Waycross, GA Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 91% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Waycross Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Waycross has a crime rate that is 68% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 158.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 158
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
66% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 28
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
93% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Waycross Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
166 | +66% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
168 | +68% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
162 | +62% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
164 | +64% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
184 | +84% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
176 | +76% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
180 | +80% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Waycross Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Waycross Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Waycross zip codes.
Waycross Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Waycross, GA?
Waycross, GA has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 68% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 158 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 28 chance for property crime. Waycross has higher crime than 91% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Waycross, GA safe to live in?
Waycross has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Waycross is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Waycross?
The estimated violent crime rate in Waycross is 632.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 66% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 158 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 8.3 per 100K (66% above average); aggravated assault at 449.4 per 100K (68% above average); robbery at 119.9 per 100K (62% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Waycross?
The estimated property crime rate in Waycross is 3,529.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 93% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 28 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 495.5 per 100K (84% above average); larceny/theft at 2,461.8 per 100K (76% above average); vehicle theft at 572.6 per 100K (80% above average).
How does Waycross crime compare to the national average?
Waycross's overall crime rate is 68% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (84% above average), while robbery is 62% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Waycross has higher crime than 91% of them.
Is Waycross safe to visit?
Visitors to Waycross should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 93% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Waycross crime compare to the rest of Georgia?
Georgia as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Waycross's crime rate is 68% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Georgia city.
What type of crime is most common in Waycross?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Waycross, with an estimated rate of 2,461.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 76% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,530 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (633 per 100K) in Waycross, which is consistent with national trends.