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Waynesboro, Virginia Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waynesboro, Virginia had a total population of 22,841, the 53rd largest city in Virginia, with a median household income of $59,994, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.2%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Key Takeaways

Waynesboro Quick Facts

Population 22,841
Median Household Income $59,994
Median Home Value $245,500
Poverty Rate 11.2%
Unemployment Rate 5.1%
Median Age 38.3 years
Homeownership Rate 59.9%
Affordability Ratio 4.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 25.7%
High School Graduation Rate 89.1%
Diversity Index 46/100
Population 22,841 53rd of 681
Median Income $59,994 below average
Poverty Rate 11.2% 10% lower than national
Median Home Value $245,500 average

How Waynesboro Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population22,57422,841+1.2%
Median household income$56,364$59,994+6.4%
Median home value$236,600$245,500+3.8%

How Waynesboro Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.2%
$25K-$50K 24.9%
$50K-$100K 31.7%
$100K+ 28.2%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.4%
$10K-$15K
4.0%
$15K-$20K
3.8%
$20K-$25K
3.0%
$25K-$30K
6.6%
$30K-$35K
3.5%
$35K-$40K
7.1%
$40K-$45K
4.4%
$45K-$50K
3.3%
$50K-$60K
9.9%
$60K-$75K
9.6%
$75K-$100K
12.2%
$100K-$125K
11.6%
$125K-$150K
5.4%
$150K-$200K
6.7%
$200K+
4.5%

Employment

5.1% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3%|National: 5.2%
64.0% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 59.9%
Renter 40.1%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.1x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,020/mo 20.4% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

46out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 61 | National average: 61

Education

Waynesboro Rankings in Virginia

#53 Population of 681
#396 Median Income of 585
#367 Education of 680
#330 Home Value of 580

Explore Virginia Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Cities Similar to Waynesboro

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Hopewell22,959$54,729$181,60013.7%21.8%
Christiansburg22,720$77,147$252,60044.7%11.7%
Salem25,618$66,725$258,60033.1%10.3%
Staunton25,948$65,581$259,20037.7%12.4%
Winchester27,913$63,974$343,00031.3%21.5%

Population Overview

Waynesboro is a small city located in Virginia. The total population is 22,841. It ranks as the 53rd most populous out of 681 Census-designated places in Virginia.

Age Demographics

The median age in Waynesboro is 38.3 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Waynesboro is $59,994. This is 36% lower than the state median of $93,170. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.2%. This is 13% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.9%. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $245,500. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $383,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 59.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Waynesboro is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.9%. The Asian population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 6.9%.

Education

25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 42.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 89.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Waynesboro, Virginia 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 Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 681 Census-designated places in Virginia. 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, Virginia?

Waynesboro, Virginia has a population of 22,841 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Waynesboro, VA?

The median household income in Waynesboro is $59,994, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Waynesboro, VA?

The poverty rate in Waynesboro is 11.2%. This means approximately 2,538 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Waynesboro, Virginia?

Waynesboro's population is 71.6% White, 10.9% Black, 9.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.

What is the median home value in Waynesboro, VA?

The median home value in Waynesboro is $245,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.

How educated is Waynesboro, Virginia?

25.7% of adults (25+) in Waynesboro hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.