At a Glance
Median Income
$51,468
$28,819 per capita
Home Value
$199,600
Zillow: $197,932
Median Rent
$1,098/mo
34.0% of income on rent
Violent Crime
429/100K
2,136/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
28.6%
86.2% high school+
Unemployment
4.4%
15.2% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
38.7%
16.4% smoking rate
How Waco Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Waco's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Waco a Good Place to Live?
B
3.0 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Waco residents earn a median household income of $51,468 , which is 32% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $28,819. The unemployment rate stands at 4.4% (22% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 6,039 business establishments, including 607 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Waco is $199,600 , 29% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $197,932. Median rent is $1,098/month, with 34.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 97.1 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1976.
Safety & Crime
Waco reports 429 violent crimes per 100,000 residents
, which is 13% above the national average of 380/100K.
Property crime is 2,136/100K. The murder rate is 5.5/100K.
Education
28.6% of adults in Waco hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(15% below the national average).
86.2% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.1/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Waco has an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C).
Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 86°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.4 inches. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 53.
Data Overview
People
Population141,925
Median Age29.2 yrs
Density1,559/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born9.8%
Veterans6.4%
Economy
B
Median Income$51,468
Per Capita$28,819
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty15.2%
County GDP$18,479M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,161
Housing
A
Home Value$199,600
Rent$1,098
Ownership48.9%
Zillow$197,932
Housing Units59,427
Rent Burden34.0%
Crime
F
Violent429/100K
Property2,136/100K
Murder5.5/100K
Assault274/100K
Burglary295/100K
Health
Obesity38.7%
Diabetes14.1%
Smoking16.4%
Heart Disease6.2%
Premature Death9,298/100K
Climate
Avg Temp67°F
Rain36.4 in/yr
AQI53 (Moderate)
Elevation554 ft
Education
B
Bachelor's+28.6%
High School+86.2%
Graduate+11.1%
School Score5.1/10
Community
2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute18 min
Broadband87.0%
Internet Speed205 Mbps
EV Stations16
Libraries9
Did You Know?
Waco was founded in 1849.
The median home in Waco was built in 1976.
The nearest airport is Waco Regional (4 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.476 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
12.7% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 205 Mbps.
There are 607 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 38 fatal vehicle crashes.