At a Glance
Median Income
$37,398
$21,147 per capita
Home Value
$88,600
Zillow: $148,408
Median Rent
$810/mo
34.4% of income on rent
Violent Crime
1,041/100K
5,072/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
16.3%
81.7% high school+
Unemployment
6.2%
30.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
45.4%
20.9% smoking rate
How Waycross Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Waycross's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Waycross a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.6 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Waycross residents earn a median household income of $37,398 , which is 50% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $21,147. The unemployment rate stands at 6.2% (72% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 30.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,009 business establishments, including 93 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Waycross is $88,600 , 69% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $148,408. Median rent is $810/month, with 34.4% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1967.
Safety & Crime
Waycross reports 1,041 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 174% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 5,072/100K.
Education
16.3% of adults in Waycross hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(52% below the national average).
81.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.5/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Waycross has an average annual temperature of 67°F (20°C).
Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.4 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population13,813
Median Age35.5 yrs
Density1,163/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Foreign Born2.3%
Veterans6.0%
Economy
D
Median Income$37,398
Per Capita$21,147
Unemployment6.2%
Poverty30.0%
County GDP$1,906M
Avg Weekly Wage$887
Housing
A+
Home Value$88,600
Rent$810
Ownership43.7%
Zillow$148,408
Housing Units7,029
Rent Burden34.4%
Crime
F
Violent1,041/100K
Property5,072/100K
Health
Obesity45.4%
Diabetes17.5%
Smoking20.9%
Heart Disease7.2%
Premature Death15,080/100K
Climate
Avg Temp67°F
Rain50.4 in/yr
Elevation134 ft
Education
C
Bachelor's+16.3%
High School+81.7%
Graduate+4.2%
School Score5.5/10
Community
2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute18 min
Broadband70.6%
Internet Speed104 Mbps
EV Stations3
Libraries1
Did You Know?
The median home in Waycross was built in 1967.
The nearest airport is Valdosta Regional (62 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.474 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
14.8% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 104 Mbps.
The county recorded 10 fatal vehicle crashes.
91 declared natural disasters on record.