Living in Waco, TX

Waco offers an exceptional quality of life. It combines vibrant tourism, diverse industry, esteemed higher education, outdoor recreation, and a moderate cost of living, making it an ideal place to call home.

In Waco, the familiar meets the unexpected. Rocket engine tests of SpaceX can shake windows near the archeological grazing grounds of ancient mammoths, while the youth honor the city's rich history and envision its future. As the home of the world's largest Baptist university (Baylor University), the popular Magnolia Market at the Silos, and Dr Pepper Museum, Waco has become a destination in its own right — far more than just a historic stopover for cattle drives across the Brazos River and the Texas cotton industry it was once known for.

Some notable locations in Waco include Lake Waco, a man-made reservoir perfect for summer activities, and Cameron Park, a sprawling 400-acre municipal park where the city's two main rivers meet.

So what's it like living here?

I get the question all the time: what's it like living in Waco and the surrounding community? The number one good thing about living in Waco is that it's a small city with a big city feel. By that I mean, we have many of the amenities that you'll find in a much larger metropolitan area. We have museums such as Mayborn Museum Complex, Dr Pepper Museum, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum, and the Waco Mammoth National Monument.

We also have a zoo, Cameron Park Zoo. Fun fact: it's an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Cameron Park Zoo is home to over 1,700 animals representing 300 species, with natural habitats and close-up encounters. In August 2009, the zoo opened the Asian Forest exhibit, featuring critically endangered orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and Komodo dragons. The zoo is open daily, except on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

Education

Waco's education system is highly regarded for several reasons. As a college town, Waco places a strong emphasis on education, offering numerous schools and universities for local high school graduates who wish to pursue higher education nearby. One prominent institution is Baylor University, a private Christian university and one of the earliest colleges west of the Mississippi, as well as one of the oldest continuously operating universities in Texas. Additionally, Waco is home to Texas State Technical College and McLennan Community College.

14.2% of Waco's population is 65+ years and older. U.S. Census Bureau