Wayne County

Ohio · OH

#60 in Ohio
65.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Wayne County, Ohio

Wayne matches Ohio's state benchmark

Wayne County's composite score of 68.8 lands directly at Ohio's state average and 19 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 69th percentile nationally. It represents a solid, middle-of-the-road livability profile.

Right at the state average

Wayne's score of 68.8 is precisely aligned with Ohio's statewide composite average, making it a representative benchmark county. It neither significantly exceeds nor underperforms its state peers.

Reasonable balance across dimensions

Wayne offers a cost score of 78.7 with affordable median home values of $204,600 and rent at $849 per month, plus a tax score of 68.5. Its income score of 30.2, backed by median household income of $71,769, shows moderate earning capacity.

No standout advantages or major weaknesses

Wayne lacks the exceptional affordability of Vinton or Van Wert, and its incomes fall short of Warren's appeal. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for a complete assessment.

Balanced choice for average-income families

Wayne suits families with moderate incomes seeking a stable, middle-ground living environment without extreme trade-offs. It offers neither deep affordability nor premium opportunities, making it ideal for those prioritizing balance and normalcy.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.5Cost78.7SafetyComing SoonHealth66.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.2Risk35.2WaterComing Soon
🏛68.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠78.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼30.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
66.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
35.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

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's rate moderately above U.S. median

At 1.201%, Wayne County's effective tax rate sits moderately above the national median of 1.09%, placing it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The median annual property tax of $2,457 falls just below the national median of $2,690, reflecting a balanced position between affordability and typical American tax loads. Wayne homeowners face a slightly heavier burden than average, but not dramatically so.

Moderate taxes for Ohio's standards

Wayne County's 1.201% effective rate edges above Ohio's state average of 1.148%, with a median tax of $2,457 exceeding the state median of $2,145 by $312. While above average for Ohio, Wayne ranks in the middle half of the state's counties—neither particularly high nor low.

Mid-range within Ohio's northeast cluster

Wayne's 1.201% rate falls between Wood County (1.358%) and Williams County (1.160%), positioning it as a moderate player among northeast Ohio's industrial and suburban counties. Within this regional group, Wayne offers a middle-ground tax environment.

Median home brings $2,457 annual tax

On Wayne's median home value of $204,600, homeowners pay approximately $2,457 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, residents pay an estimated $2,541; without one, approximately $2,333. Wayne's moderate tax burden aligns with its mid-range position in both state and national rankings.

Assessment reviews can help moderate burden

Wayne County homeowners concerned about their tax bills should verify that their assessed value aligns with recent comparable sales in their area. If your home was last appraised well before recent market movements, or if similar homes nearby sold for less, an appeal to the county auditor may justify a lower valuation. Even modest reductions accumulate meaningfully over time.

Cost of Living in Wayne County

via CostByCounty

Wayne County keeps housing costs in check

Wayne County residents earning $71,769—just slightly below the national average of $74,755—spend only 14.2% of income on rent, claiming the best affordability ratio in this entire region. At $849 monthly rent, households here enjoy genuine financial breathing room despite modest regional income levels.

Northeast Ohio's affordability champion

Wayne County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio outperforms Ohio's 15.6% state average by a meaningful margin, ranking among the state's most accessible counties. Its $849 rent sits just $24 below the state median, proving affordability doesn't require deep rural discounts.

Best value for balanced markets

Wayne's $849 rent undercuts Van Wert ($792 to $873) rivals and Wood County ($950), while home values of $204,600 reflect a robust local market. This northeast Ohio county delivers genuine middle-ground pricing without sacrificing opportunity or community stability.

Income and housing in healthy balance

Wayne households earning $71,769 spend just $849 on rent or $947 on monthly mortgages, dedicating only 14.2% to housing costs. This leaves meaningful income for savings, childcare, and unexpected expenses—a crucial advantage for working families.

Wayne offers balanced affordability and stability

If you seek affordability without extreme rural trade-offs, Wayne County's 14.2% housing ratio combined with near-average income levels makes relocation compelling. Compare your current housing burden against this sweet-spot market in northeast Ohio's productive Wooster region.

Income & Jobs in Wayne County

via IncomeByCounty

Wayne edges near national median

Wayne County's median household income of $71,769 approaches the national median of $74,755, falling just $2,986 short. This near-parity shows Wayne's economy tracks reasonably well with national trends.

Slight edge on Ohio average

Wayne County's $71,769 exceeds Ohio's state average of $68,101 by $3,668, ranking it above the middle of Ohio's 88 counties. The county demonstrates solid economic performance relative to its state.

Strong position among peers

Wayne County's $71,769 ranks it among the stronger earners in its region, beating Van Wert ($65,344), Williams ($61,834), and Washington ($61,355). Only Wood County ($73,124) slightly edges Wayne in the northwest region.

Balanced housing affordability

Wayne County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio is favorable, indicating housing costs stay comfortably within household budgets. With a median home value of $204,600 and solid incomes, homeownership is achievable for many.

Invest surplus income wisely

Wayne County households earning $71,769 enjoy discretionary income for saving and investing beyond basics. Establishing a diversified portfolio and maximizing retirement contributions positions families for long-term financial security.

Health in Wayne County

via HealthByCounty

Wayne's longevity near national norm

At 75.8 years, Wayne County residents live slightly below the U.S. average of 76.4 years, though most residents report good health overall. The 18.2% poor/fair health rate reflects moderate health challenges common in mid-sized industrial counties.

Above Ohio's average, solid standing

Wayne's 75.8-year life expectancy exceeds Ohio's state average of 74.8 years by one full year, placing the county in the healthier half statewide. However, the 18.2% poor/fair health rate is slightly above state benchmarks, suggesting some health disparity.

Competitive with county peers

Wayne's 75.8-year life expectancy ranks second among the eight counties, behind only Warren at 78.2 years, reflecting decent community health despite industrial roots. With 50 primary care providers per 100,000, Wayne's provider network ranks mid-range among peers, adequate but not abundant.

Uninsured rate a concern here

At 12.6% uninsured, Wayne County has the highest uninsured rate among all eight counties profiled—nearly double Ohio's 7.5% average. This means roughly 1 in 8 Wayne residents lack coverage, straining the healthcare system and leaving families vulnerable to medical hardship.

Coverage crisis demands action

Wayne's 12.6% uninsured rate is a public health emergency, far exceeding healthy benchmarks and putting thousands at risk of delayed care. Visit Healthcare.gov immediately or contact Wayne County's community health office to find affordable coverage—this is one of the most urgent health needs in your county.

Disaster Risk in Wayne County

via RiskByCounty

Wayne's Above-Average Risk Profile

Wayne County scores 64.85 on the composite risk scale, placing it above the national average with a Relatively Low rating. This northeastern Ohio county faces meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazards, driven primarily by tornado and flood risks in the region.

Higher-Risk County for Ohio

Wayne's composite score of 64.85 surpasses Ohio's 55.03 average, ranking it among the state's more hazard-exposed counties. The county's elevated profile reflects its location in Ohio's more active tornado and flood zones.

Similar Risk to Nearby Counties

Wayne's 64.85 score aligns closely with Wood County (65.68) and exceeds Williams County (44.40), placing it in northeastern Ohio's moderate-to-high risk band. Its exposure patterns reflect the region's tornado corridor vulnerability.

Tornadoes and Floods Lead Concerns

Wayne experiences tornado risk of 76.11 and flood risk of 71.91—both well above national averages and among Ohio's highest exposures. Wildfire risk (38.77) and hurricane risk (52.15) add secondary concerns requiring year-round hazard awareness.

Multi-Hazard Coverage Protects Best

Wayne residents need comprehensive homeowners insurance with strong wind/hail coverage for tornadoes, plus separate flood insurance for properties in high-risk zones. Consider adding earthquake and windstorm riders to address the county's diverse hazard portfolio affordably.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.