Signature · 17.0% SNAP (82nd pct in TN)

Wayne County, TN

Wayne County stands out on SNAP (17.0%, +4.9 pts vs U.S.) with 24.4% low-access from USDA FARA 2019.

24.4%
low-access pop.
1
food-desert tracts
17.0%
on SNAP
16K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 TN

USDA FARA access plate

County Wayne County, TN

LA-ELEVATED · ABOVE-NATIONAL · LILA-SINGLE · SNAP-HEAVY · VEH-TYPICAL · DENSITY-DENSE

  • LA-ELEVATED 24.4% low-access
  • ABOVE-NATIONAL +2.3 pts vs US
  • LILA-SINGLE 1 food-desert tract
  • SNAP-HEAVY 17.0% SNAP
  • VEH-TYPICAL 8.2% no vehicle
  • DENSITY-DENSE 25% tracts LILA

Nearest low-access peer: Perry County (+ 0.2 pts)

The food-access picture

According to the USDA Food Access Research Atlas, Wayne County ranks #1,341 of 3,079 U.S. counties by low-access share and #26 of 93 counties in TN (24.4% low-access; 1 food-desert tracts).

#1,341
national by low-access %
#26
in TN
2
low-access tracts
2K
food-desert residents

Low access = living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket. Food deserts add a low-income condition (USDA LILA).

Signature read: 17.0% SNAP (82nd pct in TN) (+4.9 pts vs U.S. SNAP) .

How Wayne County compares nationally

Relative to the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA food-access data, Wayne County's 24.4% low-access share is elevated, higher than 57% of them and ranked #1,341 most-affected nationwide.

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Wayne County: USDA Food-Access Tier Breakdown

4 census tracts grouped by USDA classification · 1 LILA.

Food access tier distribution for Wayne County, TN USDA-defined food-access tiers: 2 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 1 limited, 1 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 4 tracts evaluated. 2 tracts adequate (50.0%) 1 tracts limited (25.0%) 1 tracts severe / food desert (25.0%) Adequate 50% Limited 25% Severe 25% Food-access tier distribution: Wayne County, TN
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

By USDA urbanicity classification, Wayne County has 0 urban and 4 rural census tracts. The 1-mile (urban) vs 10-mile (rural) distance threshold above applies per tract, so a county's access rate reflects this mix.

Wayne County low-access neighbourhood

Poles + nearest peers in Tennessee, not a full county-board reprint

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

Food Access (USDA FARA 2019)

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Wayne County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts4
Atlas Population (2010 basis)17,021
Low-Access Tracts2
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)1
Low-Access Population4,152
Low-Access Share24.4%above the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population1,523

ACS 2024 · elevated SNAP band

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Wayne County
IndicatorValue
Population16,168
Median Household Income$52,294
Poverty Rate20.0%above the national average
SNAP Households1,018
SNAP Participation Rate17.0%above the national average
Households Without a Vehicle8.2%near the national average
Group-Quarters Population10.9%

SNAP retailers in Wayne County

Wayne County has 16 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 3 store categories. Combination Grocery/Other lead with 7 locations (44% of the total), followed by convenience store.

Combination Grocery/Other · 7

  • dollar general 2082, waynesboro
  • dollar general 2572, clifton
  • dollar general 19912, iron city
  • dollar general 22421, waynesboro
  • dollar general 803, collinwood
  • dollar tree 7566, waynesboro
  • family dollar 13898, clifton

Convenience Store · 6

  • 641 marathon, clifton
  • country girl's truck stop, clifton
  • lil sis's one stop, collinwood
  • quik mart 13, waynesboro
  • rp 09 convenience, llc, waynesboro
  • waynesboro food mart, waynesboro

Supermarket · 3

  • cash saver 16, waynesboro
  • collinwood piggly wiggly 101, collinwood
  • piggly wiggly no, waynesboro

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator (currently authorized stores, a live third population, not the 2019 Atlas or ACS 2024 snapshot above).

Other Counties in Tennessee

One of 94 counties in Tennessee, 6 are shown here.

Compare Wayne County vs Anderson County → · All Tennessee counties →

Nationwide peers for Wayne County's low-access or SNAP share

SNAP-led peer set first for Wayne County (17.0%), with low-access neighbours deduped against it, both outside Tennessee.

Similar low-access share

Nearest low-access rates outside TN (24.4% here).

Similar SNAP participation

Nearest household SNAP rates outside TN (17.0% here).

Source: USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) + Census ACS 2024 SNAP. Peers floor at 10,000 residents so stub counties cannot own the match.

Food access nationally, Tennessee in context

Wayne County sits inside Tennessee (ringed). Each state is colored by population-weighted low-access; click any state to compare.

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Read with this county

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019) · U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates · methodology · compiled .

PlainFoodAccess renders this county profile directly from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates), no number is typed in by an editor. Figures for Wayne County, TN are computed from the joined Atlas and ACS records for FIPS 47181. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-23. Primary sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.