1st Advantage MortgageIn Wayne County, Iowa, the typical household earns $61,964 a year and the typical rent is $659. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Wayne County by the numbers
- How Wayne County residents earn a living
- What Wayne County households earn
- Wayne County housing compared with Iowa
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Wayne County
- The counties around Wayne County
- Debt-to-income at Wayne County's medians
- More Wayne County figures
- Local borrowing considerations for Wayne County
- Licensing and complaints for Wayne County
- Steps before you apply in Wayne County
- More guides for Wayne County
- Frequently asked questions
Wayne County by the numbers
Roughly 6,532 residents live in Wayne County, Iowa, 93rd by population among the state's 99 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 525 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 12 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Wayne County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Corydon is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 1,628 people (25% of the county total). Because Wayne County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Wayne County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Wayne County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 18% of workers, followed by manufacturing (16%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 14% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 76% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Wayne County | Gap to Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.7% | -6.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.7% | +1.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.9% | +10.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Construction | 10.5% | +3.6 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.8% | -1.9 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
What Wayne County households earn
Wayne County households have a median income of $61,964 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 88th of 99 in Iowa.
| Band | Wayne County | Compared with Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.4% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.9% | +6.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.0% | -7.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -1.9 pts |
Some 24% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 27% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 10.1% of Wayne County residents in poverty, against 11.1% across Iowa. None of these numbers decides a Wayne County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Wayne County housing compared with Iowa
Renters in Wayne County pay a median of $659 a month, 32% below the Iowa figure of $972. By the Census definition, 33% of Wayne County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $111,300, or 1.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 81%. Half the housing stock was built before 1969.
| Wayne County | Iowa | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $659/mo | $972/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $111,300 | $208,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 44% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 15% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Wayne County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Wayne County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Wayne County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 3,608 residents, leaving about 45% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $46,071 in Seymour to $58,836 in Humeston. Median rent ranges from $542 in Humeston to $776 in Corydon. This guide covers each of the 8 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corydon | city | 1,628 | $51,250 | $776 | 1 mi |
| Seymour | city | 594 | $46,071 | $614 | 12 mi |
| Humeston | city | 551 | $58,836 | $542 | 12 mi |
| Allerton | city | 395 | $46,989 | $641 | 3 mi |
| Lineville | city | 259 | $50,833 | $519 | 15 mi |
| Promise City | city | 105 | $41,563 | $625 | 10 mi |
| Millerton | city | 44 | $89,375 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Clio | city | 32 | $69,375 | n/a | 10 mi |
The counties around Wayne County
Lucas County is closest, 20 miles from center to center; the sixth, Clarke County, is 31 miles off. Income ranges from $54,934 in Appanoose County to $71,641 in Clarke County; 3 of these neighbors top Wayne County's median. The list crosses into Missouri, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | - | $61,964 | $659/mo | 81% |
| Lucas County, IA | 20 mi | $61,793 | $709/mo | 79% |
| Decatur County, IA | 24 mi | $59,044 | $611/mo | 70% |
| Appanoose County, IA | 24 mi | $54,934 | $784/mo | 69% |
| Putnam County, MO | 25 mi | $63,510 | $521/mo | 83% |
| Mercer County, MO | 25 mi | $62,679 | $590/mo | 81% |
| Clarke County, IA | 31 mi | $71,641 | $931/mo | 72% |
Debt-to-income at Wayne County's medians
Wayne County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,164 gross per month ($61,964 / 12)
- Median rent: $659, or 13 cents of every gross dollar
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,561 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
More Wayne County figures
College graduates make up 17% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Wayne County | Iowa | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.2% | 31.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.1% | 6.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.8% | 5.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.7% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.2% | 11.3% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 11.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.9% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Wayne County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.3% |
| 60+ min | 10.2% |
Local borrowing considerations for Wayne County
A few patterns in the Wayne County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Uninsured care. 13% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Wayne County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Licensing and complaints for Wayne County
The Iowa Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's Iowa license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. Statewide data and rules: Iowa guide.
Steps before you apply in Wayne County
Steps that save money for Wayne County residents:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Wayne County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Iowa license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Wayne County
For statewide rules and data, see the Iowa guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Wayne County earn?
The median is $61,964; 27% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Wayne County?
$659 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
I own my home in Wayne County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 81% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Wayne County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Corydon, Seymour, Humeston, Allerton, Lineville.
Will a Wayne County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Iowa as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.