Living in Zip Code 78701

Downtown Austin's residential population is approximately 12,000, consisting primarily of young professionals, tech workers, empty nesters, and state government employees. Median household income in 78701 exceeds $100,000, driven by the concentration of technology companies (including Google, Meta, and Amazon offices), law firms, lobbying firms, and financial services. The population skews younger with a median age in the low 30s, and over 85 percent of housing units are renter-occupied. Car ownership is lower than the Austin average, as many residents walk, cycle, or use scooters for daily errands. The Downtown Austin Alliance manages streetscape improvements and safety ambassadors throughout the district.

Daily life in 78701 is walkable in a way that few other Austin zip codes can match. Whole Foods Market's flagship store on 5th and Lamar anchors grocery shopping, supplemented by convenience stores and delivery services. The Sixth Street corridor (divided into East, Dirty, and West Sixth) provides nightlife and live music venues including Esther's Follies, Parish, and Maggie Mae's. The Second Street District has boutique retail and restaurants such as La Condesa, Irene's, and Trace. The Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail offers a 10.1-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake for running, cycling, and paddleboarding. Republic Square Park and Wooldridge Square host weekly farmers' markets and seasonal events. The Austin Central Library on Cesar Chavez, a six-story facility opened in 2017, provides event space, a rooftop garden, and free public programming.

Things to Do in Zip Code 78701

• Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail: 10.1-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake for running, cycling, and walking. Connects downtown to Zilker Park and East Austin.
• Sixth Street Entertainment District: Historic street with over 60 live music venues, bars, and restaurants spanning East, Dirty, and West Sixth Street sections.
• Texas State Capitol: 1888 Renaissance Revival building with free guided tours. Taller than the U.S. Capitol. Open daily to the public.
• Austin Central Library: Six-story public library on Cesar Chavez opened in 2017 with a rooftop garden, event spaces, and technology labs.
• Congress Avenue Bridge Bats: 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at sunset from March through October. Largest urban bat colony in North America.

Major Employers in Zip Code 78701

• State of Texas (Government): The Texas Capitol complex and state agency offices in downtown Austin collectively employ over 50,000 workers across multiple departments.
• City of Austin (Government): Municipal offices at Austin City Hall on Cesar Chavez employ approximately 14,000 city workers across all departments.
• Google Austin (Technology): Google occupies several floors in the Saltillo development and Third + Shoal tower, with over 1,500 local employees.
• Meta (Facebook) (Technology): Meta operates office space in downtown Austin towers, employing several hundred workers in engineering and operations.

Zip Code 78701 Schools

Austin ISD serves residents of 78701, with zoned campuses in adjacent neighborhoods. No traditional public schools are located within downtown proper.

School District: Austin ISD

Public Schools

• Pease Elementary - Historic Austin ISD campus serving pre-K through 5th grade, temporarily relocated during renovations.
• O. Henry Middle School - 6th through 8th grade campus south of Lady Bird Lake, about 10 minutes from downtown.
• Austin High School - 9th through 12th grade campus on Cesar Chavez, one of the largest Austin ISD high schools.

Pre-Schools

• Stepping Stone Schools Downtown - Licensed childcare and preschool on West 6th Street serving infants through pre-K.
• Austin Montessori School - Montessori program near downtown serving ages 18 months through kindergarten.

Private Schools

• The Griffin School - Independent middle and high school on West 5th Street with project-based curriculum.

Higher Education

• Austin Community College Rio Grande - Community college campus on 12th Street at the north edge of downtown offering associate degrees and workforce programs.

Census Data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Locations

Neighborhoods

• Downtown
• Rainey Street Historic District
• Financial District
• Judge's Hill

School Districts

• Austin Independent School District