Detailed Information about Downtown Waco¶
Neighborhood Information¶
Downtown Waco (ZIP 76701) is the urban core of Waco along Austin Avenue and the Brazos River waterfront. It is the most walkable district in the city and the primary tourism and entertainment hub for the metro area. The residential population is very small (~1,953 residents in ~759 households) because the ZIP is predominantly commercial and employment-driven — the daytime population is vastly larger than the residential count.
Crime Rates¶
Downtown Waco receives a CrimeGrade of "C" — residents and visitors should remain vigilant. It ranks among the higher-crime neighborhoods in the city alongside Carver, Brook Oaks, and Oakwood.
Waco-wide crime figures (most recent full reporting year):
| Category | Waco Rate (per 100K) | National Rate (per 100K) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 425.9 | 359.0 | +18.6% above national |
| Property Crime | 2,126.2 | 1,760.0 | +20.8% above national |
- Total violent crimes citywide: 623; chance of violent victimization: 1 in 234.8
- Total property crimes: 3,110; chance of property victimization: 1 in 47
- Positive trend: The 2024 Waco crime rate fell 15% compared to 2023
The safest Waco neighborhoods are in the northwest (North Lake Waco, Mountainview, Timbercrest, Kendrick, Parkdale Viking Hills). Approximately 81% of Waco's 26 neighborhoods rate A or B for safety; downtown is a notable exception.
For current data, see the Waco Police Department Crime Map.
Demographics¶
| Metric | ZIP 76701 | Waco City | McLennan County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Population | ~1,953 | ~149,600 | — |
| Households | ~759 | — | — |
| Median Age | 32.3 years | 29.7 years | — |
| Median Household Income | $24,593 | ~$54,365 | ~$63,888 |
The strikingly low median household income reflects a transient renter population, very low household counts, and concentration of low-income and subsidized housing within the ZIP.
Race / Ethnicity (76701):
| Group | Share |
|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | ~53.6% |
| Hispanic / Latino | ~24.7% |
| Black / African American | Above state average |
The young-adult (18–25) cohort is "extremely large" relative to similarly-sized ZIPs, consistent with proximity to Baylor University.
Housing¶
| Market | Median Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Waco (Redfin) | ~$465,000 (Sept 2025) | Thin sales volume — small sample size; treat with caution |
| Waco citywide | ~$244,500–$280,000 | More representative baseline |
Rental rates (ZIP 76701):
| Unit Type | Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $625 – $2,990/mo | ~$1,510/mo |
| 2 Bedroom | $805 – $3,975/mo | ~$1,838/mo |
Downtown rents are notably higher than the citywide average (~$1,041/mo for 1BR city-wide), reflecting the premium of urban loft and adaptive reuse units. The upper end of the range represents newer loft conversions.
Housing type: Dominated by urban lofts and adaptive reuse apartments in historic commercial buildings (Praetorian Lofts, Riverfront Lofts, Lofts at Franklin Square, and others). Condos are limited; single-family homes are minimal within the core ZIP. Downtown has added approximately 350 residential units through urban development phases, totaling more than 600,000 sq ft of development and ~$100M in investment across 22+ projects.
Neighborhood Developments (2024–2025)¶
$167M Downtown Redevelopment Plan¶
In June 2024, Waco City Council adopted a Strategic Roadmap for more than 100 acres of downtown Waco — a 12–20 year, multi-phase initiative:
- Phase 1A: Restoration of Barron's Branch creek, utility upgrades, and opening ~19 acres for future development. Design services began July 2024; permit applications targeted January 2025; street/utility construction targeted late 2025.
- City pursuing $35 million in federal grants to help fund the project.
- Over the prior six years, the city completed 57 projects totaling $462 million in capital investment in the downtown core.
Hotels Opened 2023–2025¶
| Hotel | Address | Opened | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel 1928 (Magnolia) | 701 Washington Ave., 76701 | November 2023 | Chip & Joanna Gaines + AJ Capital; Roaring '20s-themed historic renovation of the Grand Karem Shrine Building; The Brasserie restaurant on-site |
| Hotel Herringbone | 319 S. 4th St., 76701 | March 2024 | Boutique, 21 rooms in converted building; 4 restaurants + rooftop bar |
| AC Hotel Waco Downtown (Marriott) | 600 Mary Ave., 76701 | April 2024 | 5-min walk to Magnolia Silos; 1 mile from Baylor |
| Holiday Inn Express & Suites Downtown | Across Brazos River | January 2025 | Modern rooms and suites |
Eight total new hotels are in various stages of completion in the broader downtown area, collectively adding ~710 rooms.
Major Venues & Infrastructure¶
- Foster Pavilion (Baylor Basketball Arena): 650 S. University Parks Dr. — Opened January 2024; 7,000+ seat fieldhouse on the Brazos River bank, anchoring the new riverfront district.
- Brazos Promenade: Ongoing multi-year mixed-use development tying the river to downtown with restaurants, apartments, and retail.
- New downtown restaurants (2023–2025): Terry Black's BBQ, Red Herring (Mediterranean fine dining), Maria Mezcaleria (Oaxacan), Opal's Oysters.