CountyScore

Wayne County

Michigan · MI

#83 in Michigan
57.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Wayne County, Michigan

Wayne Leads National Comparison

Wayne County's composite score of 60.6 beats the national median of 50.0 by more than 10 points, reflecting genuine livability strengths across the region. This ranking places Wayne solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties, despite real challenges within its diverse geography.

Below Average for Michigan

At 60.6, Wayne's composite score trails Michigan's state average of 68.7, positioning it in the lower-middle range among state counties. The 8.1-point gap reflects Michigan's stronger-performing counties to the north and west.

Affordability is Wayne's Advantage

Wayne County shines on affordability, with a cost score of 73.6—well above state and national standards—backed by a median home value of just $170,200 and median rent of $1,087 monthly. This makes Wayne an exceptional value for families and workers seeking housing they can actually afford.

Income Lags Significantly

Wayne's income score of just 22.2 is a major concern, reflecting a median household income of $59,521—well below state and national averages. Combined with limited data on safety, health, and schools, income inequality emerges as Wayne's most pressing livability challenge.

Budget-Conscious Families and Workers

Wayne County is best suited for budget-conscious families, service workers, and retirees on fixed incomes who prioritize affordability over high earnings potential. Those seeking maximum housing value and willing to navigate income volatility will find Wayne delivers genuine housing market advantage.

Score breakdown

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

Tax56.1Cost73.6SafetyComing SoonHealth69.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.2Risk1WaterComing Soon
🏛56.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠73.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤69.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡1
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

District of Columbia
District of Columbia
57.8
Median income: $106,287
Stephenson County
Illinois
57.8
Median income: $61,943
Bucks County
Pennsylvania
57.8
Median income: $111,951
Terry County
Texas
57.8
Median income: $45,905
San Joaquin County
California
57.7
Median income: $88,531

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 the national middle ground

Wayne County's effective tax rate of 1.642% sits above the national median of 1.03%, placing it in roughly the 60th percentile for property tax burden nationally. However, the median property tax of $2,794 is nearly identical to the national median of $2,690, thanks to Wayne's lower median home values of $170,200.

Wayne exceeds Michigan's statewide average

Wayne County's 1.642% effective rate is 41% higher than Michigan's state average of 1.166%, though its median property tax of $2,794 is only 33% above the state median of $2,102. This reflects Wayne's higher tax rate on relatively modest home values.

Wayne sits between Washtenaw and Wexford

Wayne County homeowners pay $2,794 in median property taxes—substantially less than Washtenaw County ($5,505) but significantly more than Wexford County ($1,868). Wayne's effective rate of 1.642% is actually the highest among the three counties, but lower home values keep total tax bills moderate.

What a Wayne County homeowner actually pays

The median Wayne County home valued at $170,200 generates an estimated $2,794 in annual property taxes at the current 1.642% rate. Homeowners with mortgages pay about $3,315 annually, while those without mortgages pay roughly $2,286.

Check if you're overassessed and appeal

Many Wayne County homeowners are paying taxes based on outdated or inflated assessments—studies show 20-30% of properties are overvalued. If your assessed value seems high compared to recent comparable sales in your neighborhood, you can file an appeal and potentially recover thousands in overpaid taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wayne County

via CostByCounty

Wayne County faces steep housing burden

Wayne County's rent-to-income ratio of 21.9% significantly exceeds the national benchmark and ranks among the least affordable U.S. counties relative to earnings. While the median household income of $59,521 falls 20% below the national average of $74,755, housing costs here claim nearly a quarter of income—a strain amplified by lower wages.

Michigan's affordability challenge

Wayne County's 21.9% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among the three counties analyzed and substantially above Michigan's 16.3% state average. At $1,087 monthly median rent—24% above the state median of $873—Wayne residents face a genuine affordability crisis relative to statewide peers.

Wayne rents fall between peers

Wayne County's $1,087 median rent is lower than Washtenaw's $1,400 but higher than Wexford's $877, positioning it in the middle of the three-county comparison. However, Wayne's lower median income of $59,521 means this housing cost represents a larger burden than in wealthier Washtenaw.

Wayne County's tight housing squeeze

Monthly housing costs run $1,087 for renters and $990 for homeowners on a median home value of just $170,200, yet these figures consume 21.9% of the $59,521 median household income. This leaves Wayne households with limited financial flexibility and reflects a fundamental mismatch between local wages and housing demand.

Moving to Wayne? Plan your budget carefully

Relocating to Wayne County requires acknowledging that $1,087–$990 in monthly housing costs will occupy roughly 22% of a median household income of $59,521. Prospective residents should compare Wayne's lower home values ($170,200 median) and rents against more affordable counties like Wexford, or weigh the housing burden against Wayne's proximity to Detroit's employment centers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wayne County

via IncomeByCounty

Wayne lags behind national average

Wayne County's median household income of $59,521 falls 20% short of the national median of $74,755. This gap reflects post-industrial economic challenges that have affected the county's traditional manufacturing base and overall wage competitiveness.

Below Michigan's already modest average

Wayne County's $59,521 median income trails Michigan's state average of $64,304 by nearly $5,000 per household. While Wayne includes Detroit and its metro area, the county's income ranks in the lower half of Michigan's 83 counties.

Struggling compared to regional peers

Wayne County earns $27,635 less than Washtenaw County ($87,156) and $3,602 less than Wexford County ($63,123). The income disparity reflects Detroit's concentration of lower-wage service and retail jobs, contrasting sharply with Washtenaw's education and tech sectors.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Wayne County's 21.9% rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability danger zone, meaning renters dedicate roughly one-fifth of income to housing alone. With a median home value of $170,200, homeownership remains more accessible than in wealthier counties, but affordability pressures persist across the county.

Prioritize savings despite tight budgets

Wayne County residents earning near the median should prioritize building emergency savings before investing, given tighter household finances. Even small automated transfers to savings accounts—5-10% of income—create a financial cushion and can eventually seed longer-term wealth-building opportunities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wayne County

via HealthByCounty

Wayne faces significant health challenges

Wayne County's 72.9-year life expectancy falls 2.2 years short of the U.S. average and reflects substantial health disparities within the county. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.8%) report being in poor or fair health, compared to 18% nationally, signaling widespread healthcare strain.

Among Michigan's lowest-ranked counties

Wayne County's life expectancy trails Michigan's state average of 76.3 years by 3.4 years, ranking it among the state's most health-challenged communities. This gap reflects decades of economic transitions, healthcare access barriers, and concentrated poverty across the county.

Significantly behind surrounding counties

Wayne residents live nearly 8 years fewer than those in Washtenaw County (80.5 years) and 2 years less than Wexford County (74.9 years). With only 70 primary care providers per 100,000 people, Wayne faces critical shortages that limit preventive care availability.

Coverage gaps and provider shortage

Wayne's 5.7% uninsured rate exceeds Michigan's average, leaving thousands without regular healthcare access amid a severe provider drought. Mental health services are equally strained, with just 365 providers per 100,000 residents, creating long waits for critical care.

Finding coverage starts here

If you're uninsured, applying for Medicaid or marketplace insurance is your fastest path to care—Wayne residents qualify at higher rates. Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs or call 1-855-789-5604 to explore no-cost or low-cost plans available to you today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wayne County

via RiskByCounty

Wayne County faces elevated disaster risk

Wayne County's composite risk score of 98.95 places it well above Michigan's state average of 49.56, earning a relatively high risk designation. This score reflects nearly double the state baseline and signals significant exposure across multiple hazard categories.

Michigan's highest-risk county

Wayne County ranks as one of Michigan's most hazard-prone communities with a composite score of 98.95 compared to the state average of 49.56. The county faces compounded risk from both frequent natural events and geographic vulnerability that set it apart across the state.

Wayne towers above surrounding counties

Wayne County's 98.95 risk score dramatically exceeds Washtenaw County's 89.28 and Wexford County's 33.91, making it clearly the highest-risk jurisdiction in this comparison. This elevated position reflects the county's unique exposure to multiple hazard types simultaneously.

Tornadoes and floods threaten daily

Tornado risk reaches 99.49 and flood risk hits 99.40—the highest scores for these hazards in this county comparison—making them Wayne's defining natural threats. Earthquake risk at 94.66 also presents above-average exposure, creating a triple threat landscape that demands serious preparation.

Multi-layered protection is non-negotiable

Wayne County residents must secure flood insurance (risk 99.40), earthquake coverage, and tornado safety features given their exceptionally high exposure. Bundle these protections with emergency supplies, a family evacuation plan, and a reinforced safe space to meaningfully reduce risk in Michigan's highest-hazard county.

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.