Market Overview for Zip Code 78602
There are 330 active listings in Zip Code 78602 with a median list price of $420K and a median sold price of $382K.
Homes average 107 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 48 homes have sold, with 592 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $237.
About Zip Code 78602
Zip code 78602 covers the city of Bastrop and surrounding areas in Bastrop County, about 30 miles southeast of downtown Austin. Bastrop is the county seat with a population of approximately 10,000 within the city limits and a broader zip code population exceeding 25,000 when including unincorporated areas. The city sits along the Colorado River and is built around a historic downtown district along Main Street that dates to the 1830s, making it one of the oldest settlements in central Texas. The area is defined by the Lost Pines, an isolated stand of loblolly pine forest that is geographically separated from the East Texas Piney Woods by roughly 100 miles of Blackland Prairie. This unique ecological feature gives the Bastrop area a landscape distinct from other central Texas communities.
Real estate in 78602 varies from historic homes in the original townsite to new master-planned communities on the city's periphery. Homes in Bastrop's historic district and established neighborhoods along the Colorado River typically range from $250,000 to $500,000, with restored historic properties occasionally exceeding $600,000. New construction in subdivisions such as Piney Creek Bend, Colony at Bastrop, and Pecan Park offers homes from $280,000 to $475,000. Rural acreage tracts of 5 to 50 acres in the broader zip code list from $350,000 to over $1 million depending on improvements, tree cover, and river frontage. The median home price in 78602 has risen significantly over the past five years as Austin-area buyers have expanded their search radius southeast along SH-71 and SH-130.
Students in 78602 primarily attend Bastrop ISD, which serves approximately 11,000 students across multiple campuses. The district operates seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and Bastrop High School, plus Cedar Creek High School serving the eastern portion of the district. Bastrop High School competes in UIL Class 5A athletics with strong programs in football, softball, track, and band. The district offers career and technology education programs, dual-credit courses through Austin Community College, and a growing fine arts program. Lost Pines Christian Academy and Colorado River Collegiate Academy provide private and alternative education options within the zip code. The University of Texas Golf Club and the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort are notable facilities in the area.
Bastrop is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Austin via SH-71, and the SH-130 toll road provides an alternate route connecting to I-35 and the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which is about 20 minutes to the northwest. Austin-Bergstrom serves as the nearest commercial airport. Tesla's Gigafactory near the airport in southeastern Travis County is approximately 15 minutes from Bastrop and represents a major nearby employer. Bastrop has its own hospital, Ascension Seton Bastrop, providing emergency and primary care services. The city has an H-E-B grocery store, a Walmart, multiple restaurants and shops along Main Street, and a growing commercial corridor along SH-71. The Bastrop Convention and Exhibit Center and the Bastrop Opera House anchor the city's event and cultural calendar.
Living in Zip Code 78602
Bastrop's population reflects a mix of longtime residents with multi-generational ties to the area and a growing contingent of Austin transplants attracted by lower home prices, the Lost Pines setting, and the small-town downtown atmosphere. Median household income is approximately $55,000, which is below the Austin metro average but consistent with the broader Bastrop County economy that includes agriculture, tourism, government, and service industries. The city has a diverse demographic profile with approximately 40 percent Hispanic population. Homeownership rates in the zip code are around 60 percent, with a mix of owned single-family homes, manufactured homes on rural lots, and a growing rental market driven by newcomers. Property taxes on a $350,000 home in Bastrop ISD total approximately $7,500 to $8,200 annually, which is somewhat lower than rates in Travis County but has been rising alongside property valuations.
Daily life in Bastrop centers on the historic downtown, the Colorado River, and the surrounding pine forest landscape that sets the area apart from other Austin-area communities. Main Street Bastrop has over 30 independent restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and antique shops housed in restored 19th-century commercial buildings. The Bastrop Opera House, a 170-seat theater built in 1889, stages plays, musicals, and concerts year-round. Bastrop State Park, a 6,000-acre Civilian Conservation Corps park established in 1937, offers hiking trails through pine forest, a spring-fed swimming pool, an 18-hole golf course, and cabin rentals. The Colorado River through town supports kayaking, canoeing, and tubing, with Fisherman's Park providing a public launch point. The Bastrop Farmers' Market operates on Saturday mornings downtown. The annual Bastrop Homecoming and Rodeo in June and the Lost Pines Christmas festival in December are major community events drawing visitors from across the region.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78602
- Bastrop State Park: 6,000-acre state park with hiking trails through Lost Pines loblolly pine forest, a CCC-built swimming pool, an 18-hole golf course, and cabin rentals.
- Main Street Bastrop: Historic downtown with over 30 independent restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and antique shops in restored 19th-century commercial buildings along the Colorado River.
- Colorado River Kayaking: The Colorado River through Bastrop supports kayaking, canoeing, and tubing with a public launch at Fisherman's Park and livery services offering equipment rental.
- Bastrop Opera House: 170-seat historic theater built in 1889 staging plays, musicals, concerts, and community events year-round in downtown Bastrop.
- Bastrop Homecoming and Rodeo: Annual June event featuring PRCA rodeo competition, a parade through downtown, live music, carnival rides, and a barbecue cook-off.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78602
- Bastrop ISD (Education): Largest employer in Bastrop County with over 1,500 staff across multiple campuses serving 11,000 students.
- Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort (Hospitality): 405-room resort and spa on 405 acres along the Colorado River, employing approximately 800 full-time and seasonal workers.
- Ascension Seton Bastrop (Healthcare): Community hospital providing emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care services with approximately 200 employees.
- Bastrop County (Government): County government offices in Bastrop including courts, sheriff, roads, and public services with several hundred employees.
- Tesla Gigafactory (nearby) (Manufacturing): Electric vehicle manufacturing facility in southeastern Travis County, approximately 15 minutes northwest of Bastrop, employing thousands of workers.
Zip Code 78602 Schools
Bastrop ISD serves approximately 11,000 students across multiple campuses including seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.
School District: Bastrop ISD
Public Schools
- Bastrop High School - 9th through 12th grade campus competing in UIL 5A athletics with strong football, softball, and band programs.
- Cedar Creek High School - 9th through 12th grade campus serving the eastern portion of the Bastrop ISD attendance zone.
- Bastrop Middle School - 6th through 8th grade campus in central Bastrop with athletics, band, and career and technology electives.
- Cedar Creek Middle School - 6th through 8th grade campus serving students in the Cedar Creek and eastern Bastrop area.
- Emile Elementary - Pre-K through 5th grade campus in central Bastrop serving approximately 500 students.
- Lost Pines Elementary - Pre-K through 5th grade campus on the western side of the Bastrop ISD zone.
Pre-Schools
- Bastrop ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program offered at multiple elementary campuses for eligible three- and four-year-olds.
- Head Start of Greater Bastrop - Federally funded early childhood program serving income-eligible families in the Bastrop area.
Private Schools
- Lost Pines Christian Academy - Private Christian school in Bastrop serving elementary and middle school students with a faith-based curriculum.
Higher Education
- Austin Community College Elgin Campus - ACC satellite campus approximately 20 minutes north offering dual-credit courses and workforce training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 78602?
Zip code 78602 covers the city of Bastrop, Texas, and surrounding areas in Bastrop County, about 30 miles southeast of downtown Austin. The city sits along the Colorado River in the Lost Pines region.
What do homes cost in 78602?
Homes in Bastrop's established neighborhoods range from $250,000 to $500,000. New construction in master-planned subdivisions lists from $280,000 to $475,000, and rural acreage tracts run from $350,000 to over $1 million.
What school district is 78602 in?
Zip code 78602 is primarily served by Bastrop ISD, a district of approximately 11,000 students with seven elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.
How far is Bastrop from Austin?
Bastrop is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Austin via SH-71. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about 20 minutes northwest via SH-71 and SH-130.
What is the Lost Pines?
The Lost Pines is an isolated stand of loblolly pine forest in and around Bastrop, geographically separated from the East Texas Piney Woods by roughly 100 miles of prairie. Bastrop State Park and the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort are situated within this forest.