Wayne County, Indiana Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 26th-largest in Indiana

The population of Wayne County, Indiana is 66,377 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 26th-largest county in Indiana. The median household income is $56,652, the median home value is $126,100, and the median age is 40.9.

The population of Wayne County has declined 3.6% since 2010 (68,897 → 66,410), a -0.26% annualized rate.

Wayne County within Indiana · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

66,377

Population

-0.26%

Annual growth

165

People / sq mi

$56,652

Median Income

$126,100

Median Home Value

Wayne County covers 402 sq mi of land at 165.2 people per square mile.

About Wayne County, IN

What distinguishes Wayne County is density: among the most densely settled of US counties, around 165 people per square mile. Wayne County is a county in Indiana with a population of 66,377. It ranks #26 among counties in Indiana by population.

Household earnings are middling, with a median of $56,652 — below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 13.1%, above the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $126,100, with typical rent around $813.

Roughly 20.2% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. About 6.1% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 21 minutes each way.

That density explains much of the rest of the profile in Wayne County: denser places lean toward renting, shorter commutes by transit, and a younger working-age mix.

Wayne County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Wayne County had a population of 68,897 in 2010 and 66,410 in 2024, a -3.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 68,897 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.26%.

Wayne County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

66,410

Population (2024)

68,897

Population (2010)

68,897

Peak (2010)

-0.26%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	68,897	-	-	estimate
2011	68,661	-236	-0.34%	estimate
2012	68,256	-405	-0.59%	estimate
2013	67,829	-427	-0.63%	estimate
2014	67,427	-402	-0.59%	estimate
2015	67,044	-383	-0.57%	estimate
2016	66,723	-321	-0.48%	estimate
2017	66,307	-416	-0.62%	estimate
2018	66,131	-176	-0.27%	estimate
2019	65,943	-188	-0.28%	estimate
2020	66,514	+571	+0.87%	estimate
2021	66,453	-61	-0.09%	estimate
2022	66,337	-116	-0.17%	estimate
2023	66,273	-64	-0.10%	estimate
2024	66,410	+137	+0.21%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	87.0%
Black or African American	4.1%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.8%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

40.9

Median Age

51.2%

Female

48.8%

Male

19.2%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.0%

5–9

6.9%

10–14

5.6%

15–19

6.7%

20–24

6.5%

25–34

11.3%

35–44

11.7%

45–54

12.2%

55–59

6.1%

60–64

7.6%

65–74

11.3%

75–84

5.4%

85+

2.5%

Children (under 15): 18.5% · Seniors (65+): 19.2%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$56,652$-13,399 vs state
Mean household income	$76,475
Per-capita income	$31,990
Poverty rate	13.1%+4.7% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.2%
Employment-to-population	56.7%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

28.2%

Manufacturing

18.5%

Education & health care

8.6%

Construction

7.5%

Finance & real estate

6.3%

Arts, entertainment & food

4.9%

Retail trade

4.7%

Public administration

3.4%

The largest employment sector in Wayne County is professional & business services, accounting for 28.2% of workers.

How residents commute

0.2%

Drive alone

2.7%

Carpool

79.3%

Public transit

6.1%

Work from home

20.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$126,100$-75,500 vs state

Median home value

$813

Median rent

69.7%

Homeownership rate

30,758

Total housing units

87.2%

Occupied

12.8%

Vacant

30.3%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

89.3%

With health insurance

91.7%

With broadband internet

25.0%

Foreign-born

8.1%

Veterans (18+)

18.3%

With a disability

94.4%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

88.3%

High School+

20.2%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Indiana

Indianapolis (882,043)Fort Wayne (266,235)Evansville (116,441)South Bend (102,866)Fishers (100,918)Carmel (100,501)Bloomington (78,791)Hammond (77,098)Noblesville (71,940)Lafayette (70,650)All Indiana cities →

Other counties in Indiana

Marion County (971,822)Lake County (498,990)Allen County (388,791)Hamilton County (357,176)St. Joseph County (272,574)Elkhart County (206,868)Tippecanoe County (187,399)Vanderburgh County (179,908)Hendricks County (179,379)Porter County (174,150)All Indiana counties →

Part of Indiana

Indiana demographic profile All Indiana data →

Metro areas in Indiana

Chicago (9,359,555)Cincinnati (2,255,257)Indianapolis (2,106,327)Louisville/Jefferson County (1,361,847)Fort Wayne (451,440)South Bend (324,180)Evansville (269,721)Lafayette (225,019)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Wayne County, Indiana has a population of 66,377 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 26th-largest county in Indiana. Population density is 165 people per square mile.

The population of Wayne County has declined 3.6% since 2010 (68,897 → 66,410), a -0.26% annualized rate.

The median household income in Wayne County, Indiana is $56,652, with mean (average) household income of $76,475 and per-capita income of $31,990. 13.1% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Wayne County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (87.0%), Black or African American (4.1%), Hispanic or Latino (1.8%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Wayne County, Indiana is 40.9 years. Residents are 51.2% female and 48.8% male.

The median home value in Wayne County is $126,100 and median monthly rent is $813. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 30,758 total housing units, 12.8% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Wayne County, Indiana is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 28.2% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.2%.

Indianapolis is among the largest cities associated with Wayne County, Indiana, with a population of 882,043.