CountyScore

Wayne County

Tennessee · TN

#21 in Tennessee
72.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Wayne County, Tennessee

Exceptional Value Compared to Nation

Wayne County's composite score of 79.5 significantly outpaces the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the more livable counties in America. The score reflects genuine strengths in the measurable cost-of-living dimensions.

Tennessee's Most Affordable County Gem

Wayne County's 79.5 score stands above Tennessee's state average of 76.3, making it one of the stronger performers in the state. It consistently delivers livability value across its measured dimensions.

Unbeatable Affordability and Low Taxes

Wayne County boasts the strongest cost score of 89.3 among comparable regions, with median home values of just $126,600 and rent averaging $619/month—the lowest in this cohort. A tax score of 87.1 and effective rate of 0.539% further solidify its fiscal appeal.

Income Levels Constrain Economic Prospects

The income score of 17.9 reflects a median household income of $52,824, indicating limited earning power in the local economy. Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable, preventing a comprehensive livability assessment.

Perfect for Ultra-Budget-Conscious Settlers

Wayne County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and families maximizing purchasing power in rural Tennessee. Its rock-bottom housing costs and minimal taxes make it the strongest value play in this county group.

Score breakdown

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

Tax87.1Cost89.3SafetyComing SoonHealth59.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome17.9Risk57WaterComing Soon
🏛87.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼17.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡57
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

Greene County
Alabama
72.6
Median income: $31,495
Macon County
Alabama
72.6
Median income: $45,951
Columbia County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $47,363
Lincoln County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $51,667
Little River County
Arkansas
72.6
Median income: $52,241

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 low despite rate

Wayne County's effective tax rate of 0.539% is near the national median, but homeowners pay just $683 annually—only 25% of the national median tax of $2,690. This reflects Wayne's much lower median home values compared to the nation.

Slightly above Tennessee average

Wayne County's effective rate of 0.539% runs above Tennessee's state average of 0.511%, yet its median tax of $683 falls below the state average of $1,016. The county's lower property values offset its slightly higher rate.

Mid-range among regional peers

Wayne County's 0.539% rate sits between Warren County (0.447%) and Washington County (0.552%), but its median tax of $683 is the lowest in this cluster. Despite a moderate rate, lower home values keep the actual tax bill remarkably affordable.

A $126,600 home costs $683

The typical Wayne County homeowner with a median-valued property of $126,600 pays approximately $683 in annual property taxes. At just $57 per month, this is among the lowest actual tax burdens in Tennessee.

Review your assessment annually

Even in counties with lower overall tax burdens, individual homeowners may be overassessed. Contact your county assessor to request a free reassessment review if your home's assessed value seems high compared to recent neighbor sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wayne County

via CostByCounty

Wayne County: Tennessee's Housing Bargain

Wayne County achieves a remarkable 14.1% rent-to-income ratio, the lowest among its peer counties and well below both Tennessee's 17.6% state average and national affordability benchmarks. At just $619 per month, renters here enjoy housing costs that leave substantial income for savings, healthcare, and other essentials.

Among Tennessee's Most Affordable Markets

Wayne County's 14.1% ratio ranks it near the top of Tennessee counties for housing affordability, a remarkable position for working families. Monthly rents running $241 below the state average signal a genuinely accessible housing market in rural middle Tennessee.

The Clear Affordability Champion

Wayne County's $619 rent dramatically undercuts all neighboring counties—Warren ($775), Warren ($775), White ($838), Weakley ($760)—making it the region's most accessible option. Even homeownership is affordable here: $126,600 median home value is the lowest in the cluster, paired with just $537 monthly ownership costs.

Maximum Income Flexibility Here

The median renter allocates only $619 monthly while homeowners pay $537 on properties valued around $126,600—creating genuine breathing room in household budgets. With housing consuming just 14% of income, Wayne County residents retain significantly more earnings for investment, emergency reserves, and quality of life improvements.

Relocating on a Tight Budget? Start Here

Wayne County delivers unbeatable housing affordability without requiring sacrifice in other areas—your salary will stretch further here than nearly anywhere else in Tennessee. If cost of living is your primary concern, this county merits serious consideration before exploring pricier alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wayne County

via IncomeByCounty

Wayne ranks among America's lowest earners

Wayne County's median household income of $52,824 ranks in the bottom quartile nationally, sitting 29.4% below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county's per capita income of $29,526 mirrors this struggle, suggesting limited high-wage employment and limited economic diversification. Wayne faces significant income challenges relative to the broader American economy.

Among Tennessee's lowest-income counties

Wayne County earns $52,824 against Tennessee's $58,994 state median, ranking in the lower third of the state's 95 counties. Per capita income of $29,526 also significantly trails the state's $31,458 average. The county reflects broader rural Tennessee struggles with wage stagnation and limited job growth.

Poorest-earning neighbor in the cluster

Wayne County ($52,824) sits at the lower end of its regional peer group, behind Warren ($54,088) and White County ($52,206). Only Weakley County ($49,502) earns less in this immediate radius. The pattern suggests shared economic challenges across this cluster of rural South-Central Tennessee counties.

Lowest housing costs offset low wages

Wayne County's lowest rent-to-income ratio of 14.1% provides rare breathing room on housing affordability. With median home values of just $126,600, homeownership remains genuinely accessible for working families. Housing affordability is Wayne's economic bright spot and a foundation for financial stability.

Maximize affordability to build reserves

Wayne County households earning $52,824 benefit from the lowest housing costs in this comparison—use that advantage to build emergency savings first. Even modest contributions to retirement accounts compound meaningfully over decades. Local employers and workforce development agencies offer training opportunities that can lift earning potential above current county averages.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wayne County

via HealthByCounty

Wayne County life expectancy lags U.S. average

At 73.7 years, Wayne County residents live about 2.7 years less than the national average of 76.4 years, though only 25.9% report poor or fair health. This relative health perception suggests unmet care needs or social factors limiting longevity despite residents' reported satisfaction.

Wayne ranks above state average on lifespan

Wayne's life expectancy of 73.7 years exceeds Tennessee's 72.4-year average by 16 months, placing it in the upper half of state counties. The 25.9% poor/fair health rate is moderate among Tennessee peers, indicating a county with mixed health outcomes.

Wayne faces severe provider shortage crisis

With only 18 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Wayne County has the lowest primary care density of these seven counties—less than one-tenth of Washington County's rate. Mental health providers at 75 per 100K are also sparse, creating real barriers to routine and specialized care.

Low uninsured rate masks access challenges

Wayne's uninsured rate of 11.3% is the lowest among these counties, yet severe provider shortages mean insurance doesn't guarantee timely care. Residents may need to travel significant distances to find a primary care doctor willing to accept new patients.

Wayne residents: secure coverage and plan ahead

If you're uninsured, healthcare.gov can connect you to plans quickly—having coverage is your first step toward care. Given Wayne's provider shortage, get covered now so you can access telehealth options and plan for specialists outside the county.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wayne County

via RiskByCounty

Wayne County's favorable risk position

Wayne County scores 42.97 on the composite risk scale, placing it well below Tennessee's state average of 52.45 in the 'Relatively Low' category. The county faces lower natural disaster exposure than most of Tennessee, positioning it among the state's safer communities.

Tennessee's lower-risk counties

Wayne County ranks in the lower-risk quartile of Tennessee's 95 counties, with a composite score substantially below the state median. This favorable positioning reflects moderate exposure across most hazard types and minimal wildfire risk.

Wayne County's protective geography

Wayne County (42.97) enjoys significantly lower risk than nearby Warren County (63.45) and Washington County (61.16), approaching the even-safer profile of White County (38.55). This cluster of lower-risk counties in south-central Tennessee offers residents relatively stable natural hazard conditions.

Wayne's moderate hazard exposures

Tornadoes (73.89) and earthquakes (77.54) pose Wayne County's primary risks, though both remain below the state average. Flooding (47.74) represents a secondary concern, while the county's extremely low wildfire risk (12.15) is a distinct advantage compared to other Tennessee counties.

Disaster preparedness for Wayne County

Wayne County residents should focus on tornado preparedness and basic earthquake safety, given the county's moderate exposure to both hazards. While the county's overall risk is favorable, having a household emergency plan and secure shelter space remains essential for protection during severe weather events.

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.