Market Overview for Granite Shoals
There are 65 active listings in Granite Shoals with a median list price of $919K and a median sold price of $362K.
Homes average 124 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 1 homes have sold, with 39 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $476.
About Granite Shoals
Granite Shoals is an incorporated city of 5,129 residents (2020 census) on the east shore of Lake LBJ in Burnet County, approximately 55 miles northwest of downtown Austin. The city sits at an elevation of approximately 853 feet in the Texas Hill Country and covers a total area of roughly 6.9 square miles, including about 1.1 square miles of water area along the Lake LBJ shoreline. Recent estimates place the population near 5,500, reflecting steady growth along the Highland Lakes corridor.
Lake LBJ (Lake Lyndon B. Johnson) is the third lake in the six-lake Highland Lakes chain on the Colorado River. Originally named Lake Granite Shoals, it was renamed in 1965 to honor President Johnson. The lake covers 6,534 acres and is formed by Wirtz Dam (originally Granite Shoals Dam, completed 1951, renamed 1952 for LCRA founding counsel Alvin J. Wirtz). Lake LBJ is a constant-level "pass-through" lake — water that enters must exit — which maintains stable shoreline conditions year-round, unlike the storage reservoirs of Lake Buchanan and Lake Travis that can fluctuate dramatically.
Granite Shoals was incorporated on May 9, 1966. The original city comprised sections of the Sherwood Shores subdivision, which at the time was described as the largest platted subdivision in the state of Texas. That subdivision was created in 1962 from three ranches: the Phillips, Naumann, and Ebeling ranches. The city has grown steadily from 342 residents in 1970 to its current population, roughly doubling each decade through 2010.
The housing market centers on lake access. Many properties have direct Lake LBJ waterfront or are within walking distance of the shore, and the city's community page notes it has more waterfront access than any other community on the lake. Homes range from mid-century lake cabins and remodeled cottages to newer construction in subdivisions throughout the city.
Living in Granite Shoals
Daily life in Granite Shoals revolves around Lake LBJ. Boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking are year-round activities on the constant-level lake. The city operates a public boat ramp and park, and multiple marinas along the Lake LBJ shoreline serve residents and visitors. Grocery shopping and most retail are in Marble Falls, about four miles southwest via FM 1431. Burnet, the county seat, is roughly 17 miles to the northeast.
Granite Shoals is a general-law city with a mayor-council government. The city provides its own police department, water and sewer utility, code enforcement, and parks. The city hall sits on one of the granite formations that give the community its name.
Schools are operated by Marble Falls ISD, which also serves Marble Falls, Cottonwood Shores, Meadowlakes, Spicewood, and Highland Haven. Highland Lakes Elementary is the campus closest to Granite Shoals, enrolling approximately 471 students. Students continue to Marble Falls Middle School and Marble Falls High School. The district serves approximately 4,066 students across seven campuses.
The commute to Austin is approximately 55 miles via Highway 71 and Ranch Road 1431, typically taking 60 to 80 minutes depending on traffic through Bee Cave and the Highway 71/290 interchange. Many Granite Shoals residents are retirees, remote workers, or employed locally in the Marble Falls commercial corridor.
Things to Do in Granite Shoals
- Boat and fish on Lake LBJ: Lake LBJ is a constant-level Highland Lakes reservoir covering 6,534 acres. The stable water levels make it one of the most popular boating and water-skiing lakes in the Highland Lakes chain. The city of Granite Shoals operates a public boat ramp, and marinas along the shore offer boat and jet ski rentals.
- Swim and kayak from the city shoreline: Granite Shoals has extensive Lake LBJ waterfront access. City parks along the shore provide swim areas and kayak launch points. The constant lake level means shoreline conditions are predictable year-round.
- Visit nearby Marble Falls and Main Street: Marble Falls is approximately four miles southwest and offers a restored historic Main Street with independent restaurants, bakeries, wine bars, and boutiques. Lakeside Park on Lake Marble Falls hosts the Walkway of Lights holiday display.
- Tour Longhorn Cavern State Park: About 15 miles north of Granite Shoals, Longhorn Cavern State Park offers guided underground walking tours of a river-carved cavern. The park's stone structures were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1934 and 1942.
- Explore Inks Lake State Park: Inks Lake State Park, a 1,201-acre park about 20 miles north on Park Road 4, offers camping, hiking, kayaking, and swimming at Devil's Waterhole. The park sits on the constant-level Inks Lake, another Highland Lakes reservoir.
Major Employers in Granite Shoals
- Marble Falls ISD (Education): Marble Falls Independent School District serves Granite Shoals and surrounding communities with approximately 4,066 students across seven campuses. Highland Lakes Elementary is the campus nearest to Granite Shoals.
- City of Granite Shoals (Public administration): The city operates its own police department, water and sewer utility, code enforcement, and parks department, employing municipal staff across these services.
- Lake recreation and hospitality (Tourism & hospitality): Marinas, boat rental operations, vacation rental management, restaurants, and service businesses along the Lake LBJ corridor employ residents in hospitality, maintenance, and tourism-related roles.
- Marble Falls commercial corridor (Retail & services): The U.S. 281 and Highway 71 corridors in nearby Marble Falls concentrate regional retail, healthcare, and commercial services that employ many Granite Shoals residents.
Granite Shoals Schools
Granite Shoals is served by Marble Falls ISD, which covers the city along with Marble Falls, Cottonwood Shores, Meadowlakes, Spicewood, and Highland Haven. The district enrolls approximately 4,066 students across seven campuses.
School District: Marble Falls ISD
Public Schools
- Highland Lakes Elementary - Marble Falls ISD campus nearest to Granite Shoals, enrolling approximately 471 students (2026).
- Marble Falls Middle School - Marble Falls ISD middle school serving grades 6-8, approximately 903 students.
- Marble Falls High School - Marble Falls ISD comprehensive high school, approximately 1,136 students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Granite Shoals?
Granite Shoals had 5,129 residents at the 2020 census, up from 4,910 in 2010. Recent estimates place the population near 5,500. The city has grown from 342 residents at the time of its 1966 incorporation, roughly doubling each decade through the 2010s.
Is Lake LBJ a constant-level lake?
Yes. Lake LBJ is a constant-level pass-through lake — water that enters must exit through Wirtz Dam. This keeps shoreline levels stable year-round, unlike Lake Travis and Lake Buchanan which are storage reservoirs and can fluctuate significantly during droughts.
What school district serves Granite Shoals?
Granite Shoals is served by Marble Falls Independent School District, which enrolls approximately 4,066 students across seven campuses. Highland Lakes Elementary is the campus nearest to Granite Shoals. Students continue to Marble Falls Middle School and Marble Falls High School.
How far is Granite Shoals from Austin?
Granite Shoals is approximately 55 miles northwest of downtown Austin. The drive takes 60 to 80 minutes via Highway 71 and Ranch Road 1431, depending on traffic through Bee Cave.
When was Granite Shoals incorporated?
Granite Shoals was incorporated on May 9, 1966. The original city comprised sections of the Sherwood Shores subdivision, which was created in 1962 from three ranches — the Phillips, Naumann, and Ebeling ranches — and was described as the largest platted subdivision in Texas at the time.
