The political atmosphere in McLennan County, Texas is undergoing a transformation. In the last presidential election, 37% of voters chose the Democratic Party, 60.8% voted for the Republican Party, and the remaining 1.7% voted for other candidates. This was a difficult night for the residents of Waco, the largest city in McLennan County. After years of regional dominance, the county's congressional seat now belongs to Bryan, halfway to Houston; its state senate seat is 86 miles away in Granbury; and one of its seats in the House of Representatives has moved three counties east to Centerville. This shift in political power is reflective of a larger trend occurring throughout Texas.
Rural areas are losing influence to the major population centers of Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin. This has resulted in a changing political landscape in McLennan County, with more power being concentrated in urban areas. The county's political climate is also affected by its demographics. According to the U. S.
Census Bureau, McLennan County is home to over 250,000 people, with a majority white population (63%), followed by Hispanic (25%) and African American (10%). The median household income is $48,945 and the poverty rate is 17%.The county's political climate is also influenced by its economy. The largest industries are healthcare and social assistance (14%), retail trade (13%), and manufacturing (12%). The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is lower than the national average of 4%.Overall, the current political climate in McLennan County, Texas is one of change and transition.
With more power being concentrated in urban areas and a diverse population with a strong economy, it will be interesting to see how this affects the county's politics in the future.
