Greater Waco is home to approximately 235,000 residents that make up a thriving urban downtown, growing young professional population, ranching community and suburban
paradise. Waco boasts three higher education institutions, including Baylor University,
Texas State Technical College and McLennan Community College.
Home to the Wichita Indian tribe known as the "Waco" (Spanish: Hueco or Huaco) since the 1700s and formally established by Jacob DeCordova in 1849, Waco welcomes approximately 1.9 million annual visitors who travel directly into the City through the Waco regional airport or via the I-35 corridor. Waco is located within a 90-minute drive to Dallas-Fort Worth or Austin, making it the ideal location for quick weekend getaways throughout Texas.
The downtown Silo District offers ample shopping and dining options, including two food
truck parks. Locals also enjoy a number of restaurants known throughout Texas,
including Kitok— a Korean-American eatery, Vitek’s BBQ,—home of the Original Gut
Pack, Rufi’s Cocina — offering authentic Mexican flavors, George’s Restaurant and Bar
and DiamondBacks fine dining. Thriving local businesses, restaurants and shops
represent the rich diversity that is celebrated in Waco. The Historic Elm Avenue District
and the Cultural Arts District offer locals and visitors alike an abundance of activities that
reflect the true taste of Waco. The local farmer’s market, festivals, live music, art
galleries, performance venues, and restaurants and bars serving locally produced food,
wine, beer and award-winning whisky are some of Waco’s most popular attractions.
Adjacent to downtown and the Brazos River are several parks including Cameron Park,
a 416- acre oasis with towering trees, two rivers, breathtaking cliffs and a National
Recreation Trail system. A tremendous setting for outdoor recreational activities,
Cameron Park is the second largest inner-city park in America. The Bledsoe-Miller Park
sits on the east bank of the Brazos River and is home to the newly constructed Doris
Miller Memorial. The multi-million dollar sculpture stands in honor and memory of
famous Waco WWII Veteran Doris Miller and all who sacrificed for their country.
Residents and visitors can also discover more than 1,731 animals representing 300
species at the Cameron Park Zoo, walk across the historic Suspension Bridge, or
unearth history at the Waco Mammoth National Monument, the nation’s only recorded
discovery of a nursery herd of Columbian mammoths. Waco also offers several indoor
activities, including the Dr. Pepper Museum and the Mayborn Museum Complex,
complete with hands-on discovery rooms and interactive natural science and cultural
history galleries. Waco is home to two large Hospital systems – Providence Health
Center and Baylor Scott and White – Hillcrest. The City boasts 16 elementary schools, 7
middle schools and four high schools, all within the Waco Independent School District.
Waco also has a number of K-12 charter school systems and private schools.
Waco is a thriving community on the cusp of even greater things. It is easy to see why
so many people are choosing to call Waco home.