RANK #13 / 1001 NAT · #2 / 28 IN · POP 66,397
1YR FORECAST: +3.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +42%
Wayne County, Indiana, is known for its "Antique Alley," a 66-mile loop featuring over 1,200 antique dealers, with Cambridge City at its center. Located in east-central Indiana on the Ohio border, the county seat, Richmond, is about a two-hour drive from Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Dayton. The area offers a blend of rural and metropolitan living, with a median commute time of just under 22 minutes. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Hayes Arboretum with its 16 miles of trails, or bike along the Cardinal Greenway, Indiana's longest rail-to-trail.
Life in Wayne County offers a mix of community-focused living and access to larger city amenities. The county's public schools are rated above average, with several districts serving the area, including Richmond Community Schools and Centerville-Abington Community Schools. Recent economic developments focus on housing and downtown revitalization. The Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County is working on a $26 million investment to construct 82 new single-family homes and renovate downtown Richmond buildings into apartments and retail spaces. The county is also exploring the potential for a casino to boost economic impact and tourism.
Wayne County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +5.6% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Community Solar Portfolio (8 projects)
Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA)
|
$47M | Operating/Under Construction |
|
Housing Accelerator Program (5 subdivisions)
EDC of Wayne County / Trademark Construction LLC
|
$26M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Wayne County ranks #13 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 99/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.2% year-over-year). Median household income here is $55,692.
By national standards, Wayne County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $140,200, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $815/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Wayne County's job market is contracting (-1.2% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.0% change). Home values are +5.6% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.85% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Wayne County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +5.6% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Wayne County is now valued at $140,200. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.