Market Overview for Wimberley
There are 39 active listings in Wimberley with a median list price of $949K and a median sold price of $615K.
Homes average 171 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 1 homes have sold, with 29 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $467.
About Wimberley
Wimberley is a community of approximately 3,000 residents located in Hays County, about 40 miles southwest of downtown Austin in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. The town sits at the confluence of the Blanco River and Cypress Creek at an elevation of roughly 1,000 feet, surrounded by steep limestone hills, spring-fed waterways, and dense groves of bald cypress, live oak, and Ashe juniper. Ranch Road 12 serves as the primary corridor, running north toward Dripping Springs and south toward San Marcos, while FM 3237 (the Devil's Backbone) winds eastward along a dramatic ridgeline offering long-distance Hill Country views.
Wimberley's real estate market reflects its popularity as both a permanent residence and a weekend retreat from Austin and San Antonio. Home prices range from the $250,000s for modest older homes and cabins to well over $1 million for properties with acreage, river frontage, or hilltop views. The median home price sits around $475,000. Many properties are on lots of one acre or more, and deed restrictions in some neighborhoods limit commercial development. Short-term vacation rentals are a significant component of the local housing landscape, a dynamic that has created ongoing discussions about regulation and housing availability for permanent residents.
Wimberley ISD serves the community, enrolling approximately 2,800 students across an elementary school, an intermediate school, a middle school, and Wimberley High School. The district is well regarded and draws families to the area. Class sizes tend to be smaller than those in larger suburban districts. Higher education options require travel to San Marcos, where Texas State University is located about 15 miles to the southeast, or to Austin for the University of Texas and Austin Community College.
Wimberley's economy is heavily oriented toward tourism, arts, and small business. The Wimberley town square hosts galleries, shops, and restaurants, and the community has long been known as an artists' colony. Jacob's Well Natural Area, a perpetual artesian spring with an underwater cave system, is a major swimming destination managed by Hays County. Market Day, a large open-air market held on the first Saturday of each month from March through December, draws thousands of shoppers to a site along RR 12. The drive to downtown Austin takes approximately 50 to 65 minutes via RR 12 and US-290. The Blanco River and Cypress Creek provide tubing, swimming, and fishing access throughout the warmer months.
Living in Wimberley
Wimberley's population is predominantly White, with a median age in the mid-40s, reflecting a mix of retirees, artists, remote workers, and families drawn by the natural setting and school district. Median household income is approximately $70,000. About 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the community has a notably high concentration of self-employed individuals, freelancers, and small business owners working in creative fields, construction, and tourism services. The Hispanic population makes up roughly 20% of residents, with smaller Black and Asian populations.
Daily life in Wimberley revolves around the natural landscape and the small-town social fabric. Blue Hole Regional Park on Cypress Creek offers swimming, hiking trails, and picnic areas. The Blanco River at Wimberley City Park provides another swimming option. Grocery shopping is handled by a Brookshire Brothers on RR 12 and a natural foods store; for larger grocery runs, many residents drive to H-E-B in Dripping Springs or San Marcos. Dining options along the square include Tex-Mex, pizza, and farm-to-table restaurants. The Wimberley Playhouse stages community theater productions year-round, and the Corral Theatre on the square screens films. First Saturday Market Day is the busiest day of the month, drawing vendors and visitors from across the region.
Things to Do in Wimberley
- Jacob's Well Natural Area: A Hays County preserve centered on a perpetual artesian spring that descends over 100 feet into a limestone cave system. Open for swimming by reservation May through September.
- Blue Hole Regional Park: A public swimming area on Cypress Creek surrounded by towering bald cypress trees, with a one-acre swimming hole, trails, and picnic areas.
- Wimberley Square: The town's central shopping and dining district, featuring local art galleries, antique stores, restaurants, and boutiques clustered around the RR 12 and Cypress Creek intersection.
- Wimberley Market Days: One of the largest outdoor markets in Texas, held the first Saturday of each month from March through December with over 400 vendor booths along the Blanco River.
- EmilyAnn Theatre: A nonprofit outdoor theater in Wimberley that hosts plays, concerts, and a popular annual Trail of Lights holiday display in a natural amphitheater setting.
- Blanco River: The Blanco River runs through the Wimberley Valley and offers tubing, kayaking, and swimming at multiple public access points including 7A Ranch Resort.
Major Employers in Wimberley
- Wimberley ISD (Education): The school district employs approximately 400 teachers and staff across five campuses, making it the largest employer in the Wimberley area.
- Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce / Tourism (Tourism): The tourism sector collectively employs hundreds of workers across shops, galleries, restaurants, and lodging establishments in the Wimberley area.
- Camp Young Judaea Texas (Recreation / Youth Services): A 200-acre Jewish summer camp on the Blanco River that employs roughly 250 seasonal counselors and staff each summer.
- Brookshire Brothers (Grocery / Retail): Operates the primary grocery store in Wimberley, employing approximately 50 workers and serving as the main food retail option in town.
Wimberley Schools
Wimberley is served by Wimberley ISD. Students typically attend Jacobs Well Elementary or Blue Hole Elementary or Palmer Elementary for elementary school, Danforth Middle School for middle school, and Wimberley High School for high school.
School District: Wimberley ISD
Public Schools
- Jacobs Well Elementary - Elementary school serving the Wimberley area in Wimberley ISD.
- Blue Hole Elementary - Elementary school serving the Wimberley area in Wimberley ISD.
- Palmer Elementary - Elementary school serving the Wimberley area in Wimberley ISD.
- Danforth Middle School - Middle school serving the Wimberley area in Wimberley ISD.
- Wimberley High School - High school serving the Wimberley area in Wimberley ISD.
Pre-Schools
- Wimberley Children's Center - A locally operated early childhood center offering programs for toddlers and preschool-age children in a small, nature-oriented campus.
- Little Creek Preschool - A small home-based preschool in Wimberley providing play-based early learning for children ages 3 to 5.
Private Schools
- Wimberley Waldorf School - A Waldorf education program in the Wimberley area offering nature-based, arts-integrated curriculum for elementary-age students.
- Katherine Anne Porter School - A small private school in Wimberley offering a college preparatory program for middle and high school students with an emphasis on writing and liberal arts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Wimberley from Austin?
Wimberley is approximately 40 miles southwest of downtown Austin. The drive takes 50 to 60 minutes via RR 12 and US-290 through Dripping Springs, or via I-35 South through San Marcos.
What is Wimberley TX known for?
Wimberley is known for its artists community, natural swimming areas including Jacob's Well and Blue Hole, and the Wimberley Market Days outdoor market. The town sits at the confluence of the Blanco River and Cypress Creek.
What school district is Wimberley in?
Wimberley is served by Wimberley Independent School District, a small district with approximately 2,500 students and five campuses. The district offers lower student-teacher ratios than most Austin-area districts.
What is Jacob's Well?
Jacob's Well is a perpetual artesian spring in Hays County that descends over 100 feet into an underwater cave system. The natural area is managed by Hays County and open for swimming by reservation during summer months.
Are homes expensive in Wimberley?
Wimberley home prices vary widely depending on acreage and location. Smaller properties start in the mid-$300,000s, while riverfront homes and large acreage tracts frequently exceed $1 million. Dense subdivisions are uncommon.
Is Wimberley a good place to retire?
Wimberley attracts retirees with its quiet Hill Country setting, artists community, and natural swimming areas. The trade-offs include limited grocery and medical options, a 50-to-60-minute drive to Austin, and seasonal tourist crowds.