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Woodway, Texas

Woodway is an affluent suburb of Waco, consistently cited as one of the best places to live in the greater Waco area. It is located in McLennan County, southwest of Waco, and borders Hewitt to the south and east.

Overview

  • Population: Approximately 9,420 (2020 census); estimated ~9,686 as of 2026, with a very slight annual decline of -0.02%. Population has grown 2.82% overall since the 2020 census.
  • Community Feel: Woodway offers a quiet, residential atmosphere with a strong sense of community. The vast majority of residents (around 91%) own their homes, giving the city a stable, established character.
  • Resident Profile: The population is a mix of families, young professionals, and retirees, with a tendency to lean conservative.

Key Characteristics

  • Schools: Served primarily by the highly-rated Midway Independent School District (MISD), ranked #1 in McLennan County by Niche.com. For a detailed list, see the Woodway Schools file.
  • Housing: The median home value is approximately $404,945 (2023 est.), with a median household income of about $115,729 — among the highest in the Waco metro area. 95% of housing units are detached single-family homes, and ~91% of residents are homeowners.
  • Safety: Woodway is one of the safest communities in Central Texas, with a crime rate approximately 54% below the national average.
  • Parks: The Carleen Bright Arboretum (9001 Bosque Blvd) is a 16-acre facility featuring extensive gardens, a chapel replica, an amphitheater, and a pavilion. It serves as the city's primary community gathering space.

Healthcare

For hospitals, urgent care, and specialty care serving the Woodway area, see the Healthcare Directory.

Grocery & Shopping

For HEB locations, shopping centers, and retail options, see the Grocery & Shopping Guide.

Utilities & Internet

For electricity providers, internet options, and utility setup, see the Utilities & Internet Guide.

Traffic & Commute

For commute times, I-35 construction updates, and road corridors, see the Traffic & Commute Guide.

Childcare & Daycares

For Primrose School (Woodway), First Woodway MDO, Waco Montessori, and other options in the Midway ISD zone, see the Childcare & Daycares Guide.

Kids & Family

Woodway's primary local family asset is the Carleen Bright Arboretum (9001 Bosque Blvd) — a free 16-acre botanical garden that functions as one of the nicest family parks in the Waco metro.

Kid highlights at the Arboretum: - Free splash pad — Open Memorial Day–Labor Day, 9am–7pm - Playgrounds and swings - Todd Willis Nature Trail — Winding path through native woodland; manageable for young children - Fountains and open green space for running around

Woodway's position in Midway ISD (ranked #1 in McLennan County by Niche) is a significant quality-of-life advantage for families with school-age children. See Woodway Schools.

For a full guide to kids activities across the Waco metro — including Cameron Park, the library summer program, and paid attractions — see the Kids & Family Guide.

Housing & Real Estate

For home prices, rent ranges, new construction, property tax rates, and buyer guidance across the metro, see the Housing & Real Estate Guide.

History

The land that became Woodway was first settled by Civil War veteran Burl Kendrick, who purchased 320 acres in 1865. The Whitehall Church (1877) and Whitehall School (1901) served as early community anchors before both closed in the 1920s. By the early 1950s, the area comprised two distinct communities — Woodland West and the Village of Midway — which were growing rapidly as suburban housing demand increased.

Residents filed for incorporation on May 23, 1955, and voters approved it on June 11, 1955. On June 20, 1955, the community was officially incorporated as Woodway Village — a portmanteau of the two pre-existing community names. Population at incorporation was approximately 250. The city was upgraded to home rule status as the City of Woodway in 1973.

Key milestones: - 1956 — First volunteer fire department established. - 1963 — First police chief hired. - 1975 — Police and fire merged into a combined Public Safety Department. - 1997 — Carleen Bright Arboretum project began, including a replica of the original Whitehall Church. - 2020 — Population reached 9,383, making it one of the most prosperous cities in McLennan County.

Detailed Information

For more detailed information on neighborhoods, crime rates, and demographics, see the Woodway Details file.

Economy and Major Employers

For a detailed overview of the economic landscape and major employers for Woodway, see the Woodway Major Employers file.

Amenities and Lifestyle

  • Parks and Recreation: The Carleen Bright Arboretum hosts a monthly farmers market, annual festivals, and a wide variety of community events year-round.
  • Accessibility: Easy access to Highway 84 and I-35 allows a short commute to downtown Waco and other central areas. The average commute time is about 17 minutes.
  • Dining: Woodway has a strong restaurant scene ranging from Texas Monthly–ranked BBQ to upscale fine dining.

For a detailed list of community events in Woodway, see the Woodway Events file.

Food and Dining

For a detailed list of notable restaurants in Woodway, see the Woodway Restaurants file.

Religious Community

For a detailed list of churches in Woodway, see the Woodway Churches file.

June 2026 Updates

Updated June 2026 — Speegleville Elementary closure confirmed May 22; Woodway Elementary redistricting in effect fall 2026.

  • Speegleville Elementary — Final Day May 22, 2026: Speegleville Elementary held its final day on May 22, 2026. 110 students are now redistricted to Woodway Elementary for the 2026–27 school year. Woodway Elementary should expect an enrollment increase of ~110 students. Sources: KWTX (May 22, 2026), KCENTV.

Spring 2026 Updates

Updated May 2026 — Active construction pipeline and municipal governance news.

  • Active Development Pipeline: Woodway currently has 113 registered construction projects valued at $149.9M, including 67 new construction projects and 46 renovation projects totaling 964,000+ sq ft across commercial, residential, and mixed-use development. Leading developers include McLennan Development Company and HK Enterprises. Source: Zabalist.

  • Charter Amendment Effort (Mayoral Elections): A resident petition drive is underway to amend Woodway's city charter to allow direct mayoral elections by voters. Under the current Council/Manager form of government, the mayor is selected annually by the city council rather than by popular vote. The petition requires 400 valid signatures within a 45-day window to place the amendment on the November ballot. Source: Texas Scorecard.

  • Speegleville Elementary Closure: Midway ISD's Speegleville Elementary (voted to close March 5, 2026) will transition its students to South Bosque and Woodway Elementary beginning fall 2026.

Sources