●78616 Homes for Sale

Market Overview for Zip Code 78616

There are 37 active listings in Zip Code 78616 with a median list price of $499K and a median sold price of $359K.

Homes average 132 days on market.

Most homes that closed in the last 90 days sold in the $300K-$500K range (50% of 8 closings), taking a median 143 days to go under contract; 38% of closings were $500K or more.

Over the past 30 days, 4 homes have sold, with 27 sales in the past 12 months.

The average price per square foot is $314.

About Zip Code 78616

Zip code 78616 covers Dale, an unincorporated community in northern Caldwell County approximately 30 miles south of downtown Austin. Dale sits along the Interstate 35 corridor and FM-1854, positioned between Buda and Kyle to the north and Lockhart, the Caldwell County seat, approximately 10 miles to the southeast. The community has no incorporated government and relies on Caldwell County for public services including roads, law enforcement, and emergency response. The terrain is flat to gently rolling Blackland Prairie, with rich black clay soils that have supported cotton, corn, and cattle operations since the 1850s. Plum Creek runs through portions of the zip code, and the landscape transitions from open agricultural fields to scattered post oak woodlands.

Real estate in 78616 consists primarily of rural acreage properties, single-family homes on large lots, and manufactured homes on private land. In-town properties near the Dale community center typically list from $200,000 to $375,000 for modest single-family homes on one to three acres. Properties with 5 to 20 acres of improved pasture, fencing, and outbuildings range from $350,000 to $700,000. Larger ranch tracts of 30 to 100-plus acres are available for $500,000 to well over $1 million depending on improvements and water resources. Manufactured homes on rural lots are common and typically list from $100,000 to $250,000. The I-35 corridor has brought increased development pressure to the area, and land prices have risen 20 to 30 percent since 2020 as Hays County and Caldwell County suburbs expand southward from the Austin metro.

Students in 78616 primarily attend Lockhart ISD, which serves approximately 6,500 students across multiple campuses. Lockhart ISD operates four elementary schools, one middle school, one junior high, and Lockhart High School. Lockhart High School competes in UIL Class 5A athletics with strong programs in football, baseball, and track. The district offers dual-credit courses through Austin Community College and career and technology education pathways. Some students in the northern portion of the zip code may attend Hays CISD depending on exact address. The nearest private school options are in Lockhart, Kyle, or San Marcos, each within a 15- to 25-minute drive.

Dale is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Austin via I-35, with the Kyle and Buda commercial areas about 10 to 15 minutes to the north. Lockhart is roughly 10 minutes to the southeast via FM-1854. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is approximately 25 minutes to the northeast via SH-130 and SH-71. The area lacks a significant local commercial base, with the nearest grocery stores being H-E-B locations in Lockhart and Kyle. Medical care is available at Seton Medical Center in Kyle, about 10 minutes north, and at Ascension Seton in Lockhart. The I-35 corridor provides access to the growing commercial development in Kyle and Buda, including the Plum Creek development area and the Kyle Crossing shopping center. Dale Volunteer Fire Department provides local emergency response.

Living in Zip Code 78616

Dale's population is a mix of longtime agricultural households and newcomers attracted by the relatively affordable land prices and I-35 access to Austin and San Marcos employment centers. Median household income is approximately $50,000, reflecting the area's agricultural and blue-collar workforce base. Homeownership rates are high, exceeding 75 percent, with the majority of residents living in single-family homes or manufactured homes on private lots. Property taxes fall under Caldwell County and Lockhart ISD jurisdictions, with rates somewhat lower than those in Hays County to the north. A $300,000 home in Lockhart ISD pays approximately $6,000 to $6,500 annually in total property taxes. Most properties rely on private water wells and septic systems, as there is no centralized municipal water or sewer service. Internet connectivity is available through local providers along the I-35 corridor, with more rural properties limited to fixed wireless or satellite options.

Daily life in Dale is shaped by its rural agricultural setting and the convenience of the nearby I-35 corridor for commuting and errands. The community has no commercial downtown; the nearest grocery stores are the H-E-B locations in Lockhart, about 10 minutes southeast, and Kyle, about 10 to 15 minutes north. Lockhart's downtown square is a primary destination for dining and recreation, particularly the cluster of barbecue restaurants that have earned Lockhart the designation as the barbecue capital of Texas, including Kreuz Market, Smitty's Market, Black's Barbecue, and Chisholm Trail BBQ. Lockhart State Park, about 15 minutes to the south, offers an 18-hole golf course, a spring-fed swimming pool, hiking trails, and fishing along Plum Creek. The annual Chisholm Trail Roundup in June brings rodeo events, a parade, and live music to Lockhart. For shopping and larger retail needs, Kyle Crossing and the Buda commercial corridor on I-35 are 10 to 15 minutes north.

Things to Do in Zip Code 78616

• Lockhart Barbecue Trail: Cluster of historic barbecue restaurants in Lockhart, 10 minutes southeast, including Kreuz Market, Smitty's Market, Black's Barbecue, and Chisholm Trail BBQ.
• Lockhart State Park: State park approximately 15 minutes south with an 18-hole golf course, a CCC-built spring-fed swimming pool, hiking trails, and fishing along Plum Creek.
• Chisholm Trail Roundup: Annual June event in Lockhart featuring PRCA rodeo competition, a parade through downtown, live music, carnival rides, and a community barbecue.
• Lockhart City Park: Community park in Lockhart with a playground, walking trail, picnic pavilions, and sports fields used for youth league baseball and soccer.
• Plum Creek Preserve: Nature area along Plum Creek in the Dale-Lockhart corridor with walking paths, bird watching opportunities, and riparian habitat.

Major Employers in Zip Code 78616

• Lockhart ISD (Education): Largest employer in the Lockhart area with over 900 staff across multiple campuses serving 6,500 students.
• Caldwell County (Government): County government offices headquartered in Lockhart with several hundred employees across courts, sheriff, roads, and public services.
• Seton Medical Center Kyle (Healthcare): Hospital in Kyle, approximately 10 minutes north, providing emergency and inpatient care with several hundred employees.
• Amazon Fulfillment (San Marcos) (Logistics): Amazon distribution facility in San Marcos, approximately 20 minutes south, employing over 1,000 workers in warehouse and logistics operations.

Zip Code 78616 Schools

Students in 78616 primarily attend Lockhart ISD, which serves approximately 6,500 students across multiple campuses in Caldwell County.

School District: Lockhart ISD

Public Schools

Pre-Schools

• Lockhart ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten programs at multiple Lockhart ISD elementary campuses for eligible three- and four-year-olds.
• Kyle Head Start - Federally funded early childhood program in Kyle, approximately 10 to 15 minutes north of Dale.

Private Schools

• First Baptist Christian Academy Lockhart - Church-based school in Lockhart offering elementary and middle school education, approximately 10 minutes southeast.

Frequently Asked Questions