County · Pennsylvania

Wayne County, Pennsylvania

Wayne County, Pennsylvania. Wayne County had 51,703 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.1% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). It holds 36 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs, 22 towns and townships and 8 census-designated) and 17 census tracts. GEOID 42127.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

51,703

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 51,155 · ACS 2020-2024: 51,262

Median household income

$62,381

±$3,372 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $77,971

Median home value

$242,100

±$7,213 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $254,500

Median gross rent

$1,038

±$51 (90% margin)
Pennsylvania: $1,209

How many people live in Wayne County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 51,155 residents in Wayne County. The Census Bureau estimates 51,703 for July 1, 2025, up 1.1% since 2020, faster than Pennsylvania (+0.4%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 51,262 over 726 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 +41 (51,192)
2021→2022 −84 (51,108)
2022→2023 +277 (51,385)
2023→2024 −23 (51,362)
2024→2025 +341 (51,703)

Wayne County in Pennsylvania. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Wayne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	51,262	13,018,639	−160
Households	20,877±475	5,274,853	+2,036
Average household size	2.30±0.05	2.39	−0.22
Housing units	32,171±60	5,806,452	no clear change

Wayne County's population since 2000

From 47,722 in 2000 to 51,703 in 2025: up 8.3%. 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.

2000 Census 47,722
2005 (estimate) 50,409
2010 Census 52,822
2015 (estimate) 51,828
2020 Census 51,155
2025 (estimate) 51,703

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 36 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 22 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 8 census-designated places. The largest is Lake Township, Wayne County with 4,910 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Wayne County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Lake Township, Wayne County	township	4,850	4,897±17	$59,873	$198,700	12.3%	100%
Honesdale	borough	4,458	4,467±16	$47,485	$182,400	19.8%	100%
Salem Township, Wayne County	township	4,115	4,144±18	$61,659	$241,400	11.7%	100%
Paupack Township	township	3,676	3,714±22	$75,302	$345,000	7.6%	100%
Damascus Township	township	3,674	3,698±19	$75,357	$282,200	8.9%	100%
Canaan Township	township	3,610	3,453±31	$73,036	$276,300	12.5%	100%
The HideoutGEOID 4276440	CDP	2,634	2,432±562	$48,045	$205,600	18.6%	100%
Berlin Township	township	2,478	2,832±330	$68,494	$246,900	12.3%	100%
Texas Township	township	2,287	2,223±364	$42,403	$215,900	20.2%	100%
Clinton Township, Wayne County	township	2,040	1,961±188	$67,708	$228,300	9.6%	100%
Cherry Ridge Township	township	1,913	2,090±445	$80,250	$279,800	6.7%	100%
Lehigh Township, Wayne County	township	1,876	2,014±387	$55,536	$178,900	14.4%	100%
South Canaan Township	township	1,793	1,855±216	$77,273	$281,600	11.4%	100%
Sterling Township	township	1,482	1,407±254	$70,417	$231,600	8.1%	100%
Mount Pleasant Township, Wayne County	township	1,439	1,742±203	$83,750	$323,700	12.6%	100%
Dyberry Township	township	1,397	1,303±152	$88,438	$280,600	7.1%	100%
Dreher Township	township	1,350	1,370±219	$51,648	$239,200	24.8%	100%
Waymart	borough	1,297	1,114±206	$51,544	$193,600	21.1%	100%
Palmyra Township, Wayne County	township	1,251	1,241±242	$72,361	$283,100	4.7%	100%
Hawley	borough	1,229	925±169	$48,160	$188,400	12.2%	100%
Wallenpaupack Lake Estates	CDP	1,226	1,232±234	$86,917	$242,300	4.7%	100%
Pocono Springs	CDP	1,051	835±226	$48,527	$172,400	28.0%	100%
Preston Township	township	1,000	916±175	$71,250	$231,100	11.8%	100%
Oregon Township	township	841	933±127	$75,625	$276,100	5.2%	100%
Manchester Township, Wayne County	township	785	680±135	$68,333	$292,200	7.2%	100%
BrowndaleGEOID 4209304	CDP	–	722±145	$53,750	$158,000	6.3%	100%
Lebanon Township	township	678	686±98	$50,114	$227,900	18.6%	100%
Gouldsboro	CDP	750	713±168	$67,303	$236,200	2.2%	87%
White MillsGEOID 4284696	CDP	585	703±268	$27,284	$195,000	38.7%	100%
Buckingham Township, Wayne County	township	506	465±111	$53,958	$230,600	6.5%	100%
Scott Township, Wayne County	township	483	434±125	$60,795	$229,500	8.8%	100%
Indian RocksGEOID 4236921	CDP	–	375±160	$106,250	$313,000	0.0%	100%
Bethany	borough	241	279±71	$100,250	$236,800	5.0%	100%
PromptonGEOID 4262744	borough	237	248±83	$70,625	$174,000	4.0%	100%
Big Bass Lake	CDP	1,337	1,428±447	$60,795	$204,300	9.4%	15%
StarruccaGEOID 4273784	borough	169	171±69	$70,278	$156,300	5.5%	100%

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 49.2 years old; 16.4% are under 18 and 25.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 87.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.1%. 4.3% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Wayne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	49.2±0.3	40.9	+1.0
Under 18 years	16.4%±0.1 pts	20.4%	–
65 years and over	25.6%±0.1 pts	19.5%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	5.1%	8.7%	+0.6 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	87.4%±0.8 pts	73.0%	−3.1 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	3.0%±0.2 pts	10.3%	no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic	0.7%±0.1 pts	3.8%	+0.2 pts
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	2.9%±0.7 pts	3.6%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.8%±0.5 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	4.3%±0.8 pts	7.7%	+1.6 pts
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	5.9%±0.8 pts	12.4%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	9.6%±0.9 pts	6.1%	–
With a disability	16.5%±1.3 pts	14.4%	–
No health insurance coverage	6.8%±1.0 pts	5.6%	+1.4 pts
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	92.3%±1.0 pts	92.1%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	23.4%±1.4 pts	35.2%	+3.0 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	9.9%±0.8 pts	14.3%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	2.8%±0.8 pts	1.9%	–

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 20,877 households earn less than $62,381 a year (±$3,372), against $77,971 in Pennsylvania. In 2015-2019 the median was $69,037 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $6,656 after inflation. 12.1% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Wayne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$62,381±$3,372	$77,971	−$6,656
Mean household income	$85,112±$3,242	$107,538	–
Per capita income	$35,882±$1,342	$44,355	+$2,146
People below the poverty line	12.1%±1.7 pts	11.7%	no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line	14.6%±3.5 pts	15.6%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	13.0%±1.7 pts	14.4%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	86.7%±1.7 pts	89.7%	–

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 80.5% of Wayne County's occupied homes and renters 19.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $242,100 by its owner (±$7,213). The median renter pays $1,038 a month including utilities, and 46.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Wayne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$242,100±$7,213	$254,500	+$18,975
Median gross rent	$1,038±$51	$1,209	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	46.6%±7.5 pts	39.5%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,652±$46	$1,762	–
Owner-occupied homes	80.5%±1.5 pts	69.3%	no clear change
Housing units	32,171±60	5,806,452	no clear change
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.7%±0.4 pts	0.8%	–
Rental vacancy rate	1.7%±1.3 pts	4.9%	–
Single-family detached homes	84.0%±1.5 pts	56.6%	–
Mobile homes	8.4%±1.2 pts	3.5%	–
Built 2020 or later	0.7%±0.2 pts	1.0%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	17.7%±1.6 pts	25.0%	–

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 150 new housing units across Wayne County in 2025 (150 single-family), 2.9 per 1,000 residents.

2019 100 units
2020 120 units
2021 133 units
2022 151 units
2023 155 units
2024 175 units
2025 150 units

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?

75.2% of Wayne County's workers drive alone and 11.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.0%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Wayne County	Pennsylvania	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	50.8%±1.4 pts	62.7%	–
Unemployment rate	6.0%±1.0 pts	5.3%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	75.2%±1.9 pts	68.2%	–
Carpooled	9.1%±1.1 pts	7.5%	–
Public transportation	0.3%±0.2 pts	3.6%	–
Walked	2.6%±0.9 pts	3.3%	–
Worked from home	11.6%±1.4 pts	15.6%	+5.8 pts
Mean travel time to work	28.9 min±1.8	26.3 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 17 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $47,485 (Tract 9607) to $85,134 (Tract 9611.02).

Census tracts of Wayne County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 960142127960100	–	1,291	1,145±154	$58,938	$267,500	$800	6.9%
Tract 960242127960200	Starrucca (10%)	3,091	3,263±225	$76,250	$272,400	$1,142	11.5%
Tract 960342127960300	Prompton (15%)	2,277	2,209±196	$67,778	$225,200	$1,105	9.0%
Tract 960442127960400	Bethany (8%)	3,157	3,201±187	$73,778	$267,800	$1,017	8.8%
Tract 960542127960500	–	3,674	3,698±19	$75,357	$282,200	$705	8.9%
Tract 960642127960600	Hawley (26%)	4,958	4,998±364	$60,590	$248,100	$991	10.4%
Tract 960742127960700	Honesdale	4,458	4,467±16	$47,485	$182,400	$1,097	19.8%
Tract 960842127960800	White Mills (14%)	4,200	4,313±420	$65,625	$236,700	$921	13.4%
Tract 960942127960900	Waymart (15%)	6,700	6,422±308	$63,859	$248,500	$874	14.3%
Tract 9610.0142127961001	–	1,972	2,124±430	$73,306	$182,700	$716	5.8%
Tract 9610.0242127961002	The Hideout (53%)	2,878	2,773±431	$56,324	$231,100	$1,598	17.5%
Tract 9611.0142127961101	–	1,858	1,863±190	$74,722	$355,600	not published	6.5%
Tract 9611.0242127961102	Wallenpaupack Lake Estates (39%)	1,818	1,851±192	$85,134	$317,300	$1,663	8.6%
Tract 9612.0142127961201	The Hideout (28%)	2,807	2,952±239	$59,688	$221,000	$1,093	11.5%
Tract 9612.0242127961202	–	1,308	1,192±238	$71,250	$310,300	$888	12.0%
Tract 961342127961300	Pocono Springs (17%)	2,832	2,777±323	$61,412	$234,200	$898	16.2%
Tract 961442127961400	Pocono Springs (38%)	1,876	2,014±387	$55,536	$178,900	$1,360	14.4%

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 Pennsylvania's other counties?

Wayne County's rank among Pennsylvania's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	43rd of 67
Growth 2020-2025	21st of 67
Residents per square mile	46th of 67
Median household income	49th of 67
Median home value	19th of 67
Median gross rent	22nd of 67
Poverty rate	29th of 67
Bachelor's degree or higher	36th of 67
Median age	4th of 67

Every county in Pennsylvania

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.