County · West Virginia
Wayne County, West Virginia
Wayne County, West Virginia. Wayne County had 37,309 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). It holds 8 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 54099.
Wayne County is one of the 8 counties of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
37,309
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 38,982 · ACS 2020-2024: 38,164
Median household income
$58,878
±$6,222 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $59,608
Median home value
$127,100
±$12,784 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $162,600
Median gross rent
$915
±$52 (90% margin)
West Virginia: $872
How many people live in Wayne County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 38,982 residents in Wayne County. The Census Bureau estimates 37,309 for July 1, 2025, down 4.3% since 2020, a steeper fall than West Virginia's (−1.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 38,164 over 506 square miles of land.
| Measure | Wayne County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 38,164 | 1,778,373 | −2,139 |
| Households | 15,762±423 | 728,655 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.06 | 2.37 | −0.24 |
| Housing units | 18,263±31 | 861,325 | −1,092 |
Wayne County's population since 2000
From 42,903 in 2000 to 37,309 in 2025: down 13.0%. 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 8 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Huntington with 44,815 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Huntington | 46,842 | $45,100 |
|---|---|---|
| KenovaGEOID 5443180 | 3,033 | $53,683 |
| Wayne | 1,443 | $27,159 |
| Ceredo | 1,408 | $49,635 |
| LavaletteGEOID 5445580 | 932 | $54,554 |
| Fort Gay | 675 | not published |
| PrichardGEOID 5465596 | 461 | not published |
| CrumGEOID 5419300 | 136 | $44,083 |
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 44.8 years old; 20.4% are under 18 and 22.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 95.7%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.2%. 0.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Wayne County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.8±0.3 | 42.7 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 20.4%±0.2 pts | 20.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.2%±0.1 pts | 21.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% | 2.1% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 95.7%±0.5 pts | 89.7% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 3.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±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 | 2.2%±0.5 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.3%±0.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.0%±1.1 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 22.8%±1.9 pts | 19.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7%±1.0 pts | 6.0% | −3.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.5%±1.9 pts | 89.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 19.2%±2.2 pts | 24.1% | +4.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.7%±1.5 pts | 9.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.2%±0.5 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 15,762 households earn less than $58,878 a year (±$6,222), against $59,608 in West Virginia. In 2015-2019 the median was $46,752 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,126 after inflation. 14.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wayne County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $58,878±$6,222 | $59,608 | +$12,126 |
| Mean household income | $78,850±$7,076 | $81,190 | – |
| Per capita income | $32,910±$2,567 | $34,203 | +$6,385 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.6%±2.5 pts | 16.7% | −8.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 16.7%±5.0 pts | 21.5% | −14.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 18.3%±2.7 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.5%±2.2 pts | 86.1% | – |
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 78.6% of Wayne County's occupied homes and renters 21.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $127,100 by its owner (±$12,784). The median renter pays $915 a month including utilities, and 30.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Wayne County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $127,100±$12,784 | $162,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $915±$52 | $872 | +$100 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.7%±7.2 pts | 39.0% | −12.9 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,176±$45 | $1,255 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.6%±2.7 pts | 74.9% | +5.1 pts |
| Housing units | 18,263±31 | 861,325 | −1,092 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.4%±3.3 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.0%±3.0 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 18.8%±2.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 11.5%±2.2 pts | 14.9% | – |
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 61 new housing units across Wayne County in 2025 (61 single-family), 1.6 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?
79.8% of Wayne County's workers drive alone and 4.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Wayne County | West Virginia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 50.8%±2.2 pts | 53.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±1.7 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.8%±4.0 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5%±2.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 4.7%±2.7 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.4%±1.4 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.3 min±1.6 | 26.6 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 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $38,844 (Tract 52) to $84,963 (Tract 201).
| Tract 5154099005100 | 1,900±184 | $56,950 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 5254099005200 | 1,771±187 | $38,844 |
| Tract 20154099020100 | 2,628±455 | $84,963 |
| Tract 20354099020300 | 4,779±564 | $54,487 |
| Tract 20454099020400 | 5,997±780 | $79,939 |
| Tract 20554099020500 | 4,151±686 | $70,120 |
| Tract 20654099020600 | 5,121±686 | $54,962 |
| Tract 20754099020700 | 3,524±624 | $61,719 |
| Tract 20854099020800 | 3,403±513 | $44,375 |
| Tract 20954099020900 | 2,487±431 | $40,288 |
| Tract 21054099021000 | 2,403±506 | $48,125 |
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 West Virginia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 14th of 55 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 33rd of 55 |
| Residents per square mile | 18th of 55 |
| Median household income | 18th of 55 |
| Median home value | 35th of 55 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 55 |
| Poverty rate | 40th of 55 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24th of 55 |
| Median age | 27th of 55 |
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.