Median Income
$50,554
33% lower than US avg
Home Value
$254,800
10% lower than US avg
Violent Crime
299/100K
21% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
31.3%
7% lower than US avg
Median Rent
$1,105
5% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate
34.5%
7% higher than US avg
Unemployment
1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
10.3%
17% lower than US avg
How Waynesville Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population10,408
Median Age47.4 yrs
Density1,160/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 90%
Economy
B+
Median Income$50,554
Per Capita$34,577
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty10.3%
County GDP$2,601M
Commute19 min
Housing
B+
Home Value$254,800
Rent$1,105
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$348,098
Crime
F
Violent299/100K
Property3,418/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault206/100K
Burglary1,040/100K
Health
Obesity34.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.9%
Heart Disease6.1%
Climate
Avg Temp53°F
AQI40 (Good)
Rain50.2 in/yr
Elevation2,698 ft
Education
B+
Bachelor's+31.3%
High School+87.1%
School Score5.46
Community
2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute19 min
EV Stations11
Libraries4
Is Waynesville a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Waynesville receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Waynesville offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Waynesville is $50,554, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. 10.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Waynesville is $254,800, 10% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,105 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Safety & Crime
Violent crime in Waynesville is below the national average at 299 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,418 per 100,000, 74% above the national average.
Education
31.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
Climate & Weather
Waynesville experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.2 inches, including 10.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Waynesville has a population of 10,408 with a density of 1,160 people per square mile. The median age is 47.4 years, 22% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.6%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 1.8% Black.
Population
47.4yrs
Median Age
22% above US avg
Race & Ethnicity
Waynesville vs U.S. Average
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 96.1% |
| 22% above US avg |
| Spanish | 3.9% |
| 71% below US avg |
Social Characteristics
Waynesville vs U.S. Average
The median household income in Waynesville is $50,554, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.
Income: Waynesville vs U.S.
Income
| Median HH Income | $50,554 |
| 33% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $34,577 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $889 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $64,408 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 1.4% |
| 61% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 10.3% |
| 17% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 1,983 |
| County GDP | $2,601M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 182 |
| Healthcare | 148 |
| Retail | 243 |
| Manufacturing | 40 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $3,697 |
| 6% above US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.45% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 18.7 min |
| Work from Home | 12.2% |
The median home value in Waynesville is $254,800, 10% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,105 (5% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $348,098.
Home Values
| Census Median | $254,800 |
| 10% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $348,098 |
| Median List Price | $387,500 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| Median List Price | $387,500 |
| $/Sq Ft | $230 |
| Homes Sold | 10 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97.3% |
| Price Drops | 23.8% |
| Inventory | 63 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,105 |
| 5% below US avg |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,664 |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $932 |
| 1 Bedroom | $981 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,161 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $3,697 |
| 6% above US avg |
| Effective Rate | 1.45% |
In Waynesville, 34.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.9% report depression. 23.7% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Waynesville vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 34.5% |
| 7% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 10.0% |
| Heart Disease | 6.1% |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.4% |
| Asthma | 11.2% |
| COPD | 7.5% |
| Stroke | 3.2% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 16.9% |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.7% |
| Depression | 28.9% |
| Mental Distress | 18.7% |
| Physical Distress | 13.3% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 85.2% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 76.5% |
| Premature Death | 10,920/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.8/10 |
| Exercise Access | 72.4% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 148 |
Waynesville has a violent crime rate of 299 per 100,000 residents, 21% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,418 per 100,000 (74% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.
Crime Rates: Waynesville vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 298.6/100K |
| 21% below US avg |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg |
| Rape | 51.5/100K |
| Robbery | 41.2/100K |
| Assault | 205.9/100K |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 3,418.5/100K |
| 74% above US avg |
| Burglary | 1,040.0/100K |
| Theft | 2,244.7/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 133.9/100K |
| Arson | 20.6/100K |
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 10 |
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
Waynesville has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 53.2°F |
| 1% below US avg |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
Precipitation & Snow
| Annual Rainfall | 50.2 inches |
| 32% above US avg |
| Snowfall | 10.9 inches/yr |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,698 ft (822 m) |
| Area | 9.0 sq mi (23.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,160/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4856°N, 82.9993°W |
| County FIPS | 37087 |