Waynesboro, GA

Georgia · Metropolitan Area

Waynesboro is a small city in Georgia with a population of 5,700. Residents earn $36,156 per year, which is 52% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,700 Population 1,042/sq mi density
$36,156 Median Income $17,950 per capita
$96,000 Home Value $182,902 Zillow
$752 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
985 Violent Crime/100K 5,770 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.9 / 5.0
$36,156 median income, 6.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$96,000 home value, $752/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
985 violent crimes/100K (159% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,156
52% lower than US avg
Home Value $96,000
66% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 985/100K
159% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.6%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $752
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.1%
34% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.4%
78% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 35.7%
188% higher than US avg

How Waynesboro Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,700
Median Age28.2 yrs
Density1,042/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 22%

Economy

D
Median Income$36,156
Per Capita$17,950
Unemployment6.4%
Poverty35.7%
County GDP$3,939M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$96,000
Rent$752
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$182,902

Crime

F
Violent985/100K
Property5,770/100K
Murder17.3/100K
Assault605/100K
Burglary1,382/100K

Health

Obesity43.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.6%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI44 (Good)
Rain48.2 in/yr
Elevation276 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.6%
High School+89.0%
School Score4.92

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute20 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Waynesboro a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Waynesboro receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Waynesboro has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waynesboro is $36,156, 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.4% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 35.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waynesboro is $96,000, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $752 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 985 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,770 per 100,000, 194% above the national average.

Education

13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.9/10.

Climate & Weather

Waynesboro enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Waynesboro has a population of 5,700 with a density of 1,042 people per square mile. The median age is 28.2 years, 28% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (73.5%), with 22.3% White.

Population

5,700
Total Population
1,042
People / sq mi
28.2yrs
Median Age
28% below US avg
5.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.1%
Female 54.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Waynesboro vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Waynesboro vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waynesboro is $36,156, which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 35.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Waynesboro vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,156
52% below US avg
Per Capita Income$17,950
Avg Weekly Wage$1,533
IRS Avg AGI$55,747

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.4%
78% above US avg
Poverty Rate35.7%
188% above US avg
Establishments (County)476
County GDP$3,939M

Business (County)

Restaurants36
Healthcare31
Retail66
Manufacturing10

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,462
30% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.56%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.2 min
Work from Home5.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Waynesboro is $96,000, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $752 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $182,902.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$96,000
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$182,902
Median List Price$99,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$99,900
$/Sq Ft$186
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.2%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory11

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$752
35% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$979
1 Bedroom$1,023
2 Bedrooms$1,203
3 Bedrooms$1,524
4 Bedrooms$1,775

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied37.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,462
30% below US avg
Effective Rate2.56%
In Waynesboro, 43.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.6% report depression. 36.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Waynesboro vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.1%
34% above US avg
Diabetes17.3%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure44.4%
Asthma12.4%
COPD8.9%
Stroke5.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking11.8%
Physical Inactivity36.7%
Depression20.6%
Mental Distress21.5%
Physical Distress17.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.1%
Checkup Rate79.7%
Premature Death12,349/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access40.2%
Healthcare Facilities31
Waynesboro has a violent crime rate of 985 per 100,000 residents, 159% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,770 per 100,000 (194% above US avg). The murder rate is 17.3 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Waynesboro vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent984.6/100K
159% above US avg
Murder17.3/100K
174% above US avg
Rape51.8/100K
Robbery310.9/100K
Assault604.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,769.6/100K
194% above US avg
Burglary1,381.9/100K
Theft4,024.9/100K
Vehicle Theft362.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Waynesboro has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.9°F
18% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.2 inches
27% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation276 ft (84 m)
Area5.5 sq mi (14.2 km²)
Population Density1,042/sq mi
Coordinates33.0913°N, 82.0143°W
County FIPS13033
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 9.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.4%
D 45.1%

Winner: Republican by 9.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.6%
60% below US avg
High School+89.0%
School Test Score4.92
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,042/sq mi
Total Area5.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities31
Restaurants36
Retail Stores66

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.2 min
Work from Home5.2%

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