Market Overview for New Braunfels
There are 76 active listings in New Braunfels with a median list price of $372K and a median sold price of $374K.
Homes average 84 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 15 homes have sold, with 209 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $257.
About New Braunfels
New Braunfels is the seat of Comal County, in the South Central Texas Hill Country, with a small southern portion extending into Guadalupe County. The city lies along the Interstate 35 corridor between Austin, roughly 50 miles to the north, and San Antonio, about 35 miles to the south, and it anchors the northern end of the San Antonio–New Braunfels metropolitan area. The 2020 census counted 90,403 residents, and the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population at about 116,477 in 2024, reflecting one of the faster growth rates in the region over that period.
The city was founded on March 21, 1845, by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels, the first commissioner-general of the Adelsverein, the society organized to settle German immigrants in Texas. Solms-Braunfels established the community for German colonists on land near the Guadalupe River and named it for his ancestral home of Braunfels, Germany. By 1850 New Braunfels ranked among the largest towns in the state, and its 19th-century origins remain visible today in the historic downtown, the Sophienburg museum, and the Gruene Historic District on the city's northern edge.
New Braunfels is defined by water. It sits at the confluence of the Guadalupe River and the spring-fed Comal River, which rises from Comal Springs in Landa Park. Comal Springs is the largest spring system in Texas, fed by the Edwards Aquifer and flowing at a nearly constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round; the short Comal River issuing from it — often cited as the shortest navigable river in Texas — is a centerpiece of the city's parks and warm-weather recreation. The Guadalupe River, which enters the area below Canyon Dam to the northwest, adds miles of additional river frontage prized for tubing and fishing.
Public education is divided between two districts, Comal Independent School District and New Braunfels Independent School District, whose boundaries split the growing city. State Highway 46 and Loop 337 supplement I-35, linking New Braunfels to Canyon Lake, Seguin, Gruene, and the surrounding Comal County communities. Together with a well-established visitor economy, this Hill Country setting on two rivers gives New Braunfels a distinct identity within the fast-growing Austin–San Antonio corridor.
Living in New Braunfels
Everyday life in New Braunfels is shaped by the Interstate 35 corridor, which carries commuters south toward San Antonio, about 35 miles away, and north toward San Marcos and Austin, roughly 50 miles distant. State Highway 46 and Loop 337 move traffic around the city and out to Canyon Lake and the western Hill Country, while the historic Gruene district and downtown Main Plaza remain focal points for dining and events.
Health care is anchored by two hospitals within the city: CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels and Resolute Baptist Hospital, supplemented by a range of clinics along the I-35 and SH 46 corridors. Everyday shopping is concentrated around the interstate interchanges and the SH 46 retail corridor, with the New Braunfels Marketplace and Creekside developments among the larger centers.
Recreation is a defining feature. Residents have year-round access to the spring-fed Comal River and Landa Park, the Guadalupe River below Canyon Dam, and Schlitterbahn Waterpark, along with the shops, galleries, and live music of the Gruene Historic District. The Comal County parks system and the nearby Guadalupe River State Park extend the options for hiking, paddling, and camping, making the outdoors a consistent part of daily life in this part of the Hill Country.
Things to Do in New Braunfels
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark: A large waterpark along the Comal River in New Braunfels, known for river-based rides that use the spring-fed water; a major seasonal draw and employer.
- Landa Park: A city park built around the headwaters of Comal Springs, with Landa Lake, spring-fed swimming, a miniature train, paddle boats, and an 18-hole golf course.
- Gruene Historic District: A preserved 19th-century district on the city's north side centered on Gruene Hall, an 1878 dance hall, alongside shops, restaurants, and Guadalupe River outfitters.
- Comal River tubing: The short, spring-fed Comal River holds a steady 72°F and is one of Central Texas's most popular summer tubing runs, with outfitters clustered near Prince Solms Park.
- Natural Bridge Caverns: A commercial cavern system in Comal County just west of New Braunfels, offering guided tours of large underground formations plus surface attractions.
- McKenna Children's Museum: A hands-on children's museum in New Braunfels with interactive exhibits geared toward younger visitors.
Major Employers in New Braunfels
- Comal ISD (Education): Comal Independent School District is among the area's largest employers, operating campuses across New Braunfels and the surrounding county.
- New Braunfels ISD (Education): The city's second public school district, serving the central and eastern parts of New Braunfels.
- CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – New Braunfels (Healthcare): A general hospital serving New Braunfels and Comal County, part of the CHRISTUS Health system.
- Resolute Baptist Hospital (Healthcare): A hospital and medical campus in New Braunfels providing acute and specialty care.
- City of New Braunfels (Government): The municipal government, including New Braunfels Utilities, is a significant local employer.
- Rush Enterprises (Commercial vehicles): A commercial-truck dealership group headquartered in New Braunfels and listed among the city's larger private employers.
New Braunfels Schools
New Braunfels is served by two public school districts whose boundaries divide the city: Comal Independent School District and New Braunfels Independent School District. Higher-education and workforce training options are available locally through the Central Texas Technology Center and Texas State Technical College's New Braunfels campus, with Texas State University a short drive north in San Marcos.
Higher Education
- Texas State Technical College – New Braunfels - A campus of the statewide TSTC system offering technical and workforce programs in New Braunfels.
- Central Texas Technology Center - A technical and workforce-training center in New Braunfels operated in partnership with the Alamo Colleges District.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is New Braunfels in?
New Braunfels is the seat of Comal County, with a small southern portion extending into Guadalupe County.
How far is New Braunfels from Austin and San Antonio?
It sits on Interstate 35 roughly 50 miles south of Austin and about 35 miles north of San Antonio, within the San Antonio–New Braunfels metro area.
When was New Braunfels founded?
The city was founded on March 21, 1845, by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels of the Adelsverein as a settlement for German immigrants to Texas.
What school districts serve New Braunfels?
Two districts divide the city: Comal Independent School District and New Braunfels Independent School District.
What rivers run through New Braunfels?
The city lies at the confluence of the Guadalupe River and the spring-fed Comal River, which rises from Comal Springs in Landa Park.
What is there to do in New Braunfels?
Popular destinations include Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Landa Park, the Gruene Historic District, and summer tubing on the Comal and Guadalupe rivers.
