RANK #46 / 996 · POP 66,522 · IN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +3.5%
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.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| 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 has a Boom Town Index score of 96/100, ranking #46 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $54,854, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Wayne County is $119,400 with median rent at $793/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4594, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +6.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.4% of Wayne County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.