Wayne County, NC

County

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    2024 Population
    118,652
    US Senator
    Thom Tillis
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Ted Budd
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    37.3
    0.267% 1-year decrease
    2024 Poverty Rate
    17.3%
    2.5% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $59,733
    2.84% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $178,700
    9.83% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    51,120
    2.44% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Wayne County, NC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    94.2% of the residents in Wayne County, NC are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in N/A are Wayne Community College (1,708 degrees awarded in 2024) and University of Mount Olive (555 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Wayne County, NC was $178,700, and the homeownership rate was 61.5%.

    Most people in Wayne County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Wayne County, NC was N/A per household.

    United StatesNorth CarolinaGoldsboro, NC

    Population & Diversity

    Wayne County, NC is home to a population of 119k people, from which 94.2% are citizens. As of 2024, 7.84% of Wayne County, NC residents were born outside of the country (9.31k people).

    In 2024, there were 1.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (59.5k people) in Wayne County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 35.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 11.3k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    94.2%
    2024 Citizenship
    95.3%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 94.2% of Wayne County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Wayne County, NC was 95.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Wayne County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Wayne County, NC
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      59.5k ± 517
    2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
      35.1k ± 854
    3. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      11.3k ± 783
    13.7%
    Hispanic Population
    16.3k people

    In 2024, there were 1.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (59.5k people) in Wayne County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 35.1k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 11.3k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    13.7% of the people in Wayne County, NC are hispanic (16.3k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Wayne County, NC as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for North Carolina.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      228,441 ± 11,609 people
    2. India
      90,815 ± 7,367 people
    3. Honduras
      52,061 ± 5,588 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 228,441 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 90,815 and Honduras with 52,061.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    7.84%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    9.31k people
    6.87%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    8.08k people

    As of 2024, 7.84% of Wayne County, NC residents (9.31k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Wayne County, NC was 6.87%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Wayne County, NC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Gulf War (2001-)
      3,503 ± 558
    2. Gulf War (1990s)
      2,744 ± 519
    3. Vietnam
      1,972 ± 343

    Wayne County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.28 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Wayne County, NC.

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    Health

    87.9% of the population of Wayne County, NC has health coverage, with 31.8% on employee plans, 23.6% on Medicaid, 10.7% on Medicare, 16.3% on non-group plans, and 5.42% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Wayne County, NC see 1,947 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,947 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1676 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 354 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    1,947 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wayne County, NC

    Primary care physicians in Wayne County, NC see an average of 1,947 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,947 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Wayne County, NC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Location of Health Services Facilities

    Health Service Type
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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.9% under 18 years, 20.4% between 18 and 34 years, 36.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.6% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    12.1%
    Uninsured
    31.8%
    Employer Coverage
    23.6%
    Medicaid
    10.7%
    Medicare
    16.3%
    Non-Group
    5.42%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wayne County, NC declined by 0.368% from 12.1% to 12.1%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Wayne County, NC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.43 in Wayne County, NC.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Wayne County, NC.

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    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39.1% in Wayne County, NC.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Wayne County, NC.

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    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 13.6% in Wayne County, NC.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Wayne County, NC.

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    Economy

    The economy of Wayne County, NC employs 51.1k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Wayne County, NC were Health Care & Social Assistance (7,099 people), Manufacturing (6,981 people), and Retail Trade (6,579 people), and the highest paying industries were Wholesale Trade ($56,736), Public Administration ($53,756), and Utilities ($52,299).

    Employment

    Occupations

    51.1k
    2024 Value
    ± 2,035
    2.44%
    1 Year growth
    ± 5.47%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Wayne County, NC grew at a rate of 2.44%, from 49.9k employees to 51.1k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wayne County, NC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,403 people), Production Occupations (4,797 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (4,622 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wayne County, NC.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    51.1k
    2024 Value
    ± 2,035
    2.44%
    1 Year growth
    ± 5.47%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Wayne County, NC grew at a rate of 2.44%, from 49.9k employees to 51.1k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wayne County, NC, are Health Care & Social Assistance (7,099 people), Manufacturing (6,981 people), and Retail Trade (6,579 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wayne County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Wayne County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $45,256
    Median earning men ± $2,739
    $32,865
    Median earning women ± $1,870

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Information ($76,125), Public Administration ($58,248), and Wholesale Trade ($58,056).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($49,004), Wholesale Trade ($47,986), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,395).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
    Y-Axis
    3.04%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 4.86M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 3.04% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 195
      Retail Trade
    2. 194
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    3. 137
      Retail Trade

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $323k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    2. $273k
      Manufacturing
    3. $175k
      Retail Trade

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (47.6%), followed by Other (0.675%).

    Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    North Carolina is currently represented by 14 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Wayne County, NC. Showing the available data for North Carolina.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (50.9%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (47.6%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Other (0.675%)
      Other Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 50.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (47.6%), followed by Other (0.675%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from North Carolina

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.
    Thom Tillis
    Senator from North Carolina2
    Assumed office on January 3, 2015
    Ted Budd
    Senator from North Carolina3
    Assumed office on January 3, 2023

    Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Education

    In 2024, universities in Wayne County, NC awarded 2,263 degrees. The student population of Wayne County, NC in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 1,847 male students and 3,888 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Wayne County, NC are White (1,373 and 61.3%), Black or African American (398 and 17.8%), Hispanic or Latino (339 and 15.1%), and Two or More Races (73 and 3.26%).

    The largest universities in Wayne County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Wayne Community College (1,708 and 75.5%) and University of Mount Olive (555 and 24.5%).

    The most popular majors in N/A are Information Technology (282 and 12.5%), General Business Administration & Management (266 and 11.8%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (259 and 11.4%).

    The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $26,216.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

    Measure

    In 2024 in Wayne County, NC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 75.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 19.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 5,735 (32.2% men and 67.8% women).

    The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    In 2024 there were 5,735 students enrolled in Wayne County, NC, 32.2% men and 67.8% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,871 records, of which 66.1% were women and 33.9% men.

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    Completions

    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. Wayne Community College
      1,708 degrees awarded
    2. University of Mount Olive
      555 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wayne Community College with 1,708 degrees awarded.

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    Student Diversity

    In 2024, 1,037 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wayne County, NC, which is 0.846 times less than the 1,226 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,373 degrees mean that there were 3.45 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 398 degrees awarded.

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    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($26,216) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,150) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($1,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Wayne County, NC was $178,700 in 2024, which is 0.537 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $162,700 to $178,700, a 9.83% increase. The homeownership rate in Wayne County, NC is 61.5%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Wayne County, NC have an average commute time of 22.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Wayne County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of N/A per household.

    In 2025, 15.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wayne County, NC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.873%.

    Housing

    Property

    $178,700
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$9,173
    $29,195
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$1,413

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Wayne County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Wayne County, NC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    61.5%
    Homeownership
    2024
    68.4%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 61.5% of the housing units in Wayne County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 61.5%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Wayne County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $59,733
    Median Household Income
    ± $2,739
    47.5k
    Number of Households
    ± 1,822

    In 2024, the median household income of the 47.5k households in Wayne County, NC grew to $59,733 from the previous year's value of $58,082.

    The following chart displays the households in Wayne County, NC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Wayne County, NC is from North Carolina.
    0.466
    2024 Wage GINI in North Carolina
    0.467
    2023 Wage GINI in North Carolina

    In 2024, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.466 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.16% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in North Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (81.3%)
    2. Carpooled (11.3%)
    3. Worked At Home (5.38%)

    In 2024, 81.3% of workers in Wayne County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.3%) and those who worked at home (5.38%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    22.9 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Wayne County, NC have a shorter commute time (22.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.37% of the workforce in Wayne County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Wayne County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 15.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wayne County, NC. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.873%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

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    Poverty & Diversity

    17.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wayne County, NC (20.1k out of 116k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Males 6 - 11.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wayne County, NC is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 407 in Wayne County, NC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 56.2% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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