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CITY

Waco

North Carolina · 316 residents (2025 est.) · 0.838 sq mi
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The short version

Population has fallen 48% since 2000, a loss of 157 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value is $92,500. With a median age of 58.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Poverty is rare here, at 2.9% of residents.

At a glance
Older
median age 58.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 20%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
171
−48%since 2000
from 328 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
204 / sq mi
−48%since 2000
from 391 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
58.8
+50%since 2000
from 39.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:316 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1542062583093611990201020202024Waco
2024171
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Per capita income
$28,893
+44%since 2000
from $20,081 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.2%
+28.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.9%
−5.4 ptssince 2000
from 8.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.440
+10%since 2010
from 0.400 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade15.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance8.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Wholesale trade6.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Information6.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Education & health services6.5%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$92,500
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $63,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
85.5%
+15.4 ptssince 2000
from 70.1% in 2000
14.5% rent
Vacancy rate
33.3%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 27.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
18.5%
−19.5 ptssince 2009
from 37.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
100.0%
+92.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
RELATED:See current rent listings in Waco on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic80.5%(264)
Black18.3%(60)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score37.7%(124)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.2%(156)
Black4.7%(8)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.5%(6)
Diversity Score20.5%(35)
Diversity Score
21
−46%since 2000
from 38 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 10.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.7%
+23.3 ptssince 2000
from 64.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
44.1 min
+159%since 2000
from 17.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.6%
−16.0 ptssince 2009
from 85.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−12.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
30.4%
+30.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.3%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.2%
+1.5 ptssince 2011
from 2.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
31.0%
−30.4 ptssince 2011
from 61.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
30.4%
+23.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 41.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.8%
−11.4 ptssince 2009
from 58.2% in 2009
Female
53.2%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 41.8% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
15.5%
−39.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
41.5%
+22.5 ptssince 2012
from 19.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.1%
−58.1 ptssince 2013
from 69.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
76.3%
+27.3 ptssince 2017
from 49.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.1%
−2.9 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Waco to nearby cities

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WACO VS
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WACO VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Waco, North Carolina?

Waco, North Carolina has about 171 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

Is Waco, North Carolina expensive?

In Waco, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $92,500.

How educated are people in Waco, North Carolina?

About 12.3% of adults age 25 and over in Waco, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Waco, North Carolina?

About 2.9% of people in Waco, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Waco, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Waco, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 145 residents, a change of about -46 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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