Where is Waco, Texas, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Waco Located? - Waco is a city located in the McLennan County of Texas, United States. Waco lies between 35.4492404 Degrees North latitudes and 86.7888887 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Waco, Texas

Where is Waco, Texas

Waco Map, Texas, USA

Where is Waco?: The Google Map showing the location of Waco in the U.S. state of Texas.

Where is Waco Located?

Waco is a city located in the McLennan County of Texas, United States. Waco lies between 35.4492404 Degrees North latitudes and 86.7888887 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Waco city is 138486 people and the city has a total area of 88.86 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Waco, Texas Quick Facts

AttributeDetails
CityWaco
CountyMcLennan County
StateTexas
State CapitalAustin
US RegionSouthern United States
Latitude31.5493° N
Longitude97.1467° W
ElevationApproximately 405 ft (123 m)
Land Area95.5 sq mi
Water Area9.1 sq mi
Total Area104.6 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)138,486
Population DensityApproximately 1,450 per sq mi
ZIP Codes76701–76799
Area Code254
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (CST), UTC−6
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (CDT), UTC−5
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code48-76000
Community TypeCity

Transportation and Connectivity in Waco, Texas

TransportationDetails
Airport NameWaco Regional Airport
IATA CodeACT
Regional AirportDallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Major HighwaysInterstate 35, US Route 84, US Route 77, State Highway 6
Bus ServiceWaco Transit System provides local public transportation
Rail ServiceFreight rail service; Amtrak service available in nearby communities
Local Transit ServiceWaco Transit System
  • Interstate 35 — Major north-south interstate connecting Waco with Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio.
  • US Route 84 — Provides east-west regional connections across Central Texas.
  • State Highway 6 — Connects Waco with surrounding Central Texas communities.

Top Places to Visit in Waco, Texas

Landmark NameType
Magnolia Market at the SilosShopping and Tourist Attraction
Dr Pepper MuseumHistory Museum
Waco Mammoth National MonumentNational Monument
Cameron ParkNature Park
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and MuseumHistory Museum
Mayborn Museum ComplexScience and Cultural Museum
Suspension Bridge and RiverwalkHistoric Landmark
Lake WacoRecreation Area
Waco Downtown Historic DistrictHistoric District
Carleen Bright ArboretumBotanical Garden

Driving Distances from Waco, Texas to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
AustinTexas100 mi1 hour 30 minutes
DallasTexas95 mi1 hour 30 minutes
Fort WorthTexas90 mi1 hour 30 minutes
San AntonioTexas180 mi2 hours 45 minutes
HoustonTexas185 mi3 hours
TylerTexas125 mi2 hours
AbileneTexas150 mi2 hours 15 minutes
Corpus ChristiTexas250 mi4 hours
Oklahoma CityOklahoma250 mi4 hours
El PasoTexas620 mi9 hours

Colleges and Universities Near Waco, Texas

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Baylor UniversityPrivateUniversityResearch, business, law, sciences, education, and NCAA Division I athletics
McLennan Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeAssociate degrees, workforce training, nursing, and technical programs
Texas State Technical College - WacoPublicTechnical CollegeEngineering technology, manufacturing, aviation, and workforce education
University of Mary Hardin-BaylorPrivateUniversityLiberal arts, health sciences, business, and professional programs
Tarleton State University - WacoPublicUniversity CampusGraduate programs, education, business, and professional studies

Waterbodies Near Waco, Texas

Brazos River, Lake Waco, Bosque River, Lake Waco Wetlands, and nearby Central Texas waterways provide opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and outdoor recreation.

Golf Courses and Stadiums Near Waco

Golf Courses: Cottonwood Creek Golf Course, Lake Waco Golf Club, and Ridgewood Country Club. Stadiums and sports facilities include McLane Stadium, Baylor Ballpark, Getterman Stadium, Heart O' Texas Speedway, and local community athletic fields.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Waco, Texas

Landmark NameType
Magnolia Market at the SilosTourist Attraction
Dr Pepper MuseumHistory Museum
Waco Mammoth National MonumentNational Monument
Cameron ParkUrban Park
Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and MuseumHistory Museum
Mayborn Museum ComplexScience and Cultural Museum
McLane StadiumSports Stadium
Waco Suspension BridgeHistoric Landmark
Waco Downtown Historic DistrictHistoric District
Lake WacoRecreation Area

Waco, Texas — Key Historical Facts

  • The Waco area was originally inhabited by Native American groups, including the Wichita people, before European settlement expanded into Central Texas.
  • Spanish explorers traveled through the region during the 18th century, establishing early connections between Central Texas communities.
  • The city of Waco was founded in the 1840s near a crossing point on the Brazos River and was named after the local Wichita Native American village known as Huaco.
  • The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century helped Waco grow as a regional center for agriculture, trade, and education.
  • Baylor University was established in 1845 and became one of the oldest continuously operating universities in Texas.
  • Waco became internationally known as the birthplace of Dr Pepper, which was first developed in the city in the 1880s.
  • The city played an important role in Texas agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation throughout the 20th century.
  • Today, Waco is known for Baylor University, historic attractions, museums, riverfront recreation, and Central Texas culture.

References

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