| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Waynesboro/100k people | Mississippi/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 116 | n/a (estimate) | 2,566 | 1,574 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 110.6 | 7.4 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 5 | n/a | 110.6 | 29.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 2 | n/a | 44.2 | 18.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 30 | n/a | 663.6 | 155.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 42 | n/a (estimate) | 929 | 211 | 359 |
| Burglary | 12 | n/a | 265.4 | 235.2 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 55 | n/a | 1,216.6 | 982.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 7 | n/a | 154.8 | 145.3 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 74 | n/a (estimate) | 1,637 | 1,363 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Waynesboro is 21.1% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Waynesboro, there were 42 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 929 per 100,000 individuals, 158.7% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 74 property crimes, amounting to 1637 per 100,000 residents, 7% lower than the U.S. average.
Waynesboro ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 929 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Waynesboro stand at 1 in every 108 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Waynesboro has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 5 murders in Waynesboro, which is 111 murders per 100,000 people.
Waynesboro exhibits a property crime rate closely aligned with the national average. There were 1637 reported property crimes, which closely matches the national average of 1760 per 100,000 people. Consequently, the area's safety profile mirrors that of an average city, neither notably safer nor more dangerous than the norm. This balance suggests that Waynesboro maintains a consistent approach to property crime prevention in line with the broader national landscape.
Is Waynesboro a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Waynesboro has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 21%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.32 daily incidents, encompassing 0.12 violent crimes and 0.2 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Waynesboro as a potential place to call home.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Waynesboro, 61.5% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Waynesboro, the cost of living is 21.83% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In Waynesboro, the median home price stands at $124,040, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | Waynesboro | Mississippi | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 17 | 4,806 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 3.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Mississippi /100K | National /100K |
| Mississippi | 11,060 | 380 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Clara, MS | 569 | 199 | 1,294 | 1,494 |
| Shubuta, MS | 434 | 290 | 1,883 | 2,173 |
| Waynesboro, MS | 5,023 | 929 | 1,637 | 2,566 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Sheridan, AR | 5,023 | 532 | 1,120 | 1,651 |
| Davison, MI | 5,024 | 199 | 875 | 1,073 |
| Arnold, PA | 5,024 | 840 | 1,550 | 2,390 |
| Ocean Bluff-Brant Rock, MA | 5,024 | 184 | 649 | 833 |
| Byram, CT | 5,025 | 35 | 355 | 390 |
| Waynesboro, MS | 5,023 | 929 | 1,637 | 2,566 |
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