Waynesboro, Tennessee Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waynesboro, Tennessee had a total population of 2,296, the 195th largest city in Tennessee, with a median household income of $40,977, which is 41% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 41% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Unemployment rate of 9.9% is notably above the national average.
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 | 2,483 | 2,296 | -7.5% |
| Median household income | $45,000 | $40,977 | -8.9% |
| Median home value | $81,400 | $79,100 | -2.8% |
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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 46 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waynesboro Rankings in Tennessee
Explore Tennessee Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clifton | 2,660 | $43,571 | 39.5% | $122,100 |
| Collinwood | 996 | $54,286 | 15.1% | $131,000 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring City | 2,358 | $38,975 | $166,700 | 15.7% | 18.3% |
| Pikeville | 2,319 | $37,688 | $168,500 | 11.2% | 22.6% |
| South Fulton | 2,379 | $43,942 | $83,400 | 17.4% | 29.2% |
| Greenfield | 2,264 | $47,368 | $95,300 | 20.3% | 13.5% |
| Adamsville | 2,278 | $51,422 | $148,600 | 13.9% | 28.6% |
Population Overview
Waynesboro is a small community located in Tennessee, within Wayne County. The total population is 2,296. It ranks as the 195th most populous out of 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waynesboro is 46.8 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 38.9 years. Only 12.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waynesboro is $40,977. This is 41% lower than the state median of $69,595. It is also 49% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.7%. This is 94% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. 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 9.9%. This is 112% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $79,100. Housing costs are 72% lower than the state median of $286,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Waynesboro is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 57.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 66.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Waynesboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.3%. The Black or African American population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 15.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 7.4%.
Education
21.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 31.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waynesboro, Tennessee 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 Tennessee state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 502 Census-designated places in Tennessee. 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, Tennessee?
Waynesboro, Tennessee has a population of 2,296 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waynesboro, TN?
The median household income in Waynesboro is $40,977, which is 49% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waynesboro, TN?
The poverty rate in Waynesboro is 26.7%. This means approximately 534 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waynesboro, Tennessee?
Waynesboro's population is 82.5% White, 6.3% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waynesboro, TN?
The median home value in Waynesboro is $79,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Waynesboro, Tennessee?
21.5% of adults (25+) in Waynesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.