About Zip Code 78620
Zip code 78620 covers the city of Dripping Springs and surrounding areas in western Hays County, approximately 25 miles west of downtown Austin along US-290. Dripping Springs has a population of roughly 5,000 within the city limits and a broader zip code population exceeding 20,000 when including the unincorporated areas that stretch west into the Hill Country and south toward Wimberley. The town was established in the 1850s and takes its name from the small springs that once flowed from the limestone bluffs along Onion Creek. The terrain is classic Edwards Plateau, with rolling limestone hills, thin soils over karst bedrock, live oak and Ashe juniper woodlands, and seasonal creeks that feed into the Pedernales River watershed to the west and Onion Creek to the east.
Real estate in 78620 spans a wide range, from entry-level homes in newer subdivisions near US-290 to large custom estates on 10- to 50-acre ranch tracts in the surrounding Hill Country. New construction in master-planned communities such as Caliterra, Headwaters, and Belterra (partially in 78620) ranges from $400,000 to $700,000 for three- to five-bedroom single-family homes. Custom homes on larger acreage tracts with Hill Country views, mature tree cover, and creek frontage range from $800,000 to over $2 million. Older homes in the Dripping Springs town center and along US-290 list from $350,000 to $600,000. Vacant land prices vary significantly by location and terrain, from $40,000 per acre for flat parcels without views to $150,000 or more per acre for premium hilltop sites. The median home price in 78620 is approximately $575,000, placing it among the higher-priced zip codes in Hays County.
Students in 78620 attend Dripping Springs ISD, a highly regarded district serving approximately 7,500 students across multiple campuses. The district operates five elementary schools, a middle school, and Dripping Springs High School. Dripping Springs ISD consistently earns A-rated designations from the Texas Education Agency, with above-average performance on STAAR assessments and college readiness indicators. Dripping Springs High School competes in UIL Class 5A athletics with competitive programs in football, baseball, golf, tennis, cross-country, and swimming. The district offers over 20 Advanced Placement courses, dual-credit programs through Austin Community College, and career pathways in technology, health sciences, and agriculture. Private school options in the area include Hill Country Christian School and Montessori programs.
Dripping Springs is approximately 25 minutes from downtown Austin via US-290 and MoPac, though traffic congestion on US-290 during peak commute hours can extend the drive to 35 to 45 minutes. The Hill Country Galleria shopping center in Bee Cave is about 15 minutes east on SH-71 and RR-620. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is roughly 30 to 35 minutes east. The city's commercial core along US-290 includes an H-E-B grocery store, restaurants, a Walgreens, a library branch, and a growing mix of retail and professional office space. The Dripping Springs area has become a center for Hill Country wineries, breweries, and distilleries, with over 30 establishments operating within a 15-mile radius. Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle and Baylor Scott and White in Marble Falls are the nearest full-service hospitals, each approximately 20 to 30 minutes away.
