Market Overview for Zip Code 78619
There are 47 active listings in Zip Code 78619 with a median list price of $1.2M and a median sold price of $965K.
Homes average 54 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 5 homes have sold, with 87 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $413.
About Zip Code 78619
Zip code 78619 covers Driftwood, an unincorporated community in northeastern Hays County approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Austin. Driftwood sits along FM-1826, FM-150, and Elder Hill Road in a Hill Country setting characterized by rolling limestone hills, live oak and juniper woodlands, seasonal creeks, and spring-fed Onion Creek. The community has no incorporated government and maintains a rural residential character, though development pressure from the expanding Austin metro has steadily increased lot density and home construction over the past decade. Driftwood is positioned between Buda to the east on I-35 and Dripping Springs to the west on US-290, and it falls within the Dripping Springs extraterritorial jurisdiction for planning purposes.
Real estate in 78619 is predominantly single-family homes on one- to ten-acre lots, with a mix of custom-built residences, ranch properties, and a small number of subdivisions with deed restrictions. Homes in communities such as Driftwood Estates, Hays Country Oaks, and Sunset Canyon range from $450,000 to $800,000 for three- to five-bedroom houses on one- to three-acre lots. Custom homes on larger parcels of 5 to 20 acres with Hill Country views range from $700,000 to $1.5 million or more. Vacant land is available from approximately $150,000 per acre for desirable hilltop or creek-front tracts, down to $50,000 to $80,000 per acre for parcels without significant views or water features. There is a housing stock dominated by acreage lots and custom builds in the Driftwood area.
Students in 78619 attend Dripping Springs ISD, a district serving 8,808 students (2025-26) across 9 campuses, rated "B" by TEA for 2024-25 (89 of 100). Dripping Springs Elementary, Walnut Springs Elementary, and Rooster Springs Elementary serve the lower grades. Dripping Springs Middle School covers 6th through 8th grade, and Dripping Springs High School serves 9th through 12th. The district earned a "B" overall TEA accountability rating for 2024-25 (89 of 100), its third consecutive B. Dripping Springs High School competes in UIL Class 5A athletics with strong programs in football, baseball, golf, and cross-country. The district offers extensive Advanced Placement courses, dual-credit through ACC, and career and technology pathways.
Driftwood is approximately 25 minutes from downtown Austin via FM-1826 and MoPac, or 30 minutes via US-290 and SH-71 depending on the specific route. Dripping Springs is about 10 minutes to the west, and Buda is approximately 15 minutes to the east. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is roughly 25 minutes away via SH-45 and SH-130. The area has no commercial center of its own, with the Salt Lick BBQ restaurant on FM-1826 serving as perhaps the best-known local landmark. Wineries and event venues along the Driftwood corridor, including Driftwood Estate Winery, Vista Brewing, and numerous wedding venues, contribute to a growing tourism and hospitality economy. Medical care requires a trip to Buda, Kyle, or south Austin, with Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle about 15 minutes east. Grocery shopping is available at the H-E-B in Dripping Springs, about 10 minutes west, or the stores in Buda and Oak Hill.
Living in Zip Code 78619
Buyers in Driftwood are typically drawn to the Hill Country setting for its space, natural landscape, and access to Dripping Springs ISD schools. Median household income is approximately $110,000, well above the Hays County average, reflecting the concentration of professional households with members employed in technology, finance, healthcare, and business services in Austin. Homeownership rates exceed 85 percent, as the area is almost entirely owner-occupied single-family homes with very few rental options. Property taxes on a $700,000 home in Dripping Springs ISD total approximately $13,000 to $14,500 annually, which is a significant consideration for buyers. Most properties rely on private water wells drawing from the Trinity Aquifer and septic systems, and water availability can be a constraint during drought periods. The Hays County development code and Dripping Springs ETJ regulations govern building setbacks, impervious cover limits, and dark-sky lighting requirements.
Daily life in Driftwood blends rural Hill Country living with convenient access to Austin's employment and entertainment options. The FM-1826 corridor connects residents to south Austin and the MoPac expressway, while FM-150 links west to Dripping Springs and US-290. The Salt Lick BBQ, a cash-only, open-pit barbecue restaurant that has operated since 1967, is the community's most recognized establishment and draws visitors from across the state. Several wineries and breweries operate in the Driftwood area, including Driftwood Estate Winery and Vista Brewing, offering tastings, live music, and food truck events on weekends. Camp Ben McCulloch, a historic Confederate reunion grounds now operated as a private event venue, hosts the Old Settlers Music Festival each spring. Onion Creek provides seasonal swimming and wading opportunities at low-water crossings. Hamilton Pool Preserve, a Travis County park with a collapsed grotto and swimming hole, is about 20 minutes to the northwest by reservation. For daily necessities, the Dripping Springs H-E-B and the commercial area along US-290 in Dripping Springs are the closest options, roughly 10 minutes west.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78619
- Salt Lick BBQ: Cash-only, open-pit barbecue restaurant on FM-1826 operating since 1967. Known for brisket, sausage, and ribs served with sides in a BYOB setting.
- Driftwood Estate Winery: Family-owned winery on Elder Hill Road producing Texas wines with a tasting room, live music events, and Hill Country views from the outdoor patio.
- Vista Brewing: Farmhouse brewery on FM-150 with craft beers, wood-fired pizza, and a 20-acre property with Hill Country views, outdoor seating, and live music on weekends.
- Hamilton Pool Preserve: Travis County nature preserve about 20 minutes northwest featuring a collapsed grotto with a 50-foot waterfall and swimming hole, open by reservation only.
- Old Settlers Music Festival: Annual spring music festival at Camp Ben McCulloch featuring four days of Americana, bluegrass, folk, and singer-songwriter performances on multiple stages.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78619
- Dripping Springs ISD (Education): Largest employer in the Dripping Springs-Driftwood area with over 1,000 staff across multiple campuses serving 8,808 students (2025-26).
- Hays County (Government): County government with offices in San Marcos and throughout Hays County, employing over 1,000 people across departments.
- Salt Lick BBQ (Hospitality): Well-known barbecue restaurant on FM-1826 in Driftwood operating since 1967, employing approximately 100 workers across restaurant and catering operations.
- Driftwood-area Wineries and Venues (Hospitality): Cluster of wineries, breweries, and event venues along the FM-1826 and FM-150 corridors employing several hundred workers in hospitality and tourism.
Zip Code 78619 Schools
Dripping Springs ISD serves 8,808 students (2025-26) across 9 campuses and earned a "B" overall TEA accountability rating for 2024-25 (89 of 100), its third consecutive B.
School District: Dripping Springs ISD
Public Schools
Hays Consolidated Independent School District
Dripping Springs Independent School District
Wimberley Independent School District
Pre-Schools
- Dripping Springs ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten programs at select elementary campuses for eligible four-year-olds.
- Hill Country Montessori - Montessori preschool in the Dripping Springs area offering programs for ages 3 through kindergarten.
Private Schools
- Brentwood Christian School - Pre-K through 12th grade Christian school in south Austin, approximately 20 minutes from Driftwood.
- Hill Country Christian School Dripping Springs - Private school in the Dripping Springs area serving elementary students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 78619?
Zip code 78619 covers Driftwood, Texas, an unincorporated community in northeastern Hays County about 20 miles southwest of downtown Austin. It sits along FM-1826 between Buda and Dripping Springs.
What do homes cost in 78619?
Homes in Driftwood subdivisions range from $450,000 to $800,000 on one- to three-acre lots. Custom homes on larger parcels with Hill Country views range from $700,000 to $1.5 million or more. There is very little inventory below $400,000.
What school district is 78619 in?
Zip code 78619 is served by Dripping Springs ISD, a district of 8,808 students (2025-26) rated "B" by TEA for 2024-25 (89 of 100). Dripping Springs High School consistently ranks among the top public high schools in the Austin area.
How far is Driftwood from Austin?
Driftwood is approximately 25 minutes from downtown Austin via FM-1826 and MoPac. Dripping Springs is about 10 minutes to the west, and Buda is approximately 15 minutes to the east.
What is the Salt Lick BBQ?
The Salt Lick is an open-pit barbecue restaurant on FM-1826 in Driftwood that has operated since 1967. It is cash-only and BYOB, known for brisket, sausage, and ribs served with traditional sides.
