RANK #121 / 996 · POP 51,227 · PA
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.7%
Honesdale, the county seat of Wayne County, Pennsylvania, holds the distinction as the "Birthplace of the American Railroad," where the Stourbridge Lion, the first steam locomotive in the United States, made its maiden voyage in 1829. Located in the Pocono Mountains, Wayne County is in the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, sharing a border with New York State. The county is approximately an hour's drive from Scranton and offers a rural community feel with small towns and extensive natural beauty. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with Lake Wallenpaupack providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming, and the Delaware River offering kayaking and hiking.
Life in Wayne County often involves a blend of small-town living and access to outdoor activities, attracting families and retirees. The public school system is above average, with high schools like Honesdale High School ranking among the top. While public transportation options are limited, efforts are underway to expand shuttle services connecting towns within the county and to nearby cities like Scranton. The economy, historically rooted in farming, lumbering, and tourism, is seeing new investment in business and technology sectors, with initiatives focused on fostering entrepreneurship and job creation.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Natural Gas Power Generation & Data Center Infrastructure (Northeast PA)
PPL and Blackstone Infrastructure
|
$25,000M | Proposed |
|
Waymart Wind Farm (Ongoing Operations/Potential Upgrades)
Huntsman Wind LLC (previously NextEra Energy Resources)
|
$64M | Operating |
|
Sterling Business & Technology Park Industrial/Logistics Building
Lehigh Valley Underground LLC
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Palmyra Township Solar Farm
ECA Solar
|
$50M | Planned |
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 88/100, ranking #121 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.5% and a median household income of $59,240, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Wayne County is $211,000 with median rent at $933/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2808, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.5%. Home values changed +4.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.08% of Wayne County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.