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 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, but the first settlers intending to be in Iowa came about 1848. Its government was organized and the county seat selected in 1851.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 527 square miles (1,360 km), of which 525 square miles (1,360 km) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km) (0.3%) is water.

Major highways

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

Adjacent counties

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

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	340		—
1860	6,409		1,785.0%
1870	11,287		76.1%
1880	16,127		42.9%
1890	15,670		−2.8%
1900	17,491		11.6%
1910	16,184		−7.5%
1920	15,378		−5.0%
1930	13,787		−10.3%
1940	13,308		−3.5%
1950	11,737		−11.8%
1960	9,800		−16.5%
1970	8,405		−14.2%
1980	8,199		−2.5%
1990	7,067		−13.8%
2000	6,730		−4.8%
2010	6,403		−4.9%
2020	6,495		1.4%
2023 (est.)	6,557		1.0%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018

2020 census

The 2020 census recorded a population of 6,497 in the county, with a population density of 12.3729/sq mi (4.7772/km). 97.38% of the population reported being of one race. 95.43% were non-Hispanic White, 0.15% were Black, 0.94% were Hispanic, 0.26% were Native American, 0.38% were Asian, 0.03% were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and 2.80% were some other race or more than one race. There were 3,025 housing units, of which 2,585 were occupied.

2010 census

The 2010 census recorded a population of 6,403 in the county, with a population density of 12.1823/sq mi (4.7036/km). There were 3,212 housing units, of which 2,652 were occupied.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,730 people, 2,821 households, and 1,918 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km). There were 3,357 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3 units/km). 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

*"Nones" is an unclear category. It is a heterogenous group of the not religious and intermittently religious. 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 behaviors. For example, 72% of American "Nones" believe in God or a Higher Power.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

• Cambria
• Confidence
• Harvard
• New York
• Sewal

Ghost town

• Big Spring

Townships

Population ranking

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

† county seat

Rank	City/Town/etc.	Municipal type	Population (2020 Census)
1	† Corydon	City	1,526
2	Seymour	City	634
3	Humeston	City	465
4	Allerton	City	430
5	Lineville	City	195
6	Promise City	City	88
7	Clio	City	67
8	Millerton	City	36

Politics

United States presidential election results for Wayne County, Iowa

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	2,338	75.20%	727	23.38%	44	1.42%
2016	2,069	70.37%	719	24.46%	152	5.17%
2012	1,583	54.59%	1,251	43.14%	66	2.28%
2008	1,565	52.50%	1,357	45.52%	59	1.98%
2004	1,733	55.31%	1,379	44.02%	21	0.67%
2000	1,666	55.15%	1,300	43.03%	55	1.82%
1996	1,295	39.64%	1,650	50.51%	322	9.86%
1992	1,299	36.24%	1,632	45.54%	653	18.22%
1988	1,467	42.19%	1,988	57.18%	22	0.63%
1984	2,061	51.26%	1,927	47.92%	33	0.82%
1980	2,221	54.12%	1,627	39.64%	256	6.24%
1976	1,781	44.58%	2,145	53.69%	69	1.73%
1972	2,681	62.00%	1,574	36.40%	69	1.60%
1968	2,553	55.83%	1,723	37.68%	297	6.49%
1964	1,994	39.39%	3,062	60.49%	6	0.12%
1960	3,401	59.51%	2,307	40.37%	7	0.12%
1956	3,340	56.64%	2,553	43.29%	4	0.07%
1952	3,995	61.23%	2,497	38.27%	33	0.51%
1948	2,738	44.72%	3,314	54.12%	71	1.16%
1944	3,098	50.31%	3,025	49.12%	35	0.57%
1940	3,748	50.64%	3,625	48.98%	28	0.38%
1936	3,609	48.43%	3,778	50.70%	65	0.87%
1932	2,311	36.52%	3,896	61.57%	121	1.91%
1928	3,911	59.46%	2,579	39.21%	88	1.34%
1924	3,322	49.97%	1,826	27.47%	1,500	22.56%
1920	4,234	62.51%	2,434	35.94%	105	1.55%
1916	1,936	48.68%	1,935	48.65%	106	2.67%
1912	1,193	31.64%	1,581	41.93%	997	26.44%
1908	2,092	52.09%	1,756	43.73%	168	4.18%
1904	2,290	56.11%	1,452	35.58%	339	8.31%
1900	2,294	51.78%	2,001	45.17%	135	3.05%
1896	2,101	48.93%	2,115	49.25%	78	1.82%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Wayne County, Iowa