City profile · Texas · Census ACS 2023

Waco, TX

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Waco - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

141,925
Residents
$51,468
Median income
$199,600
Median home
$1,240
Median rent (state)

Waco - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Waco places in the 22nd percentile for household income and the 22nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

22nd
percentile, household income
43rd
percentile, home value
40th
percentile, median rent
22nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Waco, TX

Texas's Waco is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 141,925 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Waco brings in $51,468 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.2%. Waco's housing stock carries a median value of $199,600, and the median resident age is 29.2 years. About 28.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 58.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 705 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 25% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2552.1 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Texas tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Texas scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,240 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Texas's average monthly utility costs around $223 (state average). Commute times here average 16.6 minutes, with 77.3% driving alone and 8.5% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 91.2 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

141,925 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Texas

Median Household Income

$51,468 /yr

Poverty 15.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Texas average

How does Waco compare to other US cities?

Waco measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 22% higher than other cities
Home value 43% pricier than other cities
Median rent 40% pricier than other cities
Safety 22% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Texas, Waco ranks #525 of 624 Texas cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Waco's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Texas, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

22ndIncome percentile
22ndSafety percentile

22nd percentile nationally for median household income · 22nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Waco's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Waco's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 34 Avg. percentile National median
Waco's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Waco's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$199,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 57% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Waco $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Waco, TX Waco, TX's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Waco, TX-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Waco, TX median $51,468/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Waco, TX's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Waco, TX. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
141,925
Median Income
$51,468
Median Home Value
$199,600
Median Age
29.2
Poverty Rate
15.2%
Labor force participation
58.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2552.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
425.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2126.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
61
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
135,000 residents140,000 residents145,000 residents150,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 140,541 residents 147,788 residents ▲ +5.2%
Waco's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
705
housing units authorized
Single-Family
489
detached homes
Multifamily
216
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 938
2020 836
2021 737
2022 963
2023 1,409
2024 705

Permit volume decreased 25% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.6 minutes
Drive Alone
77.3%
Carpool
9.8%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
2.8%
Work from Home
8.5%
Other
1.0%

Based on 65,005 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Texas - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$45
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$223
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Texas state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Texas state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Waco sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,240/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
91.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Texas

McAllen
143,789 people
Denton
146,987 people
Mesquite
148,848 people
Pasadena
149,345 people
Midland
133,998 people
Carrollton
132,741 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Waco's 141,925 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fullerton, CA
141,278 people
Visalia, CA
142,649 people
Thornton, CO
142,878 people
Torrance, CA
143,499 people
Gainesville, FL
143,611 people
Olathe, KS
143,720 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Waco's $51,468 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Penn Yan, NY
$51,466 median income
Richland Center, WI
$51,472 median income
Polson, MT
$51,463 median income
Royal Palm Estates, FL
$51,461 median income
Oquawka, IL
$51,477 median income
Silver Plume, CO
$51,458 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Waco, TX Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Waco, TX - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 54.0% 20.4% 19.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.9% White 54.0% Black or African American 20.4% Asian 2.0% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.7% Two or more races 19.5% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Waco compares to nearby Texas cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Waco (this city) 141,925 $51,468
McAllen 143,789 $60,165
Denton 146,987 $73,719
Mesquite 148,848 $71,843
Census ACS 5-year FIPS TX FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Waco, TX?

What is the population of Waco, TX? +

141,925 people live in Waco, TX according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Waco, TX? +

The median household income in Waco is $51,468 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Waco? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Waco; the closest available measure is the Texas state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Texas vary by metro area.

Is Waco, TX safe? +

Waco has a total crime rate of 2552.1 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Waco, TX? +

A typical home in Waco is worth $199,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.