County · Michigan
Wayne County, Michigan
Wayne County, Michigan. Wayne County had 1,769,038 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.4% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. It holds 43 places (34 cities, villages and boroughs and 9 towns and townships) and 627 census tracts. GEOID 26163.
Wayne County is one of the 6 counties of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
1,769,038
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 1,793,561 · ACS 2020-2024: 1,772,259
Median household income
$60,539
±$602 (90% margin)
Michigan: $72,875
Median home value
$178,500
±$1,776 (90% margin)
Michigan: $231,600
Median gross rent
$1,132
±$8 (90% margin)
Michigan: $1,129
How many people live in Wayne County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 1,793,561 residents in Wayne County. The Census Bureau estimates 1,769,038 for July 1, 2025, down 1.4% since 2020, while Michigan grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 1,772,259 over 612 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wayne County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 1,772,259 | 10,077,761 | +14,960 |
| Households | 700,591±1,709 | 4,076,369 | +18,309 |
| Average household size | 2.50±0.01 | 2.42 | −0.04 |
| Housing units | 801,083±338 | 4,622,236 | −14,019 |
Wayne County's population since 2000
From 2,061,162 in 2000 to 1,769,038 in 2025: down 14.2%. 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 43 places: 34 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 9 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government). The largest is Detroit with 649,095 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Detroit | 639,111 | $39,938 |
|---|---|---|
| Dearborn | 109,976 | $65,324 |
| Canton Charter Township | 98,659 | $121,359 |
| Livonia | 95,535 | $98,460 |
| Westland | 85,420 | $62,076 |
| Taylor | 63,409 | $61,081 |
| Dearborn Heights | 63,292 | $60,391 |
| Redford Charter Township | 49,504 | $69,414 |
| Lincoln Park | 40,245 | $58,616 |
| Brownstown Charter Township | 33,194 | $95,402 |
| Northville Township | 31,758 | $150,518 |
| Van Buren Charter Township | 30,375 | $78,230 |
| Southgate | 30,014 | $66,118 |
| Allen Park | 28,638 | $81,655 |
| Hamtramck | 28,433 | $39,293 |
| Plymouth Charter Township | 27,938 | $116,883 |
| Garden City | 27,380 | $67,294 |
| Inkster | 26,088 | $39,252 |
| Romulus | 25,178 | $69,151 |
| Wyandotte | 25,058 | $71,987 |
| Trenton | 18,544 | $82,212 |
| Wayne | 17,713 | $59,038 |
| Huron Charter Township | 16,944 | $92,832 |
| Grosse Pointe Woods | 16,487 | $126,395 |
| Harper Woods | 15,492 | $65,022 |
| Woodhaven | 12,941 | $78,648 |
| Melvindale | 12,851 | $42,185 |
| Riverview | 12,490 | $73,468 |
| Grosse Pointe Park | 11,595 | $124,111 |
| Grosse Ile Township | 10,788 | $126,582 |
| Flat Rock | 10,541 | $81,585 |
| Grosse Pointe Farms | 10,148 | $161,208 |
| Sumpter Township | 9,660 | $76,081 |
| Plymouth | 9,370 | $112,145 |
| Ecorse | 9,305 | $40,241 |
| Highland Park | 8,977 | $29,309 |
| River Rouge | 7,224 | $41,053 |
| Grosse Pointe | 5,678 | $158,853 |
| Gibraltar | 4,997 | $91,651 |
| Belleville | 4,008 | $62,991 |
| Rockwood | 3,240 | $88,080 |
| Northville | 6,119 | $145,530 |
| Village of Grosse Pointe Shores | 2,647 | $189,583 |
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 37.9 years old; 23.6% are under 18 and 16.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 47.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 36.6%. 10.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wayne County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9±0.1 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.6%±0.1 pts | 21.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.6%±0.1 pts | 18.6% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.9% | 5.9% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 47.9%±0.1 pts | 72.4% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 36.6%±0.2 pts | 13.1% | −1.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.1 pts | 3.4% | +0.4 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3%±0.2 pts | 4.5% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.3%±0.2 pts | 7.2% | +1.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 16.4%±0.3 pts | 10.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.8%±0.1 pts | 5.8% | – |
| With a disability | 15.9%±0.2 pts | 14.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.6%±0.2 pts | 4.9% | −0.7 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.0%±0.2 pts | 92.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.6%±0.3 pts | 32.4% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.8%±0.2 pts | 12.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.1 pts | 1.4% | – |
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 700,591 households earn less than $60,539 a year (±$602), against $72,875 in Michigan. In 2015-2019 the median was $58,213 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $2,326 after inflation. 20.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wayne County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,539±$602 | $72,875 | +$2,326 |
| Mean household income | $85,604±$762 | $98,700 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,906±$278 | $40,735 | +$1,330 |
| People below the poverty line | 20.8%±0.5 pts | 13.2% | −1.5 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 30.9%±1.1 pts | 17.6% | −2.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.0%±0.4 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.7%±0.3 pts | 90.5% | – |
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 64.8% of Wayne County's occupied homes and renters 35.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $178,500 by its owner (±$1,776). The median renter pays $1,132 a month including utilities, and 45.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wayne County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $178,500±$1,776 | $231,600 | +$39,432 |
| Median gross rent | $1,132±$8 | $1,129 | +$55 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 45.3%±1.0 pts | 41.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,556±$13 | $1,569 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.8%±0.4 pts | 73.2% | +2.8 pts |
| Housing units | 801,083±338 | 4,622,236 | −14,019 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.6%±0.4 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.6%±0.3 pts | 72.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.8%±0.1 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.2%±0.3 pts | 14.6% | – |
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?
Builders took permits for 3,922 new housing units across Wayne County in 2025 (1,210 single-family), 2.2 per 1,000 residents.
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?
71.9% of Wayne County's workers drive alone and 14.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 24.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 8.7%.
| Measure | Wayne County | Michigan | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.2%±0.4 pts | 61.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 8.7%±0.3 pts | 5.7% | −0.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 71.9%±0.6 pts | 74.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5%±0.3 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.8%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±0.1 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.1%±0.4 pts | 13.5% | +10.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 24.7 min±0.2 | 24.2 min | −0.7 min |
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 627 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $11,864 (Tract 5308) to $250,000 or more (Tract 5613.02).
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 Michigan's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 1st of 83 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 77th of 83 |
| Residents per square mile | 1st of 83 |
| Median household income | 56th of 83 |
| Median home value | 41st of 83 |
| Median gross rent | 9th of 83 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 83 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23rd of 83 |
| Median age | 76th of 83 |
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.