Detailed Information about South Waco¶
Neighborhood Information¶
South Waco (City of Waco "Cesar Chavez" neighborhood) is the historic center of Waco's Hispanic/Latino community. The ZIP 76706 is large and includes Baylor University's campus at its northern edge; demographic figures for the specifically Hispanic residential core (La Salle Avenue corridor, Gurley Lane, Speight Avenue area) reflect a higher Hispanic concentration than the zip-wide averages shown below. School demographics (Alta Vista Elementary: 65% Hispanic) are a better proxy for the core residential neighborhood character.
Crime Rates¶
ZIP 76706 receives a crime safety score of 65/100 (Grade C — Moderate) — around the national average, and in line with the broader Waco city norm.
- Waco citywide violent crime: 426 per 100,000 residents (+18.6% above national average)
- Waco citywide property crime: 2,126 per 100,000 (+20.8% above national)
- Waco overall safety percentile: 14th nationally (safer than 14% of U.S. cities)
- 2025 citywide crime trend: Overall crime down 7.3% vs. 2024; crimes against persons up slightly
The northwest quadrant of Waco is consistently the safest; South Waco has crime rates closer to the city norm. The 76706 zip is rated more moderately than the city's worst-rated areas.
For current data, see the Waco Police Department Crime Map.
Demographics¶
| Metric | ZIP 76706 | Waco City |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024 est.) | ~41,627 | ~149,600 |
| Population growth (2019–2024) | +6.1% | ~+1.0%/yr |
| Median Age | 24.2 years | 29.7 years |
| Median Household Income | $41,656 | ~$54,365 |
| Family Poverty Rate | ~13.4% | — |
Race / Ethnicity (ZIP 76706):
| Group | Share |
|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | ~48% |
| Hispanic / Latino | ~30–31% |
| Black / African American | ~15–18% |
| Other | ~4% |
Note: The 76706 zip includes Baylor University's campus, which dilutes the Hispanic percentage. The specifically Hispanic residential blocks of South Waco have a higher concentration — Alta Vista Elementary, for example, is 65.2% Hispanic and 21.8% Black.
Housing¶
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median home sale price (ZIP 76706) | ~$270,000 (January 2026; down ~11% YoY) |
| Market competitiveness | 34/100 — somewhat competitive; homes avg. 93 days on market |
| Average rent (Waco 2025–2026) | $1,041–$1,341/month |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | ~27.95% |
| Rental vacancy rate | ~18.84% |
Note: The 76706 zip includes Baylor-adjacent areas with elevated values. The working-class residential streets of South Waco proper likely trade at lower price points than the zip-wide median.
Housing stock: Primarily post-WWII modest single-family wood-frame homes (many built 1940s–1960s), with some older housing predating the 1958 urban renewal demolitions of Sandtown and Calle Dos. The Baylor sub-area skews heavily renter-occupied; the South Waco residential core has more owner-occupied single-family homes.
Neighborhood Developments (2022–2025)¶
Floyd Casey Village (Adjacent, Northern Edge)¶
Turner Brothers Development is redeveloping the former Floyd Casey Stadium site into a $100M+ mixed-use, mixed-income community: 259 single-family lots, 3 multifamily sites, 3 commercial sites. Groundwork began 2023; full build-out expected through the late 2020s. At South Waco community request, streets within the development are being named after local Hispanic figures.
$22M Floyd Casey Park¶
City of Waco finalized plans (March 2024) for an inclusive playground, skate park, and ball fields on part of the former stadium site — a direct amenity benefit for South Waco residents.
Grassroots Waco Pocket Neighborhood (2026)¶
Grassroots Community Development (1624 Colcord Ave) — a South Waco-based nonprofit focused on affordable homeownership — broke ground February 2026 on a 25-home pocket neighborhood at the former Sanger Avenue Elementary site (17th and Fort Streets): 14 affordable units and 11 market-rate units, supported in part by a $3 million federal grant from Congressman Pete Sessions.
Hispanic Heritage Mural (September 2025)¶
A major mural was unveiled on the exterior of the South Waco Community Center, commissioned by the Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Association and the City of Waco. Painted by muralist Jesus Rivera over eight months, it depicts indigenous/Hispanic history, the former Calle Dos neighborhood, and local community leaders.
Waco Hispanic Museum Expansion¶
The Waco Hispanic Museum (2815 Speight Ave) continues to expand its collection of photographs, artifacts, newspaper clippings, and artwork from the demolished Sandtown and Calle Dos neighborhoods. Free admission. Managed by La Mutualista.