Wayne County, Michigan Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 1st-largest in Michigan
The population of Wayne County, Michigan is 1,773,767 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 1st-largest county in Michigan. The median household income is $59,521, the median home value is $170,200, and the median age is 37.8.
The population of Wayne County has declined 2.4% since 2010 (1,814,847 → 1,771,063), a -0.17% annualized rate.
1,773,767
Population
-0.17%
Annual growth
2899
People / sq mi
$59,521
Median Income
$170,200
Median Home Value
Wayne County covers 612 sq mi of land at 2899.1 people per square mile.
About Wayne County, MI
What distinguishes Wayne County is density: among the most densely settled of US counties, around 2,899 people per square mile. Wayne County is a county in Michigan with a population of 1,773,767. It is the #1-largest of all counties in Michigan nationally.
Household earnings are middling, with a median of $59,521 — below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 15.3% of residents fall below the poverty line, above the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $170,200, with typical rent around $1,087.
About 26.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree, below the 35.0% national figure. About 12.4% of workers primarily work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 25 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 1,814,847 in 2010 and 1,771,063 in 2024, a -2.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 1,814,847 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.17%.
1,771,063
Population (2024)
1,814,847
Population (2010)
1,814,847
Peak (2010)
-0.17%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,814,847 |
| 2011 | 1,803,003 |
| 2012 | 1,795,797 |
| 2013 | 1,780,131 |
| 2014 | 1,771,626 |
| 2015 | 1,764,866 |
| 2016 | 1,760,835 |
| 2017 | 1,757,874 |
| 2018 | 1,755,868 |
| 2019 | 1,750,093 |
| 2020 | 1,789,655 |
| 2021 | 1,775,196 |
| 2022 | 1,763,011 |
| 2023 | 1,762,371 |
| 2024 | 1,771,063 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 50.0% |
| Black or African American | 37.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.5% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
37.8
Median Age
51.6%
Female
48.4%
Male
16.1%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 19.6% · Seniors (65+): 16.1%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $59,521$-11,628 vs state |
| Mean household income | $83,852 |
| Per-capita income | $33,956 |
| Poverty rate | 15.3%+6.5% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 5.1% |
| Employment-to-population | 54.2% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Wayne County is professional & business services, accounting for 22.8% of workers.
How residents commute
2.2%
Drive alone
1.7%
Carpool
73.0%
Public transit
12.4%
Work from home
25.0 min
Avg commute
Housing
$170,200$-47,400 vs state
Median home value
$1,087
Median rent
64.5%
Homeownership rate
796,119
Total housing units
87.1%
Occupied
12.9%
Vacant
35.5%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
94.3%
With health insurance
93.7%
With broadband internet
13.4%
Foreign-born
5.1%
Veterans (18+)
15.9%
With a disability
84.4%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
87.9%
High School+
26.9%
Bachelor's+
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County rankings
Common questions about Wayne County, MI
Frequently Asked Questions
Wayne County, Michigan has a population of 1,773,767 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 1st-largest county in Michigan. Population density is 2899 people per square mile.
The population of Wayne County has declined 2.4% since 2010 (1,814,847 → 1,771,063), a -0.17% annualized rate.
The median household income in Wayne County, Michigan is $59,521, with mean (average) household income of $83,852 and per-capita income of $33,956. 15.3% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Wayne County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (50.0%), Black or African American (37.2%), Hispanic or Latino (1.5%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Wayne County, Michigan is 37.8 years. Residents are 51.6% female and 48.4% male.
The median home value in Wayne County is $170,200 and median monthly rent is $1,087. 64.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 796,119 total housing units, 12.9% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Wayne County, Michigan is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 22.8% of workers. The unemployment rate is 5.1%.
Detroit is among the largest cities associated with Wayne County, Michigan, with a population of 636,644.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.