Market Overview for Lake Austin
There are 136 active listings in Lake Austin with a median list price of $1.7M and a median sold price of $1.2M.
Homes average 62 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 25 homes have sold, with 225 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $667.
About Lake Austin
Lake Austin is a constant-level reservoir on the Colorado River in Travis County, created in 1939 when the Lower Colorado River Authority completed Tom Miller Dam. The reservoir stretches approximately 21 miles from Tom Miller Dam on the southeast to Mansfield Dam on the northwest, with a surface area of approximately 1,600 acres and a maximum depth of 75 feet. Unlike Lake Travis upstream, Lake Austin maintains a near-constant water level at 492 feet above sea level, providing predictable shoreline and dock access year-round.
The Lake Austin area encompasses several distinct residential neighborhoods along both shores. The east shore includes portions of Tarrytown, one of Austin's oldest residential neighborhoods with homes dating to 1916. The south shore includes Austin Lake Hills and Austin Lake Estates along Cuernavaca Drive in the 78733 zip code, where homes span mid-century bungalows to modern custom estates. The northwest shore includes Steiner Ranch, a master-planned community with over 35 sub-neighborhoods and private Lake Austin waterfront access. Additional residential enclaves line Westlake Drive, Rockcliff Road, and the coves between the two dams.
Waterfront properties feature private boat docks regulated by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, with dock permits administered through the Lower Colorado River Authority. The Pennybacker Bridge, a 1,150-foot steel arch bridge completed in 1982 on Loop 360, crosses Lake Austin and serves approximately 48,000 daily vehicle crossings. The bridge won the 1984 Federal Highway Administration Excellence in Highway Design award.
Living in Lake Austin
Lake Austin is part of Austin's western corridor, with the east shore approximately five miles from downtown and the western reaches near Mansfield Dam approximately 15 to 20 miles out. Multiple school districts serve properties along the lake: Austin ISD covers the east shore including Tarrytown, Eanes ISD serves the south shore including Austin Lake Hills, and Lake Travis ISD covers the northwest including Steiner Ranch. Buyers should verify exact school assignments by address through each district's boundary lookup tool.
The lake supports motorboating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, and fishing. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department rates Lake Austin as having excellent largemouth bass fishing, with catches in the 8- to 10-pound range. Zebra mussels are present, and the TPWD Clean, Drain, Dry protocol is required for all watercraft. The City of Austin bans personal watercraft on Lake Austin during Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and the July 4 holiday period.
Several neighborhood associations serve sub-areas along the lake. The Lake Hills Community Association, serving the Austin Lake Hills and Austin Lake Estates area, provides a private lakeside park with pool, boat ramp, docks, and beach area. Steiner Ranch Master Association operates a private Lake Austin waterfront park with day slips, boat launch, pools, and tennis courts for community residents.
Things to Do in Lake Austin
- Emma Long Metropolitan Park: City of Austin park on the northwest shore with boat ramps, a designated swimming beach, camping (primitive and RV hookup), Turkey Creek Trail for hiking, and mountain bike trails. Open year-round; pre-purchased day passes required on weekends and holidays from March through September.
- Covert Park at Mount Bonnell: A 5.5-acre park at 3800 Mount Bonnell Road featuring a 784-foot limestone promontory overlooking Lake Austin. Panoramic views of the lake and Hill Country. Free admission; open 5 AM to 10 PM.
- Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve: A 23-acre historic property at 3505 West 35th Street near the east shore. Features heritage gardens, water lily ponds, hiking trails, and a resident population of free-roaming peacocks descended from a 1935 gift to the original estate owners.
- Pennybacker Bridge Overlook: A hiking trail along Loop 360 leading to an overlook 100 feet above Lake Austin at the Pennybacker Bridge. One of the most photographed locations in Austin, with views of the bridge's steel arch and the lake.
- Lake Austin Fishing: Lake Austin offers year-round fishing managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Species include largemouth bass, channel and blue catfish, and sunfish. All watercraft operators must follow the TPWD Clean, Drain, Dry protocol due to zebra mussel presence.
Major Employers in Lake Austin
- Apple Inc. (Technology): Operates campuses on Parmer Lane in north Austin with thousands of employees. Approximately 15 to 20 miles from the Lake Austin waterfront.
- Dell Technologies (Technology): Headquartered in Round Rock with thousands of employees across the Austin metro area.
- University of Texas at Austin (Higher Education): The state's flagship university, located approximately 3 to 5 miles east of the east shore of Lake Austin near Tarrytown.
- NXP Semiconductors (Semiconductor Manufacturing): Operates a campus on West William Cannon Drive in south Austin. One of the area's long-standing semiconductor employers.
Lake Austin Schools
Properties along Lake Austin are served by multiple school districts depending on specific address. The east shore (Tarrytown area) is in Austin ISD. The south shore (Austin Lake Hills, 78733 area) is in Eanes ISD. The northwest shore (Steiner Ranch area) is in Lake Travis ISD. Buyers should verify attendance zones directly with each district.
School District: Multiple Districts
Public Schools
- Casis Elementary (Austin ISD) - Serves the Tarrytown area at 2710 Exposition Boulevard.
- Barton Creek Elementary (Eanes ISD) - Serves the south shore area at 1314 Patterson Lane.
- Austin High School (Austin ISD) - Serves the east shore at 1715 West Cesar Chavez Street.
- Westlake High School (Eanes ISD) - Serves the south shore at 4100 Westbank Drive. Eanes ISD enrolls approximately 7,700 students across 9 campuses.
- Lake Travis High School (Lake Travis ISD) - Serves the northwest shore including Steiner Ranch.
Higher Education
- University of Texas at Austin - Located approximately 3 to 5 miles east of the Tarrytown shore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lake Austin?
Lake Austin is a constant-level reservoir on the Colorado River in Travis County, stretching approximately 21 miles from Tom Miller Dam to Mansfield Dam. It was created in 1939 by the Lower Colorado River Authority and maintains a near-constant water level at 492 feet above sea level.
Which school districts serve homes near Lake Austin?
Properties along Lake Austin are served by multiple school districts depending on exact address: Austin ISD on the east shore, Eanes ISD on the south shore, and Lake Travis ISD on the northwest shore near Steiner Ranch. Buyers should verify their specific address with each district.
Can homeowners have private boat docks on Lake Austin?
Yes. Many waterfront properties feature private boat docks. Dock permits are administered through the Lower Colorado River Authority, and no-wake buoys may be placed up to 50 feet from shore or dock without a separate LCRA permit.
Is personal watercraft allowed on Lake Austin?
Personal watercraft (jet skis) are generally allowed, but the City of Austin bans them during Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and the July 4 holiday period under City Ordinance 8-5-81.
How far is Lake Austin from downtown Austin?
The east shore near Tarrytown is approximately five miles from downtown Austin. The northwest shore near Mansfield Dam and Steiner Ranch is approximately 15 to 20 miles from downtown.
What fishing is available on Lake Austin?
Texas Parks and Wildlife rates Lake Austin as excellent for largemouth bass with catches in the 8- to 10-pound range, fair for catfish, and good for sunfish. Zebra mussels are present, and all watercraft must follow the TPWD Clean, Drain, Dry protocol.
