City of Waynesboro, Virginia
Quick answer: The City of Waynesboro is an independent city in Virginia. Its estimated population in 2025 was 23,951, up 7.9% since 2020. It covers about 15 square miles of land.
| Type | independent city |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1798 |
| Population, 2025 estimate | 23,951 |
| Population, 2020 estimate | 22,280 |
| Change 2020–2025 | 7.5% |
| Rank by population in Virginia | 73 of 133 |
Overview
The City of Waynesboro is one of Virginia's 38 independent cities. In Virginia, an independent city is not part of any county; it runs its own local government, courts and schools.[1] Its founding date is recorded as 1798.[2] The name comes from Anthony Wayne.[2]
Population of Waynesboro
The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the City of Waynesboro at 23,951 in July 2025, up 7.9% from the April 2020 base of 22,193.[1] That made it 73rd of Virginia's 133 counties and independent cities by population. It ranked 16th for growth since 2020.[1]
From 2020 to 2025 the Census Bureau counted about 1,814 births and 1,612 deaths, a natural increase of 202.[1] More people moved in from other parts of the United States than moved away. Net domestic migration was 1,477. Moves from abroad added 75.[1]
Geography
The City of Waynesboro covers 15.0 square miles of land and 0.1 square miles of water.[3] By land area it ranks 111th of 133 in Virginia.[3] It had about 1,600 people per square mile in 2025, so it is one of the more densely settled places in the state. Its geographic center lies near 38.07° N, 78.90° W.[3]
The city borders Augusta County.[4]
The U.S. Geological Survey place-name database lists 2 named streams and 1 lake or reservoir in the city.[5]
Frequently asked questions
Is Waynesboro in a county?
No. Waynesboro is an independent city, so it is not part of any county.
What is the population of the City of Waynesboro?
About 23,951 people in 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
How big is the City of Waynesboro?
About 15 square miles of land, plus 0.1 square miles of water.
References
- [1] U.S. Census Bureau, County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025 (Vintage 2025) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Wikidata, Waynesboro city, Virginia (open data, CC0) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files: Counties – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File (2024) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), Domestic Names – last checked 11/08/2026
Official website: www.waynesboro.va.us
Boundary on the map: Census TIGERweb. See all counties and cities on the map.