Waco
RANK #599 / 996 NAT · #28 / 69 TX · POP 261,090
1YR FORECAST: -0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 39/100, McLennan County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $59,781 combined with job growth of +1.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in McLennan County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $196,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,048/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
McLennan County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.5% clip. Home values shifted -1.0% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.27% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests McLennan County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.