Market Overview for Zip Code 78650
There are 12 active listings in Zip Code 78650 with a median list price of $719K and a median sold price of $465K.
Homes average 109 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 0 homes have sold, with 10 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $314.
About Zip Code 78650
Zip code 78650 covers McDade, a small unincorporated community of roughly 700 people straddling the Lee and Bastrop county line, approximately 45 miles east of downtown Austin. McDade sits along US-290 between Elgin and Giddings, with the Union Pacific railroad running through its center. The community was established in the 1870s as a railroad stop and experienced a brief period of notoriety in the 1880s during frontier-era conflicts. The surrounding landscape is Post Oak Savannah with sandy loam soils, scattered post oak and blackjack oak groves, and gently rolling terrain. The area is rural and agricultural, with cattle ranches and hay operations dominating land use.
Real estate in 78650 is primarily rural acreage and homes on large lots. Raw land in the area generally runs $8,000 to $15,000 per acre, with prices varying based on road frontage, fencing, and tree cover. Improved properties with homes on 5 to 30 acres typically list from $300K to $600K. Homes in the small McDade townsite are older, generally built between 1920 and 1970, and are available from $125K to $275K. Manufactured homes on private lots are common throughout the zip code, priced from $80K to $200K. There are no active subdivision developments in McDade; the real estate market consists almost entirely of existing homes and raw land parcels suited for agricultural or residential use.
Students in 78650 attend either Elgin ISD or Lexington ISD depending on their location within the zip code. Elgin ISD is the larger district, serving approximately 6,230 students with multiple elementary campuses, Elgin Middle School, and Elgin High School. Lexington ISD serves about 900 students in Lee County. Both districts offer agricultural education and FFA programs. The nearest private school options require a drive to Bastrop or Austin, each roughly 30 to 45 minutes away. Elgin, about 10 miles west, provides the closest concentration of school-related services and extracurricular facilities.
McDade is approximately 45 minutes from downtown Austin via US-290. Elgin is about 10 miles west, Bastrop is approximately 20 miles south on SH-95, and Giddings is about 20 miles east. US-290 provides the primary transportation corridor, with access to SH-130 toll road about 15 miles west for faster routing to Austin. Most residents commute to Elgin, Bastrop, Taylor, or Austin for employment. McDade has minimal commercial services, with a post office, a volunteer fire department, and a few small businesses. The annual McDade Watermelon Festival in July is the community's primary public event. Lake Bastrop, a 906-acre reservoir, is accessible about 20 miles south for fishing and boating.
Living in Zip Code 78650
McDade's population is small and rural, with a mix of longtime agricultural residents and newer arrivals seeking affordable land within a reasonable commute of Austin. Median household income in the area is approximately $50,000, with most residents employed in trades, agriculture, manufacturing, or commuting to professional jobs in Austin or Round Rock. The community has a high rate of owner-occupied properties, with most homes sitting on 2 or more acres. Cost of living is low, with property taxes in Lee County averaging below those in Travis or Williamson counties. Residents maintain water wells and septic systems on most rural properties, and internet service is limited to satellite or fixed wireless in many locations.
Daily life in McDade is centered on the rural lifestyle and the nearby town of Elgin for services. Elgin provides grocery shopping at H-E-B, medical clinics, and restaurants including several well-known barbecue and sausage establishments. The McDade Museum on Main Street preserves the community's frontier and railroad history. The annual McDade Watermelon Festival in July draws visitors for a seed-spitting contest, parade, live music, and watermelon judging. Outdoors, residents hunt white-tail deer and dove on private land during fall and winter seasons, and fish at Lake Bastrop or in area stock tanks. Bastrop State Park, about 20 miles south, offers pine forest hiking, the Lost Pines Golf Club, and camping. The Post Oak Belt landscape provides habitat for bird watching, particularly during spring and fall migration seasons.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78650
- McDade Watermelon Festival: Annual July community festival with a seed-spitting contest, parade, watermelon judging, live music, and food vendors.
- Bastrop State Park: Lost Pines area state park about 20 miles south with pine forest hiking trails, a golf course, swimming pool, and camping.
- Lake Bastrop: 906-acre reservoir about 20 miles south of McDade with public fishing, boating, and lakeside camping at North Shore and South Shore parks.
- McDade Museum: Small community museum on Main Street documenting McDade's frontier history, railroad era, and agricultural heritage.
- Elgin Sausage Trail: Multiple smokehouses in Elgin, about 10 miles west, including Southside Market and Meyer's Elgin Smokehouse, known for hot gut sausage.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78650
- Elgin ISD (Education): Public school district with approximately 700 staff, headquartered in Elgin about 10 miles west of McDade.
- Samsung Austin Semiconductor (Manufacturing): Semiconductor fabrication facility in Taylor, approximately 25 miles northwest, employing 3,000+ workers.
- Bastrop County (Government): County government offices in Bastrop, about 20 miles south, providing law enforcement, courts, and public works.
- Elgin Butler Brick (Manufacturing): Brick manufacturing company in Elgin operating since 1873, producing handmade and machine-made brick products.
Zip Code 78650 Schools
Students in 78650 attend either Elgin ISD or Lexington ISD depending on their location within the zip code.
School District: Elgin ISD / Lexington ISD
Public Schools
McDade Independent School District
Lexington Independent School District
Elgin Independent School District
Pre-Schools
- Elgin ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program within Elgin Elementary.
- Elgin ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program at Elgin ISD campuses, approximately 10 miles west of McDade.
Private Schools
- Bastrop Christian Academy - Private school in Bastrop, approximately 20 miles south of McDade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 78650?
78650 covers McDade, Texas, a small community on the Lee-Bastrop county line about 45 miles east of Austin along US-290.
What do homes cost in 78650?
Homes on acreage in McDade range from $300K to $600K. Older in-town homes list from $125K to $275K. Raw land runs $8,000 to $15,000 per acre.
What school district is 78650 in?
78650 is split between Elgin ISD and Lexington ISD. Elgin ISD is the larger district with approximately 6,230 students across multiple campuses.
How far is McDade from Austin?
McDade is approximately 45 minutes from downtown Austin via US-290. Elgin is about 10 miles west, and Bastrop is about 20 miles south.
Is 78650 a good area for rural property?
Yes, 78650 has extensive acreage listings in the Post Oak Belt at prices below the Austin metro average. The area is suited for cattle, horses, and rural homesteads.
