County · Georgia
Ware County, Georgia
Ware County, Georgia. Ware County had 36,906 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.8% since 2020, slower than Georgia (+5.5%). It holds 7 places (1 city, village or borough and 6 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 13299.
Ware County is one of the 2 counties of the Waycross, GA micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
36,906
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 36,251 · ACS 2020-2024: 35,976
Median household income
$47,448
±$4,063 (90% margin)
Georgia: $77,353
Median home value
$109,500
±$13,860 (90% margin)
Georgia: $303,300
Median gross rent
$789
±$46 (90% margin)
Georgia: $1,393
How many people live in Ware County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 36,251 residents in Ware County. The Census Bureau estimates 36,906 for July 1, 2025, up 1.8% since 2020, slower than Georgia (+5.5%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 35,976 over 899 square miles of land.
| Measure | Ware County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 35,976 | 10,940,407 | +383 |
| Households | 12,957±375 | 4,074,366 | −866 |
| Average household size | 2.59±0.07 | 2.62 | +0.20 |
| Housing units | 15,943±28 | 4,541,835 | −775 |
Ware County's population since 2000
From 35,483 in 2000 to 36,906 in 2025: up 4.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Ware County?
Ware County holds 7 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Waycross with 13,936 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waycross | 13,942 | $38,301 |
|---|---|---|
| Deenwood | 2,207 | $57,045 |
| SunnysideGEOID 1374628 | 1,472 | $44,283 |
| WaresboroGEOID 1380368 | 375 | $33,088 |
| Dixie UnionGEOID 1323144 | 184 | $65,500 |
| ManorGEOID 1349588 | 94 | not published |
| MillwoodGEOID 1351576 | 72 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Ware County?
The median resident of Ware County is 37.9 years old; 24.8% are under 18 and 17.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 61.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 29.7%. 3.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Ware County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9±0.7 | 37.6 | −1.6 |
| Under 18 years | 24.8%±0.2 pts | 23.2% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.1%±0.2 pts | 15.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.1% | 11.0% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 61.2%±0.5 pts | 49.1% | −2.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 29.7%±0.8 pts | 30.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.1 pts | 4.5% | +0.2 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.2%±0.8 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.7%±0.8 pts | 11.2% | +2.4 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.1%±0.8 pts | 15.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2%±1.5 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 15.8%±1.6 pts | 13.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 16.8%±2.1 pts | 12.4% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.9%±2.2 pts | 89.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.4%±1.8 pts | 34.9% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.8%±1.3 pts | 13.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.3%±0.7 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Ware County earn?
Half of Ware County's 12,957 households earn less than $47,448 a year (±$4,063), against $77,353 in Georgia. In 2015-2019 it was $45,374 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 21.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Ware County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,448±$4,063 | $77,353 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $59,518±$3,729 | $106,944 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,230±$1,276 | $40,924 | −$1,890 |
| People below the poverty line | 21.5%±3.1 pts | 13.4% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 30.0%±5.6 pts | 18.3% | −13.0 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 21.9%±3.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.9%±4.0 pts | 91.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Ware County?
Owners occupy 63.1% of Ware County's occupied homes and renters 36.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $109,500 by its owner (±$13,860). The median renter pays $789 a month including utilities, and 40.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Ware County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $109,500±$13,860 | $303,300 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $789±$46 | $1,393 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.3%±8.1 pts | 43.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,138±$94 | $1,783 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.1%±3.5 pts | 65.7% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 15,943±28 | 4,541,835 | −775 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.9%±3.3 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 65.0%±3.5 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 20.0%±3.2 pts | 7.8% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 2.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.3%±1.3 pts | 3.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Ware County building?
Builders took permits for 119 new housing units across Ware County in 2025 (36 single-family), 3.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Ware County get to work?
84.6% of Ware County's workers drive alone and 4.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.9%.
| Measure | Ware County | Georgia | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 49.9%±2.2 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9%±1.9 pts | 5.1% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 84.6%±2.4 pts | 70.9% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0%±1.9 pts | 8.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Walked | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.5%±1.6 pts | 15.9% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.6 min±1.4 | 28.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Ware County's census tracts?
Ware County is divided into 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,266 (Tract 9504) to $75,273 (Tract 9501).
| Tract 950113299950100 | 1,740±441 | $75,273 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950213299950200 | 7,505±688 | $57,052 |
| Tract 950313299950300 | 2,634±354 | $40,076 |
| Tract 950413299950400 | 1,999±534 | $27,266 |
| Tract 950513299950500 | 4,831±838 | $38,523 |
| Tract 950613299950600 | 5,435±672 | $64,391 |
| Tract 950713299950700 | 1,940±390 | $29,623 |
| Tract 9508.0113299950801 | 3,082±375 | $48,952 |
| Tract 9508.0213299950802 | 2,509±593 | $29,091 |
| Tract 950913299950900 | 4,301±732 | $46,325 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Ware County compare with Georgia's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 54th of 159 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 99th of 159 |
| Residents per square mile | 103rd of 159 |
| Median household income | 132nd of 159 |
| Median home value | 129th of 159 |
| Median gross rent | 113th of 157 |
| Poverty rate | 45th of 159 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 124th of 159 |
| Median age | 110th of 159 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Ware County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.