Wayne is a city in Wayne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 5,660 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Wayne County and the home of Wayne State College.

Wayne was founded in 1881 when the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway was extended to that point. It was named for and with Wayne County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.25 square miles (5.83 km), of which 2.21 square miles (5.72 km) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km) is water.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	1,178		—
1900	2,119		79.9%
1910	2,140		1.0%
1920	2,115		−1.2%
1930	2,381		12.6%
1940	2,719		14.2%
1950	3,595		32.2%
1960	4,217		17.3%
1970	5,379		27.6%
1980	5,240		−2.6%
1990	5,142		−1.9%
2000	5,583		8.6%
2010	5,660		1.4%
2020	5,973		5.5%
U.S. Decennial Census 2012 Estimate

The 2020 United States census counted 5,973 people, 2,096 households, and 978 families in Wayne. The population density was 2,118.1 inhabitants per square mile (817.8/km). There were 2,139 housing units at an average density of 758.5 per square mile (292.9/km). The racial makeup was 77.0% (4,599) white, 5.71% (341) black or African-American, 0.77% (46) Native American, 1.96% (117) Asian, 0.13% (8) Pacific Islander, 8.62% (515) from other races, and 5.81% (347) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 8.0% (486) of the population.

Of the 2,096 households, 21.3% had children under the age of 18; 42.7% were married couples living together; 27.6% had a female householder with no husband present. 32.1% of households consisted of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.0 and the average family size was 2.8.

16.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 34.2% from 18 to 24, 16.3% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 96.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 91.5 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $47,054 (with a margin of error of +/- $13,778) and the median family income $73,220 (+/- $4,710). Males had a median income of $14,754 (+/- $8,702) versus $9,385 (+/- $3,841) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $12,150 (+/- $3,152). Approximately, 7.5% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under the age of 18 and 19.3% of those ages 65 or over.

At the 2010 census there were 5,660 people, 1,953 households, and 987 families living in the city. The population density was 2,561.1 inhabitants per square mile (988.8/km). There were 2,082 housing units at an average density of 942.1 per square mile (363.7/km). The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% White, 2.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.0% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8%.

Of the 1,953 households 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.5% were non-families. 33.6% of households were one person and 12.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age was 22.9 years. 15.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 39.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.7% were from 25 to 44; 15.6% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

At the 2000 census, there were 5,583 people, 1,850 households, and 989 families living in the city. The population density was 2,550.9 inhabitants per square mile (984.9/km). There were 1,963 housing units at an average density of 896.9 per square mile (346.3/km). The racial makeup of the city was 96.35% White, 1.59% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.

Of the 1,850 households 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.5% were non-families. 28.6% of households were one person and 11.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.90.

The age distribution was 15.7% under the age of 18, 39.6% from 18 to 24, 17.4% from 25 to 44, 13.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% 65 or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.7 males.

The median household income was $27,730, and the median family income was $51,033. Males had a median income of $30,560 versus $20,847 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,984. About 7.5% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.9% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Wayne has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Wayne was 105 °F (40.6 °C) on July 13, 1995 and July 20, 2006, while the coldest temperature recorded was −27 °F (−32.8 °C) on January 2, 2018.

Wayne Community Schools operates public schools.

Wayne State College

St.Mary's Catholic Private School

• James B. Davis, U.S. Air Force general
• Emily Kinney, musician and television actress (The Walking Dead)
• Don Meyer, college basketball coach

• List of municipalities in Nebraska

Media related to Wayne, Nebraska at Wikimedia Commons