Market Overview for Zip Code 78605
There are 74 active listings in Zip Code 78605 with a median list price of $457K and a median sold price of $303K.
Homes average 69 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 20 homes have sold, with 116 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $368.
About Zip Code 78605
ZIP code 78605 covers the city of Bertram and a large surrounding area of eastern Burnet County, spanning approximately 172 square miles. The city of Bertram itself has a population of about 1,616 (2020 Census), while the broader ZIP area includes approximately 6,246 residents living on rural ranchland, small-acreage properties, and scattered residential developments.
Bertram is located at the junction of State Highway 29, FM 243, and FM 1174, approximately ten miles east of the city of Burnet and about 45 miles northwest of downtown Austin. The town was founded in 1882 when the community of San Gabriel relocated to the newly built Austin and Northwestern Railroad line. It was named for Rudolph Bertram, the railroad's largest stockholder. The city sits at an elevation of about 1,257 feet in the eastern Hill Country, where rolling limestone terrain transitions toward the Blackland Prairie.
SH-29 is the primary highway corridor, running east through Liberty Hill and Georgetown to Interstate 35, making the area accessible to commuters heading toward the Austin metro. The landscape includes working ranches, scattered oak groves, and limestone outcrops typical of the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country.
Living in Zip Code 78605
Bertram is a rural community with a small-town commercial core along SH-29. The nearest full-service grocery and retail options are in Burnet (ten miles west) or Georgetown (about 25 miles east on SH-29). Liberty Hill, about 15 miles southeast, has seen recent commercial growth.
The area is served by Burnet Consolidated ISD (Burnet CISD), which enrolls approximately 3,235 students across six campuses. Bertram Elementary, at 315 Main Street in Bertram, enrolls approximately 423 students in grades PK-5. For middle and high school, students travel to Burnet for Burnet Middle School and Burnet High School.
The drive to downtown Austin is approximately 45 miles (roughly 50 to 60 minutes depending on route). Many residents commute to Georgetown or Austin via SH-29 to I-35. Historically an agricultural shipping point for cotton, cattle, and wool, the area today sees significant employment in construction and trades, reflecting growth pressure from the expanding Austin metro area.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78605
- Oatmeal Festival: Annual community festival in downtown Bertram celebrating the nearby hamlet of Oatmeal, TX. Features a parade, oatmeal cook-off, fun run, and live music. Held since 1978.
- Bertram Flyer (Austin Steam Train): A 44-mile round-trip vintage train excursion from Cedar Park to the 1912 Bertram Depot, crossing Short Creek Canyon and a 300-foot wooden trestle over the South San Gabriel River.
- Historic Globe Theatre: A 1935 Art Deco theatre at 132 W. Vaughan Street hosting live music, classic movie screenings, and community events.
- Flanigan's Texas Distillery & Winery: Distillery and winery at 330 N Lampasas Street in a historic 1904 building. Produces wines and spirits including potato-based spirits, with a tasting room and event space.
- Hidden Falls Adventure Park: A 2,000-plus acre off-road recreation area in the 78605 ZIP offering ATV, UTV, and 4x4 trails, plus RV sites, cabins, and primitive camping.
- Inks Lake State Park: Texas state park about 25 miles west in Burnet County offering camping, swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking trails on one of the Highland Lakes.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78605
- Burnet CISD (Education): Public school district with Bertram Elementary (423 students) located in 78605. The broader district serves over 3,200 students.
- Construction and trades (Construction): The construction sector is the largest employment category for Bertram-area residents, driven by growth from the expanding Austin metro area.
- Agriculture and ranching (Agriculture): Cattle ranching and farming remain part of the local economy across the 172-square-mile ZIP area.
- Flanigan's Texas Distillery & Winery (Spirits production and tourism): Distillery, winery, and event venue in a historic downtown building.
Zip Code 78605 Schools
The 78605 area is served by Burnet Consolidated ISD (Burnet CISD). Bertram Elementary is the campus physically located in 78605; middle and high school students travel to Burnet.
School District: Burnet CISD
Public Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What area does ZIP code 78605 cover?
ZIP 78605 covers the city of Bertram and approximately 172 square miles of surrounding eastern Burnet County. The area includes the city of Bertram (population about 1,616) and rural ranchland, with a total ZIP population of approximately 6,246 residents.
How far is 78605 from Austin?
Bertram is approximately 45 miles northwest of downtown Austin. The drive takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes. Georgetown is about 25 miles east via SH-29, providing access to I-35.
What school district serves the 78605 area?
The area is served by Burnet Consolidated ISD (Burnet CISD). Bertram Elementary (grades PK-5, approximately 423 students) is located in Bertram. Middle and high school students attend Burnet Middle School and Burnet High School in Burnet, about ten miles west.
What is the Oatmeal Festival in Bertram?
The Oatmeal Festival is an annual community celebration in downtown Bertram, held since 1978. It celebrates the nearby hamlet of Oatmeal, TX, and features a parade, oatmeal cook-off, fun run, live music, and street dance.
Is Bertram growing?
The broader 78605 area is experiencing growth pressure from the expanding Austin metro. SH-29 connects Bertram to Liberty Hill and Georgetown, and the construction sector is the largest employment category for area residents. The area offers more affordable land compared to closer-in Austin suburbs.
