RANK #917 / 1001 NAT · #47 / 51 NC · POP 118,652
1YR FORECAST: -1.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +11%
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.
Wayne County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.2% runs below the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 10.3x — home prices are high 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: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Wayne County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| 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 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Wayne County scores just 8/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #917 of 1001 counties. Job growth at -2.0% and median household income of $59,733 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Wayne County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $178,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $965/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Wayne County is attracting residents (population +0.9% YoY) even as the job market softens with employment at -2.0%. Housing values changed +0.2% over the past 12 months. People may be moving here for affordability or lifestyle reasons rather than job opportunities.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.37% 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.