McGregor, Texas

McGregor, Texas
City
Downtown McGregor
Location of McGregor, Texas
Coordinates: 31°25′55″N97°25′30″W / 31.43194°N 97.42500°W / 31.43194; -97.42500
Country	United States
State	Texas
Counties	McLennan, Coryell
Area [1]
• Total	21.79 sq mi (56.44 km2)
• Land	21.79 sq mi (56.44 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [2]	758 ft (231 m)
Population  (2020) [3]
• Total	5,338
• Density	244.96/sq mi (94.58/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	76657
Area code	254
FIPS code	48-45672 [4]
GNIS feature ID	2411063 [2]
Website	cityofmcgregor.com

McGregor is a city in McLennan and Coryell counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population is estimated to be 5,823 by the Texas Demographic Center (January 1,2023).

McGregor lies in two counties, as well as two metropolitan areas. The McLennan County portion of the city is part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion that lies in Coryell County is part of the Killeen – Temple – Fort Hood Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

McGregor is located in western McLennan County and extends westward into Coryell County, surrounding McGregor Industrial Park, a former Naval Weapons Reserve Plant. ^[5]

U.S. Route 84 passes through the city center, leading northeast 17 miles (27 km) to Waco and west 20 miles (32 km) to Gatesville. Texas State Highway 317 crosses US 84 near the city center, leading north 15 miles (24 km) to Valley Mills and south 28 miles (45 km) to Belton.

According to the United States Census Bureau, McGregor has a total area of 21.8 square miles (56.4 km²), all land. ^[1]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, McGregor has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ^[6]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	774		—
1900	1,435		85.4%
1910	1,864		29.9%
1920	2,081		11.6%
1930	2,041		−1.9%
1940	2,062		1.0%
1950	2,669		29.4%
1960	4,642		73.9%
1970	4,365		−6.0%
1980	4,513		3.4%
1990	4,683		3.8%
2000	4,727		0.9%
2010	4,987		5.5%
2020	5,338		7.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

2020 census

McGregor racial composition ^[8]
(NH = Non-Hispanic) ^{[lower-alpha 1]}

Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	2,459	46.21%
Black or African American (NH)	402	7.55%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	19	0.36%
Asian (NH)	21	0.39%
Pacific Islander (NH)	4	0.08%
Some Other Race (NH)	20	0.38%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	191	3.59%
Hispanic or Latino	2,205	41.44%
Total	5,321

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,321 people, 1,714 households, and 1,118 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census ^[4] of 2000, 4,727 people, 1,728 households, and 1,206 families resided in the city. The population density was 216.7 inhabitants per square mile (83.7/km²). There were 1,856 housing units at an average density of 85.1 per square mile (32.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.10% White, 11.53% African American, 1.02% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 14.41% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 27.27% of the population.

Of the 1,728 households, 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were not families. About 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city, the population was distributed as 27.7% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,200, and for a family was $37,143. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $18,605 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,311. About 10.9% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

McGregor is the site of the former Bluebonnet Ordnance Plant to make munitions during World War II. After the war, the site has been used by a number of companies to make rockets, including Phillips Petroleum Company, Rocketdyne, Hercules Inc. and Beal Aerospace. ^[10] SpaceX has a rocket engine development and test facility in McGregor that it acquired from defunct Beal Aerospace. In May 2016, McGregor passed an ordinance to reduce noise and vibration caused by SpaceX testing activity. ^[11]

In 2021, Knauf Insulation announced its intention to establish a facility for the manufacture and distribution of fiberglass insulation products. ^[12] Construction began in May 2022, and the plant is expected to start production in 2024. ^[13]

McGregor is the home of Magnolia House, a Victorian property renovated in Season 3 of HGTV's Fixer Upper by Chip and Joanna Gaines. It now operates as a bed and breakfast. ^[14]

Education

The city is served by the McGregor Independent School District and the Midway Independent School District

Transportation

• McGregor Station

References

1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: McGregor, Texas
3. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): McGregor city, Texas". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved February 8, 2024.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "Industrial Park". McGregor Economic Development Corporation. Archived from the original on July 18, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
6. Climate Summary for McGregor, Texas
7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
8. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
9. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
10. Gately, Paul J. "McGregor: Before SpaceX, facility produced bombs and lots of them". www.kwtx.com. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
11. Lopez, Paul J. Gately and Ke'Sha. "McGregor: City modifies SpaceX rocket testing rules". www.kwtx.com. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
12. "Governor Abbott Announces New Knauf Insulation Facility in McGregor" . Retrieved January 17, 2024.
13. "Knauf Insulation Breaks Ground on Central Texas Production Facility in McGregor" . Retrieved January 17, 2024.
14. "Magnolia House" . Retrieved May 23, 2017.

1. 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. ^[9]

External links

• City of McGregor official website