countyscore
71.8
County Score
Disaster Risk 98.2Safety 97.5Property Tax 96.2

County Report Card

About Wayne County, Utah

A National Leader in Livability

Wayne County earns an impressive 71.8 composite score, far surpassing the national median of 50.0. This high ranking places it among the most livable counties in the entire country.

Setting the Standard in Utah

Wayne County significantly outpaces the state average of 53.9. It serves as a standout model for safety and stability within the state of Utah.

Unmatched Safety and Low Risk

The county excels with a near-perfect risk score of 98.2 and a safety score of 97.5. Low taxes further enhance its appeal, with a tax score of 96.2 and a 0.349% effective rate.

Water Scarcity and Health Access

Resource management is a struggle, as the water score is a low 25.9. Additionally, a health score of 44.7 suggests there is room to improve local medical access and outcomes.

Best for Peace and Security

This county is a premier choice for families or individuals who value personal safety and protection from natural disasters above all else. It offers a secure, low-tax environment for those comfortable with rural resource levels.

Score breakdown

Tax96.2Cost50.9Safety97.5Health44.7Schools78.5Income66.5Risk98.2Water25.9Weather39.1
🏛96.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠50.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼66.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡97.5
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤44.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓78.5
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡98.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧25.9
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤39.1
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱31.7
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Garfield County
Utah
66.8
Emery County
Utah
70.1
San Juan County
Utah
58.3
Sevier County
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Piute County
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Grand County
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Sanpete County
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Kane County
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Deep Dives

Wayne County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Wayne County

via CrimeByCounty

A Perfect Safety Score Recorded

Wayne County reports a perfect safety score of 100.0, indicating an incredibly low volume of criminal activity. Data shows a 0.0 crime rate per 100K, though this reflects only a single reporting agency.

Wayne County Leads State Safety

While the state average safety score is a high 98.1, Wayne County sits at the very top of the list. It reports zero crimes compared to the state average rate of 1,204.8 per 100K.

Unmatched Tranquility in the Region

Wayne County is statistically the safest in the region, far surpassing Washington County's rate of 1,429.3. Even accounting for limited reporting, it remains a remarkably quiet area.

Analyzing Limited Crime Data

Current data shows zero violent or property crimes, though reporting is limited to one agency. This suggests a very high level of public safety for the small local population.

Preserving a Low-Crime Environment

Even with no reported crimes, it is wise to maintain situational awareness. Basic home security provides peace of mind while preserving the county's tranquil reputation.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in Wayne County

via SchoolsByCounty

Small-Scale Education in Rural Utah

Wayne County operates a highly localized system with only 4 public schools serving 473 total students. This small network includes two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

Top-Tier Graduation and Focused Spending

Wayne County leads with a stellar 95.0% graduation rate, the highest in this group. This success is supported by a per-pupil expenditure of $8,373, which is significantly higher than the state average of $6,829.

Unified Wayne School District

The Wayne District manages all 473 students in the county, ensuring a single, cohesive educational path for residents. There are currently no charter schools in the county, focusing all resources on the traditional public system.

The Ultimate Rural School Experience

All schools in Wayne County are classified as rural, offering an intimate average school size of just 118 students. At the smallest end, Hanksville School serves only 16 students, providing an incredibly personalized environment.

Discover Peace and Personalized Learning

For families who value small class sizes and high graduation rates, Wayne County offers an unmatched rural educational experience. Investing in a home here means joining a community where every student receives individual attention.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in Wayne County

via WeatherByCounty

A High-Desert Continental Climate

Wayne County averages 50.8°F, placing it near the national median for temperature but far below for moisture. With only 8.1 inches of rain annually, it is one of the driest regions in the country.

Drier than the Utah Average

While its temperature is close to the 48.9°F state average, Wayne County receives 5.6 inches less moisture than the state typical. This creates a landscape defined by aridity and high evaporation rates.

Aridity Defines the Local Region

Wayne County is significantly drier than its northern neighbor, Wasatch County, which sees over double the precipitation. Its temperature profile is nearly identical to Utah County, but it receives less than half the snow.

Dry Summers and Moderate Winters

The county sees 42 extreme heat days and a 72.1°F summer average. Winters are relatively dry for Utah, with only 19.0 inches of snow and a January average of 28.5°F.

Plan for Arid Conditions

Water conservation is a way of life here given the extremely low 8.1 inches of annual precipitation. Residents should prepare for dusty conditions and sharp temperature drops after sunset in this high-desert environment.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Wayne County

via SoilByCounty

Red Rock Soil Characteristics

Wayne County’s specific soil taxonomic data is currently limited, but regional trends align with the state’s 7.71 average pH. This alkaline profile exceeds the national median of 6.5, a result of the county's arid climate and parent rock. Knowledge of these levels helps farmers choose the right fertilizers for their land.

Understanding the Mineral Mix

Sand, silt, and clay percentages are not currently available for Wayne County. These components determine how soil feels in your hands and how well it supports heavy machinery. Without data, observing how quickly puddles disappear after a storm can offer clues about your soil's texture.

Fertility Metrics in Canyon Country

Local organic matter and water capacity levels are not recorded, but they can be measured against the state average of 7.59%. Maintaining the state's average water capacity of 0.138 in/in is a challenge in this dry climate. Intensive mulching is a key strategy for preserving moisture and boosting fertility here.

Drainage in a High Desert

The county's drainage and hydrologic group classifications are currently unlisted. In this rugged terrain, soil drainage affects everything from trail stability to orchard health. Understanding local water movement is vital for sustainable land use in such a beautiful, sensitive environment.

Cultivating Success in Zone 6a

With a Zone 6a rating, Wayne County is ideal for hearty vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions that thrive in cooler temperatures. The distinct seasons offer a clear window for summer squash and resilient greens. Start your garden this year to enjoy the unique flavors of high-desert produce.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Wayne County

via LawnByCounty

High-Desert Lawn Care in Wayne County

Wayne County earns a difficulty score of 31.7, making it the most manageable county in this set despite being below the national average. It sits slightly above the Utah state average of 28.5, offering a marginally easier path for Zone 6a gardeners. However, low rainfall remains the primary obstacle for anyone seeking a lush green lawn.

Extreme Aridity Tests Turf Survival

Wayne County is exceptionally dry, receiving just 8.1 inches of annual precipitation compared to the state average of 13.7 inches. While the 42 extreme heat days are standard for the region, the lack of natural moisture puts immense pressure on irrigation systems. Grass requires nearly four times the local rainfall to thrive during the peak growing season.

Building a Better Soil Base

Local soil data is limited, so gardeners should prioritize a professional analysis to check for high alkaline levels common in Utah. Without significant organic amendments, the natural soil may struggle to support the heavy nutrient needs of traditional turf. Adding topsoil or compost can help bridge the gap for new lawn establishments.

Coping with Severe Drought Conditions

Currently, 100% of Wayne County is under severe drought, a condition that has persisted for the entire past year. This makes water conservation not just a suggestion, but a necessity for all property owners. Using drought-tolerant grass blends and reducing mowing frequency during heat waves can help plants survive these harsh cycles.

Planting for the Zone 6a Climate

Buffalo grass or wheatgrass varieties are excellent choices for this arid climate due to their low water needs. The spring planting window opens after May 1st, providing several months of growth before the October 16th fall frost. Focus on establishing deep roots early in the season to withstand the inevitable dry summer months.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Wayne County's county score?
Wayne County, Utah has a composite county score of 71.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Wayne County rank among counties in Utah?
Wayne County ranks #3 among all counties in Utah on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Wayne County, Utah?
The median annual property tax in Wayne County is $1,274, with an effective tax rate of 0.35%. This earns Wayne County a tax score of 96.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Wayne County?
The median household income in Wayne County, Utah is $70,074 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Wayne County earns an income score of 66.5/100 on CountyScore.
Is Wayne County, Utah a good place to live?
Wayne County scores 71.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Utah. The best way to evaluate Wayne County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Wayne County with other counties side by side.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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