1st Advantage MortgageWayne County households have a median income of $60,539 and median rent of $1,132 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Who lives in Wayne County
- Paychecks and income spread in Wayne County
- Employment and commuting in Wayne County
- Renting and owning in Wayne County
- The communities that make up Wayne County
- How Wayne County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Wayne County median
- Borrowing situations common in Wayne County
- Who lives in Wayne County, in numbers
- Who licenses lenders for Wayne County residents
- Before you sign
- More guides for Wayne County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Wayne County
Wayne County is home to about 1,772,259 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 1st most populous of 83 county-level areas in Michigan. It covers 612 square miles of land, or about 2,897 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 33 places in the county (33 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Detroit, with about 638,530 residents, or 36% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Wayne County
Half of Wayne County households take in less than $60,539 a year and half take in more, 17% below the Michigan median of $72,875. Only 55 Michigan counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Wayne County | +/- vs Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.4% | +7.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.0% | -1.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.8% | -4.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.8% | -1.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 30% of Wayne County households make $100,000 or more, and 30% make less than $35,000. Census counts 20.8% of Wayne County residents in poverty, against 13.2% across Michigan. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Wayne County median.
Employment and commuting in Wayne County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Wayne County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. Transportation, warehousing and utilities stands out: 7% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Wayne County averages 8.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.7%). About 72% drive to work alone and 12% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 11.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Wayne County | Compared with Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.7% | -0.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.8% | -0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.0% | +0.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.4% | -0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.0% | +0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.2% | +2.3 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Renting and owning in Wayne County
Renters in Wayne County pay a median of $1,132 a month, in line with Michigan's $1,129. By the Census definition, 54% of Wayne County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $178,500, about 2.9 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 65%. Median construction year: 1956.
| Wayne County | Michigan | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,132/mo | $1,129/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $178,500 | $231,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 50% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 1.8% | 5.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 12% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
The communities that make up Wayne County
33 Census places fall mainly inside Wayne County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 1,466,173 residents, leaving about 17% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Grosse Pointe Farms has the highest median household income on the list ($161,208) and Highland Park the lowest ($29,309), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $688 in Highland Park to $1,879 in Grosse Pointe Woods. Linked names have their own city guide; this page covers every other Wayne County community.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | city | 638,530 | $39,938 | $1,074 | 11 mi |
| Dearborn | city | 107,423 | $65,324 | $1,327 | 3 mi |
| Livonia | city | 93,851 | $98,460 | $1,322 | 10 mi |
| Westland | city | 83,633 | $62,076 | $1,158 | 7 mi |
| Taylor | city | 62,081 | $61,081 | $1,101 | 4 mi |
| Dearborn Heights | city | 61,771 | $60,391 | $1,331 | 4 mi |
| Lincoln Park | city | 39,257 | $58,616 | $1,023 | 5 mi |
| Southgate | city | 29,366 | $66,118 | $1,120 | 6 mi |
| Allen Park | city | 27,925 | $81,655 | $1,246 | 3 mi |
| Hamtramck | city | 27,743 | $39,293 | $989 | 13 mi |
| Garden City | city | 26,739 | $67,294 | $1,150 | 5 mi |
| Inkster | city | 25,428 | $39,252 | $1,170 | 3 mi |
| Romulus | city | 24,831 | $69,151 | $1,049 | 7 mi |
| Wyandotte | city | 24,489 | $71,987 | $972 | 7 mi |
How Wayne County compares with nearby counties
Oakland County is closest, 27 miles from center to center; the sixth, Lucas County, is 43 miles off. All of the six report a higher median household income than Wayne County; Livingston County is highest at $103,039 and Lucas County lowest at $62,224. The list crosses into Ohio, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | - | $60,539 | $1,132/mo | 65% |
| Oakland County, MI | 27 mi | $97,760 | $1,376/mo | 73% |
| Monroe County, MI | 28 mi | $77,335 | $1,059/mo | 82% |
| Washtenaw County, MI | 30 mi | $89,180 | $1,463/mo | 62% |
| Macomb County, MI | 32 mi | $77,837 | $1,211/mo | 75% |
| Livingston County, MI | 40 mi | $103,039 | $1,287/mo | 87% |
| Lucas County, OH | 43 mi | $62,224 | $934/mo | 62% |
Budget math at the Wayne County median
How much room does a median Wayne County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $60,539 a year is $5,045 of gross monthly income
- 22% goes to median rent ($1,132)
- Under a 35% cap, $1,766 total minus rent leaves $634
- $1,138: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Borrowing situations common in Wayne County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Wayne County borrowers.
- Free help first. 21% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Renters under pressure. When 54% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Wayne County borrower sees (free reports).
Who lives in Wayne County, in numbers
Degree holders: 28% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 5.6%, against 4.9% for Michigan.
| Indicator | Wayne County | All of Michigan | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.6% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.0% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.6% | 4.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.6% | 7.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.1% | 13.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.8% | 13.2% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 8.7% | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Wayne County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 41.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.9% |
Who licenses lenders for Wayne County residents
Consumer lenders serving Wayne County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Michigan that is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: Michigan guide.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Wayne County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A Michigan license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Wayne County
City guides inside Wayne County, and the statewide guide:
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Wayne County household make?
About $60,539 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 17% below the Michigan median.
How much is rent in Wayne County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,132 a month; 54% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Wayne County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 33 Census places: Detroit, Dearborn, Livonia, Westland, Taylor.
Can Wayne County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Michigan county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Wayne County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Michigan it is the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.