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.
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
The poverty rate is what most separates Wayne County from the typical county: 5.0% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. With 116,618 residents, Wayne County is a county in Ohio. It ranks #24 among counties in Ohio by population.
Households take in a median $71,769, comfortably below the US median of $78,538. Poverty is relatively low for US counties at 5.0%, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $204,600, with typical rent around $849.
Roughly 24.7% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. About 7.0% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 21 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%.
116,632
Population (2024)
114,409
Population (2010)
116,903
Peak (2020)
0.14%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 114,409 |
| 2011 | 114,670 |
| 2012 | 115,058 |
| 2013 | 115,438 |
| 2014 | 115,957 |
| 2015 | 116,262 |
| 2016 | 116,657 |
| 2017 | 116,227 |
| 2018 | 115,911 |
| 2019 | 115,824 |
| 2020 | 116,903 |
| 2021 | 116,160 |
| 2022 | 116,609 |
| 2023 | 116,635 |
| 2024 | 116,632 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 93.2% |
| Black or African American | 1.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.9% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
38.9
Median Age
50.1%
Female
49.9%
Male
18.6%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
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 rate | 5.0%-4.2% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.0% |
| Employment-to-population | 60.2% |
Top Industries by Employment
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.
More from Ohio
Population 1,321,635
Population 1,249,418
Population 827,878
Population 538,087
Full rankings of Ohio counties
Statewide data for Ohio
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Ohio
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.