Waycross city, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Waycross city, Georgia has a total population of 13,813, the 96th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $37,398, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 34.4%.
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (34.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x.
Waycross city Quick Facts
How Waycross city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 64 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waycross city Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Cities Similar to Waycross city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bainbridge city | 14,353 | $41,531 | $150,600 | 17.2% | 26.9% |
| Moultrie city | 14,545 | $42,900 | $155,900 | 21.1% | 27.5% |
| College Park city | 13,969 | $48,505 | $314,500 | 28.2% | 20.6% |
| Brunswick city | 15,248 | $34,021 | $128,300 | 18.8% | 29.2% |
| Covington city | 14,334 | $47,797 | $242,700 | 23.9% | 24.0% |
Population Overview
Waycross city is a small city located in Georgia. The total population is 13,813. It ranks as the 96th most populous out of 670 cities and towns in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waycross city is 35.5 years. This is 5% lower than the state median of 37.4 years. With 30.5% of the population under 18, Waycross city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waycross city is $37,398. This is 50% lower than the state median of $74,664. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 52% lower. The poverty rate stands at 34.4%. This is 155% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.5%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $88,600. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $272,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Waycross city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 43.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 33% lower than the state average of 65.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waycross city is Black or African American, making up 53.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 37.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (53.3% vs 31.0%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 4.3%.
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waycross city, Georgia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 670 Census-designated places in Georgia. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waycross city, Georgia?
Waycross city, Georgia has a population of 13,813 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waycross city, GA?
The median household income in Waycross city is $37,398, which is 52% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Waycross city, GA?
The poverty rate in Waycross city is 34.4%. This means approximately 4,639 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waycross city, Georgia?
Waycross city's population is 37.3% White, 53.3% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waycross city, GA?
The median home value in Waycross city is $88,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Waycross city, Georgia?
16.3% of adults (25+) in Waycross city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.