City profile · Mississippi · Census ACS 2023

Waynesboro, MS

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

4,552
Residents
$30,910
Median income
$84,400
Median home
$842
Median rent (state)

Waynesboro - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Waynesboro places in the 3rd percentile for household income and the 21st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

3rd
percentile, household income
5th
percentile, home value
1st
percentile, median rent
21st
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: Waynesboro, MS

Waynesboro is a small town in Mississippi, home to 4,552 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Waynesboro brings in $30,910 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 21.5%. Waynesboro's housing stock carries a median value of $84,400, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. About 21.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 37.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 7 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Low Activity). Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2565.8 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Waynesboro's yearly average temperature at 65.2°F with 60.0 inches of precipitation per year and 0.6 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Mississippi run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Mississippi scores 87.0 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $842 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Mississippi run around $223, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 55.7 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

4,552 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Mississippi

Median Household Income

$30,910 /yr

Poverty 21.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.0 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Mississippi average

How does Waynesboro compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 3% higher than other cities
Home value 5% pricier than other cities
Median rent 1% pricier than other cities
Safety 21% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Mississippi, Waynesboro ranks #38 of 56 Mississippi cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Waynesboro against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Mississippi only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Mississippi-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Waynesboro near the bottom of Mississippi's cities

Among the 395 Mississippi cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Waynesboro ranks #207 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Waynesboro only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#293 of 345
15th percentile in Mississippi
Median Gross Rent
#207 of 395
0th percentile in Mississippi
Median Home Value
#261 of 348
24th percentile in Mississippi
Poverty Rate
#155 of 393
61st percentile in Mississippi
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#134 of 394
66th percentile in Mississippi

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Mississippi only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

3rdIncome percentile
21stSafety percentile

3rd percentile nationally for median household income · 21st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Waynesboro's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Waynesboro'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Waynesboro'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 Waynesboro's home value compares nationally

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

$84,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 95% 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. Waynesboro $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 - Waynesboro, MS Waynesboro, MS's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waynesboro, MS-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 Waynesboro, MS median $30,910/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%
Waynesboro, MS'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 Waynesboro, MS. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 21.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 37.8%

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

Population
4,552
Median Income
$30,910
Median Home Value
$84,400
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
21.5%
Labor force participation
37.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2565.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
929.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1636.8
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
65.2°F
Annual Precipitation
60.0"
Annual Snowfall
0.6"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,450 residents4,500 residents4,550 residents4,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,569 residents 4,495 residents ▼ -1.6%
Waynesboro's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
1
detached homes
Multifamily
6
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 8
2021 2
2022 6
2023 5
2024 7

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
90.7%
Carpool
4.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
5.3%

Based on 1,308 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$135
avg/month
Natural Gas
$50
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$38
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Mississippi 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 Mississippi state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Waynesboro sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.0
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$842/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
55.7 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Mississippi

Ellisville
4,593 people
Fulton
4,511 people
Florence
4,647 people
Pearl River
4,403 people
Mississippi State
4,367 people
Crystal Springs
4,766 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waynesboro's 4,552 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Post, TX
4,552 people
Mount Vernon, IA
4,551 people
Ada, OH
4,553 people
Newton Falls, OH
4,553 people
Clintonville, WI
4,553 people
Whiting, IN
4,554 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waynesboro's $30,910 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pagedale, MO
$30,908 median income
Parcelas Mandry comunidad, PR
$30,926 median income
Ten Sleep, WY
$30,893 median income
Vilas, CO
$30,938 median income
Dola, OH
$30,938 median income
Hearne, TX
$30,938 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waynesboro, MS 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 Waynesboro, MS - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 32.1% 61.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.9% White 32.1% Black or African American 61.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.9% Two or more races 0.8% 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 Waynesboro compares to nearby Mississippi cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Waynesboro (this city) 4,552 $30,910
Ellisville 4,593 $32,853
Fulton 4,511 $56,620
Florence 4,647 $86,406
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MS FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waynesboro, MS?

What is the population of Waynesboro, MS? +

Waynesboro, MS has a population of 4,552 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Waynesboro, MS? +

The median household income in Waynesboro is $30,910 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waynesboro? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Waynesboro; the closest available measure is the Mississippi state average, a cost of living index of 87.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Mississippi vary by metro area.

Is Waynesboro, MS safe? +

Waynesboro has a total crime rate of 2565.8 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Waynesboro, MS? +

A typical home in Waynesboro is worth $84,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Waynesboro? +

The average annual temperature in Waynesboro runs 65.2°F, 60.0 inches of precipitation, and 0.6 inches of snowfall per year. 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

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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.