Waco reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 83% report less. Compared with places its own size, it does better than 48%.

Violent crime per 1,000

Waco 4.1

Texas 3.5

U.S. 3.3

Property crime per 1,000

Waco 17.8

Texas 18.1

U.S. 15.5

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Waco

Full picture →

49% of Waco’s working residents work right in town. The top destinations are Austin (4%), Dallas (4%) and Woodway (3%). Half commute less than 8 miles.

Austin

Dallas

Woodway

Houston

49%Work in townlive and work in Waco 8 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 83,174Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Waco →

Health in Waco

Health Grade C

Healthier than 25% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 49% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Texas

9worse than TX

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 17 are too close to call.

Conditions 4▼ 8 close Habits 1▼ 3 close Care 2▼ 5 close Mind 2▼ 1 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

17.8%More older adults who have lost all their teethTX 12.5% · worse 7%More adults with COPDTX 5.7% · worse 15.1%More smokersTX 12.5% · worse

Care nearby

Ascension ProvidenceWaco · 3 mi · ER

Waco Family Medicine - MacarthurWaco · 0.7 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Waco · CMS · HRSAHealth in Waco →

Natural hazards in Waco

Very low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 12% of U.S. communities.

🌪️ Tornadoes🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves

113Does Waco flood?paid flood claims since 1979 4Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Waco MapWaco vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Waco →

Climate in Waco

Full climate →

Waco has mild winters and hot summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 95°, a January night drops to 37°, and snow is almost unheard of.

61° / 39°Winter

77° / 56°Spring

94° / 73°Summer

80° / 57°Fall

How much snow does Waco get?Almost none.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Nov 15, with the last in spring around Mar 15.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.9° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Waco →

Schools in Waco

All Waco schools →

C⁺

School Grade C+

The public schools Waco’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 61% of Texas’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

See how Waco’s schools compare in TX →

DistrictWACO ISDSchools60

Bell's Hill El C+Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 786 students Lake Air Montessori School CElementary · Grades PK–8 · 734 students Dean Highland El DElementary · Grades PK–5 · 617 students Harmony Science Acad (WACO) DElementary · Grades PK–5 · 569 students Chapel Park ElElementary · Grades PK–5 · 532 students Parkdale El DElementary · Grades PK–5 · 497 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within TX. Ratings are from neighbors.