Market Overview for Zip Code 78621
There are 277 active listings in Zip Code 78621 with a median list price of $315K and a median sold price of $290K.
Homes average 111 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 38 homes have sold, with 475 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $204.
About Zip Code 78621
Zip code 78621 covers the city of Elgin and surrounding rural areas spanning portions of Bastrop, Travis, and Williamson counties, approximately 25 miles east of downtown Austin. Elgin has a population of roughly 11,000 within the city limits, making it the second-largest city in Bastrop County after Bastrop itself. The city sits along US-290 and the Union Pacific railroad, established in 1872 as a railroad town and later becoming a major brick-manufacturing center and sausage-making hub. The Texas Legislature designated Elgin the sausage capital of Texas in 1995, recognizing the tradition of hot-link and smoked sausage production by local meat markets. The surrounding terrain is flat to gently rolling Blackland Prairie to the south and east, transitioning to sandy post oak woodlands to the north.
Real estate in 78621 ranges from older homes in Elgin's historic core to new subdivisions on the city's expanding northern and western edges. Homes in established neighborhoods near downtown typically list from $200,000 to $375,000 for two- to four-bedroom single-family houses. New construction in communities such as Heritage and the Pines at Elgin offers homes from $275,000 to $425,000. Rural acreage properties with 5 to 20 acres in the broader zip code range from $400,000 to $800,000 depending on improvements, tree cover, and road frontage. Manufactured homes on private lots are present throughout the zip code and list from $80,000 to $200,000. The median home price in 78621 is approximately $325,000, making Elgin one of the more affordable options for Austin-area commuters seeking a full-service small city rather than a rural crossroads.
Students in 78621 primarily attend Elgin ISD, which serves approximately 5,500 students across multiple campuses. The district operates three elementary schools, Elgin Middle School, and Elgin High School. Elgin High School competes in UIL Class 5A athletics with competitive programs in football, basketball, track, and softball. The district offers dual-credit courses through Austin Community College and career and technology pathways in health sciences, agriculture, and business. Elgin ISD has a diverse student body with approximately 55 percent Hispanic enrollment. The district's newer campuses on the north side of town reflect the population growth that has pushed enrollment up 15 to 20 percent over the past five years. Sacred Heart Catholic School provides a private option for elementary students.
Elgin is approximately 25 minutes from downtown Austin via US-290, and the SH-130 toll road provides an alternate route connecting to I-35, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and employment centers in south Austin and Round Rock. The Tesla Gigafactory is approximately 20 minutes to the southwest. Taylor, with its Samsung semiconductor campus, is about 15 minutes to the north on SH-95. Elgin has its own H-E-B grocery store, a Walmart, medical clinics, a public library, and a growing commercial corridor along US-290. The historic downtown along Central Avenue features the Southside Market, Elgin's oldest operating sausage producer established in 1882, along with Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse and other local businesses. Medical care for more complex needs requires a trip to Round Rock or Austin hospitals, each 25 to 30 minutes away.
Living in Zip Code 78621
Elgin's population includes longtime residents with ties to the city's railroad, brick-making, and sausage-producing heritage alongside a growing number of Austin-area transplants drawn by affordable housing, the small-city amenity base, and reasonable commute times. Median household income is approximately $58,000, below the Austin metro average but consistent with the mix of agricultural, trade, and service-sector employment common in eastern Bastrop County. The city has a diverse demographic profile with significant Hispanic, Black, and white populations that have shaped its cultural identity through churches, restaurants, and annual festivals. Homeownership rates are approximately 60 percent, with a growing rental market in both single-family homes and newer apartment developments. Property taxes on a $325,000 home in Elgin ISD total approximately $7,000 to $7,500 annually. The city provides municipal water and sewer service within the city limits, though rural properties outside city boundaries typically rely on wells and septic systems.
Daily life in Elgin offers the conveniences of a full-service small city, with most daily needs met within the city limits. The H-E-B on US-290 provides grocery service, and the downtown commercial district along Central Avenue has restaurants, shops, and the Southside Market, which has produced smoked sausage since 1882. Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse, also on US-290, is another prominent sausage destination. Elgin Memorial Park on North Avenue C has a public pool, playgrounds, basketball courts, a walking trail, and picnic pavilions. The annual Western Days and Rodeo in June brings a PRCA rodeo, parade, live music, and a carnival to the community. The Elgin Depot Museum, housed in a restored 1872 railroad depot, documents the city's railroad and industrial history. The nearby SH-130 corridor provides access to the Round Rock Premium Outlets, IKEA, and other retail about 25 minutes to the northwest. Lake Bastrop and Bastrop State Park are each about 20 minutes to the south for fishing, swimming, and hiking.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78621
- Southside Market & Barbeque: Historic Elgin sausage producer and restaurant on Central Avenue, operating since 1882 and known for original hot-link smoked sausage and beef brisket.
- Elgin Western Days and Rodeo: Annual June event featuring PRCA rodeo competition, a parade through downtown, live music, carnival rides, and food vendors.
- Elgin Memorial Park: City park on North Avenue C with a public swimming pool, playgrounds, basketball courts, a walking trail, and covered picnic pavilions.
- Elgin Depot Museum: Local history museum in a restored 1872 railroad depot documenting Elgin's railroad, brick-manufacturing, and sausage-making heritage.
- Bastrop State Park: 6,000-acre state park approximately 20 minutes south with hiking through the Lost Pines forest, a swimming pool, golf course, and cabin rentals.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78621
- Elgin ISD (Education): Largest employer in Elgin with over 800 staff across multiple campuses serving 5,500 students.
- City of Elgin (Government): Municipal government providing police, fire, utilities, parks, and administrative services with approximately 150 employees.
- Southside Market & Barbeque (Food Production): Historic sausage producer and restaurant established in 1882, operating retail, wholesale, and online sales from its Central Avenue location.
- Samsung Austin Semiconductor (Taylor) (Manufacturing): Semiconductor fabrication facility in Taylor, about 15 minutes north, employing over 3,000 workers with a major expansion project.
- Tesla Gigafactory (nearby) (Manufacturing): Electric vehicle manufacturing facility approximately 20 minutes southwest of Elgin, employing an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 workers.
Zip Code 78621 Schools
Elgin ISD serves approximately 5,500 students across multiple campuses with a diverse student body and growing enrollment driven by Austin-area expansion.
School District: Elgin ISD
Public Schools
- Elgin High School - 9th through 12th grade campus competing in UIL 5A athletics with programs in football, basketball, track, softball, and career and technology pathways.
- Elgin Middle School - 6th through 8th grade campus with athletics, band, choir, and career exploration courses.
- Booker T. Washington Elementary - Pre-K through 5th grade campus in central Elgin serving approximately 500 students.
- Neidig Elementary - Pre-K through 5th grade campus on the north side of Elgin serving the newer residential areas.
- Elgin Elementary - Pre-K through 5th grade campus in the southern portion of the Elgin ISD zone.
Pre-Schools
- Elgin ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten programs at multiple Elgin ISD elementary campuses for eligible three- and four-year-olds.
- Elgin Head Start - Federally funded early childhood program serving income-eligible families in the Elgin area.
Private Schools
- Sacred Heart Catholic School - Catholic school in Elgin serving pre-K through 5th grade students with a faith-based curriculum.
Higher Education
- Austin Community College Elgin Campus - ACC satellite campus in Elgin offering dual-credit courses for high school students and select workforce training programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 78621?
Zip code 78621 covers Elgin, Texas, and surrounding rural areas in Bastrop, Travis, and Williamson counties, about 25 miles east of downtown Austin along US-290.
What do homes cost in 78621?
Homes in established Elgin neighborhoods range from $200,000 to $375,000. New construction lists from $275,000 to $425,000, and rural acreage properties run $400,000 to $800,000. The median home price is approximately $325,000.
What school district is 78621 in?
Zip code 78621 is primarily served by Elgin ISD, a growing district with approximately 5,500 students. Elgin High School competes in UIL 5A athletics.
Why is Elgin called the sausage capital of Texas?
The Texas Legislature designated Elgin the sausage capital of Texas in 1995, recognizing the city's long tradition of smoked sausage production. Southside Market, established in 1882, and Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse are the best-known producers.
How far is Elgin from Austin?
Elgin is approximately 25 minutes from downtown Austin via US-290. The SH-130 toll road provides alternate access to I-35, Austin-Bergstrom Airport, and employers in south Austin and Round Rock.