Waco, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waco, Texas had a total population of 143,570, the 24th largest city in Texas, with a median household income of $54,365, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
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 | 141,925 | 143,570 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $54,365 | +5.6% |
| Median home value | $199,600 | $221,700 | +11.1% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Waco Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in McLennan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hewitt | 16,432 | $83,511 | 4.8% | $273,300 |
| Robinson | 12,800 | $99,289 | 3.7% | $302,200 |
| Bellmead | 10,566 | $52,075 | 24.9% | $155,100 |
| Woodway | 9,570 | $115,108 | 3.8% | $370,500 |
| Lacy-Lakeview | 7,274 | $56,924 | 13.1% | $160,600 |
| McGregor | 5,761 | $72,750 | 12.8% | $221,700 |
| West | 2,576 | $61,875 | 11.9% | $182,900 |
| Willow Grove | 2,080 | $89,036 | 7.3% | $269,600 |
| Mart | 1,704 | $62,917 | 14.7% | $116,100 |
| Beverly Hills | 1,590 | $47,313 | 13.5% | $156,700 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen | 145,385 | $61,579 | $190,400 | 32.5% | 20.0% |
| Pasadena | 149,433 | $64,927 | $209,600 | 16.2% | 18.9% |
| Killeen | 158,159 | $60,977 | $215,400 | 21.9% | 17.4% |
| College Station | 124,570 | $50,900 | $346,700 | 56.5% | 29.2% |
| Mesquite | 149,299 | $72,537 | $245,700 | 19.6% | 13.4% |
Population Overview
Waco is a major urban center located in Texas, within McLennan County. The total population is 143,570. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waco is 29.7 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waco is $54,365. This is 31% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.1%. This is 68% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $221,700. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 49.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waco is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (19.3% vs 11.9%). The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
28.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waco, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Waco, Texas?
Waco, Texas has a population of 143,570 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waco, TX?
The median household income in Waco is $54,365, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waco, TX?
The poverty rate in Waco is 23.1%. This means approximately 31,319 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waco, Texas?
Waco's population is 44.2% White, 19.3% Black, 30.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waco, TX?
The median home value in Waco is $221,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Waco, Texas?
28.7% of adults (25+) in Waco hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.