Wayne is a county in Mississippi, United States, on the Alabama state line in the southeastern part of the state. It had a population of 19,779 at the 2020 census and covers 814 square miles (2,110 km2) — 811 square miles of land and 2.8 square miles of water — centred near 31°38′N 88°42′W.
Waynesboro is the county seat and its postal code is 39367. The county has one incorporated city (Waynesboro), one incorporated town (State Line), two census-designated places (Buckatunna and Clara), and a wider scatter of unincorporated communities. Wayne County runs on Central time and has no civil townships.
Towns & Villages in Wayne County
The table below lists 27 named places carried over from the county’s community register. Waynesboro is the only city; State Line is the county’s one incorporated town, straddling the Alabama line with most of its footprint actually in Greene County. Buckatunna and Clara are Census Bureau-designated places; the rest are unincorporated communities, several of them former mill or rail sidings that never incorporated. Winchester is a historic/ghost-town site rather than an active community today.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesboro | City · seat | — | 39367 |
| State Line | Town | — | 39362 |
| Buckatunna | CDP | — | 39322 |
| Clara | CDP | — | — |
| Battles | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Belmont | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Boice | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Chicora | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Denham | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Eret | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Eucutta | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Gretna | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Henderson | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hiwannee | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hollis Creek | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Lightsey | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Matherville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Mulberry | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pineview | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pleasant Grove | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Robinsons Junction | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Smithtown | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Strengthford | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Tokio | Unincorp. | — | — |
| West King | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Whistler | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Winchester | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Woodwards | Unincorp. | — | — |
ZIP Codes
- 39367 — Waynesboro (also serves most of the county’s central and northern communities)
- 39322 — Buckatunna (also serves Denham and Eucutta)
- 39362 — State Line (also serves the county’s eastern edge along the Alabama line)
Most of Wayne County’s smaller unincorporated communities share a Waynesboro or Buckatunna postal address rather than carrying their own ZIP code.
Geography
Wayne County sits in the East Gulf Coastal Plain, a belt of pine flatwoods and river bottoms typical of southeast Mississippi. The Chickasawhay River crosses the county roughly north to south and joins the Leaf River at the county’s southern edge to form the Pascagoula River. A large share of the county’s southern half lies within the De Soto National Forest, and much of the rest is worked pine timberland.
Wayne County borders Clarke County to the north, Jasper County to the northwest, Jones County to the west, Perry County to the southwest, and Greene County to the south, with Choctaw County and Washington County, Alabama across the state line to the east.
Demographics
Wayne County had 19,779 residents at the 2020 census. Waynesboro, the county seat, is by far the largest community; Buckatunna is the county’s second-largest named place. Median household income in the county runs below the Mississippi median of $54,203, consistent with the timber- and manufacturing-dependent economy of the surrounding coastal-plain counties. Population density is about 24 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Timber and wood products anchor the county’s economy — pine plantations and pulpwood haulers are a constant presence on U.S. 45 and U.S. 84. Georgia-Pacific and other forest-products operations have long been major employers in and around Waynesboro. Poultry growing and agriculture round out the rural economy, and Wayne General Hospital serves as the county’s main health-care employer.
History
Wayne County was organized in 1809, one of the oldest counties in Mississippi, and takes its name from Revolutionary War general Anthony Wayne. Waynesboro was established as the seat soon after and grew around river and later rail traffic on the Chickasawhay. Winchester, once a county community in its own right, is remembered today mainly as a historic place-name rather than an active town.
Getting There
U.S. Highway 45 runs north–south through Waynesboro, U.S. Highway 84 crosses the county east–west, and Mississippi Highway 63 links Waynesboro south toward the Gulf Coast.
- Laurel, Mississippi — 35 miles west
- Meridian, Mississippi — 45 miles north
- Mobile, Alabama — 75 miles southeast
- Hattiesburg, Mississippi — 50 miles southwest
The nearest commercial airport is Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport; Mobile Regional Airport offers a wider range of flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Wayne County, Mississippi?
It is in southeastern Mississippi, on the Alabama state line, between Meridian and the Gulf Coast.
What is the population of Wayne County?
19,779 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Wayne County?
814 square miles, including 2.8 square miles of water.
What is the county seat of Wayne County?
Waynesboro is the county seat.
How many towns are in Wayne County?
One city (Waynesboro), one town (State Line), two census-designated places, and roughly two dozen unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Wayne County?
The main ZIP codes are 39367 (Waynesboro), 39322 (Buckatunna) and 39362 (State Line).
What river runs through Wayne County?
The Chickasawhay River, which joins the Leaf River at the county’s southern edge to form the Pascagoula River.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Mississippi.