Kentucky · GEOID 21231

Wayne County

2024 ACS 5-year estimates · population 19,602 · 10,134 housing units

Median household income

$45,739

State $64,919

Median home value

$135,700

State $206,017

Median gross rent

$727

State $980

Homeownership rate

69.1%

State 68.3%

Renter cost-burden rate

39.6%

≥30% of income

Owner cost-burden rate

21.9%

≥30% of income

Homeowner vacancy

0.5%

Of owner-occupied + for-sale units

Rental vacancy

2.0%

Of renter-occupied + for-rent units

Overall vacancy

20.3%

All housing units

Price-to-income ratio

2.97

Affordable: 2.0–3.0

Section 1

Community Profile

Population, demographics, household composition, and income.

Community Data Summary

	Wayne County	Kentucky
Population	19,602	4,534,824
Population density (per sq. mi.)	42.80	—
Median household income	$45,739	$64,919
HUD Area Median Income (4-person, 100%)	$61,500	—
Households	8,074	—
Average household size	2.40 people	—
Owner-occupied	69.1%	68.3%
Renter-occupied	30.9%	31.7%
Race	92.1% White · 1.2% Black	0.0% White · 0.0% Black

Source: ACS 5-year 2024 (Tables DP05, S1101, DP04, S1901) and Census Gazetteer (land area); HUD FY2026 Income Limits.

Racial composition

Wayne County compared with Kentucky.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP05.

Educational attainment (population 25+)

13.9% hold a bachelor's degree or higher (state: 27.6%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1501.

Median Household Income by Tenure

Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied household income, county and state.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25119.

Median Household Income by Age of Householder

Median household income by age group of householder.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B19049.

Median Household Income by Number of Earners

Median household income for families with each earner count.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903.

Household Size

Distribution of households by number of people.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2501.

Income by Number of Earners

Earners	Share	Median income	Attainable monthly housing cost	Attainable home
0 earners	26.5%	$29,314	$733	$78,097
1 earner	34.5%	$49,330	$1,233	$152,603
2 earners	31.8%	$86,694	$2,167	$291,685
3+ earners	7.3%	$135,592	$3,390	$473,700

Attainable monthly housing cost = 30% of gross income ÷ 12. Attainable home price assumes 30% housing budget, 30-yr mortgage at 7%, 5% down.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903; affordability formula derived.

Households

8,074

Average size: 2.40 people

Households with children

2,145

26.6% of households

Per-capita income

$25,596

Poverty rate: 24.6%

Section 2

Residential Market Analysis

Housing stock characteristics — tenure, type, age, size, vacancy, rents.

Tenure

69.1% owner-occupied vs. state average 68.3%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Structure type

Single-family share 71.3% · Missing middle (2–19 units) 5.9%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25024.

Housing stock by decade

40.7% built before 1980 · Median structure age 1,986.00 yrs.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2504.

Housing size mismatch

Compares the share of housing units by bedroom count against the share of households by size — a common diagnostic of housing supply/demand alignment.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Tables B25041 (bedrooms) and S2501 (household size).

Home value distribution

Owner-occupied homes by value bracket. Median: $135,700.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Monthly Housing Costs

Distribution of monthly housing costs across all occupied units.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25104.

Number of Bedrooms

Housing units by number of bedrooms.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25041.

Median rent by bedroom

Overall median gross rent: $727.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25031.

Renters by age

Number of renter householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Owners by age

Number of owner householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Vacancy composition

All 2,060 vacant units split into Census's seven categories. Frictional vacancy (units actively on the market) reflects healthy churn. Structural vacancy (seasonal, migrant, other) sits outside the market for year-round residents — high values change how the headline vacancy rate should be read.

Vacant units by type

For sale 1.3% · For rent 2.5% · Seasonal 55.1% · Other 39.7%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Frictional vs structural

5.2% of vacancy is frictional (for sale + for rent + rented/sold not yet occupied); 94.8% is structural (seasonal + migrant + other).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Seasonal / recreational share of all housing

11.2%

1,135 units of 10,134 total

⚑ Above the 10% threshold — meaningful pressure on year-round residents from second-home / short-term-rental demand.

"Other vacant" share of all housing

8.1%

818 units of 10,134 total

⚑ Above the 5% threshold — possible indicator of disinvestment, abandonment, or condemned stock.

Section 3

Workforce Housing Needs Assessment

Affordability, cost burden, and the housing options for households in the workforce income range.

Workforce range — ACS median household income

80% MHI$36,591

100% MHI$45,739

120% MHI$54,887

County-wide median from ACS 5-year estimates. A household at 100% MHI in Wayne County should be able to afford a home up to roughly — (30% housing budget, default mortgage terms).

Workforce range — HUD Area Median Income

	1-person	2-person	4-person
80% AMI	$40,250	$46,000	$57,500
100% AMI	$43,050	$49,200	$61,500
120% AMI	$51,650	$59,050	$73,800

HUD FMR Area: Wayne County, KY. 80% AMI uses HUD's published Section 8 Low Income Limits; 100% is HUD MFI; 120% is the standard workforce convention.

Affordability calculator

Follows the standard 30%-of-gross-income affordability rule.

Income basis Household income Interest rate % Down payment % Taxes & insurance / yr

Affordable monthly—

Affordable home price—

Renter cost burden

39.6% of renter households spend ≥30% of income on rent (27.0% spend ≥50%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25070.

Owner cost burden by income

21.9% of homeowners spend ≥30% of income on housing. Bars show counts of cost-burdened owners by income bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25106.

Household income — owners vs renters

Distribution of household income for owner-occupied (navy) and renter-occupied (gold) households.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25118.

Section 4

Industry & Workforce Wages

Employment, average wages, and the housing each industry's typical earner can afford in Wayne County.

Covered employment

2,967

Across 11 sectors

Establishments

239

QCEW 2024

Avg annual pay (workforce)

$34,219

Employment-weighted across sectors

Top 10 sectors by employment

Annual average employment by NAICS 2-digit sector. Counties with fewer than five covered establishments in a sector may show suppressed totals.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024.

Attainable housing by industry

Industry	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 31-33 Manufacturing NAICS 31-33	983	$37,892	$110,027	−$25,673	$947
NAICS 44-45 Retail trade NAICS 44-45	681	$31,373	$85,761	−$49,939	$784
NAICS 72 Accommodation and food services NAICS 72	355	$18,034	$36,109	−$99,591	$451
NAICS 92 Public administration NAICS 92	291	$40,109	$118,280	−$17,420	$1,003
NAICS 56 Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services NAICS 56	234	$40,788	$120,807	−$14,893	$1,020
NAICS 42 Wholesale trade NAICS 42	122	$35,848	$102,419	−$33,281	$896
NAICS 71 Arts, entertainment, and recreation NAICS 71	100	$30,941	$84,153	−$51,547	$774
NAICS 51 Information NAICS 51	88	$33,762	$94,654	−$41,046	$844
NAICS 23 Construction NAICS 23	55	$44,823	$135,827	+$127	$1,121
NAICS 81 Other services (except public administration) NAICS 81	33	$24,172	$58,957	−$76,743	$604
NAICS 48-49 Transportation and warehousing NAICS 48-49	25	$63,774	$206,369	+$70,669	$1,594

Subsector	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 321 Wood product manufacturing NAICS 321	740	$39,847	$117,305	−$18,395	$996
NAICS 455 General merchandise retailers NAICS 455	330	$31,469	$86,119	−$49,581	$787
NAICS 621 Ambulatory health care services NAICS 621	309	$58,571	$187,002	+$51,302	$1,464
NAICS 624 Social assistance NAICS 624	236	$27,438	$71,114	−$64,586	$686
NAICS 522 Credit intermediation and related activities NAICS 522	144	$62,237	$200,648	+$64,948	$1,556
NAICS 457 Gasoline stations and fuel dealers NAICS 457	96	$30,764	$83,495	−$52,205	$769
NAICS 441 Motor vehicle and parts dealers NAICS 441	78	$38,124	$110,891	−$24,809	$953
NAICS 424 Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods NAICS 424	66	$34,203	$96,296	−$39,404	$855
NAICS 444 Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers NAICS 444	54	$29,268	$77,926	−$57,774	$732
NAICS 456 Health and personal care retailers NAICS 456	47	$43,398	$130,523	−$5,177	$1,085
NAICS 445 Food and beverage retailers NAICS 445	44	$17,443	$33,909	−$101,791	$436
NAICS 922 Justice, public order, and safety activities NAICS 922	36	$51,151	$159,382	+$23,682	$1,279
NAICS 524 Insurance carriers and related activities NAICS 524	32	$59,837	$191,714	+$56,014	$1,496
NAICS 459 Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers NAICS 459	28	$20,684	$45,973	−$89,727	$517
NAICS 113 Forestry and logging NAICS 113	26	$24,758	$61,138	−$74,562	$619
NAICS 491 Postal service NAICS 491	25	$63,774	$206,369	+$70,669	$1,594
NAICS 812 Personal and laundry services NAICS 812	21	$26,756	$68,575	−$67,125	$669
NAICS 111 Crop production NAICS 111	16	$35,645	$101,663	−$34,037	$891
NAICS 238 Specialty trade contractors NAICS 238	16	$36,576	$105,129	−$30,571	$914
NAICS 811 Repair and maintenance NAICS 811	10	$18,424	$37,561	−$98,139	$461
NAICS 921 Executive, legislative, and other general government support NAICS 921	8	$58,612	$187,154	+$51,454	$1,465
NAICS 924 Administration of environmental quality programs NAICS 924	7	$62,492	$201,597	+$65,897	$1,562
NAICS 926 Administration of economic programs NAICS 926	5	$88,826	$299,621	+$163,921	$2,221

Affordable home price assumes the industry's average earner uses 30% of gross income for housing, with a 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr taxes & insurance, and 0.5% PMI. Adjust the Section 3 calculator for other terms. Affordable rent is 30% of monthly gross pay.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024; ACS 5-year 2024 (median home value).

Section 5

Wages by Occupation

Selected essential-worker occupations for the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county — jobs, the 10-year change, wages, and the housing each typical earner can afford. Both jobs counts and wages are reported at the MSA / nonmetropolitan-area level (BLS does not publish OEWS at the county level), so every county inside the same area shows the same numbers. For county-accurate employment totals, see Section 4 above.

Occupational wages and affordable housing

Occupation	2025 jobs	2015–2025 change	% change	Hourly wage	Annual wage	Affordable home price	Affordable monthly rent
Fast Food and Counter Workers SOC 35-3023 · prior-year code differs	3,770	(3,040)	(45%)	$11.52	$23,960	$58,168	$599
Cashiers SOC 41-2011	4,610	(290)	(6%)	$12.87	$26,760	$68,590	$669
Childcare Workers SOC 39-9011	430	(790)	(65%)	$12.95	$26,940	$69,260	$674
Waiters and Waitresses SOC 35-3031	1,820	60	3%	$14.59	$30,340	$81,916	$759
Firefighters SOC 33-2011	330	—	—	$14.62	$30,410	$82,177	$760
Retail Salespersons SOC 41-2031	4,380	(300)	(6%)	$15.03	$31,270	$85,378	$782
Janitors and Cleaners SOC 37-2011	2,230	80	4%	$15.59	$32,440	$89,733	$811
Office Clerks, General SOC 43-9061	2,360	610	35%	$17.20	$35,780	$102,166	$895
Home Health and Personal Care Aides SOC 31-1131 · prior-year code differs	2,230	(620)	(22%)	$17.50	$36,400	$104,474	$910
Tellers SOC 43-3071	520	(400)	(43%)	$18.02	$37,490	$108,531	$937
Construction Laborers SOC 47-2061	1,080	390	57%	$20.98	$43,630	$131,386	$1,091
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General SOC 49-9071	2,100	370	21%	$23.21	$48,270	$148,658	$1,207
Paramedics SOC 29-2043 · prior-year code differs	190	(540)	(74%)	$23.51	$48,900	$151,003	$1,223
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC 33-3051	790	(20)	(2%)	$23.52	$48,910	$151,040	$1,223
Carpenters SOC 47-2031	590	(90)	(13%)	$24.00	$49,920	$154,800	$1,248
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers SOC 53-3032	2,970	(530)	(15%)	$25.61	$53,270	$167,270	$1,332
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2021	2,160	(150)	(6%)	—	$54,370	$171,364	$1,359
Electricians SOC 47-2111	580	100	21%	$26.78	$55,700	$176,315	$1,393
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters SOC 47-2152	300	90	43%	$29.89	$62,180	$200,436	$1,555
Registered Nurses SOC 29-1141	3,770	290	8%	$39.46	$82,070	$274,473	$2,052

Affordable home price uses the same Section 3 formula (30% housing budget, 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr T&I, 0.5% PMI). Affordable rent is 30% of monthly wages. Negative job-change values are shown in red parentheses. A "prior-year code differs" note flags occupations whose SOC code changed between the two vintages (2010 SOC → 2018 SOC) — the change estimate is best-effort.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (10-year change vs. May 2015). Jobs counts and wages reflect the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county, not the county alone — OEWS is not published at the county level.

Methodology & sources

All figures derive from the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. State and national comparisons are population-weighted aggregates of county-level estimates (an approximation; ACS publishes its own state and national medians which can differ slightly).

The affordability calculator uses a 30% housing-budget rule with a 30-year mortgage. Defaults are 7% interest, 5% down, $2,500/year taxes and insurance, and 0.5% PMI — adjustable above.

Variables: 21231 · pulled from Full Housing Data Table.xlsx.