Skip to main content
Population Review

Wayne County, Ohio Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 24th-largest in Ohio

The population of Wayne County, Ohio is 116,618 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 24th-largest county in Ohio. The median household income is $71,769, the median home value is $204,600, and the median age is 38.9.

The population of Wayne County has grown 1.9% since 2010 (114,409 → 116,632), a +0.14% annualized rate.

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

116,618

Population

+0.14%

Annual growth

210

People / sq mi

$71,769

Median Income

$204,600

Median Home Value

Wayne County covers 555 sq mi of land at 210.2 people per square mile.

About Wayne County, OH

Wayne County is a county in Ohio with a population of 116,618. It ranks #24 among counties in Ohio by population. The median age is 38.9, in line with the national median. The population is 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

The median household income in Wayne County is $71,769, near the US median of $74,580. 5.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $204,600, with monthly rent averaging $849. The homeownership rate of 76.1% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Wayne County reflects 24.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.0% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 20.6 minutes each way.

Wayne County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Wayne County had a population of 114,409 in 2010 and 116,632 in 2024, a 1.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 116,903 in 2020. Average annual growth rate: 0.14%.

2020 · 117K20102024

116,632

Population (2024)

114,409

Population (2010)

116,903

Peak (2020)

0.14%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
2010114,409
2011114,670
2012115,058
2013115,438
2014115,957
2015116,262
2016116,657
2017116,227
2018115,911
2019115,824
2020116,903
2021116,160
2022116,609
2023116,635
2024116,632

Race & Ethnicity

White93.2%
Black or African American1.2%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)0.9%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

38.9

Median Age

50.1%

Female

49.9%

Male

18.6%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
6.2%
5–9
6.8%
10–14
6.8%
15–19
7.5%
20–24
6.8%
25–34
11.5%
35–44
11.3%
45–54
11.3%
55–59
6.5%
60–64
6.6%
65–74
11.0%
75–84
5.5%
85+
2.1%

Children (under 15): 19.8% · Seniors (65+): 18.6%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$71,769+$2,089 vs state
Mean household income$88,657
Per-capita income$33,874
Poverty rate5.0%-4.2% vs state
Unemployment rate2.0%
Employment-to-population60.2%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing
23.0%
Professional & business services
22.4%
Construction
8.2%
Finance & real estate
6.4%
Education & health care
6.0%
Retail trade
4.7%
Arts, entertainment & food
4.3%
Information
4.2%

The largest employment sector in Wayne County is manufacturing, accounting for 23.0% of workers.

How residents commute

0.2%

Drive alone

4.8%

Carpool

73.7%

Public transit

7.0%

Work from home

20.6 min

Avg commute

Housing

$204,600+$5,400 vs state

Median home value

$849

Median rent

76.1%

Homeownership rate

46,804

Total housing units

94.4%

Occupied

5.6%

Vacant

23.9%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

86.0%

With health insurance

88.1%

With broadband internet

14.8%

Foreign-born

6.3%

Veterans (18+)

12.7%

With a disability

86.0%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

86.3%

High School+

24.7%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Ohio

Other counties in Ohio

Part of Ohio

Metro areas in Ohio

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Wayne County, Ohio has a population of 116,618 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 24th-largest county in Ohio. Population density is 210 people per square mile.

The population of Wayne County has grown 1.9% since 2010 (114,409 → 116,632), a +0.14% annualized rate.

The median household income in Wayne County, Ohio is $71,769, with mean (average) household income of $88,657 and per-capita income of $33,874. 5.0% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Wayne County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (93.2%), Black or African American (1.2%), Hispanic or Latino (0.9%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Wayne County, Ohio is 38.9 years. Residents are 50.1% female and 49.9% male.

The median home value in Wayne County is $204,600 and median monthly rent is $849. 76.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 46,804 total housing units, 5.6% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Wayne County, Ohio is manufacturing, employing 23.0% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.0%.

Columbus is among the largest cities associated with Wayne County, Ohio, with a population of 906,480.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.