Market Overview for Zip Code 78642
There are 466 active listings in Zip Code 78642 with a median list price of $561K and a median sold price of $511K.
Homes average 101 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 85 homes have sold, with 952 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $223.
About Zip Code 78642
Zip code 78642 covers Liberty Hill, a growing city of approximately 5,000 people in northwestern Williamson County, about 35 miles north of downtown Austin. The city sits at the intersection of SH-29 and US-183, positioned where the Blackland Prairie meets the Edwards Plateau. Liberty Hill was established in the 1850s and retains a small-town center along SH-29 with a cluster of local businesses. The surrounding landscape is classic Texas Hill Country with limestone outcrops, live oak groves, seasonal creek beds, and rolling terrain. The North San Gabriel River runs through the area, and the South Fork of the San Gabriel is accessible to the south.
Real estate in 78642 includes both new master-planned subdivisions and Hill Country acreage. Large developments such as Santa Rita Ranch, Rio Ancho, Stonewall Ranch, and Rancho Sienna bring new construction from builders including Taylor Morrison, Ashton Woods, and Chesmar. New home prices range from $325K for entry-level plans to $700K or more for premium lots with Hill Country views. Acreage tracts of 5 to 50 acres in the surrounding countryside list from $500K to well over $1 million for improved ranch properties. Older homes in the Liberty Hill town center and along FM roads are available from $250K to $400K. The area has seen rapid growth since the 183A toll extension improved connectivity to Cedar Park and Austin.
Students in 78642 attend Liberty Hill ISD, a growing district serving approximately 5,500 students. Elementary campuses include Liberty Hill Elementary and Santa Rita Elementary. Liberty Hill Intermediate covers 3rd through 5th grade, Liberty Hill Junior High serves 6th through 8th, and Liberty Hill High School covers 9th through 12th. The district has added campuses and portable buildings to handle enrollment increases averaging over 10 percent annually. Liberty Hill High School competes in UIL 5A and has strong football, baseball, and FFA programs. Private options include nearby Georgetown schools such as Grace Academy, about 20 minutes east.
Liberty Hill is approximately 35 to 45 minutes from downtown Austin via US-183 and the 183A toll road. Georgetown is about 20 minutes east on SH-29, and Cedar Park is roughly 15 minutes south on US-183. The 183A toll extension, completed in phases, has significantly reduced commute times for Liberty Hill residents heading south toward Austin. Most residents commute to jobs in Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, Georgetown, or Austin. The city's commercial development is concentrated along SH-29 with an H-E-B grocery store, Tractor Supply, restaurants, and a growing number of service businesses.
Living in Zip Code 78642
Liberty Hill's population combines longtime agricultural families with newer arrivals from Austin seeking Hill Country living within commuting distance. Median household income is approximately $90,000, reflecting the professional commuter households in the newer subdivisions. The community maintains a rural identity despite rapid growth, with many residents keeping horses, livestock, and hobby farms on their properties. The homeownership rate is high, and lot sizes in the new subdivisions tend to be larger than comparable developments closer to Austin, often 0.25 to 0.5 acres. Property tax rates in Williamson County average around 2.0 percent of assessed value.
Daily life in Liberty Hill centers on the intersection of small-town community and suburban convenience. The original downtown along SH-29 has local restaurants including Dahlia's Cafe and the Liberty Hill Bakery. H-E-B on SH-29 provides grocery shopping without a trip to Cedar Park or Georgetown. Santa Rita Ranch and Rancho Sienna have resort-style amenity centers with pools, water slides, fitness facilities, and event spaces. The North San Gabriel River offers swimming holes and fishing access at informal public points. Liberty Hill Festival Park hosts the annual LibertyFest in September with rodeo events, a parade, live music, and a carnival. The Hill Country terrain provides opportunities for hiking, mountain biking on county roads, and horseback riding. Deer Creek Golf Course, an 18-hole public course in nearby Lago Vista, is about 25 minutes west.
Things to Do in Zip Code 78642
- LibertyFest: Annual September festival at Liberty Hill Festival Park with rodeo events, a parade, live music, carnival rides, and a community barbecue.
- North San Gabriel River: Hill Country river with informal swimming holes and fishing access in the Liberty Hill area, popular during spring and summer months.
- Santa Rita Ranch Amenity Center: Resort-style facility with a pool, water slides, fitness center, sports courts, and event lawns open to Santa Rita Ranch residents.
- Georgetown Square: Historic courthouse square in Georgetown, about 20 minutes east, with independent shops, restaurants, and the Georgetown Palace Theatre.
- Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge: Federal preserve northwest of Liberty Hill protecting habitat for golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos, with hiking trails.
Major Employers in Zip Code 78642
- Liberty Hill ISD (Education): Largest employer in Liberty Hill with approximately 700 staff across five campuses and district offices.
- H-E-B (Retail): Texas grocery chain operating a full-service store on SH-29 in Liberty Hill with approximately 150 employees.
- City of Liberty Hill (Government): Municipal government with public safety, utilities, and planning departments serving the growing population.
- Apple Inc. (Technology): Apple's Austin campus approximately 25 minutes south employs over 7,000 workers in operations and engineering roles.
- Cedar Park Regional Medical Center (Healthcare): Full-service hospital in Cedar Park, about 15 minutes south, with over 700 employees providing emergency and specialty care.
Zip Code 78642 Schools
Liberty Hill ISD serves approximately 5,500 students across five campuses and has experienced enrollment growth exceeding 10 percent annually.
School District: Liberty Hill ISD
Public Schools
- Liberty Hill Elementary - Pre-K through 2nd grade campus in the Liberty Hill town center.
- Santa Rita Elementary - Pre-K through 2nd grade campus in the Santa Rita Ranch subdivision area.
- Liberty Hill Intermediate - 3rd through 5th grade campus serving all Liberty Hill ISD students.
- Liberty Hill Junior High - 6th through 8th grade campus.
- Liberty Hill High School - 9th through 12th grade with UIL 5A athletics, strong football and baseball, and FFA programs.
Pre-Schools
- Liberty Hill ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program at Liberty Hill Elementary and Santa Rita Elementary.
- Liberty Hill Christian Preschool - Church-based preschool program serving toddlers through pre-K in Liberty Hill.
Private Schools
- Grace Academy - Private Christian school in Georgetown, about 20 minutes east, serving pre-K through 8th grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is zip code 78642?
78642 covers Liberty Hill, Texas, in northwestern Williamson County about 35 miles north of Austin. It sits at the intersection of SH-29 and US-183 in the Texas Hill Country.
What do homes cost in 78642?
New construction in master-planned communities ranges from $325K to $700K+. Acreage tracts list from $500K to over $1 million. Older in-town homes range from $250K to $400K.
What school district is 78642 in?
78642 is served by Liberty Hill ISD, a growing district of about 5,500 students with enrollment increasing over 10 percent per year.
How far is Liberty Hill from Austin?
Liberty Hill is 35 to 45 minutes from downtown Austin via US-183 and the 183A toll road. Cedar Park is about 15 minutes south, and Georgetown is about 20 minutes east.
Is Liberty Hill considered Hill Country?
Yes, Liberty Hill sits where the Blackland Prairie meets the Edwards Plateau. The western portions feature limestone terrain, live oak groves, and Hill Country views typical of the region.