This Tiny Texas Town Defies Logic, Nestled Between Highway Lanes

Riesel, pronounced REE-sul, is a small Texas city in McLennan County with a population close to 1,400, but that's not what makes it unique.

What's Up With Riesel, TX?

Location, location, location.

The town is oddly situated left, right and center of Highway 6. The lanes traveling north have not been moved, even though the southbound lanes have over 30 years ago. So, the town has an awkward slice that is surrounded by the northbound and southbound lanes.

Riesel's History

According to the city's website, Riesel began back in the 1890s with nothing but a railroad track, a cotton gin and a dream.

By 1896, the town grew to include a hotel, a dry goods store, two general stores, two grocery stores and a couple of lumberyards. This was also the year that the town started the local newspaper, the Riesel Rustler.

Riesel's population in 1900 was a measly 268, but as growth continued to thrive and more businesses were built to attract additional crowds, the population grew steadily to reach 1,062 in the 2020 census.

What Does Living Look Like In Riesel, TX?

In 2022, the median age was about 35 years old with an average household income of $106,216.

If one is looking for property in this historical Texas town, the median property value rests at just over $130,000.

Here's the breakdown of city demographics:

• 94.94% White
• .68% Black or African-American
• .62% Native American
• .07% Other Race
• 3.69% Multiracial

So, the next time you pass by Waco, make sure you take the chance to drive through, around, underneath--whatever you want to call it--the small, historical city of Riesel, TX.