CountyScore

Wayne County

Indiana · IN

#80 in Indiana
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Wayne County, Indiana

Wayne County ranks solidly above the nation

With a composite score of 66.6, Wayne County outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 33 percent, placing it in the upper third of American counties. This score reflects a community that delivers measurable livability across multiple dimensions, from tax burden to housing affordability.

Slightly below Indiana's average livability

Wayne County's 66.6 composite score falls 4.6 points below Indiana's state average of 71.2, ranking it in the lower half of the state's 92 counties. Still, the county maintains strong fundamentals that keep it competitive regionally.

Tax breaks and affordable housing shine

Wayne County excels with a tax score of 77.7 and cost score of 81.1, backed by an effective tax rate of just 0.873% and median home values of $126,100. Renters benefit from modest monthly rents averaging $813, making this county a budget-friendly choice for cost-conscious families and retirees.

Income growth lags significantly behind peers

The income score of 20.4 is the lowest in this comparison, with a median household income of $56,652—well below Indiana's typical earnings. A risk score of 25.9 and limited data on safety, schools, and water quality suggest areas where the county could strengthen its livability profile.

Best for budget-conscious families and retirees

Wayne County appeals to people prioritizing affordability and low taxes over higher incomes and robust public services. It's an effective choice for retirees on fixed incomes or families seeking a low-cost-of-living Midwestern base, provided they don't rely on local job growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.7Cost81.1SafetyComing SoonHealth65SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.4Risk25.9WaterComing Soon
🏛77.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡25.9
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

Broomfield County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $121,025
Pueblo County
Colorado
66.6
Median income: $62,250
Coffee County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $50,175
Wayne County
Georgia
66.6
Median income: $49,562
Tippecanoe County
Indiana
66.6
Median income: $58,622

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 far below national norm

Wayne County's effective tax rate of 0.873% sits well below the national median of $2,690 on a median home—homeowners here pay substantially less than the national average. At this rate, Wayne ranks in the lower half nationally, meaning residents enjoy lighter tax burdens than most Americans.

Higher than Indiana average, but not by much

Wayne County's 0.873% effective rate exceeds Indiana's 0.671% average by about 30%, placing it in the upper third of Indiana counties for tax burden. The county's median property tax of $1,101 is slightly below the state median of $1,199, reflecting modest differences in assessment practices.

Heaviest taxed among nearby counties

Wayne County residents pay notably more than neighbors in Wells County (0.511%) and White County (0.531%), but less than Whitley County (0.698%). With a median home value of $126,100, Wayne sits at the lower end of the regional property value range.

Expect about $1,101 annually

On a median home valued at $126,100, Wayne County homeowners pay roughly $1,101 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, that figure rises to $1,162; without one, it drops to $970.

You might be overassessed

Many homeowners across Indiana, including Wayne County, discover they're paying taxes on inflated assessments and successfully appeal for reductions. If your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent sales, requesting a reassessment review could lower your annual bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wayne County

via CostByCounty

Wayne County rents squeeze tighter than nation

Wayne County residents spend 17.2% of their income on rent, outpacing the national average by over a percentage point. With a median household income of $56,652—about $18,000 below the U.S. median—housing costs take a steeper bite here than in most American counties.

Above Indiana's affordability average

Wayne County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks it among Indiana's least affordable counties, above the state average of 15.6%. Only a handful of Indiana counties face higher housing cost burdens than Wayne.

Higher costs than surrounding counties

Wayne County's median rent of $813 undercuts the state average of $883, yet its rent-to-income ratio remains worse due to lower median incomes. Neighboring Wells County achieves a healthier 14.4% ratio despite similar rents, thanks to $13,000 higher median household income.

Rent and mortgage burden in Wayne

Renters pay $813 monthly while homeowners carry $836 in mortgage costs, both reasonable in absolute dollars but consuming a larger share of Wayne's $56,652 median household income. Housing costs consume roughly one-sixth of household budgets here, leaving less for savings, healthcare, and other necessities.

Consider Wayne for affordable homeownership

With median home values at $126,100—the lowest among these four counties—Wayne offers an entry point for first-time homebuyers despite income challenges. If your household earns near the state median, Wayne's housing market is worth comparing to pricier neighboring counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wayne County

via IncomeByCounty

Wayne County lags behind national income average

Wayne County's median household income of $56,652 trails the national median of $74,755 by $18,103, placing it in the lower third of U.S. counties. This 24% gap reflects broader economic challenges in the region compared to national prosperity trends. Understanding where your county stands helps context for local wage and job growth initiatives.

Below average among Indiana counties

Wayne County ranks below Indiana's state average median household income of $68,681, earning $12,029 less per household annually. The county's per capita income of $31,990 also falls short of the state's $34,773 average, suggesting fewer high-income earners concentrated here. This positions Wayne among Indiana's lower-income counties.

Wayne trails neighboring Indiana counties

Wayne County earns $13,089 less than Wells County ($69,741) and $9,491 less than White County ($66,143), both neighboring regions with stronger household earnings. Even compared to Whitley County just to the north at $75,790, Wayne lags by $19,138—a significant economic gap between adjacent communities. These disparities suggest job market and wage differences worth investigating.

Housing remains affordable on local wages

Wayne County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% is manageable and below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend a healthy share of earnings on housing. With a median home value of $126,100—the lowest among peer counties—homeownership remains accessible for many Wayne County households. However, the overall income level limits savings capacity for emergencies and wealth-building.

Building financial resilience in Wayne County

At a median household income of $56,652, Wayne County residents should prioritize emergency savings and retirement planning to weather economic shifts. Consider employer-sponsored 401(k) plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and low-cost index funds as foundational wealth-building tools. Local nonprofits and libraries often offer free financial literacy workshops—explore them to strengthen your economic future.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wayne County

via HealthByCounty

Wayne County's Health Gap

At 72.3 years, Wayne County's life expectancy trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by more than four years. One in five residents report poor or fair health, well above the national rate of 18%, signaling persistent health challenges across the population.

Bottom Quarter in Indiana

Wayne County ranks near the bottom of Indiana's 92 counties for life expectancy, falling 2.8 years below the state average of 75.1 years. The county's 21.1% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Indiana's typical health profile, placing it among the state's least healthy communities.

Struggling Among Peers

Wayne County's 72.3-year life expectancy lags neighboring Wells County (76.7 years) by over four years and trails Whitley County (77.8 years) by 5.5 years. While the county matches the state average uninsured rate of 8.4%, it has fewer primary care providers (60 per 100K) than Wells County (46 per 100K would suggest comparable need despite lower provider density).

Healthcare Access Under Pressure

Wayne County's 8.4% uninsured rate matches the state average, but residents face notable provider shortages—60 primary care doctors per 100,000 people and just 504 mental health providers per 100,000, creating long wait times for both. Daily healthcare reality means some residents travel 30+ minutes for routine care or mental health support.

Find Your Health Coverage Now

If you're among Wayne County's uninsured, explore options through Indiana's health marketplace or Medicaid during open enrollment. Contact 211 Indiana or visit indy.gov/health to connect with coverage counselors who can walk you through your options at no cost.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wayne County

via RiskByCounty

Wayne County faces above-average disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 74.11, Wayne County ranks as relatively low risk, but sits well above Indiana's state average of 45.52. This elevated exposure stems primarily from tornado and earthquake vulnerabilities that outpace typical U.S. patterns.

Highest-risk county in Northeast Indiana

Wayne County carries the highest composite risk score among Indiana's 92 counties, driven by a tornado risk of 90.74—substantially higher than the state average. Its elevation exposes residents to earthquake risks at 74.11, making it a regional outlier for natural hazard exposure.

Wayne County's risks dwarf surrounding areas

Neighboring Wells County (22.84) and Whitley County (24.59) face dramatically lower overall risk. Even White County, the region's second-riskiest, scores just 38.52—meaning Wayne's residents contend with nearly double the composite risk of their closest neighbors.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate here

Tornado risk ranks highest at 90.74, making severe springtime storms a serious concern for property and life safety. Earthquake risk follows closely at 74.11, while flood exposure (79.68) rounds out the top three threats to homes and infrastructure.

Comprehensive coverage is essential for Wayne County

Standard homeowners insurance typically excludes earthquake and flooding—both significant risks here. Consider adding separate earthquake and flood policies, plus reinforcing your home against high winds, and develop a tornado safety plan with your household.

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.