Wayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,497, making it the sixth-least populous county in Iowa. The county seat and the largest city is Corydon.

History

Wayne County was formed in 1846 but was still attached to other counties for governmental purposes. It was named after General Anthony Wayne.

Its southern border with Missouri was uncertain until the states got a decision from the US Supreme Court in 1848 which held the 1816 Sullivan line (re-marked in 1850), originally run as the northern boundary of an Osage Indian cession. This line is not a true east–west line so the county does not have an exactly rectangular shape.

There had been settlement in this county as early as 1841 by persons thinking they were in Missouri,

Major highways

  • x20px U.S. Highway 65
  • x20px Iowa Highway 2
  • x20px Iowa Highway 14

Adjacent counties

  • Lucas County (north)
  • Appanoose County (east)
  • Putnam County, Missouri (southeast)
  • Mercer County, Missouri (southwest)
  • Decatur County (west)

Demographics

2020 census

thumb|right|Population of Wayne County from the U.S. census data

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 6,497 and a population density of .

The median age was 40.3 years, 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18, and 21.1% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.4 males.

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,585 households in the county, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.5% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 6,730 people, 2,821 households, and 1,918 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 3,357 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 98.78% White, 0.06% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,821 households, out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 29.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.90% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 23.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,380, and the median income for a family was $35,534. Males had a median income of $26,018 versus $18,310 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,613. About 10.80% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 14.20% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

See chart; "None" is an unclear category. Researchers argue that most of the "Nones" should be considered "unchurched", rather than objectively nonreligious, especially since most "Nones" do hold some religious-spiritual beliefs and a notable amount participate in religious behaviors. For example, 72% of American "Nones" believe in God or a higher power.

Communities

Cities

  • Allerton
  • Clio
  • Corydon
  • Humeston
  • Lineville
  • Millerton
  • Promise City
  • Seymour

Unincorporated communities

  • Cambria
  • Confidence
  • Harvard
  • New York
  • Sewal

Ghost town

  • Big Spring

Townships

  • Benton
  • Clay
  • Clinton
  • Corydon
  • Grand River
  • Howard
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Monroe
  • Richman
  • South Fork
  • Union
  • Walnut
  • Warren
  • Washington
  • Wright

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Wayne County.

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Education

School districts include:

  • Mormon Trail Community School District
  • Seymour Community School District
  • Wayne Community School District

; Former school districts

  • Lineville-Clio Community School District - merged into the Wayne district on July 1, 2011
  • Russell Community School District

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  • Retrieved April 22, 2024. ; .

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