County · Mississippi
Wayne County, Mississippi
Wayne County, Mississippi. Wayne County had 19,807 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.1% since 2020, in line with Mississippi (−0.2%). It holds 4 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 7 census tracts. GEOID 28153.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,807
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 19,779 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,718
Median household income
$37,619
±$5,069 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $56,447
Median home value
$91,100
±$8,311 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $169,800
Median gross rent
$784
±$210 (90% margin)
Mississippi: $954
How many people live in Wayne County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 19,779 residents in Wayne County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,807 for July 1, 2025, up 0.1% since 2020, in line with Mississippi (−0.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,718 over 811 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wayne County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,718 | 2,946,779 | −655 |
| Households | 7,681±285 | 1,145,431 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.55±0.09 | 2.49 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,143±17 | 1,341,114 | −297 |
Wayne County's population since 2000
From 21,216 in 2000 to 19,807 in 2025: down 6.6%. 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 4 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Waynesboro with 4,495 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waynesboro | 4,567 | $31,684 |
|---|---|---|
| ClaraGEOID 2813700 | 386 | $30,645 |
| BuckatunnaGEOID 2809380 | 383 | not published |
| State LineGEOID 2870320 | 452 | not published |
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 39.4 years old; 24.9% are under 18 and 18.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 56.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 37.9%.
| Measure | Wayne County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.4±0.9 | 38.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.9%±0.1 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.0%±0.2 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2%±1.9 pts | 3.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 56.5%±0.2 pts | 55.2% | −0.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 37.9%±2.7 pts | 36.3% | −3.1 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.9 pts | 1.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4%±1.2 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.1%±2.2 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.8%±2.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.6%±1.5 pts | 6.8% | – |
| With a disability | 20.1%±2.6 pts | 17.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.2%±3.1 pts | 11.0% | +6.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.3%±2.9 pts | 87.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 16.0%±3.3 pts | 25.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.0%±2.2 pts | 9.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±1.8 pts | 2.1% | – |
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 7,681 households earn less than $37,619 a year (±$5,069), against $56,447 in Mississippi. In 2015-2019 it was $46,405 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 22.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wayne County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $37,619±$5,069 | $56,447 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $60,777±$6,437 | $78,922 | – |
| Per capita income | $25,879±$2,647 | $31,549 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.8%±5.6 pts | 18.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 29.0%±8.7 pts | 26.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 20.9%±4.1 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.9%±3.9 pts | 84.1% | – |
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 85.3% of Wayne County's occupied homes and renters 14.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $91,100 by its owner (±$8,311). The median renter pays $784 a month including utilities, and 59.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wayne County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $91,100±$8,311 | $169,800 | −$14,494 |
| Median gross rent | $784±$210 | $954 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 59.2%±16.9 pts | 42.1% | +27.1 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,207±$128 | $1,394 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 85.3%±3.2 pts | 70.0% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 9,143±17 | 1,341,114 | −297 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 11.5%±8.6 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.9%±4.1 pts | 69.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 28.9%±3.5 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.0%±2.0 pts | 4.0% | – |
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?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units across Wayne County in 2025 (5 single-family), 0.3 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?
85.1% of Wayne County's workers drive alone and 4.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.0%.
| Measure | Wayne County | Mississippi | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 54.6%±3.5 pts | 57.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.0%±3.3 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 85.1%±4.8 pts | 81.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±3.4 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.0%±2.2 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.2 min±3.8 | 25.6 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 7 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $24,497 (Tract 9504.02) to $55,746 (Tract 9503.02).
| Tract 9501.0128153950101 | 2,281±425 | $31,993 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9501.0228153950102 | 2,642±502 | $28,636 |
| Tract 950228153950200 | 5,013±527 | $35,023 |
| Tract 9503.0128153950301 | 1,752±383 | $31,765 |
| Tract 9503.0228153950302 | 3,422±423 | $55,746 |
| Tract 9504.0128153950401 | 2,897±398 | $54,341 |
| Tract 9504.0228153950402 | 1,711±527 | $24,497 |
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 Mississippi's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 46th of 82 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 29th of 82 |
| Residents per square mile | 56th of 82 |
| Median household income | 71st of 82 |
| Median home value | 71st of 82 |
| Median gross rent | 41st of 81 |
| Poverty rate | 35th of 82 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55th of 82 |
| Median age | 46th of 82 |
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.