CountyScore

Waynesboro city

Virginia · VA

#63 in Virginia
71.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Waynesboro city, Virginia

Waynesboro matches Virginia's standing

Waynesboro's composite score of 70.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 40%, demonstrating solid livability by U.S. standards. The city scores near Virginia's state average of 70.3, reflecting competent performance on core livability factors.

Right at Virginia's median livability

Waynesboro's composite score of 70.2 essentially matches Virginia's state average of 70.3, positioning it as a typical performer among the commonwealth's cities and counties. The city delivers livability comparable to most in-state peers.

Competitive taxes and moderate costs

Waynesboro's tax score of 83.5 with an effective rate of 0.667% provides meaningful tax relief, paired with a cost score of 72.8 reflecting median home values of $236,600 and rents at $972/month. These fundamentals support middle-income households.

Lower incomes limit upward mobility

Waynesboro's income score of 20.2 with median household earnings of $56,364 indicates limited employment and wage growth opportunities compared to other profiled areas. Safety, health, schools, and environmental data remain unavailable, leaving important livability dimensions unquantified.

Practical choice for modest-income families

Waynesboro suits working families and retirees seeking modest housing costs and reasonable taxes without expecting high earnings or urban amenities. It's a practical, middle-of-the-road option for those with stable, moderate incomes.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax83.5Cost72.8SafetyComing SoonHealth68.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.2Risk89.7WaterComing Soon
🏛83.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤68.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡89.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Waynesboro city with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barbour County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,290
Marengo County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,205
Clark County
Arkansas
71.3
Median income: $50,985
Jefferson County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $56,984
Lafayette County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $60,692

Deep Dives

Waynesboro city across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Waynesboro city

via TaxByCounty

Waynesboro taxes sit near the top

Waynesboro's effective tax rate of 0.667% approaches the national median and exceeds Virginia's state average, placing it among higher-taxed Virginia municipalities. On a median home of $236,600, Waynesboro residents pay $1,578 annually—below the national median tax of $2,690, but higher than most comparable Virginia counties.

Waynesboro ranks above Virginia average

Waynesboro's effective rate of 0.667% nearly matches Virginia's state average of 0.671%, placing it squarely in the state's middle range for tax burden. The city's median annual tax of $1,578 sits well below the state median of $1,960, reflecting Waynesboro's below-average home values despite its moderate tax rate.

Waynesboro taxes higher than rural peers

Waynesboro's 0.667% effective rate exceeds most surrounding rural counties like Washington (0.514%) and Sussex (0.541%), though it trails Warren (0.586%) and Surry (0.627%). As a small city, Waynesboro's tax model more closely reflects urban costs than the rural counties surrounding it.

Waynesboro homes cost $1,578 yearly

On Waynesboro's median home value of $236,600, homeowners pay approximately $1,578 in annual property taxes. With mortgage adjustments, that figure holds near $1,564, while owners outright pay slightly higher at $1,636.

Review your assessment for accuracy

Waynesboro homeowners should confirm their property assessments reflect current market conditions and can appeal without cost if valuations seem excessive. Successfully appealing an overassessment can result in refunds dating back multiple years.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Waynesboro city

via CostByCounty

Waynesboro's rent burden runs high

Waynesboro's 20.7% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Virginia's state average of 18.6% and sits above the national affordability benchmark, with median rent at $972 monthly. The median household income of $56,364 falls well below the national average of $74,755, creating a squeeze between low wages and moderate rents.

Waynesboro faces above-average housing stress

Waynesboro ranks among Virginia's least affordable cities, with a 20.7% rent-to-income ratio that surpasses the state average by 2 percentage points. The city's lower median income compounds the problem, making housing cost burden more painful than in higher-earning Virginia counties.

Caught between cheap and expensive

Waynesboro's $972 rent falls between rural counties like Washington ($832) and Warren ($1,199), while home values of $236,600 trail Warren ($315,800) but exceed Tazewell ($116,100). The city's affordability challenge stems less from absolute housing costs and more from relatively low resident incomes.

Renters hurt more than homeowners

Renters dedicate $972 monthly (20.7% of income) while homeowners spend $1,181 on properties valued at $236,600—an uncommon pattern suggesting renters face market pressure. At $56,364 median household income, Waynesboro residents struggle most with housing affordability in this group.

Waynesboro: affordable prices, tight budgets

Waynesboro's housing costs ($972 rent, $236,600 homes) appear reasonable until you factor in the city's $56,364 median income—lowest in this comparison. Relocators should investigate local job prospects carefully; moving here for cheaper housing could backfire if wages don't support your cost of living.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Waynesboro city

via IncomeByCounty

Waynesboro income significantly below average

Waynesboro's median household income of $56,364 trails the national median of $74,755 by $18,391—a 24.6% shortfall that ranks the city in the bottom 25% nationally. Limited industrial base and population loss have constrained local earning power.

Waynesboro struggles in Virginia comparison

At $56,364, Waynesboro's median household income falls 24.8% below Virginia's state average of $74,957, ranking it among the lowest-income localities in the analysis. The city has not kept pace with statewide economic growth trends.

Income disadvantages across comparisons

Waynesboro's $56,364 income trails Sussex County ($62,821) by $6,457 and falls far short of Surry County ($71,458). The gap widens dramatically against stronger performers like Warren County ($84,331) and Virginia Beach ($90,685).

Housing costs strain household budgets

Waynesboro's rent-to-income ratio of 20.7% is among the highest in the sample, indicating housing expenses consume a larger share of already-modest income. The median home value of $236,600 creates an affordability challenge for households earning $56,364.

Deliberate financial planning for Waynesboro

Waynesboro residents earning $56,364 must prioritize cash flow discipline: reducing unnecessary expenses, automating small savings deposits, and seeking skill-building opportunities for income advancement. Working with nonprofit financial counselors and exploring employer benefits (401(k) matching, HSA options) can help overcome income constraints.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Waynesboro city

via HealthByCounty

Waynesboro faces meaningful health gaps

At 73.6 years, Waynesboro's life expectancy falls 0.9 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years, with 18.5% of residents reporting poor or fair health. These numbers suggest moderate but persistent population health challenges for this small city.

Below Virginia's health average

Waynesboro's 73.6-year life expectancy ranks below Virginia's 75.1-year state average, placing it among the state's lower performers. At 8.8% uninsured, Waynesboro exceeds the state average of 7.9%, meaning a meaningful share of residents face insurance barriers.

Waynesboro underperforms peers on longevity

Waynesboro's 73.6-year life expectancy trails Washington County (74.3 years) and Surry County (75.6 years), though the city outpaces Tazewell County (70.5 years). On providers, Waynesboro offers 84 primary care per 100K and 198 mental health per 100K—solid urban-scale resources.

Good providers, coverage barriers persist

Waynesboro provides 84 primary care providers per 100K and 198 mental health providers per 100K, reflecting urban capacity, yet 8.8% of residents lack insurance. This coverage gap likely prevents some residents from accessing the providers their city has invested in.

Insurance unlocks Waynesboro's healthcare

At 8.8% uninsured, Waynesboro has a higher coverage gap than the state average—nearly one in eleven residents lacks protection. Visit Virginia's Health Insurance Marketplace today to find an affordable plan and start using the healthcare providers available in your city.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Waynesboro city

via RiskByCounty

Waynesboro among nation's safest areas

Waynesboro's composite risk score of 10.34 places the city among the safest U.S. communities for natural disasters, earning a Very Low national rating. The city benefits from significantly lower combined hazard exposure than typical American localities.

Virginia's second-safest locality

Waynesboro's score of 10.34 ranks second only to Surry County (4.71) among Virginia localities, well below the state average of 33.27. The city ranks among the safest places in the Commonwealth for disaster risk.

Safer than Warren, far safer than Washington

Waynesboro (10.34) significantly outperforms nearby Warren County (31.58) and Washington County (46.56) on composite risk. The city's natural disaster exposure ranks among the lowest in its region.

Earthquake and hurricane are minor concerns

Waynesboro residents face limited natural disaster exposure, with earthquake risk (48.25) and hurricane risk (61.37) representing the city's highest but still-modest scores. Flood (31.08) and tornado (16.41) risks remain very low, while wildfire (2.64) is negligible.

Basic homeowners insurance suffices

Standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for Waynesboro's exceptionally low disaster exposure. Annual policy review ensures coverage remains current without requiring specialized riders or separate flood insurance.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.