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Market Overview for Zip Code 78959
There are 6 active listings in Zip Code 78959 with a median list price of $1.4M and a median sold price of $307K.
Homes average 154 days on market.
Most homes that closed in the last 90 days sold in the $300K-$500K range (100% of 1 closings), taking a median 154 days to go under contract; 0% of closings were $500K or more.
Over the past 30 days, 0 homes have sold, with 8 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $658.
About Zip Code 78959
Zip code 78959 covers Waelder, a small town of approximately 1,100 people in northwestern Gonzales County, about 70 miles southeast of Austin. The town sits along US Highway 90 at its intersection with State Highway 97, between Luling to the west and Gonzales to the east. Waelder was established in 1874 as a stop on the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway and was named for Jacob Waelder, a German-born Texas Supreme Court justice. The surrounding terrain is flat to gently rolling Gulf Coastal Plain, with sandy loam soils supporting cattle ranching, hay production, and some row crop agriculture.
Real estate in 78959 is among the most affordable in the greater Austin-San Antonio region. In-town homes range from $75K for small older properties to $225K for larger updated houses. Rural acreage tracts with homes list from $200K to $500K depending on house condition and acreage. Larger ranch properties of 50 to 200+ acres range from $500K to over $1.5 million. Vacant land sells for approximately $6,000 to $12,000 per acre. Manufactured homes on small lots represent a significant portion of the housing stock and start around $60K. The area has not experienced the price escalation seen in Bastrop or Hays County, making it one of the most affordable options within 90 minutes of Austin.
Students in 78959 attend Waelder ISD, a very small district serving approximately 200 students across two campuses. Waelder Elementary covers pre-K through 6th grade, and Waelder High School serves 7th through 12th. The district has one of the smallest enrollments in the region, with class sizes often under 10 students. Waelder High School competes in UIL Class 1A six-man football. The nearest additional school options are in Gonzales (20 miles east) or Luling (15 miles west), and private schools require a drive to Seguin, Lockhart, or San Marcos.
Waelder is approximately 70 minutes from downtown Austin via I-35 and US-90, and about 55 minutes from San Antonio via I-10 and US-90. The town has a small commercial core with a convenience store, a post office, and a volunteer fire department. Basic retail and grocery shopping require a trip to Luling (15 miles west) or Gonzales (20 miles east), where an H-E-B is available. The nearest hospitals are in Gonzales and Seguin, each about 20 to 25 miles away. Palmetto State Park, a 270-acre park along the San Marcos River about 10 miles west near Luling, provides the nearest significant outdoor recreation. The area economy is based on ranching, oil and gas production, and highway-oriented services.
Living in Zip Code 78959
Waelder's population is a mix of longtime farming and ranching households and a few commuters who work in Luling, Lockhart, or Seguin. Median household income is approximately $32,000, among the lowest in the region. The town has a history tied to the cotton-farming and railroad era. Most properties are owner-occupied, with a mix of site-built homes and manufactured housing. The community is small enough that most social interaction occurs through the school, local churches, and the volunteer fire department. Waelder has no municipal water system beyond the immediate town center; outlying properties rely on private wells.
Daily life in Waelder is quiet and oriented toward self-sufficiency. The town has a convenience store and a small restaurant, but most shopping, dining, and services require driving to Luling (15 miles) or Gonzales (20 miles). Luling is known for its barbecue (City Market) and the annual Watermelon Thump festival. Palmetto State Park near Luling offers hiking through a dwarf palmetto bog, fishing on the San Marcos River, and camping with full hookups. Hunting for white-tail deer, dove, feral hog, and turkey is a primary outdoor activity on surrounding ranch leases. The Gonzales area provides additional services including a county hospital, H-E-B grocery, and historic sites related to the "Come and Take It" battle of the Texas Revolution. Weekend activities include fishing, hunting, and attending community events in nearby towns.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78959
- Palmetto State Park: 270-acre park about 10 miles west near Luling, featuring dwarf palmetto bogs, San Marcos River fishing, hiking trails, and camping.
- Hunting on Ranch Leases: White-tail deer, dove, feral hog, and turkey hunting on private ranch leases throughout the Gonzales County countryside.
- Luling Watermelon Thump: Annual June festival in Luling, 15 miles west, with a watermelon seed-spitting contest, carnival, live music, and a parade.
- Gonzales Historic Sites: Town of Gonzales, 20 miles east, has museums and markers related to the Come and Take It battle and the Texas Revolution.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78959
- Waelder ISD (Education): Largest employer in Waelder with approximately 40 staff across two campuses.
- Local ranching operations (Agriculture): Cattle ranches and hay production employ agricultural workers across the zip code year-round.
- Oil and gas companies (Energy): Pumping units and small production operations in the area provide employment in well maintenance and pipeline work.
- Gonzales County (Government): County offices in Gonzales, about 20 miles east, providing judicial, law enforcement, and road services.
Zip Code 78959 Schools
Waelder ISD is a very small district serving approximately 200 students on two campuses with class sizes often under 10.
School District: Waelder ISD
Pre-Schools
- Waelder ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program within Waelder Elementary.
- Gonzales ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program in Gonzales, approximately 20 minutes southeast, for qualifying households.
Private Schools
- Navarro Academy - Private school in Seguin, about 25 miles south.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 78959?
78959 covers Waelder, a small town in northwestern Gonzales County on US-90, about 70 miles southeast of Austin. It sits between Luling to the west and Gonzales to the east.
What do homes cost in 78959?
In-town homes range from $75K to $225K. Rural properties with acreage list from $200K to $500K. Larger ranch tracts can exceed $1.5 million. Manufactured homes start around $60K.
What school district is 78959 in?
78959 is served by Waelder ISD, one of the smallest districts in the region with about 200 students. Class sizes are often under 10 students.
How far is Waelder from Austin?
Waelder is approximately 70 minutes from downtown Austin via I-35 and US-90. San Antonio is about 55 minutes southwest via I-10 and US-90.
Is Waelder a good area for affordable acreage?
Waelder and surrounding Gonzales County offer some of the most affordable land within 90 minutes of Austin. Vacant land sells for $6,000 to $12,000 per acre, well below Bastrop or Hays County prices.