Waynesboro: Demographics & People
Census counts 22,841 people in Waynesboro, in 9,841 households. Population grew 1.2% from 22,574 (2022) to 22,841 (2024). Median age 38.3 years. (0.5y older than Virginia). Children under 18 are 22% of the population. Population is 72% White (non-Hispanic) and 11% Black. The community is somewhat diverse (Simpson index 0.39). 59% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,021 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Virginia avg 2.6).
- 41% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Virginia 35%).
- 67 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Virginia 62).
Population & Trend
Population grew 1.2% from 22,574 (2022) to 22,841 (2024) — about 2.0× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~23,111 (extrapolated at 0.6%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 23,474.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 22,196 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 1.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 22,574 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 22,841 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | growing |
| Population | 22,841 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Population Estimate | 23,474 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.3y is 0.6 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 22% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 22.4% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 22,841 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 5,107 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 4,990.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 8,663.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 4,081 |
| Population under 18 | 5,107 |
| Median age | 38.3 years (vs Virginia 37.8y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 22,841 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.39 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as somewhat diverse.
| White residents | 17,061 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 2,682 |
| Asian residents | 419 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 2,071 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 38.8% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | somewhat diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 76.7% |
| Asian population | 1.8% (vs Virginia 5.6%) |
| Black population | 10.9% (vs Virginia 18.2%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 9.7% (vs Virginia 10.1%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 71.6% (vs Virginia 53.8%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.5% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 7% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 13,844 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 7,364 |
| Share born in this state | 60.6% |
| Share born in another state | 39.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 32.2% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.5% |
| Naturalized citizens | 6.7% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,269 |
| From Europe | 39 |
| From Africa | 376 |
Households & Family Composition
9,841 households. Averaging 2.3 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 59% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 5,348 families, 20% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 5,091 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 5,348 |
| Married couples with children | 1,060 |
| Single-parent households | 541 |
| Average household size | 2.32 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 17.2% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 353 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 131 |
| Family households | 5,803 households (vs Virginia 9,367) |
| Households that are families | 59.0% (vs Virginia 65.0%) |
| Total households | 9,841 households (vs Virginia 14,324) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 13.0% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,021 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 13.0% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 23,370 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 22,349 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,021 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 1,730 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.8% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 226 residents live in group quarters (1.0% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 226 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 6 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 51820 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 51 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 820 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Waynesboro City |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 32.4% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 26.30 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 39.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 51820 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Waynesboro city |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 652 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 51820 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Waynesboro city |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 50.5% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 43.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 6.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 22,630 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 8.80 |
| Family Score · Schools | 8 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 11 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 22.4% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 22,841, growing, family-oriented, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 22,841 people (vs Virginia 42,214) |
| Town Summary · County | Waynesboro city |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade