Where does this demographic data come from?

All demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, which samples about 3.5 million households annually. The 5-year estimates provide the most reliable data for small geographies like municipalities.

What is the difference between Census data and ACS data?

The decennial Census (conducted every 10 years) is a full population count focusing on basic demographics. The ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed data on income, education, housing, commute patterns, and more. ACS data is updated annually but represents averages over a 5-year period.

How accurate is this data for small towns?

For smaller municipalities, ACS estimates have wider margins of error because fewer residents are sampled. The 5-year estimates reduce this uncertainty by averaging over a longer period. For towns under 5,000 people, treat specific numbers as approximations rather than precise counts.

Waco, TX Population, Income & Demographics 2026

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Demographics — 2024 ACS 5-Year Estimatesi

Census

Populationi

143,570

Median Agei

29.7

Race & Ethnicityi

White

44.2%63,404

Hispanic/Latino

30.6%43,971

Black

19.3%27,671

Two or More

3.4%4,847

Asian

2.1%2,964

Other

0.3%425

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.2%244

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%44

Educational Attainment (Age 25+)i

GED/Alternative

4.4%3,693

High School Diploma

22.2%18,441

Some College (<1 yr)

6.8%5,663

Some College (1+ yr)

15.2%12,647

Associate's Degree

8.6%7,121

Bachelor's Degree

17.2%14,261

Master's Degree

7.9%6,526

Professional Degree

1.8%1,489

Doctorate

1.9%1,565

HS or Higher

86%

BA or Higher

28.7%

Graduate+

11.5%

Housingi

Median Home Valuei

$221,700

Median Renti

$1,165

Tenure

Owner-Occupied

49.4%26,648

Renter-Occupied

50.6%27,258

Total Units

61,163

Homeownership

49.4%

Vacancy Rate

11.9%

Home Values

Under $50K

4.6%1,214

$50K–$100K

12.3%3,279

$100K–$150K

12.8%3,401

$150K–$200K

14%3,724

$200K–$300K

27.7%7,376

$300K–$500K

19.4%5,162

$500K–$1M

8.1%2,150

$1M+

1.3%342

Rent Distribution

Under $500

1,419

$500–$750

3,545

$750–$1,000

4,706

$1,000–$1,250

5,371

$1,250–$1,500

4,253

$1,500–$2,000

5,009

$2,000+

2,112

Year Built

2020 or later

2.5%1,543

2010–2019

15.7%9,598

2000–2009

11.1%6,811

1990–1999

7.3%4,467

1980–1989

12.4%7,593

1970–1979

12.1%7,383

1960–1969

11.1%6,812

1950–1959

16.6%10,127

1940–1949

4.8%2,955

1939 or earlier

6.3%3,874

Heating Fuel

Electricity

67.2%36,248

Utility Gas

30.9%16,669

Bottled/LP Gas

1%542

No Fuel

0.3%188

Solar

0.3%167

Other

0.1%47

Coal

0%25

Wood

0%20

Economyi

Median Household Incomei

$54,365

Mean Household Incomei

$79,594

Per Capita Incomei

$30,942

Poverty Ratei

21.8%

Unemploymenti

4.6%

Labor Forcei

71,003

Household Income Distribution

Under $10K

9.1%4,905

$10K–$15K

5.2%2,826

$15K–$20K

5.5%2,938

$20K–$25K

4%2,177

$25K–$30K

5.6%3,028

$30K–$35K

4.4%2,352

$35K–$40K

4.7%2,514

$40K–$45K

5%2,720

$45K–$50K

3.2%1,719

$50K–$60K

7.8%4,187

$60K–$75K

9.2%4,971

$75K–$100K

12.3%6,652

$100K–$125K

8%4,338

$125K–$150K

4.7%2,544

$150K–$200K

4.9%2,665

$200K+

6.3%3,370

Federally Subsidized Housingi

HUD

The federal government helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing through several programs. Residents typically pay about 30% of their income toward rent, with the government covering the rest. This data shows how many households in this community receive that assistance.

Subsidized Homesi

3,600

Residentsi

6,968

Avg. Tenant Renti

$304/mo

Avg. Waitlisti

28 months

Programs in this community

Public Housing410 homes63% occupied$292/mo rent

Government-owned housing managed by local housing authorities

Housing Choice Vouchers331 homes75% occupied$355/mo rent

Rental vouchers (Section 8) that help tenants pay for private-market housing

Project Based Section 8677 homes95% occupied$279/mo rent

Privately owned apartments with rent subsidies tied to the building

202/PRAC129 homes97% occupied$347/mo rent

Household Incomei

Based on area median of $54,365/yr

Extremely low incomeUnder $16K/yr

81.7%

Very low income$16K–$27K/yr

14.6%

Low income$27K–$43K/yr

3.2%

Moderate / aboveOver $43K/yr

0.5%

Who Receives This Housing

76.8% of subsidized households are headed by a single mother

81.5% of subsidized households are minority

15.1% of subsidized households include someone with a disability

32% of subsidized households include a senior (62+)

Ancestry & Heritage

Self-reported ancestry groups. Residents may report multiple ancestries, so totals may exceed 100%.

Foreign-Born Populationi

Foreign-Borni

15,10210.5%

By Region

Top Countries

Mexico

10,053

China

360

India

239

Philippines

198

Korea

165

Germany

119

United Kingdom

Guatemala

Commute & Transportationi

Workersi

66,671

Avg. Commutei

18.7 min

How People Get to Work

Travel Time to Work

Workforce

Total Employed

67,618

Occupations

Industries

Social Characteristicsi

Marital Status (15+)i

Veteransi

7,121(6.4% of civilian adults)

Health Insurancei

84.8%Insured

15.2%Uninsured

Waco, TX Population, Income & Demographics 2026