Downtown Waco is the birthplace of Dr Pepper, first conjured in a local drugstore in 1885. Like the effervescent bubbles in the popular soft drink, the heart of this central Texas city is on the rise. Once a thriving cotton market, transportation hub and commercial center, Waco suffered a savage blow in 1953 when a deadly tornado ripped through town. The storm destroyed hundreds of buildings, gutting the downtown district. As a result, shoppers abandoned the neighborhood in favor of the retail centers on Waco’s outskirts. However, recent efforts — most notably the contributions of Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV fame — are putting downtown Waco back on the map. “There are a lot of vacant lots since the tornado, so the city is trying to encourage buying and development in that area,” says Heather Foss, owner and operator at Magnolia Real Estate. This stretch along the Brazos River is home to city landmarks like the Dr Pepper Museum, the Hippodrome Theatre and the Waco Suspension Bridge.
Downtown Waco is at the heart of Texas.
Downtown Waco boasts with art in every corner.
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Dining and drinking along Austin Avenue
It’s impossible to miss the Silos, a pair of old grain storage facilities rising from downtown Waco like twin ivory towers. “Chip and Jo” purchased the structures in 2014 as a home base for Magnolia Market, a chic shopping destination. While the home goods store, bakery and food truck court are impeccably modern, the silos themselves remain in all their rustic glory. In their shadow lie the breweries, restaurants and independent shops that power Waco’s heartbeat. Fresh produce fills the open-air stalls at the Waco Downtown Farmers Market on Washington Avenue on Saturday mornings. Bibliophiles thumb through pages and sip espresso at Fabled Bookshop & Café. Diners can drop in at The Clay Pot for Vietnamese cuisine or sample the coast-to-coast representation of Mexican fare at Maria Mezcaleria. Backyard Bar Stage and Grill is the spot for live music and televised sporting events. Evening hangouts like the Waco Ale Company present karaoke and trivia events, but night owls should note that the lights dim early in this city of 145,000 residents. “It used to be that the sidewalks would roll up at 9,” says Mike Hamilton, chief creative officer at Rogue Media Network. “There’s not a lot of nightlife, but it’s getting there.” Zack Wickman, general manager at Waco Ale Company, seconds this assessment. “Waco’s a real mom-and-pop town,” Wickman says. “On Sundays, everything’s closed. But in the next one to three years, I think things are going to explode.”
Downtown Waco has many fun restaurants including Maria Mezcaleria.
Union Hall in Downtown Waco has many food options for anyone.
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Branding the Brazos at Indian Spring Park
The Waco Suspension Bridge presides over Indian Spring Park, a riverside oasis featuring shady trees, walking paths and a natural grass amphitheater. Near the bridge, the “Branding the Brazos” art installation depicts a trail boss driving a herd of longhorns, their majestic figures sculpted in bronze. Also on site are the Vietnam Veterans and Waco Peace Officer Memorials. From here, visitors can head west along the Waco Riverwalk, enjoying the creative animal sculptures that adorn the path to Cameron Park. Downtown Waco is also home to Cotton Palace Park, a small centrally located space with a playground, paved walking trail, outdoor fitness station, picnic tables and grills.
Downtown Waco is home to the Brazos Sculptures.
Downtown Waco residents love kayaking down the Brazos River.
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Cozy condos and renovated spaces
Numerous condo developments anchor downtown Waco’s housing market. Residents can enjoy morning coffee on the balcony before venturing to Austin Avenue or Magnolia Market, just steps away. Most single-family homes are one-story cottages with two to three bedrooms, but some larger contemporary builds are in the mix. Lots measure about 5,000 to 7,000 square feet, and many are partially or fully fenced. Basic one-bedroom condos cost between $225,000 and $325,000, while three-bedroom units in luxury developments fetch $600,000 to $700,000. A three-bedroom cottage might sell for $150,000 to $350,000. Newly constructed and renovated historic homes are priced in the $500,000 to $1 million range. If the home was featured on HGTV’s “Fixer Upper,” the price is bound to be relatively high.
Downtown Waco has many rehabbed houses.
Downtown Waco boasts many unique kinds of homes.
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GreatSchools ranks Cesar Chavez Middle School above average for Algebra I testing.
Coursing through Cesar Chavez Middle School
School days start at West Avenue Elementary, a few blocks northwest in the Brook Oaks neighborhood. Next comes Cesar Chavez Middle School, which boasts a downtown location. Both schools have a Niche grade of C. Students funnel into Waco High School, home of the Lions, with a Niche grade of B-minus.
Many Bands come out to play on the Brazos.
Bands on the Brazos
The annual Brazos Nights concert series rocks Indian Spring Park on the first Friday of May and June. On July 4, the series concludes at Touchdown Alley near McLane Stadium, home of the Baylor Bears. After the final concert, the H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza illuminates the sky over the river. Movie lovers line up for July’s Waco Independent Film Festival, also known as the “Deep in the Heart” festival, to honor the work of Texas filmmakers. The crown jewel in the Waco event lineup is the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo, which gallops onto the nearby Extraco Event Center every October.
The space between two highways
The Silo District Trolley is a free shuttle service that runs every 10 minutes Monday through Saturday, serving popular destinations like the Silos and the Dr Pepper Museum. Residents can also hop on Waco Transit System buses from numerous spots throughout the neighborhood. The station on South 8th Street serves as a Greyhound bus stop as well. Route 84 and Interstate 35 border downtown Waco to the west and east. From the interstate, motorists can make the 95-mile journey north to Dallas or travel 100 miles south to check out the scene in Austin. Waco Regional Airport is 6 miles away and offers connecting flights to major hubs.
The tornado’s aftermath
The 1953 tornado was the deadliest in Texas’s recorded history. Though the region has not seen a storm of that magnitude since, its tornado risk remains high by Texas standards and significantly higher than the national average. Since downtown Waco is situated on the banks of the Brazos River, flood risk is also a concern.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Welcome to Art, a vibrant, fully renovated short-term rental property just steps from the iconic Magnolia Silos and minutes from Baylor University. Located in the heart of Waco's highly sought-after O2 zoning district, this unique home offers an exceptional blend of artistic design and modern comfort, making it an ideal investment opportunity for discerning buyers, especially those with ties to
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222 Clay Court: where urban living meets laid-back luxury. Downtown Waco’s newest constructed apartment homes, 222 Clay Court is a short walk to downtown Waco, Baylor University, McLane Stadium, cafes, shopping, Brazos river running trail and Cameron Park. 222 Clay Court is connected to where you want to live. Located at 222 Clay Avenue, Waco, Texas 76706, the buildings hug the street, giving the
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
4,501
Median Age
29
Population under 18
26.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$35,926
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$68,044
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
74.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
19.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.1%
% Population in Labor Force
64.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
55/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
70/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
