1st Advantage MortgageThe median Wayne County household earns $47,226, and 26% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Missouri before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Wayne County
- Employment and commuting in Wayne County
- Household income in Wayne County
- What it costs to live in Wayne County
- The communities that make up Wayne County
- The counties around Wayne County
- Who lives in Wayne County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Wayne County
- What a median Wayne County budget can carry
- Before you sign
- Checking a lender's license in Missouri
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Wayne County
Wayne County is home to about 10,862 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 81st most populous of 115 county-level areas in Missouri. Spread over 759 square miles, that works out to roughly 14.3 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Piedmont is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 2,911 people (27% of the county total).
Employment and commuting in Wayne County
Education and health care employs 30% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 13%. Compared with Missouri, the county leans toward education and health care (30% against 24%). Averaged over the five survey years, 7.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 75% drive to work alone and 27% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 5.5% of the total (6.6% statewide).
| Top industries | Wayne County share | +/- vs Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.9% | +5.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.2% | +1.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.8% | +0.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.5% | +2.6 pts |
| Construction | 6.4% | -0.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 5.5% | +3.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in Wayne County
The median household income in Wayne County is $47,226; statewide it is $70,702, so Wayne County runs 33% below Missouri as a whole. That places it 108th among Missouri's 115 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Wayne County | Difference from Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 36.0% | +12.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 50.6% | +8.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 12.0% | -13.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.3% | -7.3 pts |
About 36% of households earn under $35,000, while 13% clear $100,000. Census counts 25.7% of Wayne County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Missouri. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.422 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Wayne County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
What it costs to live in Wayne County
Renters in Wayne County pay a median of $665 a month, 36% below the Missouri figure of $1,033. By the Census definition, 49% of Wayne County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $107,400, or 2.3 years of median income. 75% of Wayne County households own their home and 25% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1980.
| Home costs | Wayne County | Missouri | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $665/mo | $1,033/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $107,400 | $230,300 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 20.6% | 5.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 24% | 11% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
The communities that make up Wayne County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Wayne County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 3,758 residents, leaving about 65% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont | city | 2,911 | $40,019 | $663 | 14 mi |
| Greenville | city | 418 | $41,400 | $484 | 1 mi |
| Williamsville | city | 284 | $30,625 | $715 | 11 mi |
| Mill Spring | village | 145 | $24,250 | $363 | 13 mi |
The counties around Wayne County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Wayne County's, from 26 to 34 miles away. Income ranges from $45,028 in Reynolds County to $63,814 in Bollinger County; 5 of these neighbors top Wayne County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | - | $47,226 | $665/mo | 75% |
| Madison County, MO | 26 mi | $54,434 | $808/mo | 74% |
| Butler County, MO | 27 mi | $49,089 | $780/mo | 65% |
| Bollinger County, MO | 28 mi | $63,814 | $694/mo | 82% |
| Carter County, MO | 29 mi | $50,000 | $656/mo | 61% |
| Stoddard County, MO | 33 mi | $57,957 | $760/mo | 72% |
| Reynolds County, MO | 34 mi | $45,028 | $655/mo | 80% |
Who lives in Wayne County, in numbers
13% of Wayne County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 14% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Wayne County | Missouri statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.6 | 39.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.7% | 32.4% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.3% | 8.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.5% | 8.8% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.1% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.7% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.3% | 4.0% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Wayne County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.5% |
| 60+ min | 14.7% |
Before borrowing in Wayne County
Where the Wayne County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Hospital bills in Wayne County. For the 14% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Vehicle repairs. 27% of Wayne County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 21% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Retirees. At a median age of 48.6, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
What a median Wayne County budget can carry
Here is the Wayne County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $3,936 gross per month ($47,226 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $665, takes 17% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $752 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Wayne County borrowers:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Missouri license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Checking a lender's license in Missouri
Before sharing details with a lender, a Wayne County resident can confirm its license with the Missouri Division of Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Missouri: Missouri personal loans.
Related local guides
The Missouri guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Wayne County?
$47,226 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $70,702 for Missouri. It ranks 108th of 115 in the state.
What do renters pay in Wayne County?
$665 a month at the median, about 17% 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 75% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Piedmont?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Wayne County, such as Greenville, Williamsville, Mill Spring.
Will a Wayne County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Missouri as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.