Market Overview for Bastrop
There are 51 active listings in Bastrop with a median list price of $350K and a median sold price of $307K.
Homes average 67 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 7 homes have sold, with 97 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $199.
About Bastrop
Bastrop is a city of approximately 14,000 residents and the county seat of Bastrop County, located about 30 miles southeast of downtown Austin along State Highway 71 at the crossing of the Colorado River. The city sits at the western edge of the Lost Pines, an isolated stand of loblolly pine forest separated from the main East Texas Piney Woods by roughly 100 miles of post-oak savanna and Blackland Prairie. Elevations in the area run from about 370 feet along the river bottoms to 500 feet on the surrounding sandy hills. The Colorado River bisects the city, with the historic downtown on the north bank and residential areas spreading in all directions.
Bastrop's housing market offers a range of options, from historic homes in the downtown area starting around $200,000 to properties in newer communities like the Colony, Piney Creek Bend, and Tahitian Village ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 or more. The median home price sits around $310,000. Tahitian Village, a large residential area south of town, was originally developed as a vacation and retirement community in the 1960s and contains a mix of permanent residences and weekend getaways. The 2011 Bastrop County Complex wildfire destroyed over 1,600 homes in the area, and rebuilding and new development have gradually filled in many of the affected lots.
Bastrop ISD serves the city and surrounding area, enrolling approximately 5,000 students across multiple elementary campuses, a middle school, and Bastrop High School. The district has invested in career and technical education programs, and Cedar Creek High School serves students in the eastern portion of the county. Higher education options include an Austin Community College location in Bastrop and proximity to Austin's universities via SH-71, which provides a 30-to-40-minute drive to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the southeast Austin area.
The local economy includes government services (as the county seat), healthcare, retail, tourism, and a growing creative sector. Main Street in downtown Bastrop has undergone revitalization, with galleries, restaurants, breweries, and boutiques occupying restored historic buildings. Bastrop State Park, which lost much of its pine forest canopy in the 2011 fire, has been replanted and continues to offer hiking, fishing, and camping. The park connects to Buescher State Park via a scenic 12-mile road through the Lost Pines. SH-71 and SH-21 provide highway connectivity, and the Colorado River supports kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Annual events include the Bastrop Patriotic Festival on the Fourth of July and the Lost Pines Christmas celebration.
Living in Bastrop
Bastrop's population has a median household income of approximately $55,000, with employment distributed across county government, healthcare, education, retail, and a growing number of remote workers. The median age is around 35. The city's demographic composition is roughly 50% White, 35% Hispanic, 10% Black, and 2% Asian. About 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The community has a blend of longtime residents with deep family ties to the area and newer arrivals from Austin seeking more affordable housing and a small-town feel.
Daily life in Bastrop revolves around the historic downtown, the river, and the Lost Pines landscape. The Colorado River runs through the center of town, with Fisherman's Park providing a popular put-in point for kayaking and canoeing. Downtown Main Street hosts restaurants, the Bastrop Opera House (which stages live theater productions), and shops. Grocery shopping is handled by H-E-B on SH-71 and a Walmart on the east side of town. Bastrop State Park offers hiking and swimming in a pine-forested setting. The Bastrop Public Library on Main Street serves as a community hub, and the weekly Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market runs on Saturdays during the growing season. High school sports, river festivals, and Main Street events provide regular gathering opportunities throughout the year.
Things to Do in Bastrop
- Bastrop State Park: 6,000-acre park in the Lost Pines with 8.5 miles of hiking trails, CCC-built stone cabins (12 available for overnight rental), a swimming pool, fishing pond, and an 18-hole golf course.
- Colorado River Paddling: The Colorado River runs through Bastrop with free kayak and canoe access at Fisherman's Park. Local outfitters offer guided trips and rentals for 2-4 hour float trips downstream.
- Historic Downtown Main Street: Six blocks of historic storefronts dating to the 1850s housing restaurants, art galleries, antique shops, and the Bastrop Opera House community theater.
- McKinney Roughs Nature Park: LCRA-operated 1,100-acre nature park along the Colorado River with 18 miles of trails, zip lines, kayaking, and overnight camping in screened shelters.
- Bastrop Brewhouse: Craft brewery on Chestnut Street in downtown Bastrop producing seasonal ales and lagers, with a taproom, outdoor beer garden, and live music on weekends.
Major Employers in Bastrop
- Bastrop ISD (Education): The school district employs approximately 900 staff across 8 campuses and is the largest employer within the Bastrop city limits.
- Bastrop County (Government): County government operations including the courthouse, sheriff's office, and county services employ approximately 400 workers in Bastrop.
- Tesla Gigafactory Texas (Automotive Manufacturing): Electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility on the eastern outskirts of Bastrop County
- Bastrop Federal Correctional Institution (Federal Government): Federal Bureau of Prisons minimum-security facility on SH-95 north of Bastrop employing approximately 200 correctional and administrative staff.
Bastrop Schools
Bastrop is served by Bastrop ISD. Students typically attend Mina Elementary or Emile Elementary or Colony Oaks Elementary or Bluebonnet Elementary (Bastrop ISD) for elementary school, Bastrop Middle School or Bastrop Intermediate for middle school, and Bastrop High School for high school.
School District: Bastrop ISD
Public Schools
- Mina Elementary - Elementary school serving the Bastrop area in Bastrop ISD.
- Emile Elementary - Elementary school serving the Bastrop area in Bastrop ISD.
- Colony Oaks Elementary - Elementary school serving the Bastrop area in Bastrop ISD.
- Bluebonnet Elementary (Bastrop ISD) - Elementary school serving the Bastrop area in Bastrop ISD.
- Bastrop Middle School - Middle school serving the Bastrop area in Bastrop ISD.
- Bastrop Intermediate - Middle school serving the Bastrop area in Bastrop ISD.
- Bastrop High School - High school serving the Bastrop area in Bastrop ISD.
- Bastrop High School - Bastrop ISD high school enrolling approximately 1,800 students with UIL 5A athletics, CTE programs in welding and healthcare, and competitive FFA chapter.
- Cedar Creek High School - Cedar Creek ISD high school west of Bastrop serving about 1,200 students with agricultural science, engineering, and dual-credit programs.
- Bastrop Middle School - Bastrop ISD middle school serving approximately 700 students in grades 6-8 with a STEM academy pathway and band program.
Pre-Schools
- Bastrop Community Learning Center - Nonprofit early learning center on Farm Street serving low-income families with Head Start and pre-K programs for ages 3-5.
- Creative World School - Bastrop - Child care center on SH-71 enrolling infants through school-age children with structured learning stations and outdoor play areas.
Private Schools
- Calvary Episcopal School - Episcopal school in Bastrop serving approximately 80 students with small class sizes of 8-12 and a classical curriculum integrated with outdoor education.
- Lost Pines Christian Academy - Christian school serving approximately 60 students with Bible-integrated academics and family-style multi-grade classrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home price in Bastrop TX?
The median home price in Bastrop is approximately $310K. Older homes near downtown start around $175K, while new construction in The Colony and other developments ranges from $300K to $600K. Rural acreage tracts list from $350K to $700K.
How far is Bastrop from Austin?
Bastrop is 30 miles southeast of Austin via SH-71. The drive takes 30-40 minutes to downtown Austin. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is only 20 minutes west on SH-71, making Bastrop convenient for air travelers.
What happened in the Bastrop fires?
The 2011 Bastrop County Complex fire burned 34,000 acres and destroyed 1,691 homes, making it the most destructive wildfire in Texas history at that time. Bastrop State Park lost 96% of its loblolly pines, which have been slowly regenerating since.
What is the Lost Pines?
The Lost Pines is an isolated stand of loblolly pine forest separated from the East Texas Piney Woods by approximately 100 miles of blackland prairie. The area covers roughly 70 square miles around Bastrop and supports unique ecosystems including the endangered Houston toad.
Is Bastrop growing because of Tesla?
Tesla's Gigafactory is located approximately 15 miles west of Bastrop in southeast Austin, and the Hyundai Metaplant under construction in Elgin is 20 miles north. Both facilities are driving housing demand and population growth in Bastrop County, with new master-planned communities like The Colony responding to increased demand.
What school district is Bastrop in?
Bastrop is primarily served by Bastrop ISD, which has approximately 5,500 students across 8 campuses. Cedar Creek ISD serves areas west of Bastrop with about 4,500 students. Both districts offer CTE programs and compete in UIL athletics.