$258,532Average Value$356Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
Looking up in Downtown Waco
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Downtown Waco neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Waco
US
Homicide
6
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
7
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Downtown Waco Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Waco, Waco sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Downtown Waco, Waco over the last 12 months is $465,000, up 50% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Rare opportunity to own a piece of historic Waco. This exceptional two bedroom, three full bathroom residence occupies the top two floors of the iconic Behrens Lofts, originally constructed in 1913 as the headquarters of the Behrens Drug Company, one of Waco’s earliest and most influential pharmaceutical businesses. Opportunities of this caliber rarely come available. Located minutes from Baylor
Beautiful luxury new construction designed and built by Aviles Construction, LLC. Just steps away from the Magnolia Silos, the newly built Foster Pavilion, Baylor University, and the Art Center of Waco. The gated and fully fenced property leads to an entryway with stunning glass double-doors equipped with a smart lock. A high ceiling over the seating area truly opens up the space and the kitchen
Come check out and don't miss the opportunity to own this COMPLETELY remodeled house, From BRAND NEW HVAC system, new appliances, new flooring, washer and dryer hookups, new deck... I can keep going and going.Close to Baylor University, shopping centers and a wide variety of restaurants, just few minutes away from medical clinics, from the Market Place and movie theater. Overall, this
Live at Abbey Glenn Apartments, where modern living meets the dynamic energy of Downtown Waco, TX. Situated just steps from Baylor University, Foster Pavilion, McLane Stadium, and the vibrant heart of the city, our community offers the ideal blend of comfort, convenience, and contemporary amenities. Whether youre searching for one, two, or three-bedroom apartments in Waco, TX, Abbey Glenn
This spacious 3 bedroom, 3 1-2 bath duplex offers comfort and convenience as it's located on corner of 17th St. And Flint Ave a couple blocks right off I35, only minutes away from Baylor University, HEB, a couple minutes from popular George's restaurant and walking distance to convenient stores.The Duplex was built in 2024 and has been used as an Airbnb so everything inside is practically
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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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.
