McLennan County, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McLennan County
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The McLennan County Courthouse in Waco
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Location within the U.S. state of Texas
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 Texas's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Founded | 1850 |
| Named for | Neil McLennan |
| Seat | Waco |
| Largest city | Waco |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,060 sq mi (2,700 km2) |
| • Land | 1,037 sq mi (2,690 km2) |
| • Water | 23 sq mi (60 km2) 2.2% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 263,115 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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263,115 |
| • Density | 248.2/sq mi (95.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 17th |
McLennan County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in Central Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 260,579 . Its county seat and largest city is Waco. The U.S. census 2021 county population estimate is 263,115. The county is named for Neil McLennan, an early settler.
McLennan County is included in the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
McLennan County was created by the Texas Legislature in 1850 out of Milam County. The county seat, Waco, had been founded as an outpost of the Texas Rangers, laid out by George B. Erath, and was known by 1850 as "Waco Village." According to local lore, the first sustained flight did not occur in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, but just outside Tokio (a small community in McLennan County) by a man flying a gyrocopter. During World War I, McLennan County was home to at least one military airfield, Rich Field. McLennan County's contributions to World War II include the reopening of Rich Field, Doris Miller (awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism at Pearl Harbor, also the first African American to earn such distinction), and James Connally (a locally famous World War II fighter pilot).
Institutions of higher education
In 1886, Baylor University relocated from Independence, Texas, to Waco and absorbed Waco University. During the early 20th century, McLennan County was home to as many as five colleges; in addition to Baylor, the other colleges included the predecessor to what is now known as Texas Christian University (now in Fort Worth), Paul Quinn College (relocated since to Dallas), and two other short-lived colleges. In the 1960s, the Texas Legislature created the first community college to use those words in the name, McLennan Community College. Around the same time, what is now the flagship institution of Texas State Technical College was founded as James Connally Technical Institute, as a member of the Texas A&M University System. Today, Baylor, McLennan Community College, and Texas State Technical College remain in McLennan County and absorb a large portion of the college-bound high school graduates from the county and the surrounding areas.
Crash at Crush
Crush, Texas, was a short-lived town in McLennan County, about 15 miles (24 km) north of Waco. It was established to stage a publicity stunt concocted by William George Crush and the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. The stunt involved the collision of two 35-ton steam locomotives in front of spectators whom the railway transported to the event for $2 each. After heavy promotion, on September 15, 1896, the event was delayed by several hours as the police maneuvered the crowd of over 40,000 back to what was thought to be a safe distance. The crews of the two engines tied the throttles open and jumped off. The two engines, pulling wagons filled with railroad ties, traveled a 4-mile (6.4 km) track and thunderously crashed into each other at a combined speed of up to 120 mph (190 km/h). The boilers exploded and sent steam and flying debris into the crowd. Three people were killed and about six were injured, including event photographer Jarvis "Joe" Deane, who lost an eye because of a flying bolt.
Ragtime composer Scott Joplin commemorated the event with "The Great Crush Collision March"; Joplin dedicated the composition to the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railway. Texas composer and singer Brian Burns wrote and recorded a song about the collision, The Crash at Crush, in 2001.
West fertilizer plant explosion
Waco Siege
Twin Peaks biker shootout
In May 17, 2015, motorcycle clubs gathered at the Twin Peaks Restaurant in Waco for a Confederation of Clubs meeting. Upon arrival of a large contingent of the Bandidos Motorycle Club mass violence erupted in the parking lot of Twin Peaks between members of the Bandidos and members of the Cossasks Motorcycle Club resulting in 9 dead and 18 wounded in the melee between the rival outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,060 square miles (2,700 km2), of which 1,037 square miles (2,690 km2) is land and 23 square miles (60 km2) (2.2%) is water.
Major highways
Interstate 35
U.S. Highway 77
U.S. Highway 84
State Highway 6
State Highway 31
State Highway 164
State Highway 317
Adjacent counties
- Hill County (north)
- Limestone County (east)
- Falls County (southeast)
- Bell County (south)
- Coryell County (southwest)
- Bosque County (northwest)
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 6,206 | — | |
| 1870 | 13,500 | 117.5% | |
| 1880 | 26,934 | 99.5% | |
| 1890 | 39,204 | 45.6% | |
| 1900 | 59,772 | 52.5% | |
| 1910 | 73,250 | 22.5% | |
| 1920 | 82,921 | 13.2% | |
| 1930 | 98,682 | 19.0% | |
| 1940 | 101,898 | 3.3% | |
| 1950 | 130,194 | 27.8% | |
| 1960 | 150,091 | 15.3% | |
| 1970 | 147,553 | −1.7% | |
| 1980 | 170,755 | 15.7% | |
| 1990 | 189,123 | 10.8% | |
| 2000 | 213,517 | 12.9% | |
| 2010 | 234,906 | 10.0% | |
| 2020 | 260,579 | 10.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–2010 2020 |
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2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 138,295 | 139,693 | 58.87% | 53.61% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 33,892 | 36,130 | 14.43% | 13.87% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 704 | 901 | 0.30% | 0.35% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 3,128 | 4,873 | 1.33% | 1.87% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 84 | 146 | 0.04% | 0.06% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 235 | 1,065 | 0.10% | 0.41% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 3,097 | 9,184 | 1.32% | 3.52% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 55,471 | 68,587 | 23.61% | 26.32% |
| Total | 234,906 | 260,579 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
Communities
Cities (multiple counties)
- Bruceville-Eddy (small part in Falls County)
- Golinda (mostly in Falls County)
- Mart (small part in Limestone County)
- McGregor (small part in Coryell County)
- Valley Mills (mostly in Bosque County)
Cities
Towns
Census-designated place
Other unincorporated communities
- Axtell
- Downsville
- Elm Mott
- Harrison
- Ocee
- Speegleville
Education
Colleges
- Baylor University
- McLennan Community College
- Texas State Technical College
Public school districts
- Axtell Independent School District
- Bosqueville Independent School District
- China Spring Independent School District
- Crawford Independent School District
- Connally Independent School District
- Gholson Independent School District
- Hallsburg Independent School District
- La Vega Independent School District
- Lorena Independent School District
- Mart Independent School District
- McGregor Independent School District
- Midway Independent School District
- Moody Independent School District
- Oglesby Independent School District
- Riesel Independent School District
- Robinson Independent School District
- Valley Mills Independent School District
- Waco Independent School District
- West Independent School District
See also
In Spanish: Condado de McLennan para niños
