Market Overview for Zip Code 78957
There are 77 active listings in Zip Code 78957 with a median list price of $349K and a median sold price of $330K.
Homes average 103 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 8 homes have sold, with 94 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $307.
About Zip Code 78957
Zip code 78957 covers Smithville, a small city of approximately 4,200 people in southern Bastrop County, about 45 miles southeast of Austin. The town sits on the south bank of the Colorado River along State Highway 71 and is also served by the Union Pacific railroad. Smithville was incorporated in 1895 and built its economy on cotton farming and rail commerce. The town gained recognition as a film location for the 1998 movie Hope Floats and has a well-preserved Main Street with 19th and early 20th century commercial buildings.
Real estate in 78957 is affordable compared to the Austin metro. In-town homes range from $175K for smaller older properties to $400K for larger renovated houses on half-acre or larger lots. Properties on the outskirts with 5 to 20 acres list from $300K to $650K. Larger ranch tracts command higher prices based on acreage, fencing, and improvements. Manufactured homes on private lots start around $100K. The riverfront corridor north of town has attracted buyers seeking recreational property, and a few new subdivisions have begun development along SH-71. Smithville has experienced steady but moderate price appreciation, remaining well below Bastrop and Austin price levels.
Students in 78957 attend Smithville ISD, which serves approximately 1,870 students across three campuses. Brown Primary and Smithville Elementary cover pre-K through 5th grade, Smithville Junior High serves 6th through 8th, and Smithville High School covers 9th through 12th. The district competes in UIL Class 4A and has competitive football, track, and FFA programs. Smithville High School also offers dual-credit coursework through Austin Community College. There are no private schools in Smithville; the nearest options are in Bastrop (15 miles north) or La Grange (30 miles east).
Smithville is approximately 45 minutes from downtown Austin via SH-71 or SH-130 toll road. Bastrop, the county seat, is about 15 miles north. Houston is roughly 2 hours east via SH-71 to I-10. The town has an H-E-B grocery store, a True Value hardware, and a downtown corridor with restaurants and shops. Buescher State Park, a 1,017-acre park with a 30-acre lake, hiking trails, and camping, is located within the zip code just north of town. The Colorado River provides kayaking and fishing access. The nearest hospital is Ascension Seton Bastrop, about 15 miles north, and the Smithville Regional Hospital closed in recent years, leaving medical care to clinics in town and the Bastrop facility.
Living in Zip Code 78957
Smithville's population is a mix of longtime residents and newer arrivals from the Austin area seeking affordable small-town living. Median household income is approximately $48,000. Homeownership rates are higher than the state average, and the housing stock includes historic homes near Main Street, mid-century ranch-style properties, and newer manufactured homes on the outskirts. Smithville has a strong community identity, with active participation in school events and local festivals.
Daily life in Smithville centers on the Main Street commercial district and outdoor recreation. Restaurants include local diners, Zimmerhanzel's BBQ, and Olde World Bakery, which draws visitors from the Austin area. The H-E-B on SH-71 provides full grocery service. Buescher State Park offers hiking, fishing on the 30-acre lake, camping, and wildlife observation. The Colorado River north of town has public put-in points for kayaking and canoeing. Smithville Heritage Museum on Main Street documents the town's railroad and agricultural history. The annual Smithville Jamboree in April is the signature community event, featuring a parade, carnival, live music, barbecue cook-off, and a 5K run that draws visitors from across central Texas. The Smithville area is also known as a popular road cycling route, with low-traffic farm roads passing through rolling terrain.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78957
- Buescher State Park: 1,017-acre park within the zip code with a 30-acre lake for fishing, camping, hiking trails through post-oak woodland, and wildlife viewing.
- Smithville Jamboree: Annual April festival with a parade, carnival, live music, barbecue cook-off, 5K run, and community events drawing visitors from across central Texas.
- Colorado River Kayaking: Public access points north of town for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing on the Colorado River.
- Smithville Heritage Museum: Small museum on Main Street documenting Smithville's railroad history, cotton era, and early settlement.
- Road Cycling on Farm Roads: Low-traffic FM roads through rolling post-oak terrain draw road cyclists from the Austin area for weekend rides.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78957
- Smithville ISD (Education): Largest employer in Smithville with approximately 250 staff across three campuses.
- City of Smithville (Government): Municipal government providing police, fire, water, and parks services to approximately 4,000 residents with about 50 employees.
- H-E-B (Retail): Grocery store on SH-71 employing approximately 100 people, the primary retail anchor in town.
- Bastrop County (Government): County government offices in Bastrop, about 15 miles north, with several hundred total employees.
Zip Code 78957 Schools
Smithville ISD serves approximately 1,870 students across three campuses in southern Bastrop County.
School District: Smithville ISD
Public Schools
Pre-Schools
- Smithville ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program within Brown Primary campus.
- First Baptist Preschool Smithville - Church-based preschool program in Smithville.
Private Schools
- Bastrop Christian Academy - Private school in Bastrop, about 15 miles north.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 78957?
78957 covers Smithville, a small city in southern Bastrop County about 45 miles southeast of Austin on SH-71. The town sits on the Colorado River and the Union Pacific rail line.
What do homes cost in 78957?
In-town homes range from $175K to $400K. Properties with 5 to 20 acres list from $300K to $650K. Manufactured homes on small lots start around $100K.
What school district is 78957 in?
78957 is served by Smithville ISD, with about 1,870 students across elementary, junior high, and high school campuses. Smithville High School offers ACC dual-credit courses.
How far is Smithville from Austin?
Smithville is approximately 45 minutes from downtown Austin via SH-71 or SH-130 toll road. Bastrop is about 15 miles north.
What outdoor activities are in Smithville?
Buescher State Park has a 30-acre lake, camping, and hiking. The Colorado River offers kayaking and fishing. Area farm roads are popular for road cycling. Hunting is available on private ranch leases.
