1st most populous of 83
With 1,771,063 residents in 2024, Wayne County ranks 1st by population among Michigan's 83 counties and is home to 17.5% of the state's residents.
Wayne County is home to 1,771,063 people (2024 estimate) on 612 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
1,771,063
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
1,793,896
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−1.3%
2020–2024
Land area
612 mi²
1,585 km²
Population density
2,894.7 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
20,184
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
18,159
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+2,025
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+6,636
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$55,715
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$129.9 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$60,539
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
20.8%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
27.6%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
10.3%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$178,500
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
5.5%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–20241,771,063▼ 14%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 1,771,063 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 1,820,584 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 2,057,255 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −13.9% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +16,206 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −9,570 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 11.4 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 10.3 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Michigan | 1st of 83 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $55,715 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $129.9 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $60,539 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 20.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 27.6% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 10.3% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $178,500 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,132/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 37.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 700,591 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Wayne County in context
Comparable indicators for Wayne County, Michigan and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Michigan | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −1.3% | +0.6% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 11.4 | 9.8 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 10.3 | 10.1 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 3.7 | 5.9 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 2894.7 | 179.1 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $55,715 | $63,690 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $60,539 | $72,875 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 20.8% | 13.2% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 27.6% | 32.4% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 10.3% | 7.2% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $178,500 | $231,600 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,132/month | $1,129/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 37.9 years | 40.2 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.8% | 73.2% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
6 cities · choose how to order them
Did you know? Wayne County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 2,057,255 in 2000 to 1,771,063 in 2024, a change of −13.9%, compared with +1.9% for Michigan as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 20,184 births and 18,159 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 2,025.
Peak population in 2000
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 2,057,255 in 2000. The 2024 figure is 286,192 lower.
1st in density
Wayne County has about 2894.7 residents per square mile of land, ranking 1st of 83 counties; Michigan averages 179.1.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $60,539 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 56th of 83 Michigan counties; the state median is $72,875.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $129.9 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 2nd largest among 83 Michigan counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 1.3% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS