Waco is a city located in Bosque County, Coryell County, Falls County, and McLennan County Texas. Waco has a 2024 population of 146,241. It is also the county seat of McLennan County. Waco is currently growing at a rate of 0.98% annually and its population has increased by 4.06% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 140,541 in 2020.
The average household income in Waco is $69,561 with a poverty rate of 24.77%. The median age in Waco is 28.8 years: 27.3 years for males, and 30.3 years for females.
Waco is a city located in the state of Texas, and it is the county seat of McLennan County. Waco marks the halfway point between the larger cities of Dallas and Austin. Recent estimates show that the population of this city – which is dubbed the “Heart of Texas” -- is {pop}.
The city’s schools and higher education institutions drive the economy and employ many of Waco’s residents. The top employers are Baylor University, Waco Independent School District, Providence Health Center, L3 Technologies, and Baylor Scott & White Health.
At the time of almost every census, Waco has shown growth in its population. The city’s population grew to over 50,000 at the time of the 1930 census, then increased to over 100,000 in 1990. The city’s population has continued to grow at a slow but steady rate over the last two polls taken during 2000 and 2010. Recent estimates show that the population has grown over 7% since the last census, and Waco is heading toward 150,000 residents. Based on past trends, the city will no doubt hit its next milestone in the years ahead.
Waco, like many other cities in the United States, was originally inhabited by indigenous tribes, primarily the Wichita tribe, also known as the Waco. Thomas Duke explored the area during the 1820s after the tribes fought off European settlers. A treaty was signed with the people in 1825, but the tribe was eventually forced off of the land and settled near what is now Fort Worth. The first settler in the area is noted as Neil McLennan in 1838. The first city block was designed in 1849, and later that year, the first home was constructed. Though the name Lamartine was proposed, the area was instead called Waco Village after the tribe that had lived there before.
During the next decade, the citizens of Waco aimed to build a bridge over the Brazos River. To take on the project, the Waco Bridge Company was formed. The company created the brick Waco Suspension Bridge, a 475-foot bridge that was finished in 1870. The construction of the bridge led to a boost in the economy, as a toll was required to pass. The population then began to grow as more immigrants made their way over. The bridge still stands today and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The city was thriving, and the population was growing through the 19th century. Other notable things that occurred during this period were the invention of Dr. Pepper in 1885 and the relocation of Baylor University from Independence to Waco. Toward the end of the 1800s, Waco published the Iconoclast newspaper, which was very successful. The city, which had an economy centered on agriculture, built a fair and exhibition center, which drew in more than eight million attendees. Unfortunately, the original building burned in a fire in the early 1900s, and the rebuilt structure was torn down following the Great Depression.
An odd event in Waco was the “Crash” of 1896. This was meant to be entertaining for citizens and featured two trains that were going to crash head-on. Unfortunately, this stunt resulted in the deaths and injuries of multiple people when the boilers exploded.
This wasn’t the only bad thing to happen in Waco. The Waco Horror became national news after a young teenager was tortured and burned in the town square after citizens took matters into their own hands following the conviction of the teenager, who had been accused of killing a white woman. After this incident, the city worked to improve protections for African Americans.
Waco Army Air Field was opened in 1942, later becoming Connally Air Force Base, then James Connally Air Force Base. Though it closed in the 1960s, it is now the site of the Texas State Technical College. Waco’s airfield, however, is still open today and is the TSTC Waco Airport.
The next few decades saw more highs and lows for the city. A tornado killed hundreds in the 1950s and remains one of the deadliest tornados in US and state history. In the 1970s, bones were found that were dated to be over 68,000 years old and are thought to have belonged to a mammoth. Other animal remains were also found at the site.
Waco was once the home of the White House Press Center. In recent years, the city has constructed a riverwalk, which is one of its many attractions. Other attractions include museums, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, parks, and the Dr. Pepper Museum. The city is also home to many professional sports teams.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Waco was:
White
Black or African American
Two or more races
Other race
Asian
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 52,256 | 2.52 | 47.3 | 52.7 |
Non Family | 22,570 | 1.47 | 29.4 | 70.6 |
Married | 18,765 | 3.29 | 72.2 | 27.8 |
Female | 8,495 | 3.46 | 37.8 | 62.2 |
Male | 2,426 | 3.06 | 53.7 | 46.3 |
3.24
Average Family Size
2.52
Average Household Size
47.3%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
The highest rate of high school graduation is among white people with a rate of 96.58%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 65.52%.
All
Male
Female
$36,628
Average Earnings
$42,053
Average Male
$32,009
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
77.06% of Waco residents speak only English, while 22.94% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 20.35% of the population.
rate
24.77%
Overall Poverty Rate
23.44%
Male Poverty Rate
26%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Waco is Black, with 40.83% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Waco is White, with 18.82% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 6.35%. Among those working part-time, it was 38.96%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 34.71%.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
37.0%
Overall Marriage Rate
39.6%
Male Marriage Rate
34.7%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 45-54, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
6.77%
Veteran Poverty Rate
36.81%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
60.7%
Labor Force Participation
57.9%
Employment Rate
4.5%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
67.42%
Born in Waco
89.92%
Native Born
10.08%
Foreign Born
7.5%
Non Citizen
2.58%
Naturalized
89.92% of Waco residents were born in the United States, with 67.42% having been born in Texas. 7.5% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 153,366 | 1,425 | 0.94% |
2028 | 151,941 | 1,425 | 0.95% |
2027 | 150,516 | 1,425 | 0.96% |
2026 | 149,091 | 1,425 | 0.97% |
2025 | 147,666 | 1,425 | 0.97% |
2024 | 146,241 | 1,425 | 0.98% |
2023 | 144,816 | 1,578 | 1.1% |
2022 | 143,238 | 904 | 0.64% |
2021 | 142,334 | 1,793 | 1.28% |
2020 | 140,541 | 1,002 | 0.72% |
2019 | 139,539 | 1,724 | 1.25% |
2018 | 137,815 | 933 | 0.68% |
2017 | 136,882 | 3,499 | 2.62% |
2016 | 133,383 | 1,610 | 1.22% |
2015 | 131,773 | 1,936 | 1.49% |
2014 | 129,837 | 849 | 0.66% |
2013 | 128,988 | 1,512 | 1.19% |
2012 | 127,476 | 1,046 | 0.83% |
2011 | 126,430 | 1,070 | 0.85% |
2010 | 125,360 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 113,726 | 10,136 | 9.78% |
1990 | 103,590 | 2,329 | 2.3% |
1980 | 101,261 | 5,935 | 6.23% |
1970 | 95,326 | -2,482 | -2.54% |
1960 | 97,808 | 13,102 | 15.47% |
1950 | 84,706 | 28,724 | 51.31% |
1940 | 55,982 | 3,134 | 5.93% |
1930 | 52,848 | 14,348 | 37.27% |
1920 | 38,500 | 12,075 | 45.7% |
1910 | 26,425 | 5,739 | 27.74% |
1900 | 20,686 | 6,241 | 43.21% |
1890 | 14,445 | 7,150 | 98.01% |
1880 | 7,295 | 4,287 | 142.52% |
1870 | 3,008 | -150,358 | -98.04% |