City profile · Georgia · Census ACS 2023

Waycross, GA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Waycross - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

13,813
Residents
$37,398
Median income
$88,600
Median home
$1,031
Median rent (state)

Waycross - the verdict

Waycross ranks in the 6th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
6th
percentile, home value
22nd
percentile, median rent
2nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Waycross, GA

Georgia's Waycross is a small town, with 13,813 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $37,398 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 30.0%. Waycross's housing stock carries a median value of $88,600, and the median resident age is 35.5 years. 16.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 45.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 10 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Low Activity). Waycross's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 6061.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 67.3°F with 50.4 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Georgia run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Georgia scores 96.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,031 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Georgia's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 49.4 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Low).

Population

13,813 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Georgia

Median Household Income

$37,398 /yr

Poverty 30.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

96.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Georgia average

How does Waycross compare to other US cities?

Where Waycross sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 6% pricier than other cities
Median rent 22% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Georgia and the picture shifts: Waycross ranks #161 of 165 Georgia cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Waycross's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Georgia, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

6thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Waycross's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Waycross's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 31 Avg. percentile National median
Waycross's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Waycross's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$88,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 94% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Waycross $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Waycross, GA Waycross, GA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waycross, GA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Waycross, GA median $37,398/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Waycross, GA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Waycross, GA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 30.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 45.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
13,813
Median Income
$37,398
Median Home Value
$88,600
Median Age
35.5
Poverty Rate
30.0%
Labor force participation
45.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
6061.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1033.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
5027.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
67.3°F
Annual Precipitation
50.4"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
13,700 residents13,800 residents13,900 residents14,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 13,934 residents 13,936 residents ▲ +0.0%
Waycross's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
3
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 2
2021 4
2022 6
2023 4
2024 10

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
84.2%
Carpool
8.6%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
5.0%
Other
1.3%

Based on 4,443 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Georgia - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$125
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Georgia state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Georgia state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Waycross sits in

Cost of Living Index
96.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,031/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
49.4 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Georgia

College Park
13,969 people
Vinings
13,538 people
Braselton
14,139 people
Jefferson
14,249 people
Covington
14,334 people
Bainbridge
14,353 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waycross's 13,813 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hawaiian Gardens, CA
13,816 people
Halawa, HI
13,809 people
Lumberton, TX
13,803 people
Bedford, IN
13,824 people
Newington, VA
13,824 people
Olean, NY
13,798 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waycross's $37,398 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lineville, AL
$37,396 median income
Houstonia, MO
$37,396 median income
Sutton, WV
$37,400 median income
Red Rock, TX
$37,401 median income
Riverview, AL
$37,404 median income
Tompkinsville, KY
$37,405 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waycross, GA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Waycross, GA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 37.9% 53.3% 6.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.3% White 37.9% Black or African American 53.3% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.0% Two or more races 6.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Waycross compares to nearby Georgia cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Waycross (this city) 13,813 $37,398
College Park 13,969 $48,505
Vinings 13,538 $91,308
Braselton 14,139 $113,810
Census ACS 5-year FIPS GA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waycross, GA?

What is the population of Waycross, GA? +

The population of Waycross, GA stands at 13,813 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Waycross, GA? +

Median annual household income in Waycross runs $37,398, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waycross? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Waycross; the closest available measure is the Georgia state average, a cost of living index of 96.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Georgia vary by metro area.

Is Waycross, GA safe? +

Waycross has a total crime rate of 6061.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Waycross, GA? +

The median home value in Waycross is $88,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Waycross? +

Waycross has an average annual temperature of 67.3°F, 50.4 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.