Waycross, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waycross, Georgia had a total population of 13,756, the 97th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $38,301, which is 50% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 (32.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 11.6% is notably above the national average.
Waycross Quick Facts
How Waycross Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,813 | 13,756 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $37,398 | $38,301 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $88,600 | $84,100 | -5.1% |
How Waycross Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waycross Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Ware County
Cities Similar to Waycross
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moultrie | 14,588 | $43,670 | $157,200 | 19.5% | 28.0% |
| Bainbridge | 14,404 | $45,422 | $174,700 | 18.7% | 24.1% |
| Brunswick | 15,307 | $40,288 | $155,900 | 19.4% | 30.9% |
| Americus | 15,813 | $39,176 | $107,500 | 21.9% | 32.7% |
| Clarkston | 14,557 | $48,564 | $302,600 | 24.6% | 34.4% |
Population Overview
Waycross is a small city located in Georgia, within Ware County. The total population is 13,756. It ranks as the 97th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waycross is 38.0 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 37.6 years. With 28.7% of the population under 18, Waycross has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waycross is $38,301. This is 50% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.7%. This is 144% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.4%. 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 11.6%. This is 126% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $84,100. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $303,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Waycross is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 46.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waycross is Black or African American, making up 55.0% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 35.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (55.0% vs 30.7%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
16.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 34.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waycross, Georgia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Georgia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 669 Census-designated places in Georgia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waycross, Georgia?
Waycross, Georgia has a population of 13,756 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waycross, GA?
The median household income in Waycross is $38,301, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waycross, GA?
The poverty rate in Waycross is 32.7%. This means approximately 4,409 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waycross, Georgia?
Waycross's population is 35.5% White, 55.0% Black, 6.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waycross, GA?
The median home value in Waycross is $84,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Waycross, Georgia?
16.0% of adults (25+) in Waycross hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.