Wayne County, North Carolina Housing Market
In Wayne County, North Carolina, the median home value is $178,700, with a median monthly rent of $965. This places Wayne County at #1656 nationally out of 3134 counties by median home value, and #70 within North Carolina.
📈 Price Trend (2017 → 2024)
📊 Recent Market Momentum (FHFA HPI)
FHFA House Price Index — All-Transactions, Annual (2000 = 100) · Latest: 2025
📍 Economic Snapshot
Employment & Wages
- Avg weekly wage: $937
- Establishments: 2,348
- BLS QCEW, 2025
Housing Supply
- Single-family: 879
- Multi-family: 75
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
Migration Patterns
- Inflow: 46,268 (avg $59,064)
- Outflow: 43,140 (avg $59,971)
- IRS Statistics of Income
📍 Sub-Market Activity
Top 3 active ZIP codes in Wayne County · Latest: 2025
| # | ZIP Code | HPI | YoY Change | Latest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28333 | 271.7 | +15.44% | 2025 |
| 2 | 27530 | 213.6 | +3.43% | 2025 |
| 3 | 27851 | 179.7 | +7.25% | 2022 |
Source: FHFA HPI for Five-Digit ZIP Codes (All-Transactions Index, 2000 = 100).
This product uses FHFA Data but is neither endorsed nor certified by FHFA.
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💰 Mortgage Guide → 🧾 Property Tax Data →How Wayne County Compares
| Metric | Wayne County | North Carolina Average | U.S. Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $178,700 | $235,312 | $227,706 |
| Median Gross Rent | $965 | $976 | $968 |
| Owner Occupancy Rate | 61.5% | 71.8% | 73.3% |
| Price/Rent Ratio | 15.4 | 19.8 | 18.7 |
Market Analysis
The median home value in Wayne County is 24.1% below the North Carolina state average and 21.5% below the U.S. national average. The median rent of $965/month is 1.1% below the state average.
With a price-to-rent ratio of 15.4, the buy-vs-rent decision in Wayne County is balanced. Whether buying or renting makes more sense depends on your time horizon, down payment capacity, and local market conditions.
Wayne County has an owner-occupancy rate of 61.5%, compared to 71.8% in North Carolina and 73.3% nationally. This indicates a more renter-heavy market than the U.S. average.
Similar Counties by Home Value
| County | State | Median Home Value | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County | Missouri | $178,700 | $788 |
| Clay County | Iowa | $178,600 | $811 |
| Cuming County | Nebraska | $178,800 | $789 |
| Abbeville County | South Carolina | $178,800 | $799 |
| Johnson County | Tennessee | $178,600 | $674 |
Other Counties in North Carolina
| County | Median Home Value | Median Rent | Owner Occ. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surry County | $177,600 | $761 | 73.4% |
| Yadkin County | $181,200 | $766 | 76.9% |
| Burke County | $185,400 | $884 | 74.5% |
| Wilson County | $186,000 | $953 | 60.0% |
| McDowell County | $171,100 | $806 | 75.6% |
Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2024 5-Year Estimates (2017–2024). Variables: B25077 (Median Home Value), B25064 (Median Gross Rent), B25003 (Tenure). Data collected on 2026-10-14. The price-to-rent ratio is calculated as Median Home Value ÷ (Median Monthly Rent × 12).