County · Texas
McLennan County, Texas
McLennan County, Texas. McLennan County had 272,020 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.4% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). It holds 23 places (21 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 58 census tracts. GEOID 48309.
McLennan County is one of the 3 counties of the Waco, TX metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
272,020
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 260,579 · ACS 2020-2024: 266,067
Median household income
$66,643
±$1,952 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$243,600
±$6,152 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$1,173
±$23 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in McLennan County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 260,579 residents in McLennan County. The Census Bureau estimates 272,020 for July 1, 2025, up 4.4% since 2020, slower than Texas (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 266,067 over 1,037 square miles of land.
| Measure | McLennan County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 266,067 | 30,188,424 | +14,978 |
| Households | 97,338±940 | 10,992,816 | +7,284 |
| Average household size | 2.64±0.03 | 2.69 | −0.04 |
| Housing units | 108,454±95 | 12,128,515 | +7,312 |
McLennan County's population since 2000
From 213,517 in 2000 to 272,020 in 2025: up 27.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in McLennan County?
McLennan County holds 23 places: 21 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Waco with 147,788 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Waco | 138,486 | $54,365 |
|---|---|---|
| Hewitt | 16,026 | $83,511 |
| Robinson | 12,443 | $99,289 |
| Bellmead | 10,494 | $52,075 |
| Woodway | 9,383 | $115,108 |
| Lacy-Lakeview | 6,988 | $56,924 |
| McGregor | 5,321 | $72,750 |
| West | 2,531 | $61,875 |
| Willow Grove | 2,082 | $89,036 |
| Beverly Hills | 1,878 | $47,313 |
| Lorena | 1,785 | $88,250 |
| Mart | 1,748 | $62,917 |
| China SpringGEOID 4814740 | 1,436 | $70,792 |
| Bruceville-Eddy | 1,413 | $76,154 |
| Moody | 1,376 | $69,750 |
| Gholson | 1,250 | $77,500 |
| Riesel | 1,062 | $98,063 |
| Crawford | 887 | $88,458 |
| Hallsburg | 419 | $58,125 |
| Leroy | 354 | $82,708 |
| RossGEOID 4863380 | 245 | $61,625 |
| Golinda | 618 | $62,438 |
| Valley Mills | 1,229 | $51,607 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in McLennan County?
The median resident of McLennan County is 34.0 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 15.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 54.1%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 27.0%. 8.6% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | McLennan County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.0±0.2 | 35.6 | +0.7 |
| Under 18 years | 24.0%±0.1 pts | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.3%±0.1 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 27.0% | 39.7% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 54.1%±0.2 pts | 39.1% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 13.5%±0.3 pts | 11.9% | −0.8 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.1 pts | 5.5% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3%±0.3 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.6%±0.6 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 19.6%±0.8 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.2%±0.5 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 13.5%±0.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.2%±0.9 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 88.1%±0.8 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 28.7%±1.2 pts | 33.8% | +4.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.4%±0.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
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 McLennan County earn?
Half of McLennan County's 97,338 households earn less than $66,643 a year (±$1,952), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 the median was $61,261 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $5,382 after inflation. 16.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | McLennan County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,643±$1,952 | $78,476 | +$5,382 |
| Mean household income | $92,980±$2,288 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,149±$852 | $40,752 | +$3,516 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.6%±1.0 pts | 13.8% | −2.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 20.8%±2.1 pts | 18.7% | −4.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 12.1%±1.1 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.6%±0.9 pts | 91.4% | – |
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 McLennan County?
Owners occupy 61.8% of McLennan County's occupied homes and renters 38.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $243,600 by its owner (±$6,152). The median renter pays $1,173 a month including utilities, and 47.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | McLennan County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $243,600±$6,152 | $283,800 | +$67,857 |
| Median gross rent | $1,173±$23 | $1,403 | +$101 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 47.4%±2.5 pts | 42.3% | +3.6 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,805±$44 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.8%±1.1 pts | 62.6% | +2.6 pts |
| Housing units | 108,454±95 | 12,128,515 | +7,312 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.1%±0.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8%±1.1 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.0%±1.1 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.2%±0.5 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.5%±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.0%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
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 McLennan County building?
Builders took permits for 1,442 new housing units across McLennan County in 2025 (770 single-family), 5.3 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in McLennan County get to work?
77.5% of McLennan County's workers drive alone and 9.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.5%.
| Measure | McLennan County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.0%±0.9 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.5%±0.5 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 77.5%±1.1 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.5%±0.9 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 9.8%±0.7 pts | 14.4% | +6.2 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.2 min±0.6 | 26.7 min | +1.8 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 are McLennan County's census tracts?
McLennan County is divided into 58 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $2,500 or less (Tract 33) to $136,161 (Tract 39.01).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does McLennan County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 21st of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 102nd of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 27th of 254 |
| Median household income | 109th of 253 |
| Median home value | 49th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 43rd of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 80th of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43rd of 252 |
| Median age | 216th of 254 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 McLennan County 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' school search.