The three industries employing the largest percentages of the working civilian labor force were: agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining (40.0%); educational services, and health care and social assistance (30.0%); and retail trade (20.0%). The cost of living in Waldo is relatively low; compared to a U.S. average of 100, the cost of living index for the community is 79.9. As of 2012, the median home value in the city was $13,800, and the median selected monthly owner cost was $467 for housing units with a mortgage and $313 for those without. Waldo is a city of the third class with a mayor-council form of government. The city council consists of five members, and it meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Waldo lies within Kansas's 1st U.S. Congressional District. For the purposes of representation in the Kansas Legislature, the city is located in the 36th district of the Kansas Senate and the 109th district of the Kansas House of Representatives. Waldo lies within USD 399, based in nearby Natoma. Waldo High School consolidated with Paradise High School in 1964. Paradise High School then consolidated with Natoma High School in 1974. The Waldo High School mascot was Waldo Warriors. U.S. Route 281 and Kansas Highway 18 (K-18) run concurrently east-west through Waldo. Western Electric provides electricity to local residents. Gorham Telephone provides landline telephone service and offers cable television and internet access. Most residents use privately stored propane for heating fuel. Waldo is in the Wichita-Hutchinson, Kansas television market.