County · Ohio
Wayne County, Ohio
Wayne County, Ohio. Wayne County had 116,758 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.1% since 2020, while Ohio grew 0.9%. It holds 35 places (16 cities, villages and boroughs, 16 towns and townships and 3 census-designated) and 32 census tracts. GEOID 39169.
Wayne County is the county of the Wooster, OH micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
116,758
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 116,894 · ACS 2020-2024: 116,588
Median household income
$73,574
±$2,496 (90% margin)
Ohio: $71,389
Median home value
$222,100
±$4,236 (90% margin)
Ohio: $214,800
Median gross rent
$881
±$23 (90% margin)
Ohio: $1,034
How many people live in Wayne County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 116,894 residents in Wayne County. The Census Bureau estimates 116,758 for July 1, 2025, down 0.1% since 2020, while Ohio grew 0.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 116,588 over 555 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wayne County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 116,588 | 11,810,293 | +489 |
| Households | 44,365±435 | 4,863,191 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.53±0.02 | 2.37 | −0.03 |
| Housing units | 46,954±207 | 5,292,391 | +306 |
Wayne County's population since 2000
From 111,564 in 2000 to 116,758 in 2025: up 4.7%. 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 35 places: 16 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 16 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Wooster with 27,115 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wooster | 27,232 | $66,898 |
|---|---|---|
| Green Township, Wayne County | 12,246 | $73,422 |
| Chippewa Township | 9,795 | $80,440 |
| Orrville | 8,452 | $72,569 |
| Sugar Creek Township, Wayne County | 7,187 | $77,093 |
| East Union Township | 6,946 | $72,778 |
| Rittman | 6,131 | $60,154 |
| Canaan Township, Wayne County | 5,134 | $76,431 |
| Baughman Township | 4,799 | $76,705 |
| Wooster Township | 4,615 | $70,296 |
| Salt Creek Township, Wayne County | 4,542 | $79,844 |
| Congress Township, Wayne County | 4,439 | $71,958 |
| Franklin Township, Wayne County | 4,235 | $71,384 |
| Wayne Township, Wayne County | 4,005 | $84,746 |
| Paint Township, Wayne County | 3,458 | $86,447 |
| Clinton Township, Wayne County | 3,165 | $72,336 |
| Plain Township, Wayne County | 3,069 | $85,909 |
| Doylestown | 3,051 | $79,181 |
| Chester Township, Wayne County | 3,043 | $73,625 |
| Milton Township, Wayne County | 2,964 | $69,401 |
| Creston | 2,139 | $68,500 |
| Dalton | 1,927 | $68,571 |
| Shreve | 1,497 | $66,220 |
| West Salem | 1,430 | $62,042 |
| Smithville | 1,338 | $71,944 |
| Apple Creek | 1,188 | $71,250 |
| Kidron | 966 | $70,227 |
| Marshallville | 789 | $59,821 |
| SterlingGEOID 3974566 | 432 | $61,250 |
| Fredericksburg | 409 | $75,909 |
| New PittsburgGEOID 3955244 | 303 | not published |
| Burbank | 296 | $63,125 |
| Mount EatonGEOID 3952682 | 171 | $81,875 |
| CongressGEOID 3918308 | 132 | $56,250 |
| Norton | 11,673 | $90,464 |
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 38.9 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 19.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.3%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 2.5%. 2.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wayne County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.9±0.5 | 39.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.0% | 22.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.0%±0.1 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.5% | 4.8% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 92.3%±0.3 pts | 75.8% | −1.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.2 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 2.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.5%±0.3 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.7%±0.3 pts | 5.2% | +0.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 14.1%±1.0 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1%±0.6 pts | 6.6% | – |
| With a disability | 12.6%±0.7 pts | 14.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.9%±1.2 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.7%±1.1 pts | 91.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.1%±1.2 pts | 31.5% | +2.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.4%±0.6 pts | 12.2% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
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 44,365 households earn less than $73,574 a year (±$2,496), against $71,389 in Ohio. In 2015-2019 it was $71,749 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wayne County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $73,574±$2,496 | $71,389 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $91,644±$2,285 | $96,990 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,229±$944 | $40,552 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.4%±1.2 pts | 13.3% | −1.9 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.9%±2.5 pts | 17.8% | −5.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.2%±0.9 pts | 12.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.3%±1.1 pts | 90.1% | – |
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 76.6% of Wayne County's occupied homes and renters 23.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $222,100 by its owner (±$4,236). The median renter pays $881 a month including utilities, and 25.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wayne County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $222,100±$4,236 | $214,800 | +$38,850 |
| Median gross rent | $881±$23 | $1,034 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.2%±3.5 pts | 37.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,440±$34 | $1,517 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 76.6%±1.1 pts | 67.2% | +3.6 pts |
| Housing units | 46,954±207 | 5,292,391 | +306 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0%±0.5 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6%±1.7 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 76.4%±1.2 pts | 68.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.7%±0.8 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 17.9%±1.0 pts | 19.0% | – |
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 232 new housing units across Wayne County in 2025 (223 single-family), 2.0 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?
72.9% of Wayne County's workers drive alone and 8.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.3%.
| Measure | Wayne County | Ohio | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 61.0%±1.1 pts | 63.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.3%±0.6 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 72.9%±1.9 pts | 75.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3%±1.0 pts | 7.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 4.8%±0.7 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.3%±0.9 pts | 13.0% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.6 min±0.6 | 23.4 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 32 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $51,952 (Tract 6) to $89,737 (Tract 31).
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 Ohio's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 24th of 88 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 42nd of 88 |
| Residents per square mile | 28th of 88 |
| Median household income | 28th of 88 |
| Median home value | 22nd of 88 |
| Median gross rent | 39th of 88 |
| Poverty rate | 67th of 88 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29th of 88 |
| Median age | 77th of 88 |
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.