Waynesboro, Mississippi Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waynesboro, Mississippi had a total population of 4,518, the 78th largest city in Mississippi, with a median household income of $31,684, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.2%), 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 | 4,552 | 4,518 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $30,910 | $31,684 | +2.5% |
| Median home value | $84,400 | $86,200 | +2.1% |
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: 56 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waynesboro Rankings in Mississippi
Explore Mississippi Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Line | 1,016 | N/A | 37.3% | $65,700 |
| Clara | 540 | $30,645 | 1.5% | $96,700 |
| Buckatunna | 140 | N/A | 54.3% | $9,999 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellisville | 4,521 | $32,100 | $99,500 | 22.1% | 22.9% |
| Mississippi State | 4,655 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Winona | 4,183 | $31,932 | $123,000 | 20.1% | 32.1% |
| Aberdeen | 4,890 | $33,285 | $87,600 | 14.6% | 28.2% |
| University | 5,315 | N/A | N/A | 80.0% | N/A |
Population Overview
Waynesboro is a small community located in Mississippi, within Wayne County. The total population is 4,518. It ranks as the 78th most populous out of 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waynesboro is 39.1 years. This is 1% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waynesboro is $31,684. This is 44% lower than the state median of $56,447. It is also 61% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.2%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. 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 3.8%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $86,200. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $169,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Waynesboro is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 70.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waynesboro is Black or African American, making up 66.2% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 31.5%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (66.2% vs 36.3%).
Education
16.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 25.1%. Nationally, 35.7% 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 Waynesboro, Mississippi 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 Mississippi state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 420 Census-designated places in Mississippi. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Mississippi city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waynesboro, Mississippi?
Waynesboro, Mississippi has a population of 4,518 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waynesboro, MS?
The median household income in Waynesboro is $31,684, which is 61% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waynesboro, MS?
The poverty rate in Waynesboro is 28.2%. This means approximately 1,258 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waynesboro, Mississippi?
Waynesboro's population is 31.5% White, 66.2% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waynesboro, MS?
The median home value in Waynesboro is $86,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Waynesboro, Mississippi?
16.7% of adults (25+) in Waynesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.