McLennan County, TX

County

Add Comparison

2024 Population

266,067

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2024 Poverty Rate

16.6%

3.1% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$66,643

4.31% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$243,600

11.1% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

125,727

2.89% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in McLennan County, TX reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

93.8% of the residents in McLennan County, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in McLennan County, TX are Baylor University (6,143 degrees awarded in 2023), Texas State Technical College (2,525 degrees), and McLennan Community College (1,713 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in McLennan County, TX was $243,600, and the homeownership rate was 61.8%.

Most people in McLennan County, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.2 minutes. The average car ownership in McLennan County, TX was 2 cars per household.

McLennan County, TX borders Bell County, TX, Bosque County, TX, Coryell County, TX, Falls County, TX, Hill County, TX, and Limestone County, TX.

United States Texas Waco, TX

Population & Diversity

McLennan County, TX is home to a population of 266k people, from which 93.8% are citizens. As of 2024, 8.56% of McLennan County, TX residents were born outside of the country (22.8k people).

In 2024, there were 3.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (144k people) in McLennan County, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 45.7k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 35.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

93.8%

2024 Citizenship

93.8%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 93.8% of McLennan County, TX residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in McLennan County, TX was 93.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in McLennan County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in McLennan County, TX

White (Non-Hispanic)
144k ± 572
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
45.7k ± 2.35k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
35.9k ± 766

27%

Hispanic Population

71.8k people

27% of the people in McLennan County, TX are hispanic (71.8k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in McLennan County, TX as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Texas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,397,739 ± 36,447 people
India
325,248 ± 13,925 people
El Salvador
221,729 ± 11,517 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,397,739 Texas residents, followed by India with 325,248 and El Salvador with 221,729.

Foreign-Born Population

8.56%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

22.8k people

8.43%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

22.2k people

As of 2024, 8.56% of McLennan County, TX residents (22.8k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in McLennan County, TX was 8.43%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in McLennan County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
4,910 ± 786
Vietnam
3,900 ± 359
Gulf War (1990s)
2,515 ± 473

McLennan County, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.26 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in McLennan County, TX.

Economy

The economy of McLennan County, TX employs 126k people. In 2024, the largest industries in McLennan County, TX were Health Care & Social Assistance (17,035 people), Retail Trade (15,730 people), and Educational Services (15,035 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($85,962), Utilities ($71,964), and Public Administration ($65,399).

Employment

Occupations

126k

2024 Value

± 3,249

2.89%

1 Year growth

± 3.56%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in McLennan County, TX grew at a rate of 2.89%, from 122k employees to 126k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in McLennan County, TX, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (14,374 people), Sales & Related Occupations (12,367 people), and Management Occupations (11,473 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of McLennan County, TX.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Texas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

126k

2024 Value

± 3,249

2.89%

1 Year growth

± 3.56%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in McLennan County, TX grew at a rate of 2.89%, from 122k employees to 126k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in McLennan County, TX, are Health Care & Social Assistance (17,035 people), Retail Trade (15,730 people), and Educational Services (15,035 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of McLennan County, TX, though some of these residents may live in McLennan County, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,226

Median earning men ± $1,815

$35,415

Median earning women ± $1,054

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($80,684), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($70,179), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($64,179).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($53,398), Wholesale Trade ($49,028), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($47,510).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Y-Axis

4.59%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 13.8M people employed in Texas. This represents a 4.59% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 9.63%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Texas.

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

385
Other Services (except Public Administration)
368
Retail Trade
320
Construction

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$929k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$915k
Manufacturing
$477k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Texas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Jill Stein (0.726%).

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing the state of Texas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for McLennan County, TX. Showing the available data for Texas.

2024 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (56.1%)
Republican Party
Kamala Harris (42.5%)
Democratic Party
Jill Stein (0.726%)
Green Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Texas went to Donald J. Trump with 56.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (42.5%), followed by Jill Stein (0.726%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Texas for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Texas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

John Cornyn

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on December 2, 2002
Phil Gramm resigned (effective November 30, 2002) a few weeks before the expiration of his term in hopes that his successor, fellow Republican John Cornyn, could gain seniority over other newly elected senators. However, Cornyn did not gain additional seniority due to a 1980 Rules Committee policy.

Ted Cruz

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing Texas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Texas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

Education

In 2023, universities in McLennan County, TX awarded 10,503 degrees. The student population of McLennan County, TX in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 18,598 male students and 21,084 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in McLennan County, TX are White (5,899 and 57.6%), Hispanic or Latino (2,291 and 22.4%), Black or African American (673 and 6.57%), and Two or More Races (493 and 4.81%).

The largest universities in McLennan County, TX by number of degrees awarded are Baylor University (6,143 and 58.5%), Texas State Technical College (2,525 and 24%), and McLennan Community College (1,713 and 16.3%).

The most popular majors in McLennan County, TX are Liberal Arts & Sciences (628 and 5.98%), Registered Nursing (532 and 5.07%), and Welding Technology (458 and 4.36%).

The median tuition cost in McLennan County, TX for private four year colleges is $54,844.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in McLennan County, TX, the percentage of applicants admitted was 51%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 16.4%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 39,682 (46.9% men and 53.1% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 39,682 students enrolled in McLennan County, TX, 46.9% men and 53.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 19,371 records, of which 53.7% were women and 46.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Marketing & Marketing Management
253 degrees awarded
General Biological Sciences
236 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
362 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in McLennan County, TX was General Marketing & Marketing Management with 253 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in McLennan County, TX according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Baylor University
6,143 degrees awarded
Texas State Technical College
2,525 degrees awarded
McLennan Community College
1,713 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Baylor University with 6,143 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 4,948 men were awarded degrees from institutions in McLennan County, TX, which is 0.891 times less than the 5,555 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 5,899 degrees mean that there were 2.57 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 2,291 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($54,844) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($480) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,701) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Housing & Living

The median property value in McLennan County, TX was $243,600 in 2024, which is 0.732 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $219,200 to $243,600, a 11.1% increase. The homeownership rate in McLennan County, TX is 61.8%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in McLennan County, TX have an average commute time of 21.2 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in McLennan County, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

In 2025, 18% of the population was living with severe housing problems in McLennan County, TX. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.25%.

Housing

Property

$243,600

Median Property Value 2024

±$6,152

$60,155

Median Property Taxes

±$1,811

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In McLennan County, TX the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in McLennan County, TX compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

61.8%

Homeownership

2024

63.1%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 61.8% of the housing units in McLennan County, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 61.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in McLennan County, TX compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$66,643

Median Household Income

± $1,952

97.3k

Number of Households

± 2,672

In 2024, the median household income of the 97.3k households in McLennan County, TX grew to $66,643 from the previous year's value of $63,888.

The following chart displays the households in McLennan County, TX distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for McLennan County, TX is from Texas.

0.475

2023 Wage GINI in Texas

0.476

2022 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2023, the income inequality in Texas was 0.475 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.208% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Texas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Texas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (77.5%)
Worked At Home (9.84%)
Carpooled (9.52%)

In 2024, 77.5% of workers in McLennan County, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.84%) and those who carpooled to work (9.52%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

21.2 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in McLennan County, TX have a shorter commute time (21.2 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.37% of the workforce in McLennan County, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in McLennan County, TX compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in McLennan County, TX distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in McLennan County, TX have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2025, 18% of the population was living with severe housing problems in McLennan County, TX. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 1.25%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

16.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in McLennan County, TX (42.6k out of 257k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in McLennan County, TX is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2025, 20.2% of the children was living in poverty in McLennan County, TX. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 6.3%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 423 in McLennan County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 95.3 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

Health

85.8% of the population of McLennan County, TX has health coverage, with 46.8% on employee plans, 14.5% on Medicaid, 10.6% on Medicare, 12% on non-group plans, and 1.95% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in McLennan County, TX see 1,303 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,303 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1803 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 465 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.9% were men and 51.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,303 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in McLennan County, TX

Primary care physicians in McLennan County, TX see an average of 1,303 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,303 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in McLennan County, TX in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.3% under 18 years, 25.3% between 18 and 34 years, 33.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 15% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.9% were men and 51.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

14.2%

Uninsured

46.8%

Employer Coverage

14.5%

Medicaid

10.6%

Medicare

12%

Non-Group

1.95%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in McLennan County, TX grew by 3.03% from 13.8% to 14.2%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in McLennan County, TX changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2025, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 59.3 in McLennan County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in McLennan County, TX.

Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 39% in McLennan County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in McLennan County, TX.