County · Kentucky
Wayne County, Kentucky
Wayne County, Kentucky. Wayne County had 19,597 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 1 place (1 city, village or borough) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 21231.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,597
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,555 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,602
Median household income
$45,739
±$4,327 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$135,700
±$14,202 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$727
±$65 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Wayne County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,555 residents in Wayne County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,597 for July 1, 2025, up 0.2% since 2020, slower than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,602 over 458 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wayne County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,602 | 4,534,824 | −944 |
| Households | 8,074±268 | 1,814,469 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.08 | 2.43 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,134±40 | 2,023,116 | −824 |
Wayne County's population since 2000
From 19,923 in 2000 to 19,597 in 2025: down 1.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Wayne County?
Wayne County holds 1 place: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place). The largest is Monticello with 5,721 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Monticello | 5,753 | $44,952 |
|---|
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Wayne County?
The median resident of Wayne County is 43.8 years old; 20.4% are under 18 and 21.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.5%. 1.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wayne County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.8±0.7 | 39.1 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 20.4%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.9%±0.3 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.5% | 5.0% | +1.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.4%±0.7 pts | 81.5% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.6 pts | 7.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 1.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.5%±1.0 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.7%±0.9 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.6%±0.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±1.2 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 25.9%±1.9 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.2%±1.2 pts | 6.0% | −5.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.9%±2.6 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 13.9%±2.5 pts | 27.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±1.2 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±1.0 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Wayne County earn?
Half of Wayne County's 8,074 households earn less than $45,739 a year (±$4,327), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $42,968 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 24.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wayne County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $45,739±$4,327 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $60,284±$5,155 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,596±$2,062 | $35,821 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 24.8%±4.2 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 30.8%±9.2 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.3%±2.8 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.7%±2.5 pts | 88.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Wayne County?
Owners occupy 69.1% of Wayne County's occupied homes and renters 30.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $135,700 by its owner (±$14,202). The median renter pays $727 a month including utilities, and 37.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wayne County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $135,700±$14,202 | $205,600 | +$26,414 |
| Median gross rent | $727±$65 | $967 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 37.1%±8.8 pts | 36.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,100±$94 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.1%±4.0 pts | 68.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,134±40 | 2,023,116 | −824 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.0%±2.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 70.3%±4.0 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 22.4%±3.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.4%±1.5 pts | 9.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Wayne County building?
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Wayne County get to work?
72.3% of Wayne County's workers drive alone and 10.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.8%.
| Measure | Wayne County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.6%±2.9 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.8%±2.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.3%±4.0 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 14.2%±4.1 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.8%±3.8 pts | 10.2% | +7.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.8 min±3.0 | 24.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Wayne County's census tracts?
Wayne County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,265 (Tract 9202.02) to $68,182 (Tract 9207.01).
| Tract 9201.0121231920101 | 1,856±375 | $49,125 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9201.0221231920102 | 2,321±312 | $50,000 |
| Tract 9202.0121231920201 | 1,762±188 | $59,107 |
| Tract 9202.0221231920202 | 3,825±413 | $27,265 |
| Tract 920321231920300 | 4,065±445 | $45,542 |
| Tract 9204.0121231920401 | 1,613±309 | $45,875 |
| Tract 9204.0221231920402 | 1,669±357 | $39,632 |
| Tract 9207.0121231920701 | 1,028±287 | $68,182 |
| Tract 9207.0221231920702 | 1,463±281 | $38,438 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Wayne County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 62nd of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 73rd of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 79th of 120 |
| Median household income | 93rd of 120 |
| Median home value | 71st of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 78th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 21st of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 93rd of 120 |
| Median age | 16th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Wayne County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.