Is Sandy Springs or Waycross Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Sandy Springs is safer than Waycross (Safety Score 52/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 1,602 per 100,000 versus 6,069 for Waycross — 74% lower. Sandy Springs has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Sandy Springs has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Sandy Springs is 7.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Sandy Springs — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Waycross — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Sandy Springs, GA
Waycross, GA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Sandy Springs | Waycross | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,601.6 | 6,068.6 | -4,467.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 141.1 | 1,040.8 | -899.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.0 | 7.3 | -6.4 |
| Rape Rate | 22.7 | 109.9 | -87.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 15.2 | 117.3 | -102.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 100.4 | 798.9 | -698.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,460.5 | 5,027.9 | -3,567.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 198.0 | 564.4 | -366.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,119.5 | 4,163.0 | -3,043.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 143.0 | 300.5 | -157.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sandy Springs or Waycross safer?
Sandy Springs is safer with a total crime rate of 1,602 per 100K vs 6,069 for Waycross — a 74% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Sandy Springs has a violent crime rate of 141.1 per 100K while Waycross has 1,040.8. Sandy Springs has lower violent crime.
About Sandy Springs, GA
Sandy Springs, a northern suburb of Atlanta, was incorporated in 2005 after a long history of community activism. It's home to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and has a diverse population. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 105,580, Sandy Springs has a total crime rate of 1,601.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Waycross, GA
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. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 13,644, Waycross has a total crime rate of 6,068.6 per 100,000 residents.