Wayne County, Utah

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.0 | 2,614 people · 24th most distressed in Utah
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Wayne County, UT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.0 — 2932nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Utah, it ranks 24th of 29 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Wayne County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 52.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 52.1
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 90
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 36
Economic Vitality 46.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 66
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 12
House Price Change (YoY) 64
Legal Distress 43.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Housing Cost Burden 25.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 7
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 88
Homeownership Rate 43
Consumer Credit Distress 12.4
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 72
Subprime Credit Population 5

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wayne County
Wayne County, UT 26.0 Healthy —
Grand County, UT 53.3 Elevated +27.3
San Juan County, UT 51.9 Elevated +25.9
Sevier County, UT 40.3 Normal +14.2
Piute County, UT 32.3 Healthy +6.2
Garfield County, UT 31.4 Healthy +5.4
Emery County, UT 30.7 Healthy +4.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wayne County
Chase County, NE 26.0 Healthy +0.0
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy +0.0
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy +0.1
Jones County, SD 26.1 Healthy +0.1
Big Stone County, MN 25.8 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Wayne County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Wayne County

Find an Attorney

Utah State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Utah State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 801-531-9077

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Wayne County residents at no cost.

Utah Legal Services 1-800-662-4245
Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake 801-328-8849

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Wayne County, Utah?

    Wayne County has a County Distress Index score of 26.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,932nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Utah out of 29 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wayne County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wayne County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 52.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Wayne County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wayne County (26.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Grand County, UT (53.3); San Juan County, UT (51.9); Sevier County, UT (40.3).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Wayne County's score of 26.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Wayne County's CDI score?

    Wayne County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Wayne County?

    Wayne County, Utah has a population of approximately 2,614 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.