Waycross, GA

Census Place

Add Comparison

2024 Population

13,756

US Senator

Jon Ossoff

Democratic Party

US Senator

Raphael Warnock

Democratic Party

2024 Median Age

7.04% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

32.7%

5.02% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$38,301

2.41% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$84,100

5.08% 1-year decline

2024 Employed Population

4,278

6.57% 1-year decline

About

None of the households in Waycross, GA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.5% of the residents in Waycross, GA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Waycross, GA are Coastal Pines Technical College (1,287 degrees awarded in 2024).

In 2024, the median property value in Waycross, GA was $84,100, and the homeownership rate was 46.5%.

Most people in Waycross, GA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Waycross, GA was 2 cars per household.

United States Georgia Pierce County, GA Ware County, GA Waycross, GA Southern Georgia Regional Commission (East & Central) PUMA, GA

Population & Diversity

Waycross, GA is home to a population of 13.8k people, from which 96.5% are citizens. As of 2024, 3.9% of Waycross, GA residents were born outside of the country (536 people).

In 2024, there were 1.55 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents (7.57k people) in Waycross, GA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.88k White (Non-Hispanic) and 544 Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.5%

2024 Citizenship

97.9%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 96.5% of Waycross, GA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Waycross, GA was 97.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Waycross, GA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Waycross, GA

Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
7.57k ± 677
White (Non-Hispanic)
4.88k ± 706
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
544 ± 328

6.26%

Hispanic Population

861 people

6.26% of the people in Waycross, GA are hispanic (861 people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Waycross, GA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Georgia.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
232,075 ± 11,701 people
India
112,556 ± 8,194 people
Jamaica
54,537 ± 5,719 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Georgia was Mexico, the natal country of 232,075 Georgia residents, followed by India with 112,556 and Jamaica with 54,537.

Foreign-Born Population

3.9%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

536 people

2.29%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

316 people

As of 2024, 3.9% of Waycross, GA residents (536 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Waycross, GA was 2.29%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Waycross, GA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
212 ± 154
Vietnam
138 ± 94
Gulf War (1990s)
91 ± 59

Waycross, GA has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.54 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Waycross, GA.

Health

81.2% of the population of Waycross, GA has health coverage, with 25.5% on employee plans, 31.6% on Medicaid, 11.2% on Medicare, 10.2% on non-group plans, and 2.72% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Georgia see 1,517 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,517 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1856 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 525 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.5% were men and 54.5% were women.

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 30.2% under 18 years, 16.5% between 18 and 34 years, 37.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45.5% were men and 54.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

18.8%

Uninsured

25.5%

Employer Coverage

31.6%

Medicaid

11.2%

Medicare

10.2%

Non-Group

2.72%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Waycross, GA grew by 34.1% from 14% to 18.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Waycross, GA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Economy

The economy of Waycross, GA employs 4.28k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Waycross, GA were Manufacturing (623 people), Retail Trade (586 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (522 people), and the highest paying industries were Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation ($74,038), Wholesale Trade ($71,250), and Public Administration ($51,371).

Employment

Occupations

4.28k

2024 Value

± 620

−6.57%

1 Year decline

± 22%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Waycross, GA declined at a rate of −6.57%, from 4.58k employees to 4.28k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Waycross, GA, are Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (482 people), Production Occupations (468 people), and Material Moving Occupations (438 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Waycross, GA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Georgia.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Georgia (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

4.28k

2024 Value

± 620

−6.57%

1 Year decline

± 22%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Waycross, GA declined at a rate of −6.57%, from 4.58k employees to 4.28k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Waycross, GA, are Manufacturing (623 people), Retail Trade (586 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (522 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Waycross, GA, though some of these residents may live in Waycross, GA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$32,371

Median earning men ± $5,060

$28,567

Median earning women ± $3,603

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Wholesale Trade ($71,250), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($60,243), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($51,154).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($51,949), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($38,224), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($31,211).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Georgia.

Y-Axis

2.94%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.87M people employed in Georgia. This represents a 2.94% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 11.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Georgia.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Georgia went to Donald J. Trump with 50.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.5%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.394%).

Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are the senators currently representing the state of Georgia. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Georgia is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Waycross, GA. Showing the available data for Georgia.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (50.7%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (48.5%)
Democratic Party
Chase Oliver (0.394%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Georgia went to Donald J. Trump with 50.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (48.5%), followed by Chase Oliver (0.394%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Georgia for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Georgia

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Georgia.

Jon Ossoff

Senator from Georgia

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Inauguration delayed as incumbent senator David Perdue's term expired on January 3, 2021, two days prior to the runoff election.

Raphael Warnock

Senator from Georgia

Assumed office on January 20, 2021
Elected to the seat to succeed Kelly Loeffler, who had been appointed to the seat following the resignation of Johnny Isakson.

Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are the senators currently representing Georgia.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Georgia over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2024, universities in Waycross, GA awarded 1,287 degrees. The student population of Waycross, GA in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 1,589 male students and 2,541 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Waycross, GA are White (835 and 65.1%), Black or African American (265 and 20.7%), Hispanic or Latino (137 and 10.7%), and Two or More Races (31 and 2.42%).

The largest universities in Waycross, GA by number of degrees awarded are Coastal Pines Technical College (1,287 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Waycross, GA are Welding Technology (206 and 16%), General Cosmetology (143 and 11.1%), and Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (112 and 8.7%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2024 there were 4,130 students enrolled in Waycross, GA, 38.5% men and 61.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 2,554 records, of which 58.9% were women and 41.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Welding Technology
189 degrees awarded
General Cosmetology
119 degrees awarded
Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant
112 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years recipients in Waycross, GA was Welding Technology with 189 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years from schools in Waycross, GA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Coastal Pines Technical College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

1,287 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Coastal Pines Technical College with 1,287 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2024, 569 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Waycross, GA, which is 0.792 times less than the 718 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 835 degrees mean that there were 3.15 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 265 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($2,568) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($700) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($687) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Waycross, GA was $84,100 in 2024, which is 0.253 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $88,600 to $84,100, a 5.08% decrease. The homeownership rate in Waycross, GA is 46.5%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Waycross, GA have an average commute time of 18.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Waycross, GA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$84,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$14,387

$2,510

Median Property Taxes

±$417

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Waycross, GA the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Waycross, GA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

46.5%

Homeownership

2024

65.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 46.5% of the housing units in Waycross, GA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 43.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Waycross, GA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$38,301

Median Household Income

± $6,302

5.39k

Number of Households

± 651

In 2024, the median household income of the 5.39k households in Waycross, GA grew to $38,301 from the previous year's value of $37,398.

The following chart displays the households in Waycross, GA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $10k - $15k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Waycross, GA is from Georgia.

0.471

2024 Wage GINI in Georgia

0.471

2023 Wage GINI in Georgia

In 2024, the income inequality in Georgia was 0.471 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.104% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Georgia was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Georgia in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Georgia across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (79.6%)
Carpooled (8.57%)
Worked At Home (6.72%)

In 2024, 79.6% of workers in Waycross, GA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.57%) and those who worked at home (6.72%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

18.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Waycross, GA have a shorter commute time (18.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.16% of the workforce in Waycross, GA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Waycross, GA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Waycross, GA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Waycross, GA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

32.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Waycross, GA (4.41k out of 13.5k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 6 - 11, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Waycross, GA is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.