The Waco Area

Baylor University in Waco, Texas, is a private Baptist university and a nationally ranked liberal arts institution. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in the state. Though 80 percent of our students hail from Texas, we are home to students from all 50 states, as well as 80 countries. Visit the Baylor website for details about our history, mission, student life and more.

With the school's move to 811 Washington Ave. in downtown Waco in late 2010, we are just steps away from downtown restaurants, Heritage Square concerts and festivals, great shopping and much more! The historic Waco Suspension Bridge across the beautiful Brazos River is just a short lunch-time walk.

Waco is in the heart of Central Texas, just an hour and a half south of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and an hour and a half north of the capital city, Austin, on I-35.

Waco is home to Magnolia Market, the Dr Pepper Museum, Cameron Park, the Doris Miller Memorial and the Waco Mammoth National Monument. To learn even more about the Waco area, click here for more information on local attractions, shopping, entertainment and more.

Waco Quick Facts

Year Founded: 1894

Population of Waco: 138,4865 (2020)

Population of Waco MSA: 277,005 (2020)

County Seat of: McLennan County

Size of Waco City Limits: 85 sq. miles

Suburbs: Beverly Hills, Lacy Lakeview, Woodway, Hewitt, Bellmead, China Spring and Robinson

Winter/Summer Temperatures: December, 38.7 degrees F/July, 100.4 degrees F

Rivers: Brazos and Bosque

Lake: Lake Waco - 7,000 acres with 60 miles of shoreline

Parks: 35 throughout Waco, including the 416-acre Cameron Park (the 2nd largest park in the country owned by a city...second only to Central Park in NYC)

Transportation: Waco Regional Airport, serviced by commuter carriers American Eagle and Continental Connection to DFW and Houston airports

Public Transit System (Bus, Trolley)

Highways: Major Artery IH-35, with secondary arteries of Texas Highway 6, US 77, US Hwy 84

Home to: Magnolia, The Dr Pepper Museum, Waco Mammoth National Monument, the Suspension Bridge, Cameron Park and the Cameron Park Zoo, the Mayborn Museum, the Doris Miller Memorial, the Texas Ranger Museum and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame...plus so much more! 

What's Next?

• Visit Us! Make plans to visit Waco, tour Baylor's campus and meet current students.
• Interested in learning more about the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work? Explore our helpful resource library.