Higher Education in the Waco, TX Metro Area

Since 2000, the Waco metro area has increased in the total percent of the over 25 population having a Bachelors Degree or Higher. This population group has grown by 2.2 percent to a total of 21.4 percent in 2005, as reported by the American Community Survey. The proportion of the 2005 population having received at least a BA is less than the State of Texas percent of 25.2 and less than the average US percent of 27.2.

Waco, TX Metro Area can be considered to have a moderately-educated working age population, with 21.4 percent of the over 25 years old population having a Bachelors Degree or Higher, according to the 2005 American Community Survey. The Waco MSA is reported having a lower percent of population with high education level than the State of Texas's proportion of 25.2 percent and a lower percent than United States proportion of 27.2 percent.

According to the 2005 American Community Survey in the Waco, TX Metro Area, many men in the area have reached the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 30.8 percent receiving this level of education. The women in the Waco metro area have on average achieved a greater level of higher education (Bachelors or Higher) than men; 21.4 percent (Men) versus 21.4 percent (Women). Many of the women in the area achieving a High School Diploma category, with 30 percent of the areas female population attaining this level of education.

From the years 2000 to 2005, the proportion of the male population that could be considered highly educated has increased by 0.4 percent. By 2005, 21.4 percent of area's male population (+25) achieved a BA or Higher. During the same period, the percent of women (+25) that have earned a BA or higher has increased by a total of 3.8 percent. By 2005, a total of 21.4 percent of the female population had achieved this level of education.

In the Waco, TX Metro Area according the 2005 American Community Survey, 23.2 percent of the White Alone, 13.2 percent of Black or African American, . percent of the Asian alone and 2.4 percent of the Hispanic or Latino (+25) population has achieved at least a Bachelors Degree.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Demographic Profile for Waco, TX

When calculating the total land area, the Waco metro area spans a total area of 1042 square miles. This area has a medium-high population density of 216 persons per square mile, in 2005. Other US metro areas with similar densities include: -- more densely populated -- Las Vegas-Paradise (216 per sq. mile ), Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton (217 per sq. mile ), Weirton-Steubenville (218 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Johnstown (215 per sq. mile ), Panama City-Lynn Haven (212 per sq. mile ), Ithaca (210 per sq. mile ).

The Waco metro area had a total estimated population of 224,668 in 2005. The total population has increased, since the population in 2000 of 214,040. This growth denotes an increase of 5 percent. Waco ranks 12 of 25 MSAs when analyzing total population change in Texas and the metro area ranks 169 of 361 metro areas when calculating the total change in MSA population across the US.

Since the year 2000, a high amount of people have migrated into the Waco metro area, with 3,278 people migrating in internationally. The international migration into Waco makes up 0.5 percent of the total international migration into the State of Texas. This level of international migration can be considered high when analyzed against the base population in the year 2005 and compared to other metro areas across the US.

The Census Bureau estimates in 2005 the median age in the Waco metro area to be 32.4 years old. The median age in Waco is less than the median age in Texas of 33.2. Since 2000, the area has experienced an increase in this median, when at that time it was 31.9 years of age. With 16.2 percent of the population in 2005 being comprised of children and youth younger than 18, Waco can be understood as having a medium-high proportion of youths. The 18 to 64 years old population group has a medium-low representation within the estimated 2005 area population, making up 61.6 percent of the population within the age group. People 65 and older make up 13.4 percent of the total population in the area. Compared to other metro areas in the US, this represents a medium-low percent of the population.

The Waco metropolitan statistical area (MSA) has a population base that is comprised of 62 percent White, 14.7 percent African American, 1.3 percent Asian, and 20.6 percent Hispanic. The area population base can be described as having a high level of racial and ethnic diversity, with 36.6 percent of minorities in the 2005 population base. This is less than the State of Texas percent of 49.5. Since 2000, Waco has increased the percent of minority population when 34.3 percent of the people were minorities.

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.