Waco, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waco, North Carolina had a total population of 171, the 719th largest town in North Carolina. The poverty rate is 2.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 2.9% — among the lowest in North Carolina.
Waco Quick Facts
How Waco Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 216 | 171 | -20.8% |
| Median home value | $93,100 | $92,500 | -0.6% |
How Waco Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waco Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Cleveland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby | 22,100 | $48,376 | 17.6% | $197,200 |
| Boiling Springs | 4,757 | $89,875 | 2.2% | $265,400 |
| Belwood | 893 | $51,299 | 14.8% | $214,500 |
| Patterson Springs | 845 | $58,250 | 23.2% | $142,200 |
| Lawndale | 739 | $39,250 | 23.3% | $116,800 |
| Grover | 621 | $36,736 | 17.9% | $127,800 |
| Fallston | 616 | $56,250 | 29.5% | $88,600 |
| Polkville | 536 | $74,688 | 10.1% | $179,500 |
| Lattimore | 526 | $81,250 | 4.6% | $169,700 |
| Kingstown | 381 | $30,750 | 21.8% | $92,400 |
Cities Similar to Waco
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engelhard | 174 | $50,673 | N/A | 20.7% | 16.1% |
| Harrells | 175 | $43,750 | $175,000 | 16.5% | 40.6% |
| Delway | 167 | N/A | N/A | 8.9% | 67.7% |
| Autryville | 177 | $43,636 | $152,900 | 36.6% | 14.4% |
| Kelford | 177 | N/A | $67,800 | 7.9% | 35.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 171, Waco's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Waco is a small community located in North Carolina, within Cleveland County. The total population is 171. It ranks as the 719th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waco is 58.8 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 39.1 years. Only 9.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 2.9%. This is 78% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $92,500. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $288,900. 85.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waco has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.2% vs 60.0%). The Black or African American population (4.7%) is well below the state average of 20.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 11.3%.
Education
12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waco, North Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all North Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waco, North Carolina?
Waco, North Carolina has a population of 171 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waco, NC?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Waco — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waco, NC?
The poverty rate in Waco is 2.9%. This means approximately 5 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waco, North Carolina?
Waco's population is 91.2% White, 4.7% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waco, NC?
The median home value in Waco is $92,500.
How educated is Waco, North Carolina?
12.3% of adults (25+) in Waco hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.