazewell by $23,597 and just behind Wabash ($53,650). The county faces the steepest economic headwinds regionally, requiring focused economic development efforts.

Rent manageable despite low incomes

Wayne County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio remains affordable relative to local earnings, reflecting modest rental markets. Median home values of $109,400 offer accessible entry points, making homeownership achievable through patient saving despite tight household budgets.

Prioritize career advancement and skill building

Wayne County households earning $53,107 can allocate roughly $1,062 monthly to savings through disciplined budgeting. Pursuing higher-wage employment, accessing workforce development programs, and building home equity through ownership represent the most promising wealth-building pathways for residents.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wayne County

via HealthByCounty

Wayne struggles below national averages

Wayne County's life expectancy of 74.7 years falls essentially even with the U.S. average of 74.5 years but lags Illinois's 76.0-year average by 1.3 years. With 17.6% reporting poor or fair health—below the national 18%—Wayne is slightly resilient compared to the nation, though chronic disease burden remains a concern.

Wayne ranks below Illinois median

At 74.7 years, Wayne's life expectancy falls below Illinois's 76.0-year average, placing the county in the lower half of state health performance. The uninsured rate of 8.8% is the highest in this analysis and significantly exceeds Illinois's 6.3% average, representing a major barrier to preventive care and early treatment.

Tied with Union for lowest life expectancy

Wayne's 74.7-year life expectancy matches Union County but trails most other neighbors, including Stephenson (76.2) and Tazewell (76.6). With 56 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Wayne has reasonable provider density, but the county's 8.8% uninsured rate—the highest in the group—limits who can actually access that care.

Highest uninsured rate, significant barriers

Wayne's 8.8% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 11 residents cannot access regular preventive care, emergency services, or prescription medications without catastrophic costs. The presence of 56 primary care providers and 152 mental health providers per 100,000 residents offers decent infrastructure, but coverage gaps prevent many from using these services.

Close Wayne's coverage crisis

Wayne's highest uninsured rate demands urgent action to connect residents with affordable health plans and eliminate barriers to care. Call Wayne County Health Department, visit healthcare.gov, or dial 211 Illinois to explore Medicaid eligibility, marketplace subsidies, and free community health services today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wayne County

via RiskByCounty

Wayne ranks in lower-risk tier nationally

With a composite risk score of 40.74, Wayne County falls in the lower half of natural disaster risk across U.S. counties. This "Very Low" rating reflects minimal exposure to most hazards, though earthquake risk (86.36) remains notably elevated.

Below Illinois state average

Wayne's 40.74 score sits substantially below the Illinois state average of 54.46, making it one of the safer counties statewide. Only Warren County (15.49) and Wabash County (24.84) rank lower in this eight-county analysis.

Lowest risk in southern Illinois cluster

Wayne County (40.74) is meaningfully safer than its southern Illinois neighbors Union (55.38) and Washington (55.15), and far safer than Tazewell (84.19) to the north. Its relatively low overall risk distinguishes it as a safer southern Illinois location.

Earthquake is the primary concern

Earthquake risk (86.36) is Wayne County's dominant hazard, ranking among the nation's highest despite your county's overall low-risk profile. Tornado (46.85) and hurricane (36.46) risks remain well below national averages.

Earthquake coverage your main priority

Earthquake insurance is necessary for Wayne County homes despite your county's generally low risk, as standard policies exclude all seismic damage. Secure furniture to walls and reinforce foundation connections, and maintain emergency supplies for rapid response to seismic events.

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.