When it comes to politics, every city has its own unique makeup. Waco, TX is no exception. As the county seat of McLennan County and the home of Baylor University, Waco has a diverse population with a range of political beliefs and affiliations. In this article, we will take a closer look at the demographic makeup of the political landscape in Waco, TX.
The City of Waco
Waco is a mid-sized city located in central Texas, with a population of approximately 139,236 people as of 2020.The city is known for its rich history, including being the birthplace of Dr. Pepper and the site of the infamous Branch Davidian siege in 1993. Waco is also home to a diverse population, with a mix of urban and rural areas. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the racial makeup of Waco is 45.5% White, 30.5% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.9% Asian, and 18.6% from other races.
The Hispanic or Latino population makes up 36.1% of the city's total population.
The Political Climate in Waco
Waco has historically been a conservative city, with a majority of its residents identifying as Republicans. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards more progressive views and a growing number of Democrats in the city. In the 2020 presidential election, McLennan County (where Waco is located) voted for Republican candidate Donald Trump with 56.7% of the vote, while Democratic candidate Joe Biden received 41.9% of the vote. This is a significant decrease in support for the Republican party compared to the 2016 election, where Trump received 62.1% of the vote in McLennan County. Despite the overall conservative leanings of Waco, there are also pockets of liberal and progressive communities within the city. This can be seen in the results of the 2020 Democratic primary, where Bernie Sanders received the most votes in Waco, followed by Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren.The Demographic Breakdown
When looking at the demographic breakdown of political affiliations in Waco, there are a few key factors to consider.These include age, education level, income, and race/ethnicity.
Age
The age distribution in Waco is fairly evenly spread out, with a median age of 29.7 years. However, when it comes to political beliefs, there is a noticeable difference between younger and older generations. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, younger generations (Millennials and Gen Z) tend to lean more towards liberal views and are more likely to identify as Democrats. On the other hand, older generations (Baby Boomers and Gen X) tend to lean more towards conservative views and are more likely to identify as Republicans. This trend can also be seen in Waco, with younger residents being more likely to support progressive candidates and causes, while older residents tend to align with conservative values.Education Level
Education level is another important factor when looking at political affiliations in Waco. According to the U.Census Bureau, 27.5% of Waco residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is slightly lower than the national average of 31.5%.However, when breaking down political beliefs by education level, there is a noticeable difference. A study by the Pew Research Center found that college-educated individuals are more likely to identify as Democrats and hold more liberal views, while those with less education tend to lean towards conservative beliefs. In Waco, this can be seen in the results of the 2020 presidential election, where areas with higher levels of education (such as the Baylor University campus) tended to vote for Joe Biden, while areas with lower levels of education (such as rural areas) voted for Donald Trump.
Income
Income is another important factor when looking at political affiliations in Waco. Census Bureau, the median household income in Waco is $38,776, which is significantly lower than the national average of $68,703. Similar to education level, there is a correlation between income and political beliefs. A study by the Pew Research Center found that individuals with higher incomes are more likely to identify as Democrats and hold more liberal views, while those with lower incomes tend to lean towards conservative beliefs. In Waco, this can be seen in the results of the 2020 presidential election, where areas with higher median incomes tended to vote for Joe Biden, while areas with lower median incomes voted for Donald Trump.Race/Ethnicity
The racial and ethnic makeup of Waco also plays a significant role in the city's political landscape.As mentioned earlier, Waco has a diverse population, with a significant percentage of Hispanic or Latino residents. In general, Hispanic or Latino voters tend to lean towards more progressive views and are more likely to identify as Democrats. This can be seen in Waco's voting patterns, where areas with a higher percentage of Hispanic or Latino residents tend to vote for Democratic candidates.
