Wayne
Georgia

What stands out

What stands out about Wayne County: population growth is in the top 7% of American counties (+2.1% a year), life expectancy is in the bottom 10% of American counties (71.7 years), and the uninsured rate is in the top 11% of American counties (16.4%). Within Georgia it ranks 30th of 159 counties for population growth.

Where you are

You live in Wayne County, Georgia. 30,277 people live here with you. The population grew 2.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +696).

Georgia moved to a flat income tax in 2024 with a rate scheduled to fall each year, and it exempts up to $65,000 of retirement income per person for residents 65 and over. Metro Atlanta holds more than half the state's population and its airport is the busiest in the world by passengers. Property taxes vary widely by county because school districts set most of the rate.

Money

The typical household here brings in $49,847 a year, lower than 79% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,870. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 62% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home.

Georgia takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,487 a year.

Home

The median home costs $216K, cheaper than 57% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $772 a month. Property tax is 0.82% of home value, roughly $1,168 a year on that median home, lower than 53% of American counties. 64% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.5 per 1,000 residents, higher than 83% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 26 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.7 years, shorter than 90% of American counties. There are 27 active physicians in the county, about 8.9 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 16.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.97 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 62% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 57 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 58% of eligible voters turned out. Under Georgia law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 67°F, highs near 80 and lows near 55, warmer than 89% of American counties. About 43 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 76 out of 100, riskier than 76% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 251 Mbps down, faster than 75% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.