CountyScore

Wayne County

Mississippi · MS

#49 in Mississippi
66.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Wayne County, Mississippi

Marginally Above National Livability Median

Wayne County scores 66.6 on the composite index, exceeding the national median of 50.0 and placing it in approximately the 33rd percentile nationally. While above-average, this score reflects a county with mixed strengths and significant economic limitations.

Slightly Below Mississippi's State Average

Wayne County scores 66.6, just below the state average of 67.5 by 0.9 points, indicating middle-tier livability within Mississippi. The county's profile is relatively balanced but lacks standout strengths in any single dimension.

Outstanding Affordability and Low Tax Burden

Wayne County's cost score of 86.7 is among the highest in this cohort, with a median home value of $88,000 and monthly rent of $786. The tax score of 80.3 (effective rate: 0.779%) complements this affordability advantage, making it one of the state's most budget-friendly counties.

Income Levels Severely Lag National Benchmarks

Wayne County's income score of 7.4 is the lowest among all eight counties, with median household income of just $36,791. Health outcomes (53.3) and moderate risk performance (44.4) round out a profile where economic hardship appears to be the defining livability constraint.

A Haven for Ultra-Low-Cost Living

Wayne County suits people with very limited means or remote incomes who prioritize minimal housing and tax burden. This county requires careful financial planning and realistic expectations about wage-earning potential and healthcare availability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax80.3Cost86.7SafetyComing SoonHealth53.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome7.4Risk44.4WaterComing Soon
🏛80.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤53.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡44.4
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 offers substantial tax savings

Wayne County's effective tax rate of 0.779% is well below the national median of 0.92%, resulting in a median annual property tax of just $686—about one-quarter of the national median of $2,690. This reflects both modest home values and a relatively favorable tax structure.

Slightly above Mississippi state average

Wayne County's 0.779% effective rate edges above the state average of 0.743%, placing it in the middle tier among Mississippi's 82 counties. It's higher than Union, Webster, and Winston but lower than the top-taxing counties.

Mid-range taxes for the south-central region

Wayne County's 0.779% rate falls between low-tax Union (0.576%) and Webster (0.574%) on one end and high-tax Warren (0.855%) and Wilkinson (0.862%) on the other. It positions homeowners competitively within the broader regional landscape.

Median Wayne home carries just $686 tax bill

The median Wayne County home, valued at $88,000, generates the lowest median annual tax of all eight counties at just $686. This affordability holds even with a mortgage (which raises it to $836) and makes the county attractive to retirees and first-time buyers.

Verify assessment to protect low taxes

Wayne County's already-modest tax burden makes assessment accuracy crucial to maintaining value. Check your assessment against recent comparable sales in your area and file an appeal if your home's assessed value appears out of line with market reality.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wayne County

via CostByCounty

Wayne County renters severely rent-burdened

Wayne County renters spend 25.6% of income on rent—more than double the national affordability standard of 12%. With median household income at just $36,791, this is Mississippi's most acute housing affordability crisis.

Worst affordability in Mississippi

Wayne County's 25.6% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among all Mississippi counties, far exceeding the state average of 19.6%. At median rent of $786 against median income of $36,791, housing costs consume nearly a quarter of household earnings.

Severely burdened relative to region

Wayne County's 25.6% burden nearly doubles neighboring Winston County's 16.0% ratio and significantly exceeds Washington County's 23.5%. Among all eight counties surveyed, Wayne faces the harshest housing cost pressures on the lowest incomes.

Homeownership provides relief

Wayne County homeowners pay just $499 monthly versus renters at $786—a $287 gap that makes purchase attractive despite median home values of $88,000. However, with median household income at $36,791, even homeownership leaves little budget flexibility.

Wayne County: time to explore options

Wayne County residents should seriously compare relocation to counties like Webster (12.4% burden) or Winston (16.0%), where the same income stretches much further. Moving 40 miles to a better-positioned county could mean $150+ monthly rent savings for working families.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wayne County

via IncomeByCounty

Wayne County among lowest-earning nationally

Wayne County's median household income of $36,791 places it in the bottom 10% of U.S. counties, sitting 51% below the national median of $74,755. Even compared to Mississippi's low state average of $48,514, Wayne County lags by 24%, indicating severe economic distress.

Among Mississippi's poorest counties

Wayne County ranks near the bottom of Mississippi's 82 counties, with only a handful earning less than its $36,791 median. This position reflects limited employment opportunities, population decline, and historically low wage structures across the region.

Lowest income in this peer group

Wayne County's $36,791 income is the second-lowest among these eight counties, with only Wilkinson County ($35,930) earning less. The gap to Webster County ($59,964) exceeds $23,000, one of the largest disparities in the group.

Housing costs create critical squeeze

Wayne County's rent-to-income ratio of 25.6% means households dedicate more than one-quarter of earnings to housing, well above the 30% affordability ceiling and limiting resources for food, healthcare, and other essentials. The median home value of $88,000 remains challenging on a $36,791 income.

Start small with financial resilience

Wealth-building on a limited income requires discipline: prioritize paying off high-interest debt first, then save even $25 monthly into a separate account for emergencies. Many communities offer free financial literacy programs—use them to maximize every earned dollar.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wayne County

via HealthByCounty

Wayne County meets Mississippi's state average

Wayne County's life expectancy of 70.9 years matches Mississippi's state average but trails the U.S. average of 76.4 years by 5.5 years. Its poor/fair health rate of 24.8% exceeds the national average of 18%, indicating above-average health challenges.

Average outcomes by Mississippi standards

At 70.9 years life expectancy, Wayne County matches the state average and sits in the middle tier of Mississippi's counties. However, its poor/fair health rate of 24.8% ranks among the higher end statewide, suggesting concentrated health struggles.

Lower provider access compared to peers

Wayne County offers 30 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest among its neighboring counties—and 66 mental health providers per 100K. Warren County's 67 primary care providers per 100K and 622 mental health providers underscore the regional disparity in care capacity.

High uninsured rate and sparse primary care

At 16.3%, Wayne County's uninsured rate ranks among the highest in the region, exceeding the state average of 13.9% by 2.4 points. Combined with just 30 primary care providers per 100K, coverage and access gaps limit residents' ability to manage chronic disease and prevent illness.

Getting insured opens access to care

Wayne County residents without coverage can enroll in Medicaid or Marketplace plans to reduce healthcare costs and gain consistent primary care. Contact the Mississippi Health Advocates or visit healthcare.gov today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wayne County

via RiskByCounty

Wayne County shows moderate risk

Wayne County's composite risk score of 55.66 places it in the relatively low range and slightly above Mississippi's state average of 50.94. While not among the state's most dangerous counties, Wayne does face notable hazard exposure in several categories.

Slightly above-average risk in state

Wayne County ranks in the lower-middle tier of Mississippi's 82 counties for natural disaster risk, sitting just above the state median. This positioning reflects more hazard exposure than the safest counties but considerably less than Mississippi's most at-risk areas.

Riskier than Webster, safer than Warren

Wayne County's risk profile sits between its contrasting neighbors: Webster County (12.60) ranks among Mississippi's safest, while Warren County (86.29) faces far greater threats. This middle positioning makes Wayne a moderate-risk county regionally.

Hurricanes and tornadoes are primary threats

Wayne County residents face the state's highest hurricane risk (89.24), which drives much of the county's overall hazard exposure, combined with moderate tornado risk (71.22). Wildfire exposure (56.90) is elevated, while flood (42.97) and earthquake (53.91) risks remain secondary.

Hurricane coverage is essential

Given Wayne County's exceptional hurricane risk score of 89.24, homeowners must ensure their policies include comprehensive wind and water damage coverage. Consider a separate windstorm policy if standard homeowners insurance limits wind damage, and verify tornado coverage given the county's 71.22 tornado risk.

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.