Waco, Texas
Waco is a Texas city whose current Census footprint includes McLennan County. Start with the quick read below for what gives Waco its character, then the practical property-tax, insurance, district, and local-record checks worth making before you rely on a monthly estimate.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 147,788
- Change from 2020 base
- +5.5%
- Land area
- 91 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- McLennan County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
Local checks
- McLennan CAD account
- School district verification
- Flood zone determination (Brazos/Waco Creek)
- Foundation/expansive clay inspection
- Wind/hail deductible on homeowners policy
What buyers should know
Expansive Blackland Prairie clay (Houston Black and Austin Chalk series) is pervasive across McLennan County and causes chronic foundation movement — get a structural engineer's report in addition to a standard home inspection, especially for older slab-on-grade homes.
The Brazos River floodplain in East Waco is wider than FEMA's current map reflects; request a current flood zone determination letter, pull the McLennan CAD elevation certificate if available, and price flood insurance before committing to any property near the river or Waco Creek.
School district does not follow city-limit lines — a Waco mailing address can land in Waco ISD, Midway ISD, China Spring ISD, or another district, so verify the district on the CAD record and confirm it matches your expectations before making an offer.
County context
What to know around Waco
County lines carry much of the property, land, water, and outdoors context around Waco.
Local History
Waco Grew Up as a Cattle Town on the Chisholm Trail
After the Civil War, Waco became a major cattle crossing point, with hundreds of thousands of cattle driven through town by 1871.
Vehicle Registration
No Annual Safety Inspection Required to Register Your Car
As of January 1, 2025, McLennan County drivers no longer need a safety inspection to renew vehicle registration, but a small replacement fee applies.
County History
McLennan County Was Created in 1850
McLennan County was established in January 1850 and named after Neil McLennan, a Scottish settler who came to Texas in 1835 and moved to the Bosque River area in the 1840s.
Nearby places
Other local pages to compare
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Waco
Compare nearby places
Put Census population, land area, county footprints, and official office routes side by side.
Open comparison ->Estimate property tax
Use the official local rates and appraisal value for this parcel.
Open estimator ->Build a buyer timeline
Track homestead, appraisal notice, protest, and tax-bill dates.
Build timeline ->Read insurance guide
Check flood, windstorm, roof, deductibles, and coverage questions.
Read guide ->