Waco, Texas

Waco
City
From left to right, top to bottom: Downtown, McLennan CountyCourthouse, Waco Suspension Bridge, Dr. Pepper Museum, Waco Mammoth National Monument, Baylor University, Waco Hippodrome, Cameron Park, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and Austin Avenue in Downtown
Flag Seal Coat of arms
Nickname(s): "Heart of Texas" "Buckle of the Bible Belt" [1]
Location within McLennan Countyand Texas
Waco Location of Waco in the state of Texas Show map of Texas Waco Location of Waco in the United States Show map of the United States Waco Location of Waco in North America Show map of North America
Coordinates:31°33′5″N97°9′21″W / 31.55139°N 97.15583°W /31.55139; -97.15583
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	McLennan
Named for	TheWaco people
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area [2]
•City	101.15 sq mi (261.98 km2)
• Land	88.73 sq mi (229.82 km2)
• Water	12.42 sq mi (32.16 km2) 11.85%
Elevation [3]	522 ft (159 m)
Population ( 2020)
•City	138,486
• Estimate (2023) [4]	144,816
• Density	1,569.16/sq mi (605.86/km2)
•Urban [5]	192,844 (US:201st)
• Urban density	2,145.6/sq mi (828.4/km2)
•Metro	304,865 (US:168th)
Demonym	Wacoan
Time zone	UTC−6(Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5(Central)
ZIP Codes	76701-76708, 76710-76712, 76714-76716, 76797-76799
Area code	254
FIPS code	48-76000[6]
GNISfeature ID	2412162[3]
Website	Waco-Texas.com

Waco(/ˈweɪkoʊ/WAY-koh) is a city in and thecounty seatofMcLennan County, Texas, United States.^[7]It is situated along theBrazos RiverandI-35, halfway betweenDallasandAustin. The city had a U.S. census estimated 2023 population of 144,816, making it the24th-most populouscity in thestate.^[8][9]TheWaco metropolitan statistical areaconsists of McLennan, Falls and Bosque counties, which had a 2020 population of 295,782.^[10]Bosque County was added to the Waco MSA in 2023. The 2023 U.S. census population estimate for the Waco metropolitan area was 304,865 residents.^[11]

Indigenous peoplesoccupied areas along the river for thousands of years. In historic times, the area of present-day Waco was occupied by theWichitaIndiantribe known as the "Waco" (Spanish:HuecoorHuaco).

In 1824, Thomas M. Duke was sent to explore the area after violence erupted between the Waco people and the European settlers. His report toStephen F. Austin, described the Waco village:^[12]

This town is situated on the West Bank of theriver. They have a spring almost as cold as ice itself. All we want is some Brandy and Sugar to have Ice Toddy. They have about 400 acres (1.6 km²) planted in corn, beans, pumpkins, and melons and that tended in good order. I think they cannot raise more than One Hundred Warriors.

—  Thomas M. Duke, Stephen F. Austin Papers

After further violence, Austin halted an attempt to destroy their village in retaliation. In 1825, he made a treaty with them. The Waco were eventually pushed out of the region, settling north near present-dayFort Worth. In 1872, they were moved onto a reservation inOklahomawith other Wichita tribes. In 1902, the Waco received allotments of land and became official US citizens.Neil McLennansettled in an area near the SouthBosque Riverin 1838.^[13]Jacob De Cordovabought McLennan's property^[14]and hired a formerTexas Rangerand surveyor namedGeorge B. Erathto inspect the area.^[15]In 1849, Erath designed the first block of the city. Property owners wanted to name the city Lamartine, but Erath convinced them to name the area Waco Village, after the Indians who had lived there.^[16]In March 1849, Shapley Prince Ross, the father of future GovernorLawrence Sullivan Ross, built the first house in Waco, a double-log cabin, on a bluff overlooking the springs. His daughter Kate was the first settler child born in Waco. Because of this, Ross is considered to have been the founder of Waco, Texas.^[17]

In 1866, Waco's leading citizens embarked on an ambitious project to build the first bridge to span the wideBrazos River. They formed the Waco Bridge Company to build the 475-foot (145 m) brickWaco Suspension Bridge, which was completed in 1870. The company commissioned a firm owned byJohn Augustus RoeblinginTrenton, New Jersey, to supply the bridge's cables and steelwork and contracted with Mr. Thomas M. Griffith, a civil engineer based in New York, for the supervisory engineering work.^[18]The economic effects of the Waco bridge were immediate and large. The cowboys and cattle-herds following theChisholm Trailnorth, crossed the Brazos River at Waco. Some chose to pay the Suspension Bridge toll, while others floated their herds down the river. The population of Waco grew rapidly, as immigrants now had a safe crossing for their horse-drawn carriages and wagons. Since 1971, the bridge has been open only to pedestrian traffic and is in theNational Register of Historic Places.

Waco was the original intended western terminus of theTexas and St. Louis Railway, with the town having been reached in 1881.^[19]However, the line was extended further west toGatesvillea year later.^[20][21]This trackage later became the core of theSt. Louis Southwestern Railway Company, commonly known as the Cotton Belt.^[22]

In the late 19th century, ared-light districtcalled the "Reservation" grew up in Waco, andprostitutionwas regulated by the city. The Reservation was suppressed in the early 20th century. In 1885, thesoft drinkDr Pepperwas invented in Waco at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store.^[23]

In 1845,Baylor Universitywas founded inIndependence, Texas. It moved to Waco in 1886 and merged with Waco University, becoming an integral part of the city. The university's Strecker Museum was also the oldest continuously operating museum in the state until it closed in 2003, and the collections moved to the newMayborn Museum Complex. In 1873, AddRan College was founded by brothers Addison and Randolph Clark in Fort Worth. The school moved to Waco in 1895, changing its name to Add-Ran Christian University and taking up residence in the empty buildings of Waco Female College. Add-Ran changed its name toTexas Christian Universityin 1902 and left Waco after the school's main building burned down in 1910.^[24]TCU was offered a 50-acre (200,000 m²) campus and $200,000 by the city of Fort Worth to relocate there.^[24]

Racial segregationwas common in Waco. For example,Greenwood Cemeterywas established in the 1870s as a segregated burial place. Black graves were divided from white ones by a fence which remained standing until 2016.^[25]

In the 1890s,William Cowper Brannpublished the highly successfulIconoclastnewspaper in Waco. One of his targets was Baylor University. Brann revealed Baylor officials had been trafficking South American children recruited by missionaries and making house-servants out of them. Brann was shot in the back by Tom Davis, a Baylor supporter. Brann then wheeled, drew his pistol, and killed Davis. Brann was helped home by his friends, and died there of his wounds.

In 1894, the first Cotton Palace fair and exhibition center was built to reflect the dominant contribution of the agriculturalcottonindustry in the region. Since the end of theCivil War, cotton had been cultivated in the Brazos and Bosque valleys, and Waco had become known nationwide as a top producer. Over the next 23 years, the annual exposition would welcome over eight million attendees. The opulent building which housed the month-long exhibition was destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1910. In 1931, the exposition fell prey to theGreat Depression, and the building was torn down. However, the annual Cotton Palace Pageant continues, hosted in late April in conjunction with the Brazos River Festival.

On September 15, 1896, "The Crash" took place about 15 miles (24 km) north of Waco. "The Crash at Crush" was a publicity stunt done by theMissouri–Kansas–Texas Railroadcompany (known as M-K-T or "Katy"), featuring two locomotives intentionally set to a head-on collision. Meant to be a family fun event with food, games, and entertainment, the Crash turned deadly when both boilers exploded simultaneously, sending metal flying in the air. Three people died and dozens were injured.^[26]

AnAfrican Americanman named Sank Majors was hanged from theWashington Avenue Bridgeby a white mob in 1905. Another man, Jim Lawyer, was attacked with a whip because he objected to thelynching. In both cases the mob was assisted byTexas Rangers.^[27]

In 1916, a Black teenager namedJesse Washingtonwas tortured, mutilated, and burned to death in the town square by amobthat seized him from the courthouse, where he had been convicted of murdering a white woman, to which he confessed. About 15,000 spectators, mostly citizens of Waco, were present. The commonly namedWaco Horrordrew international condemnation and became thecause célèbreof the nascentNAACP's anti-lynchingcampaign. In 2006, the Waco City Council officially condemned the lynching, which took place without opposition from local political or judicial leaders; the mayor and chief of police were spectators. On the centenary of the lynching, May 15, 2016, the mayor apologized in a ceremony to some of Washington's descendants. A historical marker is being erected.^[28]

In the 1920s, despite the popularity of theKu Klux Klanand high numbers of lynchings throughout Texas, Waco's authorities attempted to respond to the NAACP's campaign and institute more protections for African Americans or others threatened with mob violence and lynching.^[29]On May 26, 1922,Jesse Thomas was shot, his body dragged down Franklin street by a crowd some 6,000 strong and the corpse then burned in the public square behind city hall.^[30]In 1923, Waco's sheriff Leslie Stegall protectedRoy Mitchell, an African American coerced into confessing to multiple murders, from mob lynching. Mitchell was the last Texan to be publicly executed in Texas, and also the last to be hanged before the introduction of the electric chair.^[29]In the same year, theTexas Legislaturecreated the Tenth Civil Court of Appeals and placed it in Waco; it is now known as the10th Court of Appeals.

In 1937, Grover C. Thomsen and R. H. Roark created a soft-drink called "Sun Tang Red Cream Soda". This would become known as the soft drinkBig Red.

On May 5, 1942, Waco Army Air Field opened as a basic pilot training school, and on June 10, 1949, the name was changed toConnally Air Force Basein memory of Col. James T. Connally, a local pilot killed in Japan in 1945. The name changed again in 1951 to the James Connally Air Force Base. The base closed in May 1966 and is now the location ofTexas State Technical College, formerly Texas State Technical Institute, since 1965. The airfield is still in operation, now known asTSTC Waco Airport, and was used byAir Force Onewhen formerUS PresidentGeorge W. Bushvisited hisPrairie Chapel Ranch, also known as theWestern White House, inCrawford, Texas.

In 1951, Harold Goodman founded theAmerican Income Life Insurance Company.

On May 11, 1953, aviolent F5 tornado hit downtown Waco, killing 114.^[31]As of 2011, it remains the11th-deadliest tornadoin U.S. history and tied for the deadliest in Texas state history.^[32]It was the first tornado tracked by radar and helped spur the creation of a nationwide storm surveillance system. A granite monument featuring the names of those killed was placed downtown in 2004.^[33]

In 1964, theTexas Department of Public Safetydesignated Waco as the site for the state-designated official museum of the legendaryTexas Rangerslaw enforcement agency founded in 1823. In 1976, it was further designated the official Hall of Fame for the Rangers and renamed theTexas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. Renovations by the Waco government earned this building green status, the first Waco government-led project of its nature. The construction project has fallen under scrutiny for expanding the building over unmarked human graves.

In 1978, bones were discovered emerging from the mud at the confluence of the Brazos andBosque Rivers. Excavations revealed the bones were 68,000 years old and belonged to a species ofmammoth. Eventually, the remains of at least 24 mammoths, one camel, and one large cat were found at the site, making it one of the largest findings of its kind. Scholars have puzzled over why such a large herd had been killed at once. The bones are on display at theWaco Mammoth National Monument, part of theNational Park Service.

On February 28, 1993, ashootoutoccurred in which sixBranch Davidiansand four agents of the United StatesBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearmsdied. After 51 days, on April 19, 1993, the standoff ended when the Branch Davidians' facility, referred to asMt. Carmel, was set ablaze, thirteen miles from Waco.^[34]74 people, including leaderDavid Koresh, died in the blaze.

During the presidency ofGeorge W. Bush, Waco was the home to the White House Press Center. The press center provided briefing and office facilities for the press corps whenever Bush visited his "Western White House"Prairie Chapel RanchnearCrawford, about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Waco.

On May 17, 2015, aviolent dispute among rival biker gangsbroke out at Twin Peaks restaurant. The Waco police intervened, with nine dead and 18 injured in the incident. More than 170 were arrested.^[35]No bystanders, Twin Peak employees, or officers were killed. This was the most high-profile criminal incident since the Waco siege, and the deadliest shootout in the city's history.

According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 95.5 square miles (247 km²), of which 84.2 square miles (218 km²) is land and 11.3 square miles (29 km²) is covered by water. The total area is 11.85% water.

Downtown Waco is relatively small when compared to other larger Texas cities, such asHouston,Dallas,San Antonio, or evenFort Worth,El Paso, orAustin. The 22-storyALICO Building, completed in 1910, is the tallest building in Waco.^[36]

Waco experiences ahumid subtropical climate(Köppen climate classificationCfa), characterized by hot summers and generally mild winters. Some 90 °F (32 °C) temperatures have been observed in every month of the year. The record low temperature is −5 °F (−21 °C), set on January 31, 1949; the record high temperature is 114 °F (46 °C), set on July 23, 2018.^[37]

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	3,008		—
1880	7,295		142.5%
1890	14,445		98.0%
1900	20,686		43.2%
1910	26,425		27.7%
1920	38,500		45.7%
1930	52,848		37.3%
1940	55,982		5.9%
1950	84,706		51.3%
1960	97,808		15.5%
1970	95,326		−2.5%
1980	101,261		6.2%
1990	103,590		2.3%
2000	113,726		9.8%
2010	124,805		9.7%
2020	138,486		11.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[40]

Waco city, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.

Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000[41]	Pop 2010[42]	Pop 2020[43]	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
Whitealone (NH)	58,096	57,217	58,644	51.08%	45.85%	42.35%
Black or African Americanalone (NH)	25,477	26,184	26,844	22.40%	20.98%	19.38%
Native AmericanorAlaska Nativealone (NH)	307	310	408	0.27%	0.25%	0.29%
Asianalone (NH)	1,542	2,148	3,525	1.36%	1.72%	2.55%
Pacific Islanderalone (NH)	43	49	84	0.04%	0.04%	0.06%
Other Racealone (NH)	82	176	704	0.07%	0.14%	0.51%
Mixed race or Multiracial(NH)	1,294	1,774	4,420	1.14%	1.42%	3.19%
Hispanic or Latino(any race)	26,885	36,947	43,857	23.64%	29.60%	31.67%
Total	113,726	124,805	138,486	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

As of the2020 United States census, there were 138,486 people, 50,108 households, and 29,014 families residing in the city.

At thecensusof 2010,^[6]124,805 people resided in the city, organized into 51,452 households and 27,115 families. The population density was recorded as 1,350.6 people per square mile (521.5/km²), with 45,819 housing units at an average density of 544.2 per square mile (210.1/km²). The 2000racial makeupof the city was 60.8% White, 22.7% African American, 1.4% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 12.4% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. About 23.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. Non-Hispanic Whites were 45.8% of the population in 2010,^[44]down from 66.6% in 1980.^[45]

In 2000, the census recorded 42,279 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.4% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were not families. Around 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.9% had someone living alone at 65 years of age or older. The average household size was calculated as 2.49 and the average family size 3.19.

In 2000, 25.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 20.3% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,264, and for a family was $33,919. Males had a median income of $26,902 versus $21,159 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $14,584. About 26.3% of the population and 19.3% of families lived below thepoverty line. Of the total population, 30.9% of those under the age of 18 and 13.0% of those 65 and older lived below the poverty line.

A 2020 census showed on a heat map that McLennan County displayed an estimated 1.3% of partnered households that are same-sex.^[46]

According to the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, the top employers inMcLennan Countyare:^[47][48]

#	Employer	Employees 2015	Employees 2023
1	Baylor University	2,675	3,253
2	AscensionProvidence	2,397	3,075
3	Waco Independent School District	2,500	2,373
4	H-E-B	1,500	2,000
5	Baylor Scott & White Health(Hillcrest)	1,800	1,736
6	Texas State Technical College		1,706
7	Veterans Affairs		1,682
8	City of Waco	1,506	1,518
9	Sanderson Farms, Inc.	1,041	1,200
10	Walmart	1,656	1,174
11	McLennan County		1,157
12	Midway Independent School District	1,067	1,081
13	AbbVie		785
14	L3 Technologies	2,300	774
14	McLennan Community College		719
15	Mars Wrigley		700
16	Aramark		696
17	American Income Life		693
18	Magnolia Network		675
19	Texas Materials		672
20	CargillValue Added Meats		646
21	Tractor Supply		640
22	SpaceX		590

Waco is served by the Waco-McLennan County Library system.^[49]TheArmstrong Browning Library, on the campus ofBaylor University, houses collections of English poetsRobert BrowningandElizabeth Barrett Browning.^[50]TheRed Men Museum and Libraryhouses the archives of theImproved Order of Red Men.^[51]The Lee Lockwood Library and Museum is home to the WacoScottishRite of Freemasonry.^[52]TheWaco Mammoth National Monumentis apaleontological siteand museum managed by theNational Park Servicein conjunction with the City of Waco and Baylor University.^[53]

Other museums in Waco include theDr Pepper Museum,Texas Sports Hall of Fame,Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, Historic Waco^[54]and theMayborn Museum Complex.

Notable attractions in Waco include theHawaiian Fallswater park and theGrand Lodge of Texas, one of the largestGrand Lodgesin the world.^[55]TheWaco Suspension Bridgeis a single-spansuspension bridgebuilt in 1870, crossing theBrazos River.^[56]Indian Spring Park marks the location of the origin of the town of Waco, where the Huaco Indians had settled on the bank of the river, at the location of an icy cold spring.^[57]TheDoris MillerMemorial is a public art installation along the banks of the Brazos River.^[58]A nine-foot bronze statue of Miller was unveiled on December 7, 2017, temporarily located at nearby Bledsoe-Miller Park.^[59]

Waco Mammoth National Monumentis a partnership between the City of Waco, Baylor University, the Waco Mammoth Foundation and theNational Park Service. The site contains the fossils of 24Columbian mammothsand other animals, including a tortoise, a camel and a sabretooth tiger.

Downtown Waco is home toMagnolia Market, a shopping complex containing specialty stores,food trucks, and event space, set in repurposedgrain silosoriginally built in 1950 for the Brazos Valley Cotton Oil Company.^[60]The Magnolia Market, operated by Chip and Joanna Gaines of theHGTVTV seriesFixer Upper, saw 1.2 million visitors in 2016.^[61]

TheBaylor Bearsathletics teams compete in Waco. Thefootball teamhas won or tied for nine conference titles, and have played in 24 bowl games, garnering a record of 13–11. Thewomen's basketball teamwon theNCAA Division I women's basketball tournamentin 2005, 2012 and 2019. Themen's basketball teamwon theNCAA Division I men's basketball tournamentin2021.

The Waco BlueCats, an independent minor league baseball team, planned to play in the inaugural season of theSouthwest League of Professional Baseballin 2019. A new ballpark was planned for the suburb ofBellmead.^[62]

TheAmerican Basketball Associationhad a franchise for part of the 2006 season, the Waco Wranglers. The team played atReicher Catholic High Schooland practiced at Texas State Technical College.

Previous professional sports franchises in Waco have proven unsuccessful. TheWaco Marshalsof theNational Indoor Football Leaguelasted less than two months amidst a midseason ownership change in 2004. (The team became the beleagueredCincinnati Marshalsthe following year.) The Waco Wizards of the now-defunctWestern Professional Hockey Leaguefared better, lasting into a fourth season before folding in 2000. Both teams played at theHeart O' Texas Coliseum, one of Waco's largest entertainment and sports venues.

TheSouthern Indoor Football Leagueannounced that Waco was an expansion market for the 2010 season. It was rumored they would play in the Heart O' Texas Coliseum. However, the league broke up into three separate leagues, and subsequently, a team did not come to Waco in any of the new leagues.

Professionalbaseballfirst came to Waco in 1889 with the formation of theWaco Tigers, a member of theTexas League. The Tigers were renamed theNavigatorsin 1905, and later theSteers. In 1920, the team was sold toWichita Falls. In 1923, a new franchise called theIndianswas formed and became a member of theClass DlevelTexas Association. In 1925, Waco rejoined the Texas League with the formation of theWaco Cubs.

On June 20, 1930, the first night game in Texas League history was played atKaty Parkin Waco. The lights were donated by Waco resident Charles Redding Turner, who owned a local farm team for recruits to the Chicago Cubs.

On the night of August 6, 1930, baseball history was made at Katy Park: in the eighth inning of a night game againstBeaumont, Waco left fielder Gene Rye became the only player in the history of professional baseball to hit three home runs in one inning.

The last year Waco had a team in the Texas League was 1930, but fielded some strong semipro teams in the 1930s and early 1940s. During the World War II years of 1943–1945, the powerful Waco Army Air Field team was probably the best in the state; many major leaguers played for the team, and it was managed by big-league catcherBirdie Tebbetts.

In 1947, theClass BlevelBig State Leaguewas organized with Waco as a member called theWaco Dons.

In 1948, A.H. Kirksey, owner of Katy Park, persuaded thePittsburgh Piratesclub to take over the Waco operation, and the nickname was changed to Pirates. ThePiratesvaulted into third place in 1948. They dropped a notch to fourth in 1949, but prevailed in the playoffs to win the league championship. The Pirates then tumbled into the second division, bottoming out with a dreadful 29–118, 0.197 club in 1952. This mark ranks as one of the 10 worst marks of any 20th-century full-season team. When the tornado struck in 1953, it destroyed the park. The team relocated toLongviewto finish the season and finished a respectable third with a 77–68 record.

Waco has many golf clubs and courses, including Cottonwood Creek Golf Course.^[63]

In 2018, Bicycle World Texas IronMan 70.3 Waco held its inaugural event in the city on October 26.^[64]

A seven-mile scenic riverwalk along the east and west banks of the Brazos River stretches from the Baylor campus toCameron Park Zoo. This multiuse walking and jogging trail passes underneath the Waco Suspension Bridge and captures the peaceful charm of the river.^[65]Lake Wacois areservoiralong the western border of the city.

Cameron Parkis a 416-acre (168 ha)urban parkfeaturing playgrounds, picnic areas, a cross-country running track, and adisc golfcourse.^[66]In 2009, the US Department of the Interior designated the Cameron Park Trail System as aNational Recreation Trail.^[67]The park also contains Waco's 52-acre (21 ha)zoo, theCameron Park Zoo.^[67]

Waco has acouncil-managerform of government. Citizens are represented on the City Council by six elected members; five from single-member districts and a mayor who is elected at-large.^[68]The city offers a full line of city services typical of an American city this size, including: police, fire,Waco Transit buses, electric utilities, water and wastewater, solid waste, and the Waco Convention and Visitors Bureau.

TheHeart of Texas Council of Governmentsis headquartered in Waco on South New Road. This regional agency is a voluntary association of cities, counties, and special districts in the Central Texas area.

TheTexas Tenth Court of Appealsis in the McLennan County Courthouse in Waco.^[69]

The Waco Fire Department operates 13 fire stations throughout the city.^[70]

TheTexas Department of Criminal Justiceoperates the Waco Parole Office in Waco.^[71]

TheUnited States Postal Serviceoperates the Waco Main Post Office alongTexas State Highway 6.^[72]In addition, it operates other post offices throughout Waco.

Though the rest of McLennan County is deeplyRepublican, in statewide elections, Waco is a swing city. It voted for RepublicanDonald Trumpin 2016, but flipped toJoe Bidenin 2020.

Statewide election results ^[73]

Election	Republican	Democratic
2022 Governor	53.0%	45.5%
2020 President	48.0%	50.0%
2020 Senator	50.2%	46.4%
2018 Governor	52.7%	45.7%
2018 Senator	47.5%	51.7%
2016 President	47.6%	46.6%

Waco Independent School Districtserves most of the city of Waco. Portions of the city also lie in the boundaries ofMidway Independent School District,Bosqueville ISD,China Spring ISD,Connally ISD, andLa Vega ISD. Three large public high schools are in the Waco city limits:Waco High School(Waco ISD),University High School(Waco ISD), andMidway High School(Midway ISD). The schools are all rivals in sports, academics, and pride. Former high schools in Waco ISD were A.J. Moore High School, G.W. Carver High School,Richfield High School, Jefferson-Moore High School, and amagnet schoolknown asA.J. Moore Academy.

Charter high schools in Waco includeHarmony Science Academy, Methodist Children's Home, Premier High School of Waco, Rapoport Academy Public School, and Waco Charter School (EOAC). Local private and parochial schools include Live Oak Classical School, Parkview Christian Academy,Reicher Catholic High School,Texas Christian Academy,Vanguard College Preparatory School, andWaco Montessori School.

The three institutions of higher learning in Waco are:

• Baylor University
• McLennan Community College
• Texas State Technical College

In the past, several other higher education institutions were in Waco:^[74]

• A&M College
• AddRan Male & Female College (relocated to Fort Worth, nowTexas Christian University)
• The Catholic College
• Central Texas College (HBCU)
• The Gurley School
• The Independent Biblical and Industrial School
• Paul Quinn College(HBCU) (relocated to Dallas)
• Provident Sanatarium
• Toby's Practical Business College
• The Training School
• Waco Business College

The major daily newspaper is theWaco Tribune-Herald. Other publications includeThe Waco Citizen,The Anchor News,The Baylor Lariat,Tiempo,Wacoan, andWaco Today Magazine.

The Waco television market (shared with theKilleen/TempleandBryan/College Stationareas) is the 89th-largest television market in the US and includes these stations:^[75]

• KCEN6 (NBC)
• KWTX10 (CBS, Telemundo on DT2)
• KAMU12 (PBS)
• KXXV25 (ABC)
• KWKT44 (Fox)
• KNCT46 (CW)
• KAKW62 (Univision)

The Waco radio market is the 190th-largest radio market in the US and includes:

• KRMX-FM 92.9 (Country)
• KWBT-FM 94.5 (Urban adult contemporary)
• KBGO-FM 95.7 (Classic Hits)
  • KBGO-FM 95.7 HD-2 (Rhythmic Top-40) (Z-95.1)
• KWRA-FM 96.7 (Spanish Religious)
• KWTX-FM 97.5 (Pop)
• WACO-FM99.9 (Country)
• KXZY-FM 100.7 (Spanish religious)
• KBRQ-FM 102.5 (Rock)
• KWBU-FM 103.3 (NPR)
• KWOW-FM 104.1 (Spanish)
• KBHT-FM 104.9 (Variety Hits)
• KIXT-FM 106.7 (Classic Rock)
• KWPW-FM 107.9 (Pop)
• KBBW-AM 1010 / FM 105.9 (Religious/Talk Radio)
• KWTX-AM 1230 (News talk)
• KRZI-AM 1660 / FM 92.3 (ESPN)

Interstate 35is the major north–south highway serving Waco. It directly connects the city with Dallas (I-35E), Fort Worth (I-35W), Austin, and San Antonio.Texas State Highway 6runs northwest–southeast and connects Waco toBryan/College StationandHouston.US Highway 84is the major east–west thoroughfare in the area. It is also known as Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive (as it passes through the city ofBellmead), Woodway Drive or the George W. Bush Parkway. Loop 340 bypasses the city to the east and south.State Highway 31splits off US 84 just east of Waco and connects the city toTyler,Longview, andShreveport, Louisiana.

The firsttraffic circlein Texas was constructed in Waco in 1933 at the intersections of US 81 and US 77.^[76]It was later expanded to include intersections with Valley Mills Dr. and La Salle Ave. Drivers were confused and upset by the circle when it was first constructed, which even led to lawsuits. In 2013 a lone star was added to the center of the circle. Lane markings and new signage were added in 2018 to improve traffic flow and to help guide drivers.^[77]

The Waco area is home to three airports.Waco Regional Airport(ACT) serves the city with daily flights toDallas/Fort Worth Internationalvia American Eagle.TSTC Waco Airport(CNW) is the site of the former James Connally AFB and was the primary fly-in point for former PresidentGeorge W. Bushwhen he was visiting his ranch in Crawford. It also serves as a hub airport for L3 and several other aviation companies. McGregor Executive Airport (PWG) is a general-aviation facility west of Waco.

Local transportation is provided by the Waco Transit System, which offers bus service Monday–Saturday to most of the city. Nearby passenger train service is offered viaAmtrak. TheTexas Eagleroute includes daily stops inMcGregor, 20 miles west of the city.

• Lee Ballanfant, born in Waco, was aMajor League Baseballumpire
• Kwame Cavil, born in Waco, is aCanadian Football Leaguewide receiverfor theEdmonton Eskimos^[78]
• Perrish Cox, formerNFLcornerbackfor theTennessee Titans, was born in Waco, grew up in Waco, and went toUniversity High School^[79]
• Zach Duke, graduated fromMidway High Schoolin Waco, is a former major league baseball pitcher for nine teams between 2005 and 2019
• Dave Eichelberger, born in Waco, is aprofessional golferwho has won several tournaments on thePGA TourandChampions Tourlevels^[80]
• Casey Fossum, graduated fromMidway High Schoolin Waco, pitched inMajor League Baseballplayer for five different teams over nine seasons^[81]
• Ken Grandberry, born in Waco, is a formerNFLrunning back for theChicago Bears^[82]
• Rufus Granderson, born in Waco, is a formerAFLdefensive tackle for theDallas Texans^[83]
• Ty Harringtonis the head coach for theTexas State Universitybaseball team. He was born in Waco and attended Midway High School^[84]
• Andy Hawkins, born in Waco, is a former MLBpitcher^[85]
• Sherrill Headrick, born in Waco, came to theAmerican Football League's Dallas Texans as an undrafted linebacker^[86]
• Dwight Johnson, born and raised in Waco, was anNFLDefensive linemanfor thePhiladelphia Eaglesand theNew York Giants
• Derrick Johnson, born and raised in Waco, was anNFLLinebackerfor theKansas City Chiefs
• Michael Johnson, United Statessprinter; graduated fromBaylor Universityin 1990^[87]
• Jim Jones, born in Waco, American football player^[88]
• Rob Powell, fitnesscoachwho has two certificates of Guinness World Records
• Dominic Rhodes, born in Waco, is a professional footballrunning backwho played for theVirginia Destroyersof theUnited Football League^[89]
• John Richards, born in Waco, is a former racing driver and motorcycle racer
• Bill Rogers, born in Waco, is a professional golfer who won the1981 Open Championshipand was voted 1981 PGA Tour Player of the Year
• LaDainian Tomlinsonis a formerNFLfootball player for theNew York JetsandSan Diego Chargers; born inRosebud, he grew up in Waco, and went toUniversity High School^[90]
• D. L. Wilson, born in Waco, is an American professionalstock car racingdriver

• Kevin BelcherAugust 8, 1967, CF-RF MLB 1990–1990^[91]
• Lance BerkmanOctober 2, 1976, LF-RF MLB 1999–2011^[92]
• Andy CooperApril 24, 1898 P NLB 1920–1939^[93]
• Buzz DozierAugust 31, 1927, P MLB 1947–1949^[94]
• Louis DruckeMarch 12, 1888, P MLB 1909–1912^[95]
• Boob FowlerNovember 11, 1900, SS MLB 1923–1926^[96]
• Charlie GorinJune 2, 1928, P MLB 1954–1955^[97]
• Donald HarrisDecember 11, 1967, CF-RF MLB 1991–1993^[98]
• Al JacksonDecember 25, 1935, P MLB 1959–1969^[99]
• Scott JordanMay 27, 1963, CF MLB 1988–1988^[100]
• Rudy LawJuly 10, 1956, OF MLB 1978–1986^[101]
• Dutch MeyerJune 10, 1915, 2B MLB 1940–1946^{[citation needed]}
• Arthur RhodesOctober 24, 1969, P MLB 1991–2011^[102]
• Schoolboy RoweNovember 1, 1910, P MLB 1933–1949^[103]
• Ted WilbornDecember 16, 1958, OF MLB 1979–1980^[104]

• Jules Bledsoe, stage and screen actor and singer. When the Broadway premiere ofShow Boatwas delayed in 1927 byZiegfeld,Paul Robesonbecame unavailable, so Bledsoe stepped in. He played and sang the role of Joe, introducing "Ol' Man River"^[105]
• Shannon Elizabeth, actress ofAmerican Piefame, was born inHoustonand grew up in Waco^[106]
• ChipandJoanna Gaines, Waco area home renovators and remodelers came to national attention with their TV showFixer Upper. They have since expanded into a variety of local developments, including Magnolia Market,Hotel 1928and are a major tourism draw for the Waco area
• Peri Gilpin, actress, best known for her television characterRoz Doyleon the seriesFrasier, was born in Waco and raised in Dallas^[107]
• Texas Guinan, Hollywood actress from 1917 to 1933. She was active invaudevilleand theater, and was in many movies (often as the gun-toting hero in silent westerns, more than a match for any man). She also had a successful career as a hostess in nightclubs andspeakeasiesin New York City^[108]
• Anne Gwynne, Hollywood actress who starred in a number of films of the 1940s; she was born in Waco
• Thomas Harris, author ofThe Silence of the Lambs, was a student atBaylor University, and covered the police beat for theWaco Tribune-Herald^[109]
• Jennifer Love Hewitt, actress, was born in Waco^[110]
• Terrence Malick, director ofThe Thin Red Line, was raised in Waco. He also directedThe Tree of Life, which was set in the town of Waco in the 1950s^[111]
• Steve Martin, comedian, actor, author and musician, was born in Waco^[112]
• Kevin Reynolds, director (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,The Count of Monte Cristo,Waterworld), born and raised in Waco^[113]

• Wade Bowen, Texas country artist and former lead singer of Wade Bowen and West 84, was born and raised in Waco^[114]
• David Crowder Band(1996–2012), a Christian worship band, is from Waco^[115]
• Johnny Gimble, two timeGrammy Awardwinning pioneer in Texas Swing andcountry music*Pat Green,country musicsinger-songwriter, was raised in Waco^[116]
• Roy Hargrove, aGrammy Award-winningjazztrumpeter, born and raised in Waco^[117]
• Kari Jobe, a two-timeDove Award-winning Christian singer-songwriter was born in Waco^[118]
• Willie Nelson, country music singer-songwriter, born in nearbyAbbott^[119]
• Ted Nugent, guitarist, along with his wife Shemane and son Rocco Nugent, live in Waco^[120]He filmed his VH1 showSurviving Nugenton his ranch in nearbyChina Spring.
• Domingo Ortiz, percussionist for the bandWidespread Panic, grew up in Waco^[121]
• Bill Payne, keyboardist for the rock bandLittle Feat, was born and raised in the Waco area^[122]
• Billy Joe Shaver, Country songwriter ("Honky Tonk Heroes") and singer ("Old Chunk of Coal")^[123]
• Ashlee Simpson, pop music singer, was born in Waco^[124]
• Jessica Simpson, pop music singer, was born in Abilene and raised in Waco
• Strange Fruit Project, anunderground hip hoptrio, is from Waco^[125]
• Hank Thompson, was born in Waco inducted into theCountry Music Hall of FameandNashville Songwriters Hall of Fame^[126]
• Holly Tuckerwas born in Waco^{[127][128][129]}
• Mercy Dee Waltonwas born in Waco^[130]
• Tom Wilson, record producer, grew up in Waco

• Kip Averitt,State senatorfromDistrict 22from 2002 to 2010,^[131]andState RepresentativefromDistrict 56from 1994 to 2002, and currently is a lobbyist
• Joe Barton, former US congressman representing Texas's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1985 to 2019, was born and reared in Waco^[132]
• Leon Jaworski, who prosecuted Nazi war criminals during theNuremberg trialsand then was thespecial prosecutorwho brought down theNixon administrationduring theWatergate scandal, was born and raised in Waco
• Charles R. Matthews, former mayor ofGarland, Texas, member of theTexas Railroad Commission, and chancellor of theTexas State University System, is a Waco native^[133]
• Lyndon Lowell Olson Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden under President Bill Clinton, was born and raised in Waco
• William R. Poage, US Congressman who represented Texas's 11th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1937 to 1978, was born in Waco
• Ann Richards, formergovernor of Texasand keynote speaker at the1988 Democratic National Convention, was born in the Waco suburb ofLacy Lakeviewand graduated from Baylor University^[134]
• Pete Sessions, US congressman who represented Texas's 32nd and 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2019, was born and raised in Waco
• Ralph Sheffield, member of the Texas House of Representatives from Bell County and restaurateur in Temple, was born in Waco in 1955^[135]
• David McAdams Sibley Sr., former state senator (1991–2002), was mayor of Waco (1987–1988)^[136]

• Shawn Achor, born in Waco, is a best-selling author ofThe Happiness Advantage.He was featured onOprah Winfrey'sSuper Soul Sunday. He also co-authored a best-selling children's book with his sister Amy Blankson calledHow to Make a Shark Smile.
• T. Berry Brazelton, born in Waco, was apediatricianand author. He developed theNeonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale
• Tony Castro, bestselling author of several books and syndicated columnist, was born in Waco. He graduated from Baylor University and was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard
• Brigham Paul Doane, born in Waco, is aprofessional wrestler. Under the ring name "Masada", Doane achieved international recognition in theHardcore wrestlingscene
• Hallie Earle(1880–1963) was the first licensed female physician in Waco, a 1902 M.S. from Baylor, and the only female graduate of 1907 Baylor University Medical School in Dallas
• Frank Shelby Groner(1877–1943) pastor of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church
• Heloise, of the "Hints from Heloise" column, was born in Waco. Her column addresses lifestyle hints, including consumer issues, pets, travel, food, home improvement, health, and much more
• Allene Jeanes(1906–1995), a chemical engineer whose work included the development ofDextranandXanthan gum, was born in Waco and received her bachelor's degree fromBaylor Universityin 1928
• Reh Jones, born in Waco, American YouTube personality, owner, producer
• David Koresh, leader of theBranch Davidians, died along with 75 others in the blaze during theWaco siege
• Robert L. Leuschner Jr.was born in Waco. He attendedRice University, followed a career in the U.S. Navy and retired as a Rear Admiral
• Vivienne Malone-Mayes, Waco-born mathematician, the first African-American faculty member ofBaylor Universitywho developed novel methods of teaching mathematics
• Robert W. McCollum(1925–2010), virologist who made important discoveries regardingpolioandhepatitis^[137]
• Glenn McGee, born in Waco, is abioethicist, syndicated columnist^[138]for Hearst Newspapers and forThe Scientistand scholar.
• Doris (Dorie) Miller, born in Waco, was anAfrican Americancook in theUnited States Navyand a hero during theattack on Pearl Harboron December 7, 1941. He was the first African American to be awarded theNavy'ssecond-highest honor, theNavy Cross. Portrayed in the 2001 moviePearl Harbor
• C. Wright Mills, born in Waco, was asociologist. Among other topics, he was concerned with the responsibilities of intellectuals in post-World War II society, and advocated relevance and engagement over disinterested academic observation
• Mark W. Muesse, born in Waco, is a philosopher and author
• William R. Munroe, born in Waco, vice admiral in the U.S. Navy, Commander-in-Chief,United States Fourth FleetduringWorld War II
• Felix Huston Robertson, born inWashington-on-the-Brazos, was a formerConfederateCivil Wargeneral who became a wealthy lawyer, railroad director, and land speculator in Waco duringReconstruction
• Ford O. Rogers, born in Waco,major generalin theUnited States Marine Corpsduring World War II, recipient of theNavy Cross
• Fred I. Stalkup, chemical engineer, graduated fromRice Universityand became a recognized expert in enhanced oil recovery
• John Willingham, a writer and historian born in Waco, served asMcLennan Countyelections administrator from 1984 through 1992^[139]
• Robert Wilson, born in Waco, is a stage director

• Brazos Belle
• List of museums in Central Texas
• Neighborhoods of Waco
• West Fertilizer Company explosion
• Waco Boating and Fishing Club

• Official website
• Waco, Texasfrom theHandbook of TexasOnline
• Waco History Project