Market Overview for Zip Code 76577
There are 26 active listings in Zip Code 76577 with a median list price of $473K and a median sold price of $400K.
Homes average 158 days on market.
Most homes that closed in the last 90 days sold in the $300K-$500K range (33% of 3 closings), taking a median 128 days to go under contract; 67% of closings were $500K or more.
Over the past 30 days, 0 homes have sold, with 29 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $311.
About Zip Code 76577
Zip code 76577 covers Thorndale, a small agricultural town of approximately 1,400 people in western Milam County, about 50 miles northeast of Austin. The town sits at the intersection of US-79 and State Highway 95, positioned along the Union Pacific railroad corridor that has defined the community since its founding in 1878. Thorndale lies in the heart of the Blackland Prairie, one of the most productive agricultural regions in central Texas, with deep black clay soils supporting cotton, corn, grain sorghum, and cattle operations. The San Gabriel River flows south of town, and the surrounding landscape is flat to gently rolling farmland with scattered live oak and pecan groves along creek bottoms.
Real estate in 76577 is among the most affordable in the greater Austin commuter zone. In-town homes on the original grid typically range from $120,000 to $280,000 for two- to four-bedroom frame and brick houses on lots of one-quarter to one-half acre. Properties with 5 to 20 acres of land list from $250,000 to $500,000, and larger ranch tracts of 50 to 100-plus acres are available for $400,000 to $1 million depending on improvements such as fencing, barns, stock tanks, and irrigated pasture. Manufactured homes on rural lots represent a significant portion of the housing stock and typically start around $70,000 to $110,000. New construction is rare within the town limits, though custom-built homes on rural parcels appear periodically. Property tax rates in Milam County are lower than those in neighboring Williamson County, adding to the affordability appeal for buyers willing to commute.
Students in 76577 attend Thorndale ISD, a small district serving approximately 500 students across two campuses. Thorndale Elementary covers pre-K through 6th grade, and Thorndale High School serves 7th through 12th. The district maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of roughly 12 to 1 and competes in UIL Class 2A athletics, with six-man football, basketball, baseball, softball, and track programs. Thorndale High School has a history of state playoff appearances in football and track events. The school also offers agricultural science courses, a competitive FFA chapter, and family and consumer sciences. St. Paul Lutheran School, a private Pre-K through 8th grade campus affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, provides an alternative option in town.
Thorndale is approximately 50 minutes from downtown Austin via US-79 and SH-130, and about 15 minutes from Taylor on US-79. The Samsung semiconductor campus in Taylor represents the nearest major industrial employer, roughly 15 miles to the west. Most Thorndale residents who do not work locally commute to Taylor, Georgetown, Round Rock, or Austin for employment. The town has a post office, a volunteer fire department, a feed store, a Dollar General, a gas station, and several small restaurants. Medical care is available at clinics in Taylor, and Baylor Scott and White in Temple and St. David's in Round Rock serve as the nearest full-service hospitals, each about 30 to 40 minutes away. Rockdale, the Milam County seat, is 15 miles to the east and provides additional shopping, county services, and a small hospital.
Living in Zip Code 76577
Thorndale's population is a close-knit mix of longtime agricultural residents, many with ancestors who settled the area in the late 1800s, and newer residents drawn by the low cost of housing relative to other communities in the Austin commuter zone. Median household income is approximately $42,000, reflecting the area's farming economy and blue-collar workforce. Homeownership rates exceed 70 percent, with the majority of residents living in single-family homes or manufactured homes on private lots. Property taxes on a $200,000 home in Thorndale ISD total approximately $3,600 to $4,000 annually, significantly lower than rates in Williamson County communities closer to Austin. Internet service in town is available through local providers, though rural properties outside the town core may be limited to fixed wireless or satellite connections, a consideration for remote workers.
Daily life in Thorndale revolves around the school, local churches, and seasonal agricultural rhythms. The town has a small commercial strip along US-79 with a few restaurants, a gas station, a Dollar General, and the Thorndale Meat Market, which sells house-made sausage following traditional Czech recipes. Grocery shopping for a full selection requires a trip to Taylor or Rockdale, each about 15 minutes away. St. Paul Lutheran Church and Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church anchor the community's social calendar with festivals, fish fries during Lent, and holiday dinners. The annual Thorndale Homecoming celebration in fall coincides with football season and includes a parade, pep rally, a community barbecue dinner, and a dance. Hunting is a major seasonal activity, with white-tail deer, dove, and feral hog leases available on surrounding ranch land. Granger Lake, about 15 miles northwest, provides fishing and boating access, and San Gabriel Park in Taylor offers youth sports facilities about 15 minutes to the west.
Things to Do in Zip Code 76577
- Thorndale Meat Market: Local butcher shop and deli on US-79 selling house-made Czech-style sausage, jerky, and smoked meats following traditional recipes passed down through generations.
- Granger Lake: 4,400-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir about 15 miles northwest of Thorndale, with public boat ramps, camping, and fishing for bass and catfish.
- Hunting Leases: Surrounding ranch and farm land offers seasonal leases for white-tail deer, dove, feral hog, and turkey hunting on private property throughout eastern Milam County.
- St. Paul Lutheran Church Festival: Annual community festival with a traditional German-Czech dinner, live music, a cake walk, bingo, and an auction, held in Thorndale.
- Thorndale Homecoming Celebration: Fall community event coinciding with football homecoming week, featuring a parade through town, pep rally, community barbecue dinner, and an evening dance.
Major Employers in Zip Code 76577
- Thorndale ISD (Education): Largest employer in Thorndale with approximately 80 staff across the elementary and high school campuses.
- Samsung Austin Semiconductor (Manufacturing): Semiconductor fabrication facility in Taylor, approximately 15 miles west, employing over 3,000 workers with a major expansion project underway.
- Milam County (Government): County government offices headquartered in Cameron, about 25 miles northeast, employing several hundred workers across departments.
- Alcoa/Luminant Rockdale Operations (Mining/Energy): Industrial operations near Rockdale, about 15 miles east, with legacy mining and power generation facilities employing several hundred workers.
Zip Code 76577 Schools
Thorndale ISD serves approximately 500 students across two campuses with a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio in western Milam County.
School District: Thorndale ISD
Public Schools
Thorndale Independent School District
Thrall Independent School District
Pre-Schools
- Thorndale ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program within Thorndale Elementary for eligible four-year-olds.
- Temple KinderCare - Licensed childcare center in Temple, approximately 30 minutes west, serving infants through school age.
Private Schools
- St. Paul Lutheran School - Pre-K through 8th grade campus in Thorndale affiliated with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, serving approximately 60 students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 76577?
Zip code 76577 covers Thorndale, Texas, a small town in western Milam County about 50 miles northeast of Austin. It sits at the intersection of US-79 and State Highway 95 along the Union Pacific railroad.
What do homes cost in 76577?
In-town homes in Thorndale typically range from $120,000 to $280,000. Properties with 5 to 20 acres list from $250,000 to $500,000, and manufactured homes on rural lots start around $70,000 to $110,000.
What school district is 76577 in?
Zip code 76577 is served by Thorndale ISD, a small district with approximately 500 students. Thorndale Elementary covers pre-K through 6th grade, and Thorndale High School serves 7th through 12th.
How far is Thorndale from Austin?
Thorndale is approximately 50 minutes from downtown Austin via US-79 and SH-130. Taylor is about 15 minutes to the west, and Rockdale is about 15 minutes to the east.
Are property taxes lower in Thorndale than Austin?
Yes, property taxes in Milam County where Thorndale is located are significantly lower than in Travis or Williamson counties. A $200,000 home in Thorndale ISD pays approximately $3,600 to $4,000 annually in total property taxes.
