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Detailed Information about Woodway, TX

This document provides detailed information about Woodway, Texas, including neighborhood information, crime rates, demographics, community information, and what the city is known for.

History

The land that became Woodway was first settled by Civil War veteran Burl Kendrick, who purchased 320 acres in 1865. The Whitehall Church was built in 1877 and served as the community's social anchor until it closed around 1924. The Whitehall School opened in 1901 on land deeded by Captain Kendrick and operated until about 1918. The first community well was drilled in 1950 and still serves the city today.

By the early 1950s, the area had grown into two distinct communities — Woodland West and the Village of Midway. Residents filed for incorporation at McLennan County Courthouse on May 23, 1955, and voters approved it on June 11, 1955. The city was officially incorporated as Woodway Village on June 20, 1955 — a portmanteau of the two existing community names. Population at incorporation was approximately 250 residents.

The city grew steadily through the latter half of the 20th century:

Year Population
1960 1,244
1970 4,819
1980 7,091
1990 8,695
2000 8,733
2010 8,452
2020 9,420

In 1973, the city was upgraded to home rule status and officially became the City of Woodway. In 1975, the police and fire departments were merged into a combined Public Safety Department. In 1997, the Carleen Bright Arboretum project began, featuring an exact replica of the original Whitehall Church as a centerpiece.

Neighborhood Information

Woodway has a small-town, neighborhood character with mature trees, established subdivisions, and a mix of mid-century and newer custom homes. Notable subdivisions and neighborhoods include:

  • Bird Streets — A highly sought-after area where street names follow a bird theme (Cardinal, Robin, etc.); homes sit beneath mature oak canopy.
  • Rainbow Lake — One of the oldest areas in the city; summer homes were built here as early as 1922.
  • Woodland West — The historic pre-incorporation community whose name contributed to the city's portmanteau name.
  • Badger Ranch / Badger Ridge — A premier neighborhood near schools and Hwy 84 with large lots and views.
  • Westlake / Westlake Estates — A gated luxury enclave with 12 acres of open space and a 17-hole putting green.
  • Tanglewood Estates — Custom homes just off Hwy 84 with sidewalk-lined streets and access to natural gas.
  • Quail Creek — Large double lots of over half an acre.
  • The Lakes at Heather Run — A neighborhood with lakes and green space.
  • Fossil Ridge, Hunter's Mountain, Oak Ridge, Renaissance, River Run, Royalton, Southwood, Sugar Creek, The Villages at Twin Rivers, West Woodway Estates, Western Hills, Willow Creek — Additional established subdivisions throughout the city.

Crime Rates

Woodway is one of the safest communities in Central Texas. Key statistics:

  • City-Data crime index: 89 (vs. national average of 235.3) — significantly safer than average.
  • Violent crime rate: ~132 per 100,000 residents — approximately 66% lower than the national rate (~388) and 70% lower than the Texas state rate (~447).
  • Property crime rate: ~935 per 100,000 residents — approximately 52% lower than the national rate (~1,958).
  • Overall: Woodway's total crime rate is roughly 54% below the national average and 60% below the Texas average.

Per NeighborhoodScout data (per 1,000 residents): - Overall: 10.74 (1 in 93 chance of being a crime victim) - Violent crime: 1.24 (1 in 807 chance) - Property crime: 9.50 — primarily theft (8.78 per 1,000); burglary is rare (0.21 per 1,000)

Recent trend (Woodway Public Safety Dept. 2025 Year-in-Review): - Theft decreased 21% from 2022 to 2025 (from 122 to 96 incidents). - Weapon violations decreased 66% from 2022 to 2025. - Assaults increased 26% from 2024 to 2025 (from 27 to 34), the only rising category. - Traffic accidents down 10% from 2023 to 2025.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Woodway was 9,420. The 2026 estimate is ~9,686, with a slight annual rate of -0.02% (population has grown 2.82% overall since 2020).

  • Racial Composition:
  • White (Non-Hispanic): 81.3%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 9.7%
  • Two or more races: 3.1%
  • Black or African American: 4.4%
  • Asian: 2.5%
  • Median Age: 44.1 years
  • Median Household Income (2023 est.): $115,729 — well above the state and national averages.
  • Median Home Value (2023 est.): $404,945
  • Poverty Rate: ~1.8% — among the lowest in McLennan County.

Community Information

Woodway is a well-established city with a strong sense of community and a high quality of life. The Carleen Bright Arboretum (9001 Bosque Blvd) serves as the city's primary community hub, hosting the monthly Farmers Market, annual Arbo Fest, the Roadrunner Festival, and a wide variety of events throughout the year. The city also hosts an annual 4th of July Parade and the Bound for the Brave 5K/10K benefiting first responder families.

What Woodway is Known For

  • High Quality of Life: Consistently ranked among the best places to live in the Waco area by Niche.com and similar outlets.
  • Excellent Schools: Served by Midway ISD, ranked #1 in McLennan County.
  • Safety: One of the lowest crime rates in the region.
  • Affluence: Median household income of ~$115,000, among the highest in McLennan County.
  • The Carleen Bright Arboretum: A beloved 15-acre community green space and event venue.

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