1st Advantage MortgageThe median Wayne County household earns $74,506, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's New York license first.
On this page
- Wayne County by the numbers
- How much Wayne County households make
- Housing costs in Wayne County
- Work, industries and travel time in Wayne County
- Places inside Wayne County
- Wayne County next to its neighbors
- Wayne County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Wayne County
- A Wayne County household budget, worked through
- A Wayne County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in New York
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Wayne County by the numbers
Roughly 90,929 residents live in Wayne County, New York, 31st by population among the state's 62 counties and county equivalents. It covers 604 square miles of land, or about 151 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Rochester, NY metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Newark is the biggest of its 17 Census places, at roughly 8,991 people (10% of the county total).
How much Wayne County households make
The median household income in Wayne County is $74,506; statewide it is $85,974, so Wayne County runs 13% below New York as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Wayne County | Gap to New York |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.5% | +0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.0% | +8.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.4% | +2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -10.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 36% of Wayne County households make $100,000 or more, and 23% make less than $35,000. 11.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 14.0%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.411 here. 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.
Housing costs in Wayne County
Renters in Wayne County pay a median of $938 a month, 42% below the New York figure of $1,621. By the Census definition, 44% of Wayne County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $170,000, or 2.3 years of median income. 80% of Wayne County households own their home and 20% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1968.
| Measure | Wayne County | New York | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $938/mo | $1,621/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $170,000 | $423,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 54% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 33% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.5% | 2.1% | 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).
Work, industries and travel time in Wayne County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Wayne County residents work in education and health care and 16% in manufacturing. Manufacturing stands out: 16% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Where residents work | Wayne County | Difference from New York |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.2% | -2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 15.6% | +9.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | +1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.7% | -4.6 pts |
| Construction | 7.4% | +1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.3% | -1.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Places inside Wayne County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 17 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 44% of Wayne County residents live in one of the 17. Incomes vary by place: $109,761 at the median in Gananda, $42,865 in Marion. Median rent ranges from $445 in Williamson to $1,550 in Macedon. Live in one of these Wayne County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | village | 8,991 | $60,006 | $979 | 12 mi |
| Gananda | CDP | 6,273 | $109,761 | $1,027 | 16 mi |
| Lyons | CDP | 3,738 | $67,850 | $916 | 11 mi |
| Palmyra | village | 3,287 | $64,983 | $937 | 14 mi |
| Williamson | CDP | 2,387 | $70,298 | $445 | 7 mi |
| Macedon | CDP | 2,157 | $77,174 | $1,550 | 16 mi |
| Ontario | CDP | 2,044 | $50,078 | $693 | 12 mi |
| Clyde | village | 2,001 | $62,407 | $757 | 13 mi |
| Sodus | village | 1,820 | $55,000 | $878 | 1 mi |
| Wolcott | village | 1,444 | $43,261 | $663 | 12 mi |
| Marion | CDP | 1,400 | $42,865 | $610 | 9 mi |
| Sodus Point | village | 1,051 | $81,750 | $768 | 4 mi |
| Pultneyville | CDP | 730 | $97,147 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Walworth | CDP | 725 | $87,404 | n/a | 13 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Wayne County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Wayne County's, from 28 to 45 miles away. Ontario County leads the group on income ($82,324), Cayuga County trails ($67,904), and Wayne County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | - | $74,506 | $938/mo | 80% |
| Cayuga County, NY | 28 mi | $67,904 | $942/mo | 71% |
| Ontario County, NY | 28 mi | $82,324 | $1,150/mo | 74% |
| Seneca County, NY | 32 mi | $68,089 | $957/mo | 71% |
| Monroe County, NY | 33 mi | $76,382 | $1,173/mo | 64% |
| Yates County, NY | 40 mi | $69,701 | $834/mo | 77% |
| Oswego County, NY | 45 mi | $69,183 | $967/mo | 73% |
Wayne County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 26% of the adult population. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Wayne County | All of New York | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.6 | 39.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.6% | 40.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.2% | 12.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 5.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.2% | 29.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.1% | 14.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 14.0% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | 6.4% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Wayne County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.8% |
| 60+ min | 4.0% |
Borrowing situations common in Wayne County
Where the Wayne County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
A Wayne County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Wayne County's medians:
- Start: $6,209 gross per month ($74,506 / 12)
- 15% goes to median rent ($938)
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,297 a month
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,732 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $938, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
A Wayne County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Wayne County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in New York
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Wayne County borrowers answers to the New York State Department of Financial Services. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the New York state guide for the statewide picture.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the New York guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Wayne County?
$74,506 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $85,974 for New York. It ranks 24th of 62 in the state.
What do renters pay in Wayne County?
$938 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
Should Wayne County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Wayne County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Newark?
Yes, along with the other 16 Census places in Wayne County, such as Gananda, Lyons, Palmyra.
Is the fit check different in Wayne County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.