Wayne County
OH · Pop. 116,618 · Mixed County
Wayne County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Ohio, spanning 555 square miles with 116,618 residents at a density of 210.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, hay. The median home price is $205,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.2%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F and average winter lows of 21.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 37.5 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Wooster Community Hospital is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Wooster Community Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, hay means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- A low poverty rate of 8.7% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- At 210.1 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Wayne County, OH is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 57/100
- Median home price
- $205k
- Property tax
- 1.2%
- Growing season
- 165 days (zone 6a)
- Annual rainfall
- 37.5"
- Broadband
- 98.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Wooster Community Hospital, 2.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Wayne County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Wayne County?
- Wayne County is in USDA hardiness zone 6a with a 165-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.6°F, and average winter lows of 21.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, hay.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $205,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.2%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Wooster Community Hospital is 2.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Ohio Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Ohio
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The closest counties to Wayne County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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