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Heart of Texas, Waco

Heart of Texas is a City of Waco recognized neighborhood on the western side of Waco, centered along Bosque Boulevard. It spans ZIP codes 76707, 76708, and 76710, and sits adjacent to the Woodway border. The neighborhood takes its name from the regional identity of Central Texas and shares that name with the Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo, one of the largest annual events in the region.

Overview

  • Population: Approximately 5,525 (2017 estimate)
  • Community Feel: A mid-century residential neighborhood with a mix of long-established homeowners and renters. The area is anchored by Bosque Boulevard, which serves as its commercial spine and links it to Woodway and the broader Waco metro.
  • Resident Profile: Working and middle-class families; median age approximately 32.4 years. About 50% of residents are homeowners.

Key Characteristics

  • Location: Centered on Bosque Boulevard in western Waco, bordering Woodway.
  • ZIP Codes: 76707, 76708, 76710
  • Economy: Median household income approximately $35,187; per capita income $18,035 — well below Texas state averages. See the Heart of Texas Details file for more.
  • Housing: Single-story cottages and ranch-style homes built primarily in the 1950s, on lots under 0.25 acres. Median property value approximately $169,500. About 50% of residents are homeowners.
  • Education: Served by Waco Independent School District (WISD). Waco ISD received its 4th consecutive D district rating (TEA 2025). Serving campuses: Dean Highland Elementary (F, 3 consecutive — charter contract with Third Future Schools), Crestview (D), Tennyson Middle (C), Waco High (D). For details, see the Heart of Texas Schools file.

History

The Heart of Texas neighborhood developed primarily in the postwar boom of the late 1940s and 1950s. Its anchor institution — the H.O.T. (Heart O' Texas) Coliseum — opened on April 11, 1953, following a $1.2 million McLennan County bond vote. At completion it was the largest indoor arena in Texas. The Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo has been held annually since 1953 and named the top PRCA rodeo in 1974.

The neighborhood's identity has long been intertwined with the Extraco Events Center (the coliseum's current name), which has hosted major entertainment, sports, and livestock events for over 70 years.

Detailed Information

For more detailed information on the community, see the Heart of Texas Details file.

Amenities and Lifestyle

For detailed information on events and recreation, see the Heart of Texas Details file.

  • Extraco Events Center: The renamed H.O.T. Coliseum at 4601 Bosque Blvd hosts 300+ events per year with over $60 million in annual economic impact. A $34 million renovation was completed following a 2017 voter approval.
  • Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo: Held every October since 1953. The 73rd annual ran October 2–12, 2025, drawing 200,000+ attendees. One of the premier PRCA rodeos in the state. Elvis Presley performed here on April 23, 1955 and again in October 1956.
  • Bosque Boulevard Corridor: The commercial spine of the neighborhood, connecting retail, dining, and services between Waco and Woodway.

Food and Dining

For a detailed list of dining options near Heart of Texas, see the Heart of Texas Restaurants file.

Religious Community

For a detailed list of churches in the Heart of Texas area, see the Heart of Texas Churches file.

Sources