Wayne County, MI

County

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2024 Population

1.77M

US Senator

Gary Peters

Democratic Party

US Senator

Elissa Slotkin

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

37.9

0.265% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

20.8%

3.37% 1-year increase

2024 Median Household Income

$60,539

1.71% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$178,500

4.88% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

757,073

0.229% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Wayne County, MI 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.

96% of the residents in Wayne County, MI are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Wayne County, MI are Wayne State University (6,533 degrees awarded in 2023), Henry Ford College (3,946 degrees), and University of Michigan-Dearborn (2,359 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Wayne County, MI was $178,500, and the homeownership rate was 64.8%.

Most people in Wayne County, MI drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Wayne County, MI was 2 cars per household.

Wayne County, MI borders Macomb County, MI, Monroe County, MI, Oakland County, MI, and Washtenaw County, MI.

About the photo: Crosswinds Marsh County Park was once farm fields but is now one of the largest man-made marshes in the country with more than 5 miles of foot trails.

Photo by Barbara Eckstein

United States Michigan Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Population & Diversity

Wayne County, MI is home to a population of 1.77M people, from which 96% are citizens. As of 2024, 10.2% of Wayne County, MI residents were born outside of the country (181k people).

In 2024, there were 1.31 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (849k people) in Wayne County, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 648k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 64.7k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96%

2024 Citizenship

96.2%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 96% of Wayne County, MI residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Wayne County, MI was 96.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Wayne County, MI

White (Non-Hispanic)
849k ± 1.71k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
648k ± 3.26k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
64.7k ± 1.4k

6.86%

Hispanic Population

122k people

6.86% of the people in Wayne County, MI are hispanic (122k people).

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

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Michigan.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
80,580 ± 6,941 people
India
77,204 ± 6,795 people
Iraq
54,457 ± 5,714 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Michigan was Mexico, the natal country of 80,580 Michigan residents, followed by India with 77,204 and Iraq with 54,457.

Foreign-Born Population

10.2%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

181k people

9.64%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

171k people

As of 2024, 10.2% of Wayne County, MI residents (181k 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, MI was 9.64%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
22,529 ± 923
Gulf War (2001-)
10,527 ± 863
Gulf War (1990s)
9,054 ± 855

Wayne County, MI has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.14 times greater than any other conflict.

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

Economy

The economy of Wayne County, MI employs 757k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Wayne County, MI were Manufacturing (134,550 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (115,225 people), and Retail Trade (78,553 people), and the highest paying industries were Management of Companies & Enterprises ($89,006), Utilities ($88,135), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($84,091).

Employment

Occupations

757k

2024 Value

± 7,410

−0.229%

1 Year decline

± 1.38%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Wayne County, MI declined at a rate of −0.229%, from 759k employees to 757k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Wayne County, MI, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (84,744 people), Management Occupations (69,822 people), and Production Occupations (65,808 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Wayne County, MI.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Michigan (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.

Industries

Employment by Industries

757k

2024 Value

± 7,410

−0.229%

1 Year decline

± 1.38%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Wayne County, MI declined at a rate of −0.229%, from 759k employees to 757k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Wayne County, MI, are Manufacturing (134,550 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (115,225 people), and Retail Trade (78,553 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Wayne County, MI, though some of these residents may live in Wayne County, MI and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$51,150

Median earning men ± $657

$39,120

Median earning women ± $671

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($78,257), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($75,041), and Manufacturing ($68,882).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($60,197), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($57,162), and Information ($53,376).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.16%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.37M people employed in Michigan. This represents a 2.16% 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 23.6%.

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

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

3,026
Retail Trade
2,404
Other Services (except Public Administration)
1,908
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$6.67M
Manufacturing
$6.4M
Health Care and Social Assistance
$5.84M
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Michigan went to Donald J. Trump with 49.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.788%).

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing the state of Michigan. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Michigan is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Wayne County, MI. Showing the available data for Michigan.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (49.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.3%)
Democratic Party
Jill Stein (0.788%)
Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Michigan went to Donald J. Trump with 49.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.3%), followed by Jill Stein (0.788%).

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

Senator Elections

US Senators from Michigan

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Michigan.

Gary Peters

Senator from Michigan

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Elissa Slotkin

Senator from Michigan

Assumed office on January 3, 2025

Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin are the senators currently representing Michigan.

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 Michigan over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in Wayne County, MI awarded 21,463 degrees. The student population of Wayne County, MI in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 32,585 male students and 43,700 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Wayne County, MI are White (11,430 and 56.3%), Black or African American (4,160 and 20.5%), Asian (1,308 and 6.44%), and Unknown (1,289 and 6.34%).

The largest universities in Wayne County, MI by number of degrees awarded are Wayne State University (6,533 and 30.4%), Henry Ford College (3,946 and 18.4%), and University of Michigan-Dearborn (2,359 and 11%).

The most popular majors in Wayne County, MI are General Studies (2,282 and 10.6%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (1,719 and 8.01%), and Registered Nursing (1,038 and 4.84%).

The median tuition costs in Wayne County, MI are $29,985 for private four year colleges, and $9,352 and $18,964 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Wayne County, MI, the percentage of applicants admitted was 75.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 21%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 76,285 (42.7% men and 57.3% 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.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 76,285 students enrolled in Wayne County, MI, 42.7% men and 57.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 36,453 records, of which 55.7% were women and 44.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
615 degrees awarded
General Psychology
479 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
346 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Wayne County, MI was Registered Nursing with 615 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Wayne County, MI according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Wayne State University
6,533 degrees awarded
Henry Ford College
3,946 degrees awarded
University of Michigan-Dearborn
2,359 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wayne State University with 6,533 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 9,010 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Wayne County, MI, which is 0.724 times less than the 12,453 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 11,430 degrees mean that there were 2.75 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 4,160 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($29,985) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private for-profit, less-than 2-year ($2,400) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($2,500) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

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

Housing & Living

The median property value in Wayne County, MI was $178,500 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 $170,200 to $178,500, a 4.88% increase. The homeownership rate in Wayne County, MI is 64.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Wayne County, MI have an average commute time of 24.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Wayne County, MI is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 17.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wayne County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.8%.

Housing

Property

$178,500

Median Property Value 2024

±$1,776

$453,652

Median Property Taxes

±$4,823

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, MI the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

64.8%

Homeownership

2024

59.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 64.8% of the housing units in Wayne County, MI were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 64.5%.

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

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$60,539

Median Household Income

± $602

701k

Number of Households

± 6,669

In 2024, the median household income of the 701k households in Wayne County, MI grew to $60,539 from the previous year's value of $59,521.

The following chart displays the households in Wayne County, MI 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 < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Wayne County, MI is from Michigan.

0.462

2023 Wage GINI in Michigan

0.466

2022 Wage GINI in Michigan

In 2023, the income inequality in Michigan was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.92% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Michigan was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Michigan in comparison to the national average.

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

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (71.9%)
Worked At Home (14.1%)
Carpooled (8.48%)

In 2024, 71.9% of workers in Wayne County, MI drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (14.1%) and those who carpooled to work (8.48%).

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.

Commute Time

24.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Wayne County, MI have a shorter commute time (24.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.61% of the workforce in Wayne County, MI have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Wayne County, MI distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Wayne County, MI have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 17.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Wayne County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 4.8%.

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

Poverty & Diversity

20.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Wayne County, MI (365k out of 1.75M 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 35 - 44 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Wayne County, MI is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

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.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 29.2% of the children was living in poverty in Wayne County, MI. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 9.7%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 1.02k in Wayne County, MI. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 107 per 100,000 population.

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

Health

94.4% of the population of Wayne County, MI has health coverage, with 41.1% on employee plans, 30.6% on Medicaid, 11.6% on Medicare, 10.4% on non-group plans, and 0.732% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Wayne County, MI see 1,426 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,426 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1299 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 274 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,426 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Wayne County, MI

Primary care physicians in Wayne County, MI see an average of 1,426 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,426 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 21.6% between 18 and 34 years, 37.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.4% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.4% were men and 51.6% were women.

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

Uninsured People

5.61%

Uninsured

41.1%

Employer Coverage

30.6%

Medicaid

11.6%

Medicare

10.4%

Non-Group

0.732%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Wayne County, MI declined by 1.54% from 5.69% to 5.61%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 80.5 in Wayne County, MI.

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

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 36.7% in Wayne County, MI.

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