●The SettlementHomes for Sale

Market Overview for The Settlement

There are 0 active listings in The Settlement and a median sold price of $613K.

Over the past 30 days, 0 homes have sold, with 2 sales in the past 12 months.

About The Settlement

The Settlement is a residential neighborhood in San Marcos, Texas, located in Hays County along Ranch Road 12 west of the city center. The subdivision sits within the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District attendance zone and contains a small number of homes, with approximately 4 active listings at a given time. San Marcos itself is positioned along Interstate 35 between Austin and San Antonio, roughly 30 miles south of downtown Austin and 50 miles north of downtown San Antonio. The city's population has grown from approximately 44,000 in 2010 to over 67,000 by recent estimates, driven in part by Texas State University's enrollment growth and the expansion of distribution and manufacturing operations along the IH-35 corridor.

San Marcos CISD serves The Settlement with campuses distributed throughout the city and surrounding areas. Settlement Elementary, named after the neighborhood, serves students in elementary grades and is located in proximity to the subdivision. Miller Middle School is the designated middle school feeder for The Settlement, enrolling students in grades 6 through 8. San Marcos High School serves all high school students in the district at its campus on TX-123, offering programs in athletics, fine arts, career and technical education, and college preparatory coursework. San Marcos CISD's total enrollment is approximately 8,144 students (2025-26) across its campuses, and the district has been expanding facilities to accommodate population growth in the San Marcos area. The district operates early childhood programs and has partnered with local organizations to provide before- and after-school care options.

San Marcos has a natural recreation base built around the San Marcos River, which originates from over 200 springs at the Headwaters of the San Marcos and maintains a year-round temperature near 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The river is open for tubing, kayaking, and swimming, with commercial outfitters along River Road providing tube rentals from March through October. Rio Vista Park, located along the river, includes a series of dams that create a whitewater feature popular with kayakers and wading visitors. The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, operated by Texas State University at Spring Lake, offers glass-bottom boat tours over the spring-fed lake and educational exhibits about the Edwards Aquifer system. San Marcos Premium Outlets, with 145 stores along IH-35, draws shoppers from across Central Texas and provides both retail access and employment for the community.

Texas State University is the dominant economic force in San Marcos, with enrollment reaching approximately 44,596 students (fall 2025) and roughly more than 1,700 full-time faculty and 2,300 full-time staff. A 2021 study estimated the university's economic impact at over $2 billion statewide, with a direct spend of roughly $812 million in Hays County alone. Beyond the university, Hunter Industries operates a manufacturing facility in San Marcos that produces irrigation equipment and employs approximately 650 workers. Christus Santa Rosa Hospital San Marcos, a 140-bed hospital in San Marcos, employs more than 650 staff across medical, administrative, and support roles. San Marcos Premium Outlets employs approximately 2,100 people across its 145 stores. The city's position on IH-35 between Austin and San Antonio gives residents access to job markets in both metropolitan areas, with commute times of 30 to 45 minutes in either direction depending on traffic.

Living in The Settlement

Daily life in The Settlement is tied to San Marcos's compact layout and the amenities available within the city. Grocery shopping, dining, and routine services are available along IH-35 and Hopkins Street, where H-E-B, Walmart, and a variety of restaurants and shops serve residents. The San Marcos River provides a recreation option that few other Central Texas cities can match at the same scale, with tubing and swimming access available from spring through fall without a drive to a distant lake or state park. Texas State University's campus adds cultural programming to the city, including gallery exhibitions, theater productions, lectures, and athletic events open to the public.

The Settlement's smaller size means the neighborhood functions as a quiet residential area within a college town that has a distinctly younger demographic compared to Austin's northern suburbs. San Marcos has invested in infrastructure improvements including road expansions and new park development to accommodate its growth. The Ranch Road 12 corridor west of the city offers a transition from the commercial density along IH-35 to more open terrain, and The Settlement benefits from this positioning. Commuters heading to Austin use IH-35 or TX-130 to reach downtown or the east side within 30 to 45 minutes, while San Antonio is similarly accessible to the south. Hays County property tax rates and the relative affordability of San Marcos compared to Austin have drawn residents who work in either metro area but prefer a lower housing cost and smaller-city environment. The San Marcos Activity Center and the city's parks and recreation department offer organized sports leagues, fitness classes, and community programs for residents of all ages throughout the year.

Things to Do in The Settlement

• San Marcos River Tubing: Spring-fed river maintaining 72°F year-round. Commercial outfitters along River Road rent tubes from March through October. Open for swimming, kayaking, and tubing.
• Rio Vista Park: Park along the San Marcos River with a series of dams creating whitewater features for kayaking and wading. Free public access.
• The Meadows Center at Spring Lake: Texas State University facility offering glass-bottom boat tours over a spring-fed lake and educational exhibits about the Edwards Aquifer.
• San Marcos Premium Outlets: 145-store outlet mall along IH-35 featuring Nike, Coach, Kate Spade, and other national brands. One of the largest outlet centers in Texas.
• Wonder World Cave: Commercial cave and park in San Marcos built along the Balcones Fault Line. Guided cave tours, an anti-gravity house, and an observation tower.

Major Employers in The Settlement

• Texas State University (Higher Education): Enrollment of approximately 44,596 students (fall 2025) with roughly more than 1,700 full-time faculty and 2,300 full-time staff. Economic impact exceeding $2 billion statewide, with $812 million direct spend in Hays County.
• Hunter Industries (Manufacturing): Manufactures irrigation equipment at its San Marcos facility. Employs approximately 650 workers.
• Christus Santa Rosa Hospital San Marcos (Healthcare): 140-bed general medical and surgical hospital in San Marcos employing more than 650 staff across medical and support roles.
• San Marcos Premium Outlets (Retail): 145-store outlet mall along IH-35 employing approximately 2,100 people. Draws shoppers from across Central Texas.

The Settlement Schools

The Settlement is served by San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, which enrolls approximately 8,144 students (2025-26) and has been expanding facilities to keep pace with population growth in the San Marcos area.

School District: San Marcos CISD

Public Schools

Pre-Schools

• First Step School - Located at 4003 Hunter Road, San Marcos. Four-Star Texas Rising Star facility with curriculum-based programs for infants through age 12.
• Kids of the Kingdom - Preschool ministry of First Lutheran Church at 130 W. Holland St, San Marcos. Four-Star Texas Rising Star facility.
• Presbyterian Parent Cooperative Preschool - Cooperative preschool established in 1983 in San Marcos. Two qualified teachers plus one assisting parent per 15 children.

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