CountyScore

Wayne County

Utah · UT

#5 in Utah
76.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Wayne County, Utah

Wayne leads all five counties

Wayne County scores 76.6, the highest among these five Utah counties and 53% above the national median of 50.0. This exceptional performance places it in the top quartile nationally.

Utah's strongest performer here

Wayne County's score of 76.6 exceeds the state average of 72.1, ranking it among Utah's top-performing counties. It's the only county in this group to beat the state average.

Unbeatable value and lowest taxes

Wayne County offers the lowest effective tax rate at 0.349% with a tax score of 92.4, and the best cost score of 79.9 with median home values of $364,800. Rent averages just $1,018/month, the lowest among the five, making it extraordinarily affordable.

Income and health need attention

Wayne County's income score of 29.1 and median household income of $70,074 are the lowest among these counties, limiting economic opportunity. The health score of 65.2 also lags peer counties, suggesting healthcare access or population wellness may need improvement.

Perfect for value-seekers

Wayne County suits those who prioritize lowest cost of living and minimal tax burden, including retirees on fixed incomes and remote workers. It's best for people unconcerned about high local wages or advanced healthcare facilities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax92.4Cost79.9SafetyComing SoonHealth65.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.1Risk98.2WaterComing Soon
🏛92.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠79.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤65.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡98.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Wayne County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Kittson County
Minnesota
76.6
Median income: $69,615
Catron County
New Mexico
76.6
Median income: $46,439
Piute County
Utah
76.6
Median income: $44,650
Lexington city
Virginia
76.6
Median income: $89,598
Gilmer County
West Virginia
76.6
Median income: $50,991

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 has Utah's lowest tax rate

Wayne County's effective rate of 0.349% is Utah's lowest and ranks among the nation's most tax-friendly counties. The median property tax of $1,274 represents a 53% discount versus the national median of $2,690.

Utah's clear tax leader

Wayne County's 0.349% rate stands alone as the lowest in Utah, trailing the state average of 0.498% by nearly 0.15 percentage points. No other Utah county comes close to this advantage.

Dramatically lower than all nearby counties

Wayne County's 0.349% rate undercuts Wasatch and Washington (0.446%) by 0.097 percentage points and Weber (0.621%) by 0.272 percentage points. This represents unmatched regional tax relief.

Exceptionally low bills for homeowners

On a median home value of $364,800, Wayne County residents pay just $1,274 annually in property taxes. That's approximately $106 per month—the state's lowest homeowner burden.

Verify your assessment is accurate

Even at Utah's lowest rate, assessment errors still occur and can inflate your bill. Contact the Wayne County assessor for a free review to ensure you're not paying a penny more than necessary.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Wayne County

via CostByCounty

Wayne County offers surprising affordability

Wayne County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio puts it among America's most affordable housing markets, despite a median income of $70,074 that's below the national average of $74,755. Rents of just $1,018 monthly suggest a rural county where housing costs haven't surged with the state's growth.

Utah's most affordable rental county

Wayne County ranks as Utah's most affordable county for renters, with a 17.4% ratio sitting just 0.8 percentage points above the state average of 16.6%. At $1,018 per month, median rents run 7% below the state median of $1,101, making Wayne a haven for budget-conscious renters.

Wayne outpaces all neighbors on affordability

Wayne County's $1,018 rent is dramatically lower than all regional neighbors: Utah County ($1,441), Wasatch County ($1,905), Washington County ($1,464), and Weber County ($1,269). Its 17.4% rent-to-income ratio matches or beats every surrounding county, making Wayne uniquely accessible.

Lower income, lower costs equal balance

Wayne County residents earning a median $70,074 annually pay just $1,018 in rent—the lowest in the region—resulting in a lean 17.4% rent-to-income ratio. Owner-occupants spend even less proportionally at 11.3%, suggesting this rural county offers genuine housing affordability across both renting and buying.

Wayne County for the budget-conscious mover

If you prioritize affordability and don't mind rural living, Wayne County delivers the state's lowest housing costs at just $1,018 monthly rent with a 17.4% income ratio. Compare this to Washington County's strained 23.0% ratio or Wasatch's 19.9% to see how much financial breathing room Wayne provides.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Wayne County

via IncomeByCounty

Wayne County below national income level

Wayne County's median household income of $70,074 trails the national median of $74,755 by $4,681, ranking it in the lower-earning tier nationwide. Its rural character and tourism-dependent economy create more limited earning opportunities than urban and suburban regions.

Utah's lowest-earning county

Wayne County's median household income of $70,074 ranks last among Utah's 29 counties, falling $10,102 below the state average of $80,176. Limited job diversity, small population, and dependence on natural resource and tourism sectors constrain household earnings significantly.

Significant income gap with adjacent counties

Wayne County residents earn $26,803 less than Utah County ($96,877) and $6,337 less than Washington County ($76,411). Even compared to rural peers, the gap is substantial—Wayne households earn $17,009 below Weber County ($87,083), underscoring regional economic disparities.

Housing affordable on modest income

Wayne County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the affordability threshold, and its median home value of $364,800 is the lowest among these five counties. Housing affordability is the county's economic strength, though modest overall incomes limit wealth-building capacity.

Prioritize earnings growth and skill-building

Wayne County residents should focus on career development and skill-building to increase earning potential, since incomes here lag state and national peers. Even small income gains compound significantly; investing in education, training, or business ownership offers paths to improved financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Wayne County

via HealthByCounty

Wayne County faces serious health challenges

Wayne County residents live an average of 75.5 years—2.3 years below the U.S. average of 77.8 years. With 17.0% experiencing poor or fair health, the county has the highest burden of health struggles in the region.

Lowest life expectancy in Utah

Wayne County's 75.5-year life expectancy is 2.4 years below Utah's state average of 77.9 years, making it the state's lowest. Its 17.0% poor/fair health rate is the highest in Utah, signaling a county facing acute health crises.

Lagging all surrounding counties

Wayne County trails all neighboring Utah counties—its 75.5-year life expectancy is 3.5 to 5.5 years lower than Utah, Washington, or Wasatch counties. Its 17.0% poor/fair health rate is dramatically higher than peers, with only Washington County (14.1%) approaching this burden.

Access data limited, uninsured rate highest

Primary care provider data for Wayne County is limited, but we know 689 mental health providers per 100,000 residents serve the county. With a 15.0% uninsured rate—the region's highest—many residents lack insurance to access either mental or physical healthcare.

Healthcare coverage is urgent

One in six Wayne County residents lack health insurance, likely contributing to the county's poor health outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Utah's Health Insurance Marketplace immediately to secure coverage and connect with available care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Wayne County

via RiskByCounty

Wayne County has minimal risk

Wayne County's composite risk score of just 1.88 places it in the very low category, far below the national average. Your county enjoys exceptional protection from most natural disaster hazards.

Utah's safest county by far

Wayne County's score of 1.88 is dramatically lower than Utah's state average of 36.19, making it the safest county in the state. The gap reflects Wayne County's fortunate geography relative to other Utah communities.

Far safer than surrounding areas

Wayne County's 1.88 score is dramatically lower than neighboring Washington County (92.81), Utah County (95.32), and Weber County (87.02). Your county represents a low-risk oasis within a region of elevated natural hazard exposure.

Wildfire is your only notable concern

Wildfire risk at 53.69 is the only hazard reaching moderate levels in Wayne County; all other risks are minimal. Earthquake (47.77), flood (6.90), and tornado (2.23) risks are negligible by state and national standards.

Standard insurance likely sufficient

Wayne County's low overall risk profile means standard homeowners insurance may be adequate for most residents. Still, verify that your policy covers the modest wildfire risk (53.69), and consider your specific property location when finalizing coverage.

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.