RANK #829 / 996 · POP 117,480 · NC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.9%
Wayne County, North Carolina, is often recognized for the Mount Olive Pickle Company, a major pickle producer that hosts an annual North Carolina Pickle Festival in the town of Mount Olive. Located in the Coastal Plain region of Eastern North Carolina, Wayne County is approximately 50-52 miles southeast of Raleigh. Goldsboro serves as the county seat. The community has a slower pace, with a mix of rural landscapes and developed areas. The Neuse River bisects the county, offering natural scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, paddling, and fishing at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
Life in Wayne County offers a blend of community-oriented living with access to amenities. Many residents own their homes, and the public schools are considered above average. Commuting to Raleigh is possible, though daily travel on major highways can involve significant traffic. The local economy is supported by diverse sectors, including manufacturing and agriculture. Recent economic developments include investments in manufacturing facilities, particularly in the production of power transformers and textiles. The presence of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base also significantly influences the local economy and community.
Above national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Lee Combined Cycle Plant (Natural Gas Plant)
Duke Energy Progress - (NC)
|
$1,068M | Operating |
|
Wayne County Energy Complex (Natural Gas Plant)
Duke Energy Progress - (NC)
|
$980M | Operating |
|
Prolec GE Goldsboro Facility Expansion
Prolec GE
|
$140M | Under Construction |
|
Pelsan Tekstil Manufacturing Facility
Pelsan Tekstil
|
$83M | Planned |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (5 projects)
Various (USF Essex Lessor, LLC, Lane Solar Farm LLC, Overman Solar, LLC, Wayne Solar III, LLC, Wayne Solar II, LLC)
|
$25M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Wayne County has a Boom Town Index score of 17/100, ranking #829 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.7% and a median household income of $54,323, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Wayne County is $152,300 with median rent at $899/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3567, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.7%. Home values changed -1.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.81% of Wayne County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.