Waco, TX Metro Area

Waco, TX · Metro Area

302,045Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (1 central, 2 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $66,205
Median home value: $234,100
Land area: 2,785 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
McLennan County, TX	Central	266,067	$66,643	$243,600
Bosque County, TX	Outlying	18,687	$68,914	$200,900
Falls County, TX	Outlying	17,291	$57,247	$110,900

Largest cities and towns

32 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Waco, TX	City	143,570	$54,365
Hewitt, TX	City	16,432	$83,511
Robinson, TX	City	12,800	$99,289
Bellmead, TX	City	10,566	$52,075
Woodway, TX	City	9,570	$115,108
Lacy-Lakeview, TX	City	7,274	$56,924
McGregor, TX	City	5,761	$72,750
Marlin, TX	City	5,516	$36,426
Clifton, TX	City	3,503	$64,653
West, TX	City	2,576	$61,875
Meridian, TX	City	1,638	$65,625
Laguna Park, TX	CDP	1,596	$60,833
Beverly Hills, TX	City	1,590	$47,313
Bruceville-Eddy, TX	City	1,584	$76,154
Lorena, TX	City	1,497	$88,250
Riesel, TX	City	1,453	$98,063
Moody, TX	City	1,390	$69,750
Valley Mills, TX	City	1,136	$51,607
China Spring, TX	CDP	1,126	$70,792
Gholson, TX	City	1,112	$77,500
Crawford, TX	Town	1,020	$88,458
Rosebud, TX	City	1,007	$45,057
Golinda, TX	City	836	$62,438
Walnut Springs, TX	City	787	$31,667
Chilton, TX	CDP	698	$93,875

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

16%

Unemployment

4.5%

College Educated

27.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$66,205

Mean Household Income

$91,964

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.0%

Female

51.0%

Population Split

Male49.0%

Female51.0%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

Mexican23.5%

German12.9%

English10.0%

Irish8.5%

Italian1.9%

Scottish1.7%

French1.5%

Polish0.8%

African0.7%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

8.3%Foreign Born

91.7%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized28.8%

Non-Citizen71.2%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later29.0%

Before 201071.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

125,252

Median Rent

$1,151/mo

Median Home Value

$234,100

Median Year Built

1982

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

83,320

College Enrollment

27.0%

High School

19.1%

College Educated

27.5%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

21.9 min

Drive Alone Rate

77.6%

Public Transit

0.3%

Work From Home

9.8%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

23.6%

18-34 Years

26.4%

35-64 Years

33.8%

65+ Years

16.2%

Population Composition

Under 1823.6%

18-3426.4%

35-6433.8%

65+16.2%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

47.6%

Single Parent

6.8%

Living Alone

27.6%

Avg Size

2.61

Household Types

Married Couples47.6%

Single Parent6.8%

Living Alone27.6%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$34,919

SNAP Usage

12.1%

Health Insurance

85.5%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k18.3%

$25k - $50k20.0%

$50k - $100k30.2%

$100k+31.4%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

10.2%

Retail Trade

12.5%

Education & Health Care

25.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

13.9%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

85.5%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

88.6%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

95.1%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

92.5

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

146.7

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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