Fort House · National Register of Historic Places
Waco’s story
Waco in pictures
23 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore the history →WacoTX
A city of 143,570. Nearly 24.1% of it is conserved land.
Population
143,570
+11% since 2010
Typical home
$198K
−1.4% in a year
Household income
$54K
median
Median age
29.7
years
Jobs based here
83,174
Balanced
What makes Waco stand out
The 3 things Waco does most differently from other towns.
Outdoors
#21 most conserved land in TX
57 miles of trails across 48 parks and preserves
24.1% of the town is conserved land.
Fort HouseHistory
23 historic places
23 places on the National Register
Listed for their history, architecture or both.
3colleges
College town
3 colleges
Baylor University
Students are part of everyday life here.
Get outside
57 miles of trails in Waco
24.1% of the town is conserved land, across 48 parks and preserves.
Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors · USGS PAD-US
Waco’s report card
Outdoors57 mi#157 for trails in TXCommute8 miHalf of commuters travel lessHealthCHealthier than 25% of U.S. townsHousing$198K34% below the TX typical homeHazards12/100Very low risk of storm & flood damageSafetyC−Less crime than 17% of U.S. townsClimate96°/37°Summer high · winter lowSchoolsC+Beats 39% of TX districts
Now in Waco
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
Waco is #21 of 572 in TX for “Most conserved land”. Fair?
Your answer becomes a post in Waco’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
Upcoming events
Nothing on the calendar.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Waco. Another town gets a different order.
Outdoors
24.1% of Waco is conserved land
57 miles of trails across 48 parks and preserves.
#157for trails in TX
24.1%
conserved · 15,870 of 65,957 acres
57 mi
of trails · 0.6 per sq mi
#21
most conserved land in TX
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cameron Park | 15.7 mi | 335 |
| 2. Airport Park | 0.7 mi | 920 |
| 3. Woodway Activity Park | 0.7 mi | 160 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
Work & commute
About half of working residents work right in Waco
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.
49%work in town
Where working residents work
In Waco49%
Austin4%
Dallas4%
Woodway3%
Houston2%
8 mi
median commute distance
83,174
jobs based in Waco
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACSCommute map →
Health
Healthier than 25% of U.S. towns
Waco beats the Texas average on 0 of 26 CDC measures and trails it on 9.
CHealth Grade
26 measures vs. Texas
0 better17 too close to call9 worse
| What stands out | Waco | TX |
|---|---|---|
| More older adults who have lost all their teeth | 17.8% | 12.5% |
| More adults with COPD | 7% | 5.7% |
| More smokers | 15.1% | 12.5% |
Ascension Providence
3 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
39th
percentile among TX towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Housing
A typical Waco home is worth about $198K
The typical Waco home is worth about $198,000, down 1.4% in a year, 34% below the Texas typical home.
$198KZillow home value
Typical home value
Waco$198K
Texas$299K
Market temperature
46
days on market
96.7%
sale-to-list price
−1.4%
value change, 1 year
163
homes sold in May
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
Natural hazards
Very low risk, with tornadoes at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 12% of U.S. communities.
12risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
TornadoesInland floodingCold waves
113
paid flood claims since 1979
4
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Safety
Less crime per resident than 17% of U.S. towns
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%.
C−Safety Grade
Violent crime per 1,000 residents
Waco4.1
Texas3.5
U.S.3.3
Property crime per 1,000 residents
Waco17.8
Texas18.1
U.S.15.5
17th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
13th
percentile among TX towns
610
violent crimes reported in 2025
2,644
property crimes reported in 2025
FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeFull safety report →
Climate
Mild winters, hot summers
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.
96°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter39–61°
Spring56–77°
Summer73–94°
Fall57–80°
Nov 15
typical first frost
Mar 15
typical last frost
+0.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
96°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Schools
Waco’s public schools outperform 39% of Texas districts
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.
C+School Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell's Hill El | PK–5 | 786 | C+ |
| Lake Air Montessori School | PK–8 | 734 | C |
| Dean Highland El | PK–5 | 617 | D |
| Harmony Science Acad (WACO) | PK–5 | 569 | D |
| Chapel Park El | PK–5 | 532 | Not graded |
| Parkdale El | PK–5 | 497 | D |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within TX on state tests and graduationAll 60 schools →
College town
15% of Waco is in college
3 colleges in town.
Baylor University17,651 students on campus
- Admission
- 51%
- Net price
- $41,104
- Graduate
- 80%
- Admission
- Open
- Net price
- $13,508
- Graduate
- 46%
- Admission
- Open
- Net price
- $5,051
- Graduate
- 39%
College Scorecard · IPEDS
Landmarks
23 places in Waco on the National Register of Historic Places.
Waco’s neighbors
7 towns share a border with Waco.
WoodwayBellmeadRobinsonHewittMcGregorLacy-LakeviewChina SpringWaco