Waynesboro, Georgia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waynesboro, Georgia had a total population of 5,644, the 157th largest city in Georgia, with a median household income of $41,620, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Waynesboro Quick Facts
How Waynesboro 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 | 5,700 | 5,644 | -1.0% |
| Median household income | $36,156 | $41,620 | +15.1% |
| Median home value | $96,000 | $161,500 | +68.2% |
How Waynesboro 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waynesboro Rankings in Georgia
Explore Georgia Rankings
Other Cities in Burke County
Cities Similar to Waynesboro
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adel | 5,641 | $43,618 | $154,900 | 18.5% | 23.9% |
| Conley | 5,822 | $44,056 | $183,000 | 15.9% | 35.9% |
| Jackson | 5,741 | $46,191 | $168,400 | 14.6% | 19.4% |
| McRae-Helena | 6,030 | $43,618 | $113,500 | 8.0% | 31.5% |
| Sandersville | 5,601 | $49,833 | $121,000 | 19.2% | 18.5% |
Population Overview
Waynesboro is a small city located in Georgia, within Burke County. The total population is 5,644. It ranks as the 157th most populous out of 669 Census-designated places in Georgia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waynesboro is 29.1 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 37.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waynesboro is $41,620. This is 46% lower than the state median of $77,353. It is also 48% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.0%. This is 94% 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 6.2%. This is 20% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $161,500. Housing costs are 47% lower than the state median of $303,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 29.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 55% lower than the state average of 65.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waynesboro is Black or African American, making up 65.5% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 22.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (22.1%) is well below the state average of 49.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (65.5% vs 30.7%). The Asian population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 4.5%.
Education
11.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 83.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waynesboro, 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 Waynesboro, Georgia?
Waynesboro, Georgia has a population of 5,644 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waynesboro, GA?
The median household income in Waynesboro is $41,620, which is 48% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waynesboro, GA?
The poverty rate in Waynesboro is 26.0%. This means approximately 1,433 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waynesboro, Georgia?
Waynesboro's population is 22.1% White, 65.5% Black, 8.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waynesboro, GA?
The median home value in Waynesboro is $161,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Waynesboro, Georgia?
11.9% of adults (25+) in Waynesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.