Waco metropolitan area
The Waco, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is a metropolitan area consisting of McLennan, Falls and Bosque counties in Central Texas, anchored by the city of Waco.[1] As of the 2020 census, the metropolitan statistical area had a population of 295,782.[2] The population was estimated at 308,807 in 2025.[2]
History
When Standard Metropolitan Areas (predecessors of today's Metropolitan Statistical Areas) were introduced by the Bureau of the Budget (now the OMB) in 1950, the Waco SMA was defined as solely consisting of McLennan County.[3] Falls County was added to the statistical area in 2013.[4] Bosque County was added in 2023, giving the MSA its current three-county form.[1]
Counties
| County | Seat | 2025 estimate | 2020 Census | Change | Area | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLennan | Waco | 272,020 | 260,579 | +4.39% | 1,060 sq mi (2,745 km2) | 257/sq mi (99/km2) |
| Bosque | Meridian | 18,918 | 18,235 | +3.75% | 1,003 sq mi (2,598 km2) | 19/sq mi (7/km2) |
| Falls | Marlin | 17,869 | 16,968 | +5.31% | 774 sq mi (2,005 km2) | 23/sq mi (9/km2) |
| Total | 308,807 | 295,782 | +4.40% | 2,837 sq mi (7,348 km2) | 109/sq mi (42/km2) |
Communities
Incorporated places
McLennan
- City of Bellmead
- City of Beverly Hills
- City of Bruceville-Eddy (partial)
- Town of Crawford
- City of Gholson
- City of Golinda (partial)
- City of Hallsburg
- City of Hewitt
- City of Lacy Lakeview
- City of Leroy
- City of Lorena
- City of Mart
- City of McGregor (partial)
- City of Moody
- City of Riesel
- City of Robinson
- City of Ross
- City of Valley Mills (partial)
- City of Waco (Principal city)
- City of West
- City of Woodway
Falls
- City of Bruceville-Eddy (partial)
- City of Golinda (partial)
- City of Lott
- City of Marlin
- City of Rosebud
Bosque
Unincorporated places
McLennan
- Axtell
- China Spring
- Elm Mott
- Speegleville
- Downsville
- Asa
Falls
See also
References
- 1 2 "OMB BULLETIN NO. 23-01" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. July 21, 2023. p. 76. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
- 1 2 "Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. May 26, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
- ↑ "STANDARD METROPOLITAN AREAS (SMAs) AND COMPONENTS, 1950, WITH FIPS CODES". Bureau of the Budget. October 13, 1950. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
- ↑ "OMB BULLETIN NO. 13-01" (PDF). Office of Management and Budget. February 28, 2013. p. 51. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
31°33′N 97°9′W / 31.550°N 97.150°W