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Waycross, GA
City in Ware County, Georgia. ZIP codes: 31501.
Population
13,756
Land area
11.9sq mi
People per sq mi
1,158
ZIP codes
1
Waycross and its ZIP codes
Waycross at a glance
- Waycross is about 6.1 times as dense as Georgia as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 97th among 669 cities and towns in Georgia.
- The median household income is $38,301, 50% below the Georgia median of $77,353.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $84,100 (72% below Georgia) and median rent is $768 a month.
Local data for Waycross, GA
Counts from official public data
- Hospitals1
- Emergency Rooms1
- Nursing Homes3
- Schools7
- Colleges1
- Libraries1
- Banks8
- Post Offices2
- Parks11
- Grocery Stores13
- Restaurants93
- Affordable Housing6
- Home Health Agencies2
- Hospice Care2
- Dialysis Centers2
- Community Health Centers3
- Mental Health & Addiction Treatment5
- Private Schools2
- Community Colleges & Trade Schools1
- Historic Places4
Housing and community stats
Waycross, GA, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$38,301
Poverty rate
32.7%
Median home value
$84,100
Median rent
$768/mo
Homeownership
46.5%
Bachelor's or higher
16.0%
Median age
38.0
Average commute
18.7 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (410), Irish Americans (410), German Americans (353).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Ware County. PPP loans are for Waycross.
Unemployment rate
4.2%
Aug 2026, -0.3 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$47,683
14,273 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$41,778
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$240M
FY 2026, $6,613 per person
PPP loans
$31.44M
637 loans, 4,782 jobs reported
How people get to work
Waycross, GA, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone79.6%
- Carpooled8.6%
- Public transit0.1%
- Walked1.3%
- Bicycle0.2%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other3.4%
- Worked from home6.7%
Average one-way commute: 18.7 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Waycross, GA, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: hurricane
Storm events since 1996
288
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
119
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
94° / 37°F
50.4 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone4 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Waycross, GA, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
44.9%
U.S. 33.3% +11.6 pts
Diabetes
20.8%
U.S. 12.1% +8.7 pts
Smoking
20.2%
U.S. 12.8% +7.4 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
16.9%
U.S. 11.1% +5.8 pts
ZIP codes in Waycross
1 in or overlapping Waycross. Population shown
Cities near Waycross
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| SunnysideCensus-designated place | 2.6 mi | 1.4 |
| DeenwoodCensus-designated place | 2.9 mi | 3.4 |
| WaresboroCensus-designated place | 7.4 mi | 3 |
| BlackshearCity | 9.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Dixie UnionCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 0.7 |
| HobokenCity | 13 mi | 3.4 |
| ManorCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 0.9 |
| PattersonCity | 18 mi | 2.6 |
| MillwoodCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 0.2 |
| MershonCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 0.9 |
| BristolCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 1.8 |
| ArgyleTown | 19 mi | 1.7 |
| OffermanCity | 20 mi | 3.3 |
| CogdellCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 0.9 |
| HickoxCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 2.7 |
| AxsonCensus-designated place | 22 mi | 1.5 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Waycross, GA in?
- Waycross is in Ware County, Georgia.
- What ZIP codes are in Waycross, GA?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Waycross include 31501.
- What is the population of Waycross, GA?
- About 13,756 people live in Waycross, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Waycross?
- Nearby places include Sunnyside (2.6 mi), Deenwood (2.9 mi), Waresboro (7.4 mi), Blackshear (9.3 mi), Dixie Union (11 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023