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Waco is a central Texas city and the seat of McLennan County, set on the Brazos River along the Interstate 35 corridor roughly midway between Dallas and Austin. With roughly 150,000 residents inside the city and about 260,000 across the county, Waco functions as the region's economic, educational, and cultural center. Baylor University, a private Baptist research university, anchors the city's identity. Its campus sits along the Brazos River just south of downtown, and the university brings students, faculty, and visitors into the city's core year-round. Beyond higher education, Waco has built a wider visitor economy around the Magnolia Market at the Silos, the home-and-lifestyle destination created by Chip and Joanna Gaines that draws travelers from across the country. The Brazos River shapes the city's geography and recreation. Cameron Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the nation, runs along the river with miles of trails, and the Waco Riverwalk links the waterfront to downtown. The historic Waco Suspension Bridge and the Dr Pepper Museum are among the city's landmarks, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame adds to the downtown cultural offerings. Waco's economy blends education, health care, and manufacturing with a growing tourism and hospitality sector. As the seat of McLennan County and a Central Texas crossroads, the city serves as a regional hub for commerce, distribution, and services, supported by its position on Interstate 35. Downtown's revitalization, anchored by the Silos and the riverfront, has brought renewed investment and activity to the city core. The city's neighborhoods range from historic, tree-lined districts close to downtown to suburban communities to the west. Waco offers the conveniences of a mid-sized Texas city without the congestion of the larger metros, and its central location between Dallas and Austin keeps both urban centers within a manageable drive for work, travel, and events.

Population 149,350

County McLennan

Active Listings 1253

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Waco in?

Waco is the county seat of McLennan County in central Texas. The city sits on the Brazos River along the Interstate 35 corridor, roughly midway between Dallas and Austin, and serves as the region's economic and cultural center.

What school district serves Waco?

Waco is served by Waco Independent School District, a mid-sized city district in McLennan County. Several neighboring districts serve the suburbs to the west, and Baylor University anchors higher education while McLennan Community College and Texas State Technical College also serve the area.

What is Waco known for?

Waco is known for Baylor University, a private Baptist research university, and for the Magnolia Market at the Silos, created by Chip and Joanna Gaines. The city is also home to Cameron Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country.

How far is Waco from Dallas and Austin?

Waco sits on Interstate 35 roughly midway between Dallas and Austin, which puts both cities within a comfortable drive for work or weekend travel. Waco Regional Airport also provides regional commercial air service, and the city's central location makes it a natural travel hub.

What are the main attractions in Waco?

Major attractions include Cameron Park and the Cameron Park Zoo, the Waco Riverwalk, the Waco Suspension Bridge, the Dr Pepper Museum, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, and the Magnolia Market at the Silos. The Brazos River also supports paddling and fishing throughout the city.

City Guide

About Waco

Real Estate & Housing

Waco's housing stock reflects its layered history and its growth. Close to downtown and Baylor University, early-20th-century bungalows and tree-lined streets define neighborhoods such as Castle Heights, a popular choice for families and young professionals. To the west, communities such as Woodway offer a more suburban feel with larger, newer homes and a family-oriented layout. Mixed-use and loft-style options appear in and near the city center, catering to students, young professionals, and investors. The overall market offers a range of historic in-town homes and newer suburban construction, giving buyers distinct choices across the city and its western suburbs.

Neighborhoods

Castle Heights is among Waco's best-known neighborhoods, with tree-lined streets, spacious lawns, parks, and a strong sense of community that attracts families and young professionals. Woodway, to the west of the city, is a family-oriented area known for its schools, safe streets, and variety of housing options, offering a suburban feel close to Waco. Near downtown and the Baylor campus, older residential streets and mixed-use buildings provide walkable, in-town living. The Brazos River corridor and Cameron Park add green space that connects several central neighborhoods, while newer subdivisions continue to expand on the city's edges.

Lifestyle in Waco

Waco offers the rhythm of a mid-sized Texas city with a strong college-town undercurrent. Baylor University brings students, athletics, and cultural events to the center of town, while the Magnolia Market at the Silos has made Waco a national destination for home-and-lifestyle shopping. Downtown clusters restaurants, coffee, and nightlife near the river, and the Waco Riverwalk connects the waterfront to the city core. Cameron Park and the Brazos River give residents easy access to trails and outdoor recreation. The combination of university energy, a revitalized downtown, and a slower, more affordable pace than Dallas or Austin defines Waco's appeal.

Schools & Education

Public education in Waco is led by Waco Independent School District, a mid-sized city district serving McLennan County. The district operates a network of elementary, middle, and high school campuses across the city. Beyond Waco ISD, several neighboring districts serve the communities to the west and surrounding areas, giving families options across the metro. Baylor University anchors higher education in the city, and its presence shapes the local academic and cultural landscape, while a number of other colleges and institutions operate in the broader region.

Getting Around

Waco sits on Interstate 35, which runs through the city and places it roughly midway between Dallas to the north and Austin to the south — a central location that keeps both metros within a comfortable drive. Daily travel within the city is primarily by car, and downtown offers a compact, walkable core connected to the riverfront by the Waco Riverwalk. Waco Regional Airport provides regional commercial air service, and the city's position at the crossroads of central Texas highways makes it a natural hub for travel across the region.

Parks & Recreation

Cameron Park is the centerpiece of Waco's outdoor life — one of the largest municipal parks in the country, with miles of trails that hug the Brazos River, plus the Cameron Park Zoo nearby. The Waco Riverwalk follows the waterfront into downtown, and the historic Waco Suspension Bridge is a signature landmark. The Dr Pepper Museum and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame add cultural and historical depth near the city center, while the Magnolia Market at the Silos functions as a major visitor attraction in its own right. The Brazos River itself supports paddling, fishing, and riverside recreation throughout the city.

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