City · Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco, city, in McLennan County, Texas. Waco had 147,788 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.5% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 138,486 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 143,570 (±93). GEOID 4876000.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
147,788
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 138,486 · ACS 2020-2024: 143,570 ±93
Median household income
$54,365
±$2,349 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$221,700
±$7,797 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,165
±$28 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
Where is Waco and what county is it in?
Waco is a city in McLennan County, Texas. It covers 91.0 square miles of land, 1,522 residents per square mile in 2020.
Waco is in the Waco, TX metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Waco, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 147,788 people lived in Waco on July 1, 2025, up 5.5% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 138,486 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 143,570 (±93).
| Measure | Waco | McLennan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 143,570 ±93 | 266,067 | +7,712 |
| Households | 53,906 ±1,032 | 97,338 | +5,003 |
| Average household size | 2.51 ±0.05 | 2.64 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 61,163 ±813 | 108,454 | +5,983 |
Waco's population since 2000
From 113,726 in 2000 to 147,788 in 2025: up 30.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Waco as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Waco?
The median resident of Waco is 29.7 years old; 22.8% are under 18 and 13.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 44.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 30.6%. 10.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Waco | McLennan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.7 ±0.6 | 34.0 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 22.8% ±0.9 pts | 24.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.4% ±0.6 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Male | 48.3% ±0.6 pts | 49.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 30.6% ±1.2 pts | 27.0% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 44.2% ±1.3 pts | 54.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.3% ±0.8 pts | 13.5% | −1.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.1% ±0.3 pts | 1.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4% ±0.5 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 10.5% ±0.9 pts | 8.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.3% ±1.4 pts | 19.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4% ±0.7 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 12.6% ±0.9 pts | 13.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 15.2% ±1.1 pts | 14.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.0% ±1.2 pts | 88.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.7% ±1.8 pts | 28.7% | +3.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.5% ±1.3 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 79.1% ±1.3 pts | 83.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5% ±0.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Waco earn?
Half of Waco's 53,906 households earn less than $54,365 a year (±$2,349), against $66,643 in McLennan County and $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 the median was $49,462 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,903 after inflation. 23.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Waco | McLennan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $54,365 ±$2,349 | $66,643 | +$4,903 |
| Mean household income | $79,594 ±$3,575 | $92,980 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,942 ±$1,379 | $35,149 | +$3,299 |
| People below the poverty line | 23.1% ±1.5 pts | 16.6% | −3.1 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.2% ±3.4 pts | 20.8% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.0% ±1.5 pts | 12.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.2% ±1.0 pts | 95.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.9% ±1.2 pts | 89.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Waco?
Owners occupy 49.4% of Waco's occupied homes and renters 50.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $221,700 by its owner (±$7,797). The median renter pays $1,165 a month including utilities, and 49.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Waco | McLennan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $221,700 ±$7,797 | $243,600 | +$67,494 |
| Median gross rent | $1,165 ±$28 | $1,173 | +$104 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 49.2% ±3.0 pts | 47.4% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,737 ±$61 | $1,805 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 49.4% ±1.6 pts | 61.8% | +3.3 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 50.6% ±1.6 pts | 38.2% | – |
| Housing units | 61,163 ±813 | 108,454 | +5,983 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.0% ±0.6 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7% ±1.2 pts | 4.8% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.2% ±1.5 pts | 67.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.0% ±0.4 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5% ±0.5 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 15.7% ±1.3 pts | 14.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 6.3% ±0.8 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.8% ±1.1 pts | 5.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Waco building?
Builders took permits for 1,119 new housing units in Waco in 2025 (561 in single-family houses), 7.6 per 1,000 residents against 6.6 across Texas.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Waco work and get to work?
75.7% of Waco's workers drive alone and 9.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 18.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.6%.
| Measure | Waco | McLennan County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.2% ±1.3 pts | 63.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.6% ±0.7 pts | 4.5% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.7% ±1.7 pts | 77.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.3% ±1.2 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7% ±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 2.8% ±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.7% ±1.1 pts | 9.8% | +6.8 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 18.7 min ±0.8 | 21.2 min | +1.4 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Waco?
32 census tracts lie mostly in Waco, and 17 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $2,500 or less (Tract 33) to $99,018 (Tract 41.05).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 26McLennan County | 6,180 | $77,254 |
| Tract 41.05McLennan County | 6,154 | $99,018 |
| Tract 43McLennan County | 7,959 | $51,398 |
| Tract 19McLennan County | 6,263 | $31,409 |
| Tract 21McLennan County | 6,243 | $41,138 |
| Tract 11McLennan County | 5,559 | $42,708 |
| Tract 9McLennan County | 4,999 | $62,434 |
| Tract 24.98McLennan County | 4,992 | $49,050 |
| Tract 4.02McLennan County | 4,859 | $14,926 |
| Tract 23.02McLennan County | 4,693 | $41,754 |
| Tract 5.98McLennan County | 4,982 | $39,519 |
| Tract 37.11McLennan County | 6,674 | $50,777 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Waco) · Census block assignment files
How does Waco compare with other places in Texas?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Waco is the 189th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 24th-most populous of 1,224 in Texas.
Waco ranks 688th of 933 places in Texas with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 24th | 1,224 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 346th | 784 |
| Residents per square mile | 302nd | 979 |
| Median household income | 688th | 933 |
| Per capita income | 515th | 978 |
| Median home value | 423rd | 950 |
| Median gross rent | 398th | 852 |
| Poverty rate | 168th | 716 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 299th | 877 |
| Median age | 883rd | 973 |
| Owner-occupied share | 921st | 973 |
| Work from home | 362nd | 557 |
| Travel time to work | 838th | 976 |
Waco's figures with every place in Texas (CSV)
Every place in Texas, sortable · Compare Waco with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Waco?
2 of the 57 figures for Waco on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Waco are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Waco.