Market Overview for Hays County
There are 1,901 active listings in Hays County with a median list price of $349K and a median sold price of $365K.
Homes average 95 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 358 homes have sold, with 4330 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $230.
About Hays County
Hays County covers approximately 677 square miles in central Texas between Austin and San Antonio along the Interstate 35 corridor. The county seat is San Marcos. The population reached 241,067 in the 2020 census and was estimated at 292,029 in the Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey one-year estimates. Major cities include San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, and Dripping Springs. The county's terrain ranges from the flat I-35 corridor on the east to the limestone hills and spring-fed creeks of the Edwards Plateau in the west. The Blanco River, San Marcos River, and numerous creeks including Cypress Creek and Onion Creek flow through the county.
Housing in Hays County reflects its geographic diversity. Kyle and Buda along the I-35 corridor are dominated by new-construction master-planned communities including Plum Creek, Sunfield, and Waterleaf, which draw much of the county's first-time-buyer demand. Dripping Springs on the western side features Hill Country properties on larger lots in communities like Caliterra and Headwaters. San Marcos provides a mix of affordable housing near Texas State University and newer developments south of the river. Wimberley offers rural acreage and custom homes on wooded lots, with larger properties along Cypress Creek. The county's housing mix includes newer single-family suburban homes, established ranch-style properties, and Hill Country custom builds on acreage.
Hays CISD is the largest school district in the county, serving approximately 25,049 students (2025-26) across campuses including Jack C. Hays High School in Kyle, Lehman High School in Kyle, and Johnson High School in Buda. Elementary campuses include Hemphill, Ralph Pfluger, and Uhland. Hays CISD holds a TEA accountability rating of B for 2024-25. Dripping Springs ISD serves 8,808 students (2025-26) and also holds a TEA rating of B for 2024-25, its third consecutive B following an A in 2021-22. San Marcos CISD covers the San Marcos area with 8,144 students (2025-26), and Wimberley ISD serves 2,638 students (2025-26). Austin Community College operates a Hays Campus in Kyle providing associate degrees and workforce training.
San Marcos sits at the intersection of I-35 and State Highway 123, approximately 30 miles south of downtown Austin and 50 miles north of downtown San Antonio. Texas State University, one of the largest public universities in Texas with a record fall 2025 enrollment of 44,596 on a 693-acre main campus, is the dominant economic presence in San Marcos. The San Marcos Premium Outlets and adjacent Tanger San Marcos together contain more than 200 stores across roughly 1.2 million square feet, making them the largest outlet center in Texas. Kyle and Buda are connected to Austin by I-35 and the commuter corridor, with downtown Austin approximately 20-25 minutes north of Buda during off-peak hours. Dripping Springs, in the western Hill Country portion of the county, is accessible via US Highway 290 and Ranch Road 12, approximately 25 miles west of Austin. Wimberley is reached via Ranch Road 12 south of Dripping Springs, about 40 miles southwest of downtown Austin.
Living in Hays County
Hays County's rapid growth is driven by its position between Austin and San Antonio. The median household income across the county is $89,097 per the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 five-year American Community Survey, though this varies significantly by city. Dripping Springs and western Wimberley tend higher, while Kyle and San Marcos trend closer to the county average. Dining options range from the barbecue and Tex-Mex restaurants along the I-35 corridor to farm-to-table establishments in Dripping Springs and Wimberley's locally owned restaurants along the town square.
The western portion of the county features Hill Country topography with oak and juniper woodlands, seasonal creeks, and views along the Balcones Escarpment. Kyle and Buda to the east offer newer suburban developments with community amenities including pools, trails, and parks. San Marcos blends a university-town atmosphere with a growing residential base south of campus. Wimberley maintains a small-town, arts-oriented identity centered around its market days, galleries, and natural swimming areas. The City of San Marcos operates Five Mile Dam Park, purchased from the county in 2024, along with the Purgatory Creek Natural Area, which offers more than 12 miles of multi-use trails in San Marcos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities are in Hays County, Texas?
Hays County includes San Marcos (county seat), Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, Dripping Springs, Niederwald, Uhland, Woodcreek, and Mountain City. Kyle and Buda are among the fastest-growing cities in the Austin metro area.
What do homes cost in Hays County?
The county's lower-priced stock is concentrated in Kyle and Buda, with higher-priced acreage and custom homes in Dripping Springs and parts of Wimberley. Current median price and active listing counts are shown on the Market Overview tab. San Marcos offers more affordable options near the university, while Hill Country acreage in western Hays County commands higher prices.
What school districts are in Hays County?
Hays County's largest school districts are Hays CISD (Kyle and Buda), San Marcos CISD, Dripping Springs ISD, and Wimberley ISD. Dripping Springs ISD holds a TEA accountability rating of B for 2024-25.
What are the major employers in Hays County?
The largest employers include Texas State University in San Marcos, the San Marcos outlet malls, Hays CISD, Amazon's fulfillment center, and Thermon Group manufacturing. Tourism related to the San Marcos River and outlet shopping also generates significant employment.
What neighborhoods are in Hays County?
Hays County neighborhoods include Plum Creek and Waterleaf in Kyle, Sunfield and Whispering Hollow in Buda, Caliterra in Dripping Springs, and various rural communities around Wimberley. New master-planned developments continue to open along the I-35 corridor.
