Wayne
Illinois

What stands out

What stands out about Wayne County: home internet speed is in the top 6% of American counties (294 Mbps), the home price against local income is in the bottom 12% of American counties (1.5 years of income), and the median home price is in the bottom 13% of American counties ($141K). Within Illinois it ranks 2nd of 102 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Wayne County, Illinois. 16,127 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.5% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -23).

Illinois exempts all retirement income from its flat 4.95% income tax: Social Security, pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals are untaxed. It offsets that with the second-highest property taxes in the country and an estate tax that starts at $4 million, well below the federal threshold. Chicago and the collar counties hold two-thirds of the population; downstate is a different housing market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $53,522 a year, lower than 71% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $42,917. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 66% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

Illinois takes 5.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,649 a year.

Home

The median home costs $141K, cheaper than 87% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $682 a month. Property tax is 1.46% of home value, roughly $1,578 a year on that median home, higher than 84% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 56% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 14 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.1 years, shorter than 58% of American counties. There are 15 active physicians in the county, about 9.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 9.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.19 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 59% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 71 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Illinois law you can get a concealed-carry permit on request, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 57°F, highs near 67 and lows near 47, warmer than 54% of American counties. About 43 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 46 out of 100, safer than 54% of American counties; the county has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 294 Mbps down, faster than 94% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.