1st Advantage MortgageAbout 79% of Wayne County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $58,878. 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
- Wayne County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Wayne County
- Employment and commuting in Wayne County
- Renting and owning in Wayne County
- Places inside Wayne County
- Wayne County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Wayne County's medians
- Wayne County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Wayne County
- Lender oversight for Wayne County
- Four steps for Wayne County borrowers
- More guides for Wayne County
- Frequently asked questions
Wayne County by the numbers
Wayne County is home to about 38,164 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 14th most populous of 55 county-level areas in West Virginia. Packed into 506 square miles, that is close to 75 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Kenova is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 2,944 people (8% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Wayne County
Wayne County households have a median income of $58,878 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 18th of 55 in West Virginia.
| Households earning | Wayne County | +/- vs West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.3% | +0.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | +0.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -1.4 pts |
Some 31% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 26% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 14.6%, 2 points lower than the state's 16.7%. 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
The biggest employer of Wayne County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 34% of workers, followed by retail trade (12%). The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 34% locally and 28% for West Virginia. The survey's unemployment rate for Wayne County averages 4.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.4%). About 80% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Wayne County | Compared with West Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 34.5% | +6.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.9% | -0.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.5% | +1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.7% | -1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.7% | -1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.9% | -0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Renting and owning in Wayne County
Renters in Wayne County pay a median of $915 a month, 5% above the West Virginia figure of $872. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. With a median value of $127,100, a typical Wayne County house costs 2.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 79%.
| Home costs | Wayne County | West Virginia | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $915/mo | $872/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $127,100 | $162,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 75% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 15% | 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.
Places inside Wayne County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Wayne County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 8,165 residents, leaving about 79% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $54,554 at the median in Lavalette, $27,159 in Wayne. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenova | city | 2,944 | $53,683 | $647 | 20 mi |
| Wayne | town | 1,675 | $27,159 | $789 | 6 mi |
| Ceredo | city | 1,528 | $49,635 | $765 | 19 mi |
| Lavalette | CDP | 1,005 | $54,554 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Fort Gay | town | 437 | n/a | $726 | 9 mi |
| Prichard | CDP | 389 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Crum | CDP | 187 | $44,083 | n/a | 16 mi |
Wayne County and the counties next door
Lawrence County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Johnson County, is 30 miles off. Income ranges from $37,042 in Martin County to $61,118 in Boyd County; 1 of these neighbors top Wayne County's median. Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Wayne County resident follows West Virginia rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayne County | - | $58,878 | $915/mo | 79% |
| Lawrence County, KY | 18 mi | $46,772 | $760/mo | 78% |
| Lincoln County, WV | 19 mi | $46,205 | $771/mo | 74% |
| Boyd County, KY | 21 mi | $61,118 | $849/mo | 70% |
| Cabell County, WV | 21 mi | $55,832 | $923/mo | 64% |
| Martin County, KY | 24 mi | $37,042 | $450/mo | 85% |
| Johnson County, KY | 30 mi | $44,904 | $708/mo | 68% |
Debt-to-income at Wayne County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Wayne County's medians:
- $4,906 a month: gross income for a household at the Wayne County median
- Housing at the median rent of $915 uses 19%
- Under a 36% cap, $1,766 total minus rent leaves $851
Two-income households and single earners in Wayne County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Wayne County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 19% of the adult population. About 5% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Wayne County | West Virginia | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.8 | 42.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.2% | 24.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.5% | 10.7% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.7% | 6.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.0% | 8.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.4% | 9.1% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.6% | 16.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 5.4% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.9% |
| 60+ min | 8.5% |
Before borrowing in Wayne County
What the Wayne County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 19% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Tight rental budgets. With 45% of Wayne County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Lender oversight for Wayne County
The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's West Virginia license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on West Virginia: West Virginia personal loans.
Four steps for Wayne County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Wayne County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Wayne County.
- 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.
More guides for Wayne County
For statewide rules and data, see the West Virginia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Wayne County earn?
The median is $58,878; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Wayne County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $915 against $872 statewide, and 45% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Wayne County?
By population: Kenova, Wayne, Ceredo, Lavalette, Fort Gay. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Will a Wayne County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming West Virginia as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Wayne County?
Start with the West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.