Market Overview for Manchaca
There are 36 active listings in Manchaca with a median list price of $455K and a median sold price of $445K.
Homes average 65 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 10 homes have sold, with 127 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $220.
About Manchaca
Manchaca (pronounced "MAN-shack") is an unincorporated community of 2,266 residents (2020 census) in southwestern Travis County, approximately 10 miles south of downtown Austin. The community covers 1.9 square miles at an elevation of 679 feet along Farm to Market Road 1626 and FM 2304 (known locally as Manchaca Road), near Interstate 35 approximately two miles to the east.
The community is named for Manchaca Springs, which in turn were named for Jose Antonio Menchaca (1800-1879), a Tejano army officer who fought at the Battle of San Jacinto under Juan N. Seguin's company and was wounded defending San Antonio against Adrian Woll's 1842 invasion. Menchaca served multiple terms as alderman in San Antonio and was appointed Indian escort by Sam Houston in 1844. The springs served as a stopping place on a branch of the Old San Antonio Road and later the Chisholm Trail. Early references spelled the name variously as "Manshack Springs," "Manjack's Springs," and "Manchac Springs" before settling on the current Manchaca.
A post office first operated as "Manchac House" in 1851, two miles south of the present community. The current site developed after the International-Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1880-1881, making Manchaca a shipping point for grain, cotton, posts, and lumber. By 1884 the community had 75 residents, growing to 100 by 1903 with four businesses. Austin ISD annexed the Manchaca school district in 1967. In 2019, the City of Austin renamed the northern portion of Manchaca Road (within city limits) to "Menchaca Road" to honor the historical Tejano spelling, though the community itself retained its name.
Real estate in Manchaca consists of a mix of established rural properties, older homes on larger lots, and newer suburban development. The area's proximity to central Austin — 10 miles from downtown — combined with Travis County tax rates rather than City of Austin taxes makes it attractive to buyers seeking relative affordability near the urban core.
Living in Manchaca
Manchaca sits in the southern Austin growth corridor without being inside the Austin city limits. FM 1626 provides east-west access to I-35 (about two miles east) and to the Dripping Springs corridor to the west. Manchaca Road / FM 2304 runs north-south into Austin. Groceries, retail, and most services are along the Slaughter Lane and William Cannon corridors in south Austin, a short drive north.
Schools are operated by Austin Independent School District. Menchaca Elementary (note the different spelling from the community name) was rebuilt in 2020 on its original site at Manchaca Road and FM 1626, enrolling approximately 621 students. Students continue to Paredes Middle School and Akins High School (approximately 2,354 students). Austin ISD district-wide enrollment is approximately 69,074 students.
The commute to downtown Austin is approximately 10 miles, typically 15 to 25 minutes outside of rush hour via Manchaca Road or I-35. Outdoor recreation centers on Onion Creek, which runs near the community, and McKinney Falls State Park, a 744-acre park about 10 to 12 miles east by surface roads. Onion Creek Metropolitan Park, a 517-acre regional park managed by Austin Parks and Recreation, offers trails, pavilions, and an off-leash dog area along Onion Creek.
Things to Do in Manchaca
- Hike and swim at McKinney Falls State Park: A 744-acre state park at the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek, about 10 to 12 miles from Manchaca. The park features upper and lower waterfalls, nine miles of hiking and biking trails, 81 campsites, six cabins, and the historic Thomas F. McKinney homestead ruins.
- Walk the Onion Creek Greenbelt and Metropolitan Park: Onion Creek Metropolitan Park covers 517 acres with trails, pavilions, an off-leash dog area, and open fields along Onion Creek. The greenbelt connects the north and south sections of the park and provides a natural corridor through the area.
- Explore south Austin dining and culture: South Austin's restaurant and entertainment scene along South Lamar, Manchaca Road, and Slaughter Lane is a short drive north. The area is known for its mix of barbecue joints, food trucks, live music venues, and independent shops.
- Visit the Dripping Springs corridor: FM 1626 west from Manchaca connects to the Dripping Springs area, where a cluster of Hill Country distilleries, breweries, and wineries have opened in recent years. The Mercer Street district in Dripping Springs offers dining and shopping.
- Explore the Old San Antonio Road history: A branch of El Camino Real, the Old San Antonio Road, passed through the Manchaca area and used the springs as a rest stop. The route is one of Texas's most historically significant roads, predating Anglo settlement.
Major Employers in Manchaca
- Austin ISD (Education): Austin Independent School District serves the Manchaca area with Menchaca Elementary, Paredes Middle School, and Akins High School. The district enrolls approximately 69,074 students district-wide.
- South Austin commercial corridor (Retail & services): The Slaughter Lane, William Cannon, and Manchaca Road corridors in south Austin concentrate retail, restaurants, and services that employ many Manchaca-area residents.
- Travis County (Public administration): As an unincorporated community, Manchaca falls under Travis County governance for roads, law enforcement (Travis County Sheriff), and other county services.
Manchaca Schools
Manchaca is served by Austin ISD. The local elementary school is spelled Menchaca Elementary (honoring the historical Tejano spelling), while the community retains its Manchaca spelling. Austin ISD annexed the Manchaca school district in 1967.
School District: Austin ISD
Public Schools
- Menchaca Elementary - Rebuilt in 2020 at Manchaca Road and FM 1626, enrolling approximately 621 students (2026).
- Paredes Middle School - Middle school opened January 2000, serving the Manchaca feeder pattern.
- Akins High School - High school opened August 2000, enrolling approximately 2,354 students. Named for William Charles Akins, the first Black teacher to integrate an Austin high school.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce Manchaca?
Manchaca is pronounced 'MAN-shack.' The name derives from Manchaca Springs, which were named for Jose Antonio Menchaca, a Tejano officer in the Texas Revolution. In 2019, Austin renamed the northern portion of Manchaca Road to Menchaca Road to honor the historical spelling, though the community itself kept its name.
Is Manchaca part of Austin?
No. Manchaca is an unincorporated community in Travis County, outside the Austin city limits. It has no municipal government — Travis County provides services. However, it is served by Austin ISD for schools.
What school district serves Manchaca?
Manchaca is served by Austin Independent School District. Menchaca Elementary (rebuilt in 2020) enrolls approximately 621 students, feeding into Paredes Middle School and Akins High School (approximately 2,354 students). Austin ISD annexed the Manchaca school district in 1967.
How far is Manchaca from downtown Austin?
Manchaca is approximately 10 miles south of downtown Austin. The drive via Manchaca Road or I-35 typically takes 15 to 25 minutes outside of rush hour.
What is the history of Manchaca?
The area was a stopping place on the Old San Antonio Road and the Chisholm Trail, centered on Manchaca Springs. The current community developed after the International-Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1880-1881, making it a shipping point for cotton, grain, and lumber. The first post office in the area operated as Manchac House in 1851, two miles south of the present site.
