Waco North Carolina Map

About Waco, North Carolina

Waco is a locality in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. It is a small community with a population of 171. The population density is 99.6 people per km². Waco is located at 35.3615°N, 81.4287°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. ZIP code: 28021.

Waco in Cleveland County unfolds across a landscape of gentle hills, where the rich, red earth hints at generations of cultivation. It lies 15.2 miles west-north-west of Gastonia, NC (from Gastonia, NC: bearing 297°T), and is situated 7.7 miles north-east of Shelby. The air here often carries the sweet, earthy scent of pine needles warmed by the sun, a constant companion to the quiet hum of rural life. Fields of soybeans and corn stretch out like rumpled green carpets, interspersed with stands of hardwood trees that blaze with color in the autumn. Dusk settles softly, painting the western sky in hues of lavender and rose, and the distant silhouette of the South Mountains adds a rugged backdrop to the otherwise serene terrain. The winding roads, often lined with flowering dogwood and ancient oaks, invite a slower pace, a thoughtful meandering through a place that feels both grounded and open. The story of Waco is deeply intertwined with the agricultural heritage of this part of North Carolina, a legacy evident in the weathered barns and the enduring presence of family farms. While the rhythm of life might seem unhurried, the spirit of innovation has also found its place here, with small businesses and workshops contributing to the local economy. The close-knit nature of Waco fosters a sense of shared history, where the stories of those who came before are still told and cherished. It is a locale that holds its past gently, while looking forward with a quiet resilience, a place where the enduring beauty of the land shapes the character of its people.

About This Waco Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Waco, North Carolina — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 35.361521, -81.428698. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Waco and Cleveland County.

Detailed location data for Waco includes the ZIP code (28169), telephone area code (704, 980), county seat of Cleveland County (Shelby), and school district assignment (Cleveland County Schools). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Waco is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.