Seven miles northeast of downtown near Interstate 35, Texas State Technical College in Waco engineers a stronger future for the Texas workforce. The two-year vocational school’s presence is so strong that the surrounding neighborhood is called Technology Village. Programs aim to strengthen the competitiveness of Texas business and industry by focusing on jobs that are in high demand within the state, including engineering, manufacturing and automotive technology. “The school has a funding model where it gets paid based on what people make in Texas once they graduate,” says Mike Hamilton, chief creative officer at Rogue Media Network and former TSTC instructor. “It’s not butts in seats; it’s what people actually get paid after they graduate.” People are primarily drawn to Technology Village because it’s close to campus. Still, with Waco’s population spreading north to nearby suburbs like Lacy Lakeview and Bellmead, the local job market is on the rise. The U.S. Air Force-Civil Air Patrol Military Base also makes its home in the neighborhood, close to the TSTC Waco Airport.
Vacant lots and new construction
The college and airport swallow up large swaths of the area, and apartment buildings represent most of the housing options. TSTC students are only required to live on campus for the first two semesters, making rental properties a primary draw. Rows of ranch-style homes built in the 1960s populate a grid of streets between the interstate and the campus, but inventory is scarce. Most available real estate consists of vacant lots awaiting development, and when houses do go on the market, they tend to sell within a month. Homes near the college are packed closely together, with strips of lawn surrounding narrow walkways. Sidewalks make the area pedestrian-friendly, but many properties lack driveways, so residents should be prepared to park in common areas. Recent construction has awoken the area around East Craven Drive, the main road leading in from I-35. Most current real estate listings will likely concentrate on this area. Neighborhood home prices are varied and largely dependent on location. Lots measuring a quarter to a third of an acre sell for $25,000 to $55,000, with larger tracts selling for $80,000 to $100,000. Single-story ranch homes in the area are priced in the $150,000 to $250,000 range. On the other end of the spectrum, recent custom builds on multi-acre properties cost $500,000 to $900,000.
Near Technology Village, you can find smaller new stretches of development.
New homes continue to hit the market near Technology Village as first time home buyers flock.
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TSTC Waco Airport
The TSTC Waco Airport is the country’s largest airport operated by an educational institution. The only air traffic comes from privately owned planes and chartered flights, so noise from takeoffs and landings is minimal. Waco Regional Airport is 9 miles away and connects to several major Texas airports. Although the campus is walkable, cars are needed to travel for groceries and essentials. Folks can head to the Texas Department of Public Safety on East Crest Drive to obtain or renew their driver’s licenses. Waco Transit System offers a TSTC-Bellmead bus line, with commuters transferring to another line to get to downtown Waco 7 miles south. I-35 provides the quickest route, but U.S. Route 84 borders the neighborhood to the southeast and leads into downtown.
The Waco regional airport in Technology Village sits off the campus of TSTC.
The Waco Transit Bus runs through the TSTC campus for off site students in Technology Village.
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Theater, sports and band at La Vega High
Kids living in the area start at La Vega Primary and Elementary Schools. The primary school has a Niche grade of A-minus, while the elementary school gets a B. La Vega Intermediate and Junior High Schools each earn a C-plus. Next comes La Vega High School, with a Niche grade of B. La Vega offers several sports and has an active arts department with a competitive marching band and a theater program. All the schools are a few miles south, most concentrated around Bellmead.
La Vega Intermediate School La Vega Intermediate School serves grades 4-6 in Technology Village.
La Vega Elementary serves students from grades 1-3 in Technology Village.
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A stroll around TSTC
Most recreational areas in this neighborhood are tied to TSTC. Facilities include tennis courts, a playground, and a paved walking trail encircling a centrally located green space. Across the interstate in Lacy Lakeview, Live Oak Park is a shady oasis featuring play areas, basketball courts, a baseball field and picnic spots.
The TSTC rec center features basketball courts and multi use fields inTechnology Village.
TSTC in Technology Village offers many educational program for students education.
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Buying sprees in Bellmead
There aren’t any stores or restaurants in Technology Village, but retail outlets and fast-food chains spring up across I-35. A short distance away, intrepid diners take on the “Zipper Ripper” challenge at Dave’s Burger Barn: Five patties layered with cheese, bacon, and all the fixings, anchored by a mound of fries. A 3-mile drive south leads to Bellmead, where more chain restaurants and retailers await. The Walmart in Bellmead has a charging station for electric vehicles.
Technology Village lives up to its name with Electrify America charging stations for EV's.
Daves Burger is home of the Zipper Ripper 5 patty burger challenge near Technology Village.
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Things to consider
The southeastern portion of the neighborhood abutting Route 84 is home to numerous manufacturing facilities and warehouses, including the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. Sanderson Farms is a poultry farm operating from two locations in this area, one near Aviation Parkway and the other off Tirey Road.
GreatSchools:
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
2,051
Median Age
25
Population under 18
23.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
2.7%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$19,882
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$45,297
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.8%
College Graduates
23.9%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5%
% Population in Labor Force
49.2%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 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.
