Wayne
Michigan

What stands out

What stands out about Wayne County: natural-hazard risk is in the top 3% of American counties (97 of 100), the school test score is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2.44 where 3.0 is grade level), and the property tax rate is in the top 8% of American counties (1.73%). Within Michigan it ranks 1st of 83 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Wayne County, Michigan. 1,781,641 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population shrank 0.4% last year.

Michigan has a flat income tax just over 4% and has never taxed Social Security. It restored a broad exemption for pension and retirement income in 2023, phasing in over four years. Home prices are below the national average nearly everywhere except the lakeshore counties and the Ann Arbor area. Detroit's population is growing again for the first time since the 1950s.

Money

The typical household here brings in $57,223 a year, lower than 61% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $76,411. Unemployment runs 4.6%, higher than 84% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

Michigan takes 4.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,432 a year.

Home

The median home costs $179K, cheaper than 72% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,051 a month. Property tax is 1.73% of home value, roughly $2,740 a year on that median home, higher than 92% of American counties. 64% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 60% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 31 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.4 years, shorter than 76% of American counties. There are 7,503 active physicians in the county, about 42.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.2 of 5 stars. 6.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.52 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 95% of American counties. 88% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 32 points. 68% of eligible voters turned out. Under Michigan 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 51°F, highs near 60 and lows near 41, colder than 72% of American counties. About 29 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 97 out of 100, riskier than 97% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 278 Mbps down, faster than 88% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 19 breweries, 23 museums.