Wayne was founded in 1881 when the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway was extended to that point.

[9] The 2020 United States census[12] counted 5,973 people, 2,096 households, and 978 families in Wayne.

There were 2,139 housing units at an average density of 758.5 per square mile (292.9/km2).

32.1% of households consisted of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

At the 2010 census there were 5,660 people, 1,953 households, and 987 families living in the city.

There were 2,082 housing units at an average density of 942.1 per square mile (363.7/km2).

The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% White, 2.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.0% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races.

At the 2000 census, there were 5,583 people, 1,850 households, and 989 families living in the city.

There were 1,963 housing units at an average density of 896.9 per square mile (346.3/km2).

The racial makeup of the city was 96.35% White, 1.59% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races.