Wayne County, Mississippi
Income Data
U.S. Census Bureau ACSAt a Glance
Economic Indicators
How Wayne County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Income Advisory: Wayne County
Income Verdict
Wayne County has a median household income of $36,791 and per capita income of $26,336 — a gap of $10,455, suggesting a higher share of single-earner or non-family households.
Housing Affordability
Median gross rent of $786/month represents about 25.6% of monthly household income in Wayne County, approaching the 30% cost-burden threshold.
Economic Context
A median household income of $36,791 indicates below-average earnings, which may limit discretionary spending and make households sensitive to cost-of-living increases. Per capita income of $26,336 suggests below-average individual earnings, which may reflect local employment mix or industrial composition.
Neighbor Context
Wayne County earns approximately 24.2% below the Mississippi state median household income of $48,514.
Data Story
About Household Income in Wayne County, Mississippi
Wayne County among lowest-earning nationally
Wayne County's median household income of $36,791 places it in the bottom 10% of U.S. counties, sitting 51% below the national median of $74,755. Even compared to Mississippi's low state average of $48,514, Wayne County lags by 24%, indicating severe economic distress.
Among Mississippi's poorest counties
Wayne County ranks near the bottom of Mississippi's 82 counties, with only a handful earning less than its $36,791 median. This position reflects limited employment opportunities, population decline, and historically low wage structures across the region.
Lowest income in this peer group
Wayne County's $36,791 income is the second-lowest among these eight counties, with only Wilkinson County ($35,930) earning less. The gap to Webster County ($59,964) exceeds $23,000, one of the largest disparities in the group.
Housing costs create critical squeeze
Wayne County's rent-to-income ratio of 25.6% means households dedicate more than one-quarter of earnings to housing, well above the 30% affordability ceiling and limiting resources for food, healthcare, and other essentials. The median home value of $88,000 remains challenging on a $36,791 income.
Start small with financial resilience
Wealth-building on a limited income requires discipline: prioritize paying off high-interest debt first, then save even $25 monthly into a separate account for emergencies. Many communities offer free financial literacy programs—use them to maximize every earned dollar.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Income Comparison Calculator
See how your household income compares in Wayne County
Your income is above the Wayne County median
County median: $36,791 per year
vs. County Median
+0%
vs. State Average
-24%
vs. National Median
-51%
Income Adequacy
Your monthly income ($3,066) vs. median rent ($786/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.