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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Waycross, GA has a Safety Score of 2/100 — higher crime than 98% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 6,068.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,921 of 2,971 US cities and #68 of 70 in Georgia.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Waycross, Georgia Safe?
Waycross, a city in Ware County, Georgia, is known as the "Gateway to the Okefenokee." This South Georgia community, with a population around 13,000, developed as a significant railroad hub.
Waycross has a safety score of 2/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 6,068.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Waycross ranks #68 out of 70 cities in Georgia and #2921 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 2nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 98% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Waycross is larceny-theft, at 4,163.0 per 100K — 2.5x the national average.
Year over year, Waycross's total crime rate increased by 10.2%, with violent crime rising 61.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Waycross Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 142 | 1,040.8 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 7.3 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 15 | 109.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 16 | 117.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 109 | 798.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 686 | 5,027.9 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 77 | 564.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 568 | 4,163.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 41 | 300.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Waycross vs Georgia Average
How does Waycross's crime rate compare to the Georgia state average?
| Metric | Waycross | Georgia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,040.8 | 345.0 | +201.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,027.9 | 1,941.1 | +159.0% |
| Murder Rate | 7.3 | 7.5 | -1.9% |
| Total Crime Rate | 6,068.6 | 2,286.1 | +165.5% |
Waycross Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Waycross, Georgia.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13,644 | 6,068.6 | 1,040.8 | 5,027.9 |
| 2023 | 13,652 | 5,508.4 | 644.6 | 4,863.8 |
| 2022 | 13,630 | 5,451.2 | 887.8 | 4,563.5 |
| 2021 | 13,359 | 5,591.7 | 973.1 | 4,618.6 |
| 2020 | 13,363 | 6,645.2 | 927.9 | 5,717.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waycross, Georgia safe?
Waycross has a safety score of 2/100, meaning it has less crime than about 2% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 6,068.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Waycross is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Waycross, Georgia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Waycross has a violent crime rate of 1,040.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 5,027.9 per 100,000 residents.
How does Waycross compare to the national average?
Waycross's total crime rate of 6,068.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 13,644 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Waycross?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Waycross include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Waycross safe to visit?
Like any city, Waycross has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 2/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.