RANK #861 / 996 · POP 261,090 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.1%
McLennan County, Texas, offers a blend of urban amenities and natural beauty, centrally located along the I-35 corridor, roughly halfway between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin. The county seat, Waco, is home to Baylor University and the historic Waco Suspension Bridge. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Cameron Park, one of Texas's largest municipal parks, featuring miles of trails along the Brazos and Bosque Rivers, or enjoy activities on Lake Waco, notable for being the largest lake entirely within a single city's municipal boundaries. The community offers a small-town feel with access to city conveniences.
Life in McLennan County appeals to families and young professionals, with many residents owning their homes. The area's economy is experiencing growth, with new investments in sectors such as manufacturing and technology. Educational opportunities are extensive, with 20 school districts, charter schools, and private schools, alongside institutions like Baylor University, McLennan Community College, and Texas State Technical College. Commute times average around 21.2 minutes, and rural transit options connect smaller communities to Waco for essential services.
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Infrakey Data Center Campus
Infrakey
|
$10,000M | Proposed |
|
Prairie Hill Wind Farm
ENGIE
|
$300M | Operating |
|
Jaguar Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Perfect Power, LLC
|
$270M | Under Construction |
|
Markum Solar Farm
Scout Clean Energy (in partnership with Mortenson)
|
$209M | Operating |
|
Finch Storage Battery Project
Undisclosed
|
$201M | Planned |
|
Pepper Solar Power Plant
Sabanci Renewables
|
$156M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
McLennan County has a Boom Town Index score of 14/100, ranking #861 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.5% and a median household income of $59,781, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in McLennan County is $196,400 with median rent at $1,048/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3044, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.5%. Home values changed -1.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.27% of McLennan County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.