CountyScore

Wayne County

New York · NY

#29 in New York
58.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Wayne County, New York

Wayne: In Line with National Trends

Wayne County scores 52.6 on the CountyScore composite index, marginally above the national median of 50.0. This places it near the 50th percentile nationally, reflecting average U.S. county livability.

Just Below New York's State Average

Wayne's 52.6 composite score sits slightly beneath New York's average of 54.7, positioning it in the middle range of the state's counties. The gap suggests room for improvement in one or more livability dimensions.

Most Affordable Housing in the Region

Wayne County boasts the region's highest Cost Score of 74.5, with the lowest median home value ($163,400) and rent ($929/month) among these six counties. This exceptional affordability is the county's strongest asset.

Highest Tax Rate and Lowest Income

Wayne carries the heaviest tax burden with an effective rate of 2.551% and a Tax Score of just 30.5, the lowest among peers. The Income Score of 31.6 and median household income of $73,914 also reflect economic headwinds.

Best for Tax-Tolerant Budget Homebuyers

Wayne County fits families and individuals seeking rock-bottom housing costs and willing to accept higher taxes. It's a solid choice for first-time homebuyers and those for whom property affordability trumps all other livability considerations.

Score breakdown

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

Tax30.5Cost74.5SafetyComing SoonHealth78.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome31.6Risk43.7WaterComing Soon
🏛30.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼31.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤78.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡43.7
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

San Luis Obispo County
California
58.3
Median income: $93,398
Orange County
Florida
58.3
Median income: $77,011
Grayson County
Texas
58.3
Median income: $70,455
Randall County
Texas
58.3
Median income: $80,905
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Alaska
58.2
Median income: $90,625

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 has the state's highest rates

Wayne County's effective tax rate of 2.551% ranks among the highest in New York and well above the national median of 1.89%. Despite lower home values ($163,400 median), residents pay $4,168 annually—55% more than the national median property tax of $2,690.

Top 10% of all New York counties

Wayne County ranks in the top tier for tax burden among New York's 62 counties, with an effective rate that exceeds 90% of comparable communities statewide. The median tax of $4,168 surpasses the state average of $4,709 on significantly lower home values, indicating a structural tax burden issue.

Notably higher than surrounding counties

Wayne County's 2.551% rate towers over Warren County (1.530%), Washington County (2.082%), and Wyoming County (2.299%), making it the highest-taxed county in its region. That premium costs Wayne homeowners an extra $500-800 annually compared to neighboring Warren County on similar properties.

Median home costs $4,168 yearly

On Wayne County's median home value of $163,400, you'll pay approximately $4,168 in annual property taxes—or about $4,428 if mortgage escrow is included. That translates to roughly $347-369 per month, among the highest rates in the state for similar-valued homes.

Assessment appeals are worth your time

Wayne County's high effective rate makes assessment appeals particularly valuable for homeowners—overassessments here can cost you $600+ annually. Filing a free appeal with your assessor could significantly reduce your burden and is highly recommended given the county's rate structure.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wayne County

via CostByCounty

Wayne County's Rents Fall Well Below National

At 15.1%, Wayne County's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the nation's most affordable, beating the national average by more than two percentage points. With median rent of just $929 monthly against a $73,914 median household income, Wayne delivers genuine housing affordability compared to virtually all American counties.

New York's Affordability Champion

Wayne County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in New York at 15.1%, well below the statewide average of 17.6%. At $929 per month, median rent runs $204 cheaper than New York's typical, establishing Wayne as the state's clearest winner for renters seeking value.

Cheapest Rents in the Region

Wayne's $929 rent stands as the lowest among all surveyed counties, beating Wyoming ($782 is the cheapest, but Wayne keeps strong 15.1% ratio), though Wyoming and Yates are marginally cheaper. Warren County to the north charges $160 more monthly, while Westchester's $1,876 demonstrates the gulf between rural and suburban markets.

Rents and Ownership Both Remarkably Affordable

Renters spend just 15.1% of income on $929 monthly rent, while owners face a modest $1,125 monthly cost, leaving substantial room in the $73,914 median budget for other needs. Wayne County delivers dual affordability for both housing pathways.

Best Overall Value in Upstate New York

Comparing across New York counties, Wayne offers the strongest combination of low rent ($929), excellent rent-to-income ratio (15.1%), and reasonable home values ($163,400). If housing affordability is your primary concern, Wayne County delivers unmatched value in the state.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wayne County

via IncomeByCounty

Wayne nearly matches U.S. median income

Wayne County's median household income of $73,914 trails the national median of $74,755 by just $841, placing it essentially at the American average. The county ranks near the 50th percentile nationally, reflecting a stable working-class economy anchored in agriculture, manufacturing, and retail.

Wayne ranks 31st among New York counties

With a median household income of $73,914, Wayne County ranks 31st statewide, falling $2,519 below New York's average of $76,433. The county sits in the middle-lower tier of New York's income distribution, typical of rural Finger Lakes regions.

Wayne underperforms neighboring Warren

Wayne County earns $4,325 less than neighboring Warren County ($78,239) but exceeds Washington County ($72,342) by $1,572. Among the region's peers, Wayne occupies the middle position, buffered on both sides by higher and lower-earning communities.

Among the region's most affordable housing markets

Wayne households spend just 15.1% of income on rent—the lowest ratio in the region and comfortably below the 30% affordability standard. With a median home value of $163,400, Wayne offers exceptional housing value, making it one of Upstate New York's most accessible homeownership markets.

Low housing costs unlock financial opportunity

Wayne's 15.1% rent-to-income ratio is the strongest in the region, freeing households to prioritize savings and investment over housing. With median homes under $165,000, building home equity is achievable; combine that with tax-advantaged retirement savings and you build meaningful wealth over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wayne County

via HealthByCounty

Wayne County life expectancy near national average

At 77.3 years, Wayne County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, though 13.9% report poor or fair health. The county's health profile sits in the middle range nationally, with room to build on its solid foundation.

Slightly below New York State average

Wayne's 77.3-year life expectancy trails New York State's 77.9-year average by 0.6 years, placing it in the middle-to-lower range of state counties. Despite this gap, Wayne's 13.9% poor/fair health rate is one of the best among New York counties.

Healthiest perceptions, fewest providers

Wayne residents report the lowest poor/fair health rate (13.9%) among its neighbors, yet the county has just 23 primary care providers per 100,000—far below Warren's 111. This disconnect suggests residents feel well despite significant barriers to accessing preventive care.

Limited providers despite adequate insurance

Wayne's uninsured rate of 5.4% matches the state average, but the county's 23 primary care providers per 100,000 represent the region's scarcest supply. This provider shortage means insured residents often travel long distances or wait months for appointments.

Wayne County: insurance is your first step

With few primary care providers locally, having active health insurance ensures you can access care when you find it. Visit healthcare.gov or NY's health plan marketplace to verify coverage and prepare for healthcare needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wayne County

via RiskByCounty

Wayne County significantly below national risk

At a composite risk score of 56.27, Wayne County ranks as relatively low risk—well beneath the national average for natural disaster exposure. This favorable standing reflects a county where localized hazards exist but remain manageable compared to higher-risk regions across the United States.

Second safest in the comparison set

Wayne County's 56.27 score sits meaningfully below New York's state average of 69.42, ranking it among the state's lower-risk counties. This position demonstrates that despite New York's overall hazard exposure, certain counties have successfully mitigated or avoided major disaster threats.

Nearly identical to Washington County

Wayne County (56.27) and Washington County (56.62) show remarkably similar risk profiles, both substantially safer than Warren County (62.31) and far safer than Westchester County (96.18). This clustering of upstate counties suggests shared regional advantages in disaster resilience.

Floods and wildfires most pressing

Flood risk (72.33) represents Wayne County's single highest threat, while wildfire risk (40.33) stands unusually elevated compared to neighboring counties—a reflection of local landscape conditions. Tornado risk (38.26) adds a tertiary concern typical of upstate New York's climate patterns.

Prioritize flood and wildfire insurance

Wayne County residents should secure comprehensive flood insurance immediately, as it's your leading hazard exposure. Adding wildfire/property coverage riders to your homeowners policy provides protection against your two most significant disaster risks.

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.