McLennan County
McLennan County has the Pulse of Economic Growth in the Heart of Texas
McLennan County has the pulse of economic growth in the Heart of Texas Region. Waco and the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area is the strongest industrial and commercial center within the area.
McLennan County and Waco are located in central Texas along the I-35 corridor, approximately halfway between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, within 200 miles of all major metropolitan areas in Texas.
McLennan County is the most populated county in the Heart of Texas Region, with a 2019 population of 256,623. Waco is the county seat and largest city in McLennan County, with an estimated population of 139,236. The 2019 Waco MSA population was estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau to be 273,920. And significant growth is expected for the area. In 2017, the economic consultant organization, The Perryman Group, forecasted the MSA population to reach 323,000 by 2040.
Like regions across the country, unemployment in McLennan County has increased somewhat in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texas Workforce Commission reported that McLennan County had a total Civilian Labor Force of 122,801 in November 2020, with an unemployment rate of 6.6%, significantly lower than the Texas total of 8% unemployed. In comparison, McLennan County unemployment was 3.1% in November 2019.
McLennan County is a balanced economic region, with a range of business sectors centered around Waco. Major business clusters include manufacturing and food and beverage production, with major employers like Allergan, Cargill Foods, L-3 Integrated Systems, Mars Chocolate North America, Pilgrim’s Pride and Sanderson Farms. The area continues to grow with new investments, with available land centered in Waco at three industrial parks, the Texas Central Park, Waco International Aviation Park and Waco Regional Airport Industrial Park. The 11-th largest Christian university in the country, Baylor University, is in Waco and offers a collaborative partnership with the area fostering high technology developments.
McLennan County has historically placed a large significance on developing a favorable mix between urban and rural amenities. For example, Waco is a fantastic city for people of all ages. Cameron Park at 416 acres and located near the Brazos River is one of the nicest urban parks in the state. It includes the Cameron Park Zoo and many trails. Many cultural amenities can be found in and around Waco, from the Waco Symphony Orchestra to the Mayborn Museum and Dr. Pepper Museum & Free Enterprise Institute. The Lake Waco reservoir is located on the western edge of Waco and offers numerous outdoor and leisure opportunities.
Click on the cities within McLennan County for more information:
Population
Population
Population | 2000 | 2010 | 2024 | 2029 |
---|---|---|---|---|
McLennan County | 213,517 | 234,906 | 271,356 | 279,859 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Population by Age
Population | 2024 |
---|---|
0-4 | 16,960 |
5-9 | 17,574 |
10-14 | 17,968 |
15-19 | 22,162 |
20-24 | 24,359 |
25-29 | 17,549 |
30-34 | 17,412 |
35-39 | 17,233 |
40-44 | 16,853 |
45-49 | 14,645 |
50-54 | 14,634 |
55-59 | 14,206 |
60-64 | 15,244 |
65-69 | 13,969 |
70-74 | 11,512 |
75-79 | 8,508 |
80-84 | 5,309 |
85+ | 5,259 |
18+ | 208,126 |
Median Age | 36 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Population by Race
McLennan County | 2024 |
---|---|
Total | 271,356.00 |
White Alone | 58.85% |
Black Alone | 14.32% |
American Indian Alone | 0.97% |
Asian Alone | 2.04% |
Pacific Islander Alone | 0.08% |
Some Other Race | 11.33% |
Two or More Races | 12.41% |
Hispanic Origin | 27.60% |
Diversity Index | 76.20 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Growth Rate
McLennan County | 2024 - 2029 |
---|---|
Population | 0.62% |
Households | 0.87% |
Families | 0.73% |
Median Household Income | 3% |
Per Capita Income | 3% |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Housing
Households
Population | 2000 | 2010 | 2024 | 2029 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Households | 78,859 | 86,892 | 101,250 | 105,752 |
Housing Units | 84,795 | 95,124 | 111,063 | 115,745 |
Owner Occupied Units | 60,798 | 65,084 | ||
Renter Occupied Units | 40,452 | 40,668 | ||
Vacant Units | 9,813 | 9,993 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Home Value
McLennan County | 2024 | 2029 |
---|---|---|
Median Home Value | $260,938 | $336,173 |
Average Home Value | $301,956 | $395,110 |
<$50,000 | 2,694 | 1,462 |
$50,000 - $99,999 | 5,885 | 2,356 |
$100,000 - $149,999 | 4,841 | 1,935 |
$150,000 - $199,999 | 6,317 | 3,587 |
$200,000 - $249,999 | 8,446 | 7,258 |
$250,000 - $299,999 | 10,082 | 11,340 |
$300,000 - $399,999 | 9,189 | 12,696 |
$400,000 - $499,999 | 6,458 | 10,908 |
$500,000 - $749,999 | 4,754 | 9,263 |
$1,000,000 + | 668 | 1,351 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Housing Year Built
Year Range | Houses Built |
---|---|
2010 or Later | 12,663 |
2000-2009 | 12,741 |
1990-1999 | 11,567 |
1980-1989 | 16,118 |
1970-1979 | 16,790 |
1960-1969 | 12,621 |
1950-1959 | 13,645 |
1940-1949 | 4,349 |
1939 or Before | 5,025 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Back To TopIncome
Income
McLennan County | 2024 | 2029 |
---|---|---|
Median Household | $66,516 | $76,831 |
Average Household | $92,679 | $106,739 |
Per Capita | $34,698 | $40,448 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Household Income
McLennan County | 2024 |
---|---|
<$15,000 | 11,949 |
$15,000 - $24,999 | 5,779 |
$25,000 - $34,999 | 7,663 |
$35,000 - $49,999 | 12,173 |
$50,000 - $74,999 | 17,719 |
$75,000 - $99,999 | 12,855 |
$100,000 - $149,999 | 18,007 |
$150,000 - $199,999 | 7,037 |
$200,000+ | 8,067 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Back To TopEmployees
Commute
Category | Commuters |
---|---|
Workers 16+ | 117,951 |
In-County Residents | 109,347 |
Out-of-County Residents | 8,067 |
Drive Alone | 94,359 |
Carpooled | 11,011 |
Public Transport | 473 |
Work at Home | 8,291 |
Motorcycle | 120 |
Bicycle | 284 |
Walked | 2,558 |
Other | 838 |
Less than 5 minutes | 3,167 |
5-9 minutes | 13,760 |
10-14 minutes | 19,419 |
15-19 minutes | 26,825 |
20-24 minutes | 18,062 |
25-29 minutes | 7,932 |
30-34 minutes | 10,584 |
35-39 minutes | 1,431 |
40-44 minutes | 1,515 |
45-59 minutes | 2,711 |
60-89 minutes | 1,803 |
90+ minutes | 2,451 |
Average Travel Time | 20 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Employees by NAICS
Category | Number |
---|---|
Total Employees | 127,344 |
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt | 759 |
Mining | 33 |
Utilities | 482 |
Construction | 6,631 |
Manufacturing | 9,239 |
Wholesale Trade | 7,015 |
Retail Trade | 14,298 |
Motor Veh/Parts Dealers | 2,084 |
Furn & Home Furnish Str | 575 |
Electronics & Appl Store | 398 |
Bldg Matl/Garden Equip | 1,115 |
Food & Beverage Stores | 1,677 |
Health/Pers Care Stores | 853 |
Gasoline Stations | 641 |
Clothing/Accessory Store | 878 |
Sports/Hobby/Book/Music | 2,137 |
General Merchandise Str | 3,940 |
Transportation/Warehouse | 3,251 |
Information | 2,791 |
Finance & Insurance | 5,143 |
Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn | 2,645 |
Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv | 551 |
Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other | 1,947 |
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing | 2,448 |
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv | 7,188 |
Legal Services | 931 |
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises | 364 |
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt | 3,093 |
Educational Services | 13,748 |
HealthCare/Social Assist | 17,362 |
Arts/Entertainment/Rec | 2,331 |
Accommodation/Food Srvcs | 12,453 |
Accommodation | 1,221 |
Food Srv/Drinking Places | 11,232 |
Other Srv excl Pub Admin | 7,386 |
Auto Repair/Maintenance | 974 |
Public Administration Emp | 10,988 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Educational Attainment (25+)
McLennan County | 2024 |
---|---|
<9th Grade | 7,193 |
Some High School | 11,684 |
GED | 8,636 |
Graduated High School | 38,557 |
Some College/No Degree | 35,189 |
Associates Degree | 19,625 |
Bachelor's Degree | 31,595 |
Graduate Degree | 19,854 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Back To TopBusinesses
Businesses by NAICS
Category | Number |
---|---|
Total Businesses | 9,368 |
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt Bus | 52 |
Mining Bus | 6 |
Utilities Bus | 36 |
Construction Bus | 626 |
Manufacturing Bus | 328 |
Wholesale Trade Bus | 322 |
Retail Trade Bus | 1,340 |
Motor Veh/Parts Dealers Bus | 215 |
Furn & Home Furnish Str Bus | 78 |
Electronics & Appl Store Bus | 37 |
Bldg Matl/Garden Equip Bus | 101 |
Food & Beverage Stores Bus | 191 |
Health/Pers Care Stores Bus | 107 |
Gasoline Stations Bus | 80 |
Clothing/Accessory Store Bus | 154 |
Sports/Hobby/Book/Music Bus | 218 |
General Merchandise Str Bus | 159 |
Transportation/Warehouse Bus | 202 |
Information Bus | 162 |
Finance & Insurance Bus | 581 |
Cntrl Bank/Crdt Intrmdtn Bus | 238 |
Sec/Cmdty Cntrct/Oth Inv Bus | 118 |
Insur/Funds/Trusts/Other Bus | 225 |
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing Bus | 465 |
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv Bus | 661 |
Legal Services Bus | 178 |
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises Bus | 35 |
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt Bus | 290 |
Educational Services Bus | 262 |
HealthCare/Social Assist Bus | 866 |
Arts/Entertainment/Rec Bus | 187 |
Accommodation/Food Srvcs Bus | 804 |
Accommodation Bus | 98 |
Food Srv/Drinking Places Bus | 706 |
Other Srv excl Pub Admin Bus | 1,304 |
Auto Repair/Maintenance Bus | 210 |
Public Administration Bus | 320 |
Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27
Back To Top