Waco, TX

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2024 Population

302,045

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

35.1

0.286% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

16%

2.71% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$66,205

3.64% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$234,100

11.7% 1-year growth

2024 Employed Population

139,916

2.81% 1-year growth

About

None of the households in Waco, 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.

94.1% of the residents in Waco, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Waco, TX are Baylor University (6,627 degrees awarded in 2024), Texas State Technical College (3,259 degrees), and McLennan Community College (1,722 degrees).

In 2024, the median property value in Waco, TX was $234,100, and the homeownership rate was 63.6%.

Most people in Waco, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Waco, TX was 2 cars per household.

Waco, TX borders College Station-Bryan, TX and Killeen-Temple, TX.

Photo by Denise Mattox

United States Texas

Population & Diversity

Waco, TX is home to a population of 302k people, from which 94.1% are citizens. As of 2024, 8.31% of Waco, TX residents were born outside of the country (25.1k people).

In 2024, there were 3.39 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (166k people) in Waco, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 49.1k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 39.3k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.1%

2024 Citizenship

94.1%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 94.1% of Waco, TX residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Waco, TX was 94.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Waco, TX

White (Non-Hispanic)
166k ± 596
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
49.1k ± 2.35k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
39.3k ± 804

26.4%

Hispanic Population

79.7k people

26.4% of the people in Waco, TX are hispanic (79.7k people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,408,340 ± 36,549 people
India
354,317 ± 14,528 people
El Salvador
223,512 ± 11,564 people

In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,408,340 Texas residents, followed by India with 354,317 and El Salvador with 223,512.

Foreign-Born Population

8.31%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

25.1k people

8.13%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

24.3k people

As of 2024, 8.31% of Waco, TX residents (25.1k 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 Waco, TX was 8.13%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
5,324 ± 790
Vietnam
4,804 ± 403
Gulf War (1990s)
2,921 ± 488

Waco, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.11 times greater than any other conflict.

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

Health

85.5% of the population of Waco, TX has health coverage, with 45.4% on employee plans, 14.3% on Medicaid, 11.4% on Medicare, 12.4% on non-group plans, and 1.98% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Texas see 1,657 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,657 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1590 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 590 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,657 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Texas

Primary care physicians in Texas see an average of 1,657 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,657 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26% under 18 years, 24.4% between 18 and 34 years, 33.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49% were men and 51% were women.

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

Uninsured People

14.5%

Uninsured

45.4%

Employer Coverage

14.3%

Medicaid

11.4%

Medicare

12.4%

Non-Group

1.98%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Waco, TX grew by 2.81% from 14.1% to 14.5%.

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

Economy

The economy of Waco, TX employs 140k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Waco, TX were Health Care & Social Assistance (18,757 people), Retail Trade (17,519 people), and Educational Services (16,582 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($77,500), Utilities ($72,354), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($64,591).

Employment

Occupations

140k

2024 Value

± 3,317

2.81%

1 Year growth

± 3.27%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Waco, TX grew at a rate of 2.81%, from 136k employees to 140k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Waco, TX, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (16,125 people), Sales & Related Occupations (13,647 people), and Management Occupations (12,947 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Waco, 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

140k

2024 Value

± 3,317

2.81%

1 Year growth

± 3.27%

From 2023 to 2024, employment in Waco, TX grew at a rate of 2.81%, from 136k employees to 140k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Waco, TX, are Health Care & Social Assistance (18,757 people), Retail Trade (17,519 people), and Educational Services (16,582 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Waco, TX, though some of these residents may live in Waco, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$47,680

Median earning men ± $1,645

$35,579

Median earning women ± $956

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Public Administration ($77,907), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($68,490), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($64,285).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Public Administration ($53,733), Wholesale Trade ($47,466), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($46,250).

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

444
Other Services (except Public Administration)
415
Retail Trade
361
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

$959k
Health Care and Social Assistance
$944k
Manufacturing
$508k
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 Waco, 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 2024, universities in Waco, TX awarded 11,728 degrees. The student population of Waco, TX in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 19,546 male students and 21,192 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Waco, TX are White (5,509 and 48%), Unknown (2,321 and 20.2%), Hispanic or Latino (1,797 and 15.7%), and Black or African American (654 and 5.7%).

The largest universities in Waco, TX by number of degrees awarded are Baylor University (6,627 and 56.5%), Texas State Technical College (3,259 and 27.8%), and McLennan Community College (1,722 and 14.7%).

The most popular majors in Waco, TX are Liberal Arts & Sciences (627 and 5.35%), Welding Technology (576 and 4.91%), and Registered Nursing (494 and 4.21%).

The median tuition cost for private four year colleges is $58,100.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2024 in Waco, TX, the percentage of applicants admitted was 51.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 14.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2024 was 40,738 (48% men and 52% 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 2024 there were 40,738 students enrolled in Waco, TX, 48% men and 52% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 18,383 records, of which 54.5% were women and 45.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
330 degrees awarded
Accounting
239 degrees awarded
General Finance
238 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Waco, TX was Registered Nursing with 330 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Baylor University
6,627 degrees awarded
Texas State Technical College
3,259 degrees awarded
McLennan Community College
1,722 degrees awarded

In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Baylor University with 6,627 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2024, 5,681 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Waco, TX, which is 0.939 times less than the 6,047 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 5,509 degrees mean that there were 2.37 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 2,321 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 ($58,100) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

Public, 2-year ($480) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2024.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,438) 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 Waco, TX was $234,100 in 2024, which is 0.704 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $209,600 to $234,100, a 11.7% increase. The homeownership rate in Waco, TX is 63.6%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Waco, TX have an average commute time of 21.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Waco, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$234,100

Median Property Value 2024

±$5,122

$70,690

Median Property Taxes

±$1,923

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 Waco, TX the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

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

Rent vs Own

63.6%

Homeownership

2024

63.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 63.6% of the housing units in Waco, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 63.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Waco, 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.

$66,205

Median Household Income

± $1,712

111k

Number of Households

± 2,819

In 2024, the median household income of the 111k households in Waco, TX grew to $66,205 from the previous year's value of $63,880.

The following chart displays the households in Waco, 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 Waco, TX is from Texas.

0.475

2024 Wage GINI in Texas

0.475

2023 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2024, the income inequality in Texas was 0.475 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0391% decline from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was higher than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed less 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 (77.6%)
Worked At Home (9.79%)
Carpooled (9.5%)

In 2024, 77.6% of workers in Waco, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (9.79%) and those who carpooled to work (9.5%).

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

21.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Waco, TX have a shorter commute time (21.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.63% of the workforce in Waco, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

16% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Waco, TX (46.5k out of 290k 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 Waco, 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.