Market Overview for Zip Code 78736
There are 31 active listings in Zip Code 78736 with a median list price of $668K and a median sold price of $580K.
Homes average 51 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 6 homes have sold, with 89 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $351.
About Zip Code 78736
Zip code 78736 covers the western portion of Oak Hill and surrounding areas in southwest Austin, extending from approximately Highway 290 on the north to portions of Highway 71 on the south, and from Convict Hill Road on the east to the Travis-Hays county line on the west. The area is roughly 14 to 18 miles southwest of downtown Austin. The terrain is Hill Country landscape with rolling hills, limestone outcroppings, and mixed juniper and oak woodland. Much of the zip code sits on or near the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, which influences development patterns and lot sizes. The area retains a more rural character than neighboring 78735, with larger properties and fewer master-planned subdivisions.
Real estate in 78736 includes a mix of single-family homes in established subdivisions, custom homes on acreage, and some newer development along the Highway 290 corridor. Western Hills, one of the primary neighborhoods, features homes from 1,400 to 3,000 square feet built between the 1970s and 1990s, with prices from $375K to $600K. Scenic Brook offers similar vintage homes on slightly larger lots. Custom homes on 1 to 10 acre tracts are available throughout the zip code from $500K to $1.2 million. The median home price across 78736 is approximately $525K, making it one of the more affordable options in the western Austin corridor.
Students in 78736 attend schools in either Austin ISD or Dripping Springs ISD depending on their address. Austin ISD students typically feed into Baranoff Elementary, Small Middle School, and Bowie High School, which enrolls approximately 2,900 students. Dripping Springs ISD students on the western edge attend Dripping Springs campuses, including Dripping Springs High School, which has about 2,000 students and strong academic and athletics programs. The split between districts means buyers should verify school assignments for specific properties.
The primary transportation route through 78736 is Highway 290, which connects east toward MoPac and downtown Austin and west toward Dripping Springs and Johnson City. The intersection of 290 and 71 at Oak Hill has undergone a major TxDOT reconstruction to improve traffic flow at the historically congested "Y at Oak Hill" interchange. Commute times to downtown Austin run 20 to 35 minutes via Highway 290 to MoPac. The zip code has limited commercial development compared to areas closer to the city core, with most retail concentrated along Highway 290. H-E-B on Convict Hill Road is the nearest full-service grocery.
Living in Zip Code 78736
Residents of 78736 are drawn by the semi-rural Hill Country setting combined with relative affordability compared to neighboring zip codes like 78735 and 78733. Median household income is approximately $100,000. The population includes families, retirees, and individuals working in trades or professional roles who commute to central Austin. The larger lot sizes and lower density give the area a quieter, more spacious feel than typical suburban neighborhoods. Many properties have well water and septic systems rather than municipal utilities.
Daily life in 78736 centers on home and outdoor activities. The nearby Barton Creek Greenbelt and its trailheads are accessible within 10 to 15 minutes, providing hiking, swimming, and mountain biking. The Veloway in Circle C Ranch is also nearby for cycling. Dick Nichols District Park, on the eastern edge of the zip code, has a swimming pool, basketball courts, playground, and walking trails. Dining options along Highway 290 include local Tex-Mex restaurants and barbecue spots, with Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood about 15 minutes south. The Dripping Springs area, about 15 minutes west, has seen growth in craft breweries and distilleries along the "Vodka Distillery Trail" on Ranch Road 12. Weekend farmers' markets in Dripping Springs and Bee Cave provide local produce and artisan goods.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78736
- Dick Nichols District Park: City park with a swimming pool, basketball courts, playground, picnic pavilions, and walking trails on the eastern edge of the zip code.
- Salt Lick BBQ: Iconic Texas barbecue restaurant in Driftwood, about 15 minutes south, known for its open pit and BYOB policy.
- Dripping Springs Distillery Trail: Collection of craft distilleries and breweries along Ranch Road 12 near Dripping Springs, about 15 minutes west.
- Barton Creek Greenbelt Access: Multiple trailheads within 10 to 15 minutes providing access to 12 miles of hiking, biking, and swimming trails.
- The Veloway: 3.1-mile paved bicycle and rollerblade loop in nearby Circle C Ranch, winding through Hill Country terrain.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78736
- Austin ISD (Education): District employing approximately 12,000 staff, with multiple campuses serving the 78736 area.
- Dripping Springs ISD (Education): Growing district on the western edge with approximately 1,200 staff across its campuses.
- Seton Southwest Hospital (Healthcare): Hospital on Highway 290 near Convict Hill providing emergency and specialty care with several hundred staff.
- Travis County (Government): County services including EMS, sheriff, and road maintenance employing distributed staff across the area.
- H-E-B (Retail/Grocery): Texas-based grocer with a full-service store on Convict Hill Road serving as the primary grocery anchor for the area.
Zip Code 78736 Schools
78736 is split between Austin ISD and Dripping Springs ISD, with Bowie High School and Dripping Springs High School as respective feeders.
School District: Austin ISD / Dripping Springs ISD
Public Schools
- Baranoff Elementary (AISD) - Pre-K through 5th grade campus serving the Oak Hill and Western Hills area, approximately 550 students.
- Patton Elementary (AISD) - Pre-K through 5th grade campus in the southeastern portion of the zip code.
- Small Middle School (AISD) - 6th through 8th grade campus serving southwest Austin, approximately 1,000 students.
- Bowie High School (AISD) - About 2,900 students with AP curriculum, career and technical education, and competitive athletics.
- Dripping Springs High School (DSISD) - Approximately 2,000 students on the western edge of the area, with strong academics and athletics.
Pre-Schools
- Oak Hill United Methodist Preschool - Church-based preschool program on Highway 290 serving ages 2 through pre-K.
- Children's Courtyard Oak Hill - Licensed childcare center on Highway 290 near Convict Hill Road.
Private Schools
- Veritas Academy - Classical Christian school in southwest Austin offering pre-K through 12th grade.
- The Regents School of Austin - Pre-K through 12th grade on Bee Caves Road, approximately 10 minutes north.
Frequently Asked Questions
What school districts serve 78736?
78736 is split between Austin ISD and Dripping Springs ISD. Austin ISD students feed into Bowie High School, while western addresses attend Dripping Springs ISD campuses.
What is the median home price in 78736?
The median home price in 78736 is approximately $525K. Prices range from about $375K in Western Hills to over $1.2 million for custom homes on acreage.
How far is 78736 from downtown Austin?
78736 is 14 to 18 miles southwest of downtown Austin. Commute times run 20 to 35 minutes via Highway 290 to MoPac, depending on traffic and location within the zip code.
Is 78736 on well water?
Many properties in 78736 use private well water and septic systems rather than municipal utilities. Newer subdivisions closer to Highway 290 may connect to MUD-provided water and sewer services.
What is the Y at Oak Hill?
The Y at Oak Hill is the intersection of Highway 290 and Highway 71 near the eastern edge of 78736. TxDOT has been reconstructing this interchange to reduce congestion with grade separations and improved ramps.
