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

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Population

Population2000201020242029
McLennan County213,517234,906271,356279,859

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

Population by Age

Population2024
0-416,960
5-917,574
10-1417,968
15-1922,162
20-2424,359
25-2917,549
30-3417,412
35-3917,233
40-4416,853
45-4914,645
50-5414,634
55-5914,206
60-6415,244
65-6913,969
70-7411,512
75-798,508
80-845,309
85+5,259
18+208,126
Median Age36

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

Population by Race

McLennan County2024
Total271,356.00
White Alone58.85%
Black Alone14.32%
American Indian Alone0.97%
Asian Alone2.04%
Pacific Islander Alone0.08%
Some Other Race11.33%
Two or More Races12.41%
Hispanic Origin27.60%
Diversity Index76.20

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

Growth Rate

McLennan County2024 - 2029
Population0.62%
Households0.87%
Families0.73%
Median Household Income3%
Per Capita Income3%

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

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Housing

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Households

Population2000201020242029
Households78,85986,892101,250105,752
Housing Units84,79595,124111,063115,745
Owner Occupied Units60,79865,084
Renter Occupied Units40,45240,668
Vacant Units9,8139,993

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

Home Value

McLennan County20242029
Median Home Value$260,938$336,173
Average Home Value$301,956$395,110
<$50,0002,6941,462
$50,000 - $99,9995,8852,356
$100,000 - $149,9994,8411,935
$150,000 - $199,9996,3173,587
$200,000 - $249,9998,4467,258
$250,000 - $299,99910,08211,340
$300,000 - $399,9999,18912,696
$400,000 - $499,9996,45810,908
$500,000 - $749,9994,7549,263
$1,000,000 +6681,351

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

Housing Year Built

Year RangeHouses Built
2010 or Later12,663
2000-200912,741
1990-199911,567
1980-198916,118
1970-197916,790
1960-196912,621
1950-195913,645
1940-19494,349
1939 or Before5,025

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

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Income

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Income

McLennan County20242029
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 County2024
<$15,00011,949
$15,000 - $24,9995,779
$25,000 - $34,9997,663
$35,000 - $49,99912,173
$50,000 - $74,99917,719
$75,000 - $99,99912,855
$100,000 - $149,99918,007
$150,000 - $199,9997,037
$200,000+8,067

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

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Employees

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Commute

CategoryCommuters
Workers 16+117,951
In-County Residents109,347
Out-of-County Residents8,067
Drive Alone94,359
Carpooled11,011
Public Transport473
Work at Home8,291
Motorcycle120
Bicycle284
Walked2,558
Other838
Less than 5 minutes3,167
5-9 minutes13,760
10-14 minutes19,419
15-19 minutes26,825
20-24 minutes18,062
25-29 minutes7,932
30-34 minutes10,584
35-39 minutes1,431
40-44 minutes1,515
45-59 minutes2,711
60-89 minutes1,803
90+ minutes2,451
Average Travel Time20

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

Employees by NAICS

CategoryNumber
Total Employees127,344
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt759
Mining33
Utilities482
Construction6,631
Manufacturing9,239
Wholesale Trade7,015
  
Retail Trade14,298
  
Transportation/Warehouse3,251
Information2,791
  
Finance & Insurance5,143
  
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing2,448
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv7,188
Legal Services931
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises364
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt3,093
Educational Services13,748
HealthCare/Social Assist17,362
Arts/Entertainment/Rec2,331
  
Accommodation/Food Srvcs12,453
  
Other Srv excl Pub Admin7,386
Auto Repair/Maintenance974
Public Administration Emp10,988

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

Educational Attainment (25+)

McLennan County2024
<9th Grade7,193
Some High School11,684
GED8,636
Graduated High School38,557
Some College/No Degree35,189
Associates Degree19,625
Bachelor's Degree31,595
Graduate Degree19,854

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

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Businesses

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Businesses by NAICS

CategoryNumber
Total Businesses9,368
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt Bus52
Mining Bus6
Utilities Bus36
Construction Bus626
Manufacturing Bus328
Wholesale Trade Bus322
  
Retail Trade Bus1,340
  
Transportation/Warehouse Bus202
Information Bus162
  
Finance & Insurance Bus581
  
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing Bus465
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv Bus661
Legal Services Bus178
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises Bus35
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt Bus290
Educational Services Bus262
HealthCare/Social Assist Bus866
Arts/Entertainment/Rec Bus187
  
Accommodation/Food Srvcs Bus804
  
Other Srv excl Pub Admin Bus1,304
Auto Repair/Maintenance Bus210
Public Administration Bus320

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-27

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