RANK #31 / 996 NAT · #2 / 28 IN · POP 66,522
1YR FORECAST: +5.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +41%
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.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 2.7x — home prices are low 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.
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 996 counties.
Wayne County ranks #31 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 97/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.2% and a median household income of $54,854 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Wayne County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $119,400, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.46 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $793/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Wayne County are hiring — job growth of +1.2% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved +6.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.4% 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 +6.1% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Wayne County is now valued at $119,400. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.