Waynesboro, MS

Mississippi

Waynesboro is a small town in Mississippi with a population of 4,552. Residents earn $30,910 per year, which is 59% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
4,552 Population 359/sq mi density
$30,910 Median Income $26,455 per capita
$84,400 Home Value $136,616 Zillow
$810 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$30,910 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,400 home value, $810/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $30,910
59% lower than US avg
Home Value $84,400
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.5%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $810
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 49.2%
53% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 21.5%
73% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,552
Median Age38.2 yrs
Density359/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 32%

Economy

C+
Median Income$30,910
Per Capita$26,455
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty21.5%
County GDP$906M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$84,400
Rent$810
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$136,616

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity49.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.6%
Heart Disease7.8%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain60.1 in/yr
Elevation213 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+77.6%
School Score4.42

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute32 min
Libraries2

Is Waynesboro a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Waynesboro receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Waynesboro offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waynesboro is $30,910, 59% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. The poverty rate of 21.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waynesboro is $84,400, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $810 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.

Education

21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Waynesboro enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 60.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Waynesboro has a population of 4,552 with a density of 359 people per square mile. The median age is 38.2 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (61.2%), with 32.1% White.

Population

4,552
Total Population
359
People / sq mi
38.2yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
12.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.7%
Female 56.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Waynesboro vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.3%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.7%
57% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Waynesboro vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waynesboro is $30,910, which is 59% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 21.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Waynesboro vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$30,910
59% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,455
Avg Weekly Wage$834
IRS Avg AGI$51,929

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate21.5%
73% above US avg
Establishments (County)393
County GDP$906M

Business (County)

Restaurants32
Healthcare19
Retail72
Manufacturing10

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,371
32% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.81%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.1 min
Work from Home5.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Waynesboro is $84,400, 70% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $810 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $136,616.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$84,400
70% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$136,616

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$810
30% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$751
1 Bedroom$782
2 Bedrooms$924
3 Bedrooms$1,177
4 Bedrooms$1,295

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied78.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,371
32% below US avg
Effective Rate2.81%
In Waynesboro, 49.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.6% report depression. 42.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity49.2%
53% above US avg
Diabetes18.5%
Heart Disease7.8%
High Blood Pressure48.1%
Asthma11.4%
COPD10.5%
Stroke5.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking11.5%
Physical Inactivity42.2%
Depression19.6%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress17.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate71.0%
Checkup Rate81.4%
Premature Death15,308/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.5/10
Exercise Access41.4%
Healthcare Facilities19

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Waynesboro has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 60.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average65.2°F
21% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall60.1 inches
58% above US avg
Snowfall0.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation213 ft (65 m)
Area12.7 sq mi (32.9 km²)
Population Density359/sq mi
Coordinates31.6776°N, 88.6338°W
County FIPS28153
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 21.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 32.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.9%
D 33.2%

Winner: Republican by 32.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.5%
36% below US avg
High School+77.6%
School Test Score4.42
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density359/sq mi
Total Area12.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities19
Restaurants32
Retail Stores72

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.1 min
Work from Home5.3%

Nearby Cities

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