Market Overview for Zip Code 78942
There are 26 active listings in Zip Code 78942 with a median list price of $465K and a median sold price of $330K.
Homes average 60 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 3 homes have sold, with 39 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $195.
About Zip Code 78942
Zip code 78942 covers Lexington, the county seat of Lee County, located approximately 55 miles northeast of Austin along US Highway 77. The town has a population of roughly 1,200 and serves as the governmental and commercial center for the surrounding rural area. Lexington sits on flat to gently rolling Blackland Prairie terrain at the intersection of US-77 and State Highway 21, which connects to Bryan-College Station to the northeast. The Lee County Courthouse, a 1937 Art Deco structure, anchors the town square.
Real estate in 78942 is predominantly affordable single-family homes and rural acreage. In-town homes range from $125K for older properties to $300K for updated three- and four-bedroom houses. Rural properties with 5 to 20 acres list from $250K to $500K. Larger ranch tracts of 50 acres or more can reach $800K or higher depending on improvements and water access. Manufactured homes on private lots are common and start around $75K. The area has seen modest price increases as buyers from the Austin and Bryan-College Station metros seek affordable acreage within commuting distance of larger employment centers.
Students in 78942 attend Lexington ISD, which serves approximately 750 students across three campuses. Lexington Elementary covers pre-K through 4th grade, Lexington Middle School serves 5th through 8th, and Lexington High School covers 9th through 12th. The district competes in UIL Class 3A and has strong traditions in football, basketball, and FFA livestock showing. Lee County has no private school options, with the nearest private campuses in Bryan or Georgetown, each about 40 to 50 minutes away.
Lexington is approximately 55 minutes from Austin via US-77 and SH-29 through Taylor, and about 50 minutes from Bryan-College Station via SH-21. The town has a small commercial district around the courthouse square with a grocery store, restaurants, a pharmacy, and farm supply businesses. Lake Somerville, a 11,460-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir, is about 20 miles east and provides fishing, camping, and boating. Lee County's economy is based on cattle ranching, hay production, and oil and gas extraction. The nearest hospital is St. Joseph Health in Bryan, about 50 minutes northeast.
Living in Zip Code 78942
Lexington's population includes longtime residents with roots in Lee County agriculture and a growing number of commuters to Austin-area employers. Median household income is approximately $45,000. The community has a close-knit character typical of small county seats, with most social activity centered around the school, churches, and the courthouse square. Homeownership rates are high, and many properties have been in the same hands for generations. The Lee County Livestock Show in January is one of the most attended events in the community.
Daily life in Lexington is quiet and self-contained. The town has a small grocery store, a Dollar General, several restaurants including local barbecue and Tex-Mex spots, and a Dairy Queen. Hardware and farm supplies are available on the square. Larger shopping trips go to Taylor (25 minutes south), Giddings (15 minutes east), or Bryan (50 minutes northeast). Lake Somerville provides weekend recreation with fishing for bass, catfish, and crappie, plus camping at Nails Creek and Birch Creek units. Hunting leases for deer, dove, and hog are available on surrounding ranches. The annual Lexington Homecoming football game draws hundreds of alumni back to the community each fall. The Lee County Fair and Rodeo in spring is another major social event with livestock judging, a rodeo, and carnival.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78942
- Lake Somerville: 11,460-acre reservoir about 20 miles east with fishing for bass and catfish, camping at Nails Creek and Birch Creek units, and boating.
- Lee County Fair and Rodeo: Annual spring event with livestock judging, a rodeo, carnival rides, and live music at the fairgrounds.
- Lee County Courthouse: 1937 Art Deco courthouse on the Lexington town square, a Lee County landmark and center of local government.
- Hunting on Area Ranches: White-tail deer, dove, hog, and turkey hunting available on private ranch leases throughout Lee County.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78942
- Lexington ISD (Education): Largest employer in Lexington with approximately 120 staff across three campuses.
- Lee County Government (Government): County offices in the Lee County Courthouse, including sheriff, courts, and county services.
- Lee County Co-op (Agriculture): Agricultural cooperative providing feed, seed, fertilizer, and supplies to area ranchers and farmers.
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice (Government): TDCJ operates correctional facilities in Lee County employing several hundred staff.
Zip Code 78942 Schools
Lexington ISD serves approximately 750 students across three campuses in Lee County.
School District: Lexington ISD
Public Schools
Giddings Independent School District
- Giddings Elementary
- Giddings Middle
- Giddings High School
Smithville Independent School District
- Brown Pri
- Smithville Elementary
- Smithville J H
- Smithville High School
Pre-Schools
- Lexington ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program within Lexington Elementary.
- Giddings Head Start - Federally funded early childhood program in Giddings, approximately 10 miles south of Lexington.
Private Schools
- Allen Academy - Pre-K through 12th grade private school in Bryan, approximately 50 minutes northeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 78942?
78942 covers Lexington, the county seat of Lee County, about 55 miles northeast of Austin along US-77. It sits at the intersection of US-77 and SH-21.
What do homes cost in 78942?
In-town homes range from $125K to $300K. Rural properties with 5 to 20 acres list from $250K to $500K. Larger ranch tracts can exceed $800K depending on acreage and improvements.
What school district is 78942 in?
78942 is served by Lexington ISD, which has about 750 students across elementary, middle, and high school campuses. The district competes in UIL Class 3A.
How far is Lexington from Austin?
Lexington is approximately 55 minutes from Austin via US-77 and SH-29 through Taylor. Bryan-College Station is about 50 minutes northeast via SH-21.
Is there a lake near Lexington TX?
Lake Somerville, an 11,460-acre reservoir, is about 20 miles east of Lexington. It offers fishing, camping, boating, and hiking at two state park units.
