Detailed Information about Castle Heights, Waco¶
Neighborhood Information¶
Castle Heights (City of Waco "Austin Avenue" neighborhood) is Waco's first National Register of Historic Places district (2009). The core historic district lies in ZIP 76710, between approximately 33rd and 39th Streets along Austin Avenue. It contains approximately 230 homes built primarily between 1923 and 1960 in a wide variety of historic architectural styles, laid out according to City Beautiful Movement principles with curvilinear streets and large lots.
The Austin Avenue Neighborhood Association (AANA) is the active neighborhood organization: 3101 Austin Ave.; info@AustinAvenueWaco.com; austinavenuewaco.com; annual dues $20.
Crime Rates¶
Castle Heights falls within the broader northwest Waco area, which is one of the safest parts of the city. ZIP 76708 (which encompasses much of the broader north Waco area) receives a CrimeGrade safety index of A- (index 109) — significantly safer than Waco's city average and safer than the national average for comparable areas.
- Chance of victimization in northwest Waco: approximately 1 in 39 (vs. 1 in 15 in southwest Waco)
- Waco city overall crime grade: C (14th percentile for safety nationally)
For current data, see the Waco Police Department Crime Map.
Demographics¶
| Metric | Castle Heights (City-Data) | ZIP 76708 | Waco City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Population | ~1,732 | ~27,700–28,800 | ~149,600 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.7 | 29.7 |
| Avg. Individual Income | $29,293 | — | — |
| Median Household Income | — | $51,432–$66,800 | ~$54,365 |
| Poverty Rate | — | ~13.6% | — |
Note: The Castle Heights figure of ~1,732 covers the immediate neighborhood boundary. ZIP 76708 encompasses a much larger area and should not be confused with the neighborhood-level data.
Race / Ethnicity (ZIP 76708):
| Group | Share |
|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 50.0% |
| Hispanic / Latino | 31.3% |
| Black / African American | 13.6% |
| Asian | 2.2% |
Housing¶
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value (ZIP 76708) | $219,900–$221,000 | ZIP-wide figure |
| Median listing price (ZIP 76708) | $279,000 | |
| Median days on market | 111 days | Slower market |
| Median rent — 2BR | ~$1,180/mo | |
| Median rent — 3BR | ~$1,700/mo | |
| Owner-occupied | ~69.9% |
Castle Heights Historic District specifically: Home values skew significantly higher than the ZIP-wide average. A 5BR/4BA 4,757 sq ft home built in 1939 on a 26,136 sq ft lot was listed at $1,250,000 (early 2026). The prestige of the NRHP designation, large lots, curvilinear streets, and architectural quality command a premium.
Housing stock: - ~230 homes within the historic district core - Construction period: 1923–1960 (primary); post-WWII ranch homes added through the 1950s–1960s - Styles: Tudor Revival, Colonial Revival, Spanish Colonial/Eclectic Revival, Georgian, Classical, Mediterranean, Gothic Revival, Post-WWII Ranch - Designed by: Birch D. Easterwood and Son; Roy Lane (also designer of the Amicable Building) - Predominantly large-lot single-family detached homes; minimal multi-family within the historic core
Neighborhood Developments (2022–2025)¶
Cottonland Castle / Magnolia (2022–2024)¶
- 2022: Chip and Joanna Gaines completed full restoration of Cottonland Castle (3300 Austin Ave.), first purchased in 2019. Documented in Fixer Upper: The Castle (HGTV, 6 episodes).
- 2023–2024: Property opened for ticketed tours ($50/person) November 2023 through September 2024 via Magnolia.
- 2025: Listed for sale at approximately $2.9 million through Magnolia Realty.
Garden City Grocery (Austin Ave. at 18th St., projected 2026)¶
Waco City Council approved $570,000 in incentives (a $320,000 TIF Zone No. 4 reimbursement + a $250,000 forgivable loan) for developer Peter Ellis to transform the former H-E-B building at 18th Street and Austin Avenue into Garden City Grocery — a 40,000 sq ft neighborhood grocery market with 10 upper-floor lofts. Construction slated to begin April 2024 with target completion April 2026. The city council noted the area is a "food desert."
Sironia Uptown Cafe Closure (February 2024)¶
The landmark Uptown Cafe at 1509 Austin Ave closed February 28, 2024, after 20+ years — ending an era for the Uptown corridor's commercial identity.
Waco ISD Attendance Zone Redistricting (2025)¶
Waco ISD undertook its first systemwide attendance zone change since 2012 (driven by $355 million in bond-funded construction). Cedar Ridge Elementary expected enrollment relief from redrawn boundaries. Boundaries should be verified via Waco ISD's InfoFinder tool before relying on school assignments.