Waycross ZIP Codes — Ware County, GA

There are 3 unique ZIP codes in Waycross, Georgia. Area code: 912.

ZIP codes

349.89

sq mi land

5.56

sq mi water

912

area code

Waycross, GA ZIP code map

About Waycross, GA

Waycross, Georgia, is a charming city located in Ware County. Known for its rich history and southern hospitality, Waycross serves as the county seat and offers a blend of small-town charm and modern amenities. The city has a population that reflects a close-knit community atmosphere, making it an inviting place for residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Waycross is situated in the southeastern part of Georgia, making it a central hub in the region. The city is approximately 30 miles from both the coastal city of Brunswick and the larger urban area of Valdosta, providing convenient access to nearby attractions. Covering a land area of 349.89 square miles and featuring 5.56 square miles of water, Waycross offers a mix of diverse terrain and scenic waterways.

Community & economy

The character of Waycross is defined by its friendly residents and a strong sense of community pride. The city's economy is largely based on industries such as forestry, agriculture, and manufacturing, contributing to its vibrant local culture. Daily life in Waycross is enriched by community events, local businesses, and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Transportation

Waycross is conveniently accessible via several major highways, including U.S. Route 1 and U.S. Route 82, which connect it to other cities in Georgia and beyond. The nearest named airport is the Waycross-Ware County Airport, providing essential air travel services. Public transportation options are also available, making travel within the city easy for residents and visitors.

History

Waycross was founded in the late 19th century and quickly developed due to its strategic location as a railroad hub. The city played a significant role in the timber industry, which was a key driver of its early economic growth. Notable events in Waycross’s history include its incorporation in 1873 and its growth as a center for rail travel in the region.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Waycross is that it is home to the annual Okefenokee Swamp Festival, celebrating the nearby Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, the city has a rich railroad heritage, highlighted by the impressive historic depots that have stood the test of time.

ZIP codes for Waycross, GA (3)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
31501	Waycross	Ware	View map
31502	Waycross	Ware	View map
31503	Waycross	Ware	View map

Demographics & statistics

36,097

Population

38.2

Median age

$46,032

Median household income

$22,777

Per capita income

$96,450

Median home value

$769

Median monthly rent

59.8%

Home ownership

24.6%

Poverty rate

4.4%

Unemployment

10,867

Housing units

15.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,074

Under 5

1,123

1,265

5–9

1,323

1,175

10–14

1,229

1,173

15–19

1,228

904

20–24

947

2,471

25–34

2,586

2,189

35–44

2,291

2,337

45–54

2,446

1,042

55–59

1,090

1,096

60–64

1,147

1,641

65–74

1,717

940

75–84

984

332

85+

347

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	8,672	24.3%
18 and over	27,425	75.7%
65 and over	5,961	17.1%
Median age	38.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 61%

Black or African American 29%

Two or more races 4%

Hispanic or Latino 3.5%

Asian 1.1%

Other race 0.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	22,824	61%
Black or African American	10,844	29%
Two or more races	1,496	4%
Hispanic or Latino	1,323	3.5%
Asian	425	1.1%
Other race	331	0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	151	0.4%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	26	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 8.3%

$10k–$15k 11.5%

$15k–$25k 10.8%

$25k–$35k 11.7%

$35k–$50k 14.4%

$50k–$75k 18.2%

$75k–$100k 12.2%

$100k–$150k 9.0%

$150k–$200k 2.1%

$200k+ 2.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	8.3%
$10k–$15k	11.5%
$15k–$25k	10.8%
$25k–$35k	11.7%
$35k–$50k	14.4%
$50k–$75k	18.2%
$75k–$100k	12.2%
$100k–$150k	9.0%
$150k–$200k	2.1%
$200k+	2.1%
Median income	$46,032

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 23.6%

$50k–$100k 29.8%

$100k–$150k 15.9%

$150k–$200k 12.5%

$200k–$300k 11.8%

$300k–$500k 4.0%

$500k–$1M 2.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$96,450
Median rent / month	$769
Owner occupied	59.8%
Renter occupied	40.2%
Vacant	18.6%
Single-family detached	62.6%
Large apartment buildings	1.7%
Mobile homes	19.5%
Median rooms	5.9
Avg household size (owned)	2.62

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	4.6%
2000–2009	9.1%
1990–1999	14.0%
1980–1989	17.1%
1970–1979	17.1%
1960–1969	12.0%
1950–1959	15.2%
1940–1949	5.2%
1939 or earlier	6.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.8%
1 bedroom	6.6%
2 bedrooms	22.9%
3 bedrooms	57.4%
4 bedrooms	9.1%
5+ bedrooms	1.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	11.8%
1 vehicle	41.5%
2 vehicles	33.0%
3 or more	13.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	6.4%
Electricity	89.1%
Propane / LP gas	2.5%
Wood	0.4%
No fuel used	1.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	4,772	35.5%
Cohabiting couple	618	5.1%
Male householder, no spouse	2,553	19.6%
Female householder, no spouse	5,060	40.0%
Households with children under 18	3,816	29.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,122	32.1%
Average household size	2.58

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	42.6%	34.6%
Married	37.1%	33.9%
Separated	3.0%	3.6%
Widowed	4.9%	14.3%
Divorced	12.5%	13.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.2%

Some HS, no diploma 13.0%

HS graduate 39.2%

Some college, no degree 19.0%

Associate's degree 7.3%

Bachelor's degree 10.7%

Graduate / professional 4.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	80.8%
Bachelor's or higher	15.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	512	7.1%
Kindergarten	495	5.8%
Elementary school	3,960	51.7%
High school	1,983	23.6%
College / grad school	916	12.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.0%

Manufacturing 13.6%

Retail trade 12.4%

Professional & management 9.0%

Public administration 8.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.7%

Transportation & utilities 6.9%

Other services 6.7%

Construction 5.7%

Wholesale trade 3.0%

Finance & real estate 2.7%

Information 1.1%

Agriculture & mining 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.8%
Service	17.2%
Sales & office	22.4%
Natural resources & construction	12.6%
Production & transportation	19.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	75.8%
Government	18.4%
Self-employed	5.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	85.9%
Carpool	8.6%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	0.4%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.1

Poverty

All people 24.6%

Under 18 years 38.3%

18 and over 20.0%

Married-couple families 7.4%

Female-led households 43.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.8%
Retirement income	18.5%
Supplemental Security	10.6%
Cash public assistance	1.9%
Food stamps / SNAP	21.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.9%
High cholesterol	35.1%
Heart disease	8.4%
Stroke	4.6%
Asthma	10.6%
Arthritis	28.6%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	9.6%
Cancer	6.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.0%
No physical activity	34.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.1%
Fair or poor health	22.1%
Poor mental health	17.3%
Poor physical health	14.0%
No health insurance	24.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	77.4%
Visited dentist	47.1%
Cholesterol screening	88.4%
Teeth loss	23.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,538	5.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	14.1%
Under 18	4.6%
18–64 years	13.4%
65 and over	30.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	45.9%
Public insurance	46.4%
Uninsured under 19	6.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	33,900	93.6%
Spanish	790	2.0%
Other Indo-European	589	1.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	118	0.3%
Other languages	83	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	35,209	97.8%
Born in same state	35,039	97.4%
Born in different state	27,310	76.6%
Foreign born	170	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	888	2.2%
Not a US citizen	236	19.4%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	3,286	9.1%
French	1,984	5.5%
Italian	1,331	3.7%
English	147	0.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	113	0.3%
German	29	0.1%
Dutch	16	0%
Irish	14	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.9%
Internet access	92.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Waycross, GA have?

Waycross, GA has two ZIP codes: 31501 and 31503. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.