The story of this market
The typical home in Hays County, Texas sells for about $355,000, or $201 per square foot.
Prices are down 1.4% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 78 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,000 a month.
Hays County, Texas
The Hays County housing market is transitioning toward a more balanced environment as inventory levels rise and demand cools from previous peaks. While sales volume and median prices have seen slight year-over-year declines, the market remains active with sustained building activity. Buyers currently have more leverage than in recent years, though the area's long-term growth trajectory remains supported by regional economic expansion.
No ARED distress-ledger coverage for this county yet — the foreclosure ingest rotates the national county directory, and filings appear here once the county's posted notices are read. Key-figure check: median price corroborated by the prior refresh cycle (within 12.5%).
Select a city to expand its ZIP intel reports beneath · 12 cities · 9 ZIP reports
Median prices moved down 10.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 83 days on market with 0.0 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 1.47% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.8% · poverty 10.5% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Deterministic aggregate of 9 researched ZIP reports — sales_count-weighted (population fallback); per point, children lacking the value or its weight are excluded. Tax rates, sentiment and context notes are tier-native and never roll.
Hays County, Texas — researched county-level history with a deterministic 1 / 3 / 5-year projection
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Each property observation weighs one in its ZIP's deterministic roll-up — property-level records (taxes, scores, permits) never roll individually. Latest property research run Sep 19, 2026.
researched Oct 1
researched Oct 1
researched Oct 16
researched Oct 1
researched Sep 18
researched Sep 28
researched Sep 20
researched Oct 1
researched Oct 1
| 78610 | Buda | $337,490 | $183 | -2.2% | 119 | — | — | — | 237 | $1,817 | researched Oct 1 |
| 78619 | Driftwood | $1,174,000 | $411 | — | 93 | — | — | — | 51 | $3,900 | researched Oct 1 |
| 78620 | Dripping Springs | $725,000 | $232 | -9% | 69 | — | — | 9.5 | 323 | — | researched Oct 16 |
| 78640 | Uhland | $300,000 | $175 | -4.8% | 68 | 97.5% | 22% | 4.2 | 450 | $1,950 | researched Oct 1 |
| 78656 | Uhland | $235,000 | $145 | -8.8% | 27 | 98% | 15% | 6.2 | 241 | $1,629 | researched Sep 18 |
| 78666 | San Marcos | $315,000 | $168 | -11% | 82 | — | — | — | 895 | $1,410 | researched Sep 28 |
| 78667 | San Marcos | $358,442 | $168 | -11% | 122 | 98% | 19.9% | 0.9 | 1,009 | $1,700 | researched Sep 20 |
| 78676 | Wimberley | $566,000 | $337 | -2.1% | 84 | 96.2% | 18.5% | 5.6 | 212 | $2,150 | researched Oct 1 |
| 78677 | Wrightsboro | $770,000 | $315 | -1.2% | 48 | 97.8% | 22.5% | 5.4 | 112 | $2,850 | researched Oct 1 |
Figures are each ZIP report's own latest research — the county roll-up aggregates them sales_count-weighted (population fallback); ZIPs cycle quarterly.
Hays County is served by several independent school districts, including San Marcos CISD, Hays CISD, and Dripping Springs ISD, which generally maintain competitive academic standards within the Central Texas region.
The county faces periodic flood risks, particularly in low-lying areas near the Blanco and San Marcos rivers, and is subject to regional wildfire and wind exposure common to the Texas Hill Country.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to the Austin metro area, with significant growth in the education, healthcare, and retail sectors, supported by ongoing residential and commercial development along the I-35 corridor.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Texas) — Senior (65+) and Disabled Homestead Exemption and School Tax Ceiling: Grants an additional mandatory $10,000 exemption from ISD appraised value (Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100,000 - $10,000) and establishes an absolute statutory tax freeze (school tax ceiling): total ISD property taxes cannot exceed the dollar ceiling established in the… State (Texas) — General Residence Homestead Exemption and 10% Valuation Growth Cap: Imposes mandatory state-level valuation deductions and growth limitations on the qualifying homestead: (1) Mandates a $100,000 deduction from appraised value for independent school district (ISD) maintenance and operations/debt taxation: Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100… State (Texas) — Ad Valorem Real Property Taxation and Assessment Ratio: Mandates ad valorem appraisal of all real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each tax year (Assessment Ratio = 1.00).
The rental market has seen stable pricing with a median of $2,000, experiencing a slight increase in closed lease activity despite broader market cooling.
The economy is anchored by Texas State University, the healthcare sector, and a growing retail presence, with significant employment ties to the broader Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA.
The county is primarily served by the I-35 corridor, which provides the main transit artery for regional commuting, supplemented by local bus services in San Marcos.
The Hays Central Appraisal District performs annual property valuations to determine the tax base for local jurisdictions.
Parcels in the county are subject to various special districts, including municipal utility districts (MUDs), emergency services districts, and local school districts.
Property insurance premiums in the region have faced upward pressure due to increased regional hazard exposure and broader market trends in Texas.
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels4.324.7 mi
- Cidercade Austin4.420.8 mi
- Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country4.416.2 mi
- Museum of Illusions Austin4.528.8 mi
- Dave & Buster's Austin4.227.7 mi
- Moody Center4.422.6 mi
- Circuit of The Americas4.622.5 mi
- The Oasis On Lake Travis4.225.5 mi
- Mozart's Coffee Roasters4.521.2 mi
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar4.520 mi
- McKinney Falls State Park4.619 mi
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center4.712 mi
- AMC Barton Creek Square 143.818.3 mi
- Austin Zoo4.214.8 mi
- Rio Vista Park4.612.8 mi
- Texas Capitol4.721.9 mi
- Palmer Events Center4.520.7 mi
- Bullock Texas State History Museum4.722.2 mi
- Thinkery4.624.5 mi
- Blanton Museum of Art4.722.3 mi
- McKinney Falls State Park4.619 mi
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center4.712 mi
- Blue Hole Regional Park4.66.3 mi
- Rio Vista Park4.612.8 mi
- Old Baldy Park4.77.5 mi
- Jimmy Clay Golf Course4.318.6 mi
- Falconhead Golf Club3.718.5 mi
- Barton Creek Country Club4.618.5 mi
- Plum Creek Golf Course4.27.7 mi
- Grey Rock Golf Club & Tennis4.110.4 mi
- San Marcos Premium Outlets4.615.6 mi
- Barton Creek Square4.418.3 mi
- H-E-B4.419.6 mi
- Tanger Outlets San Marcos4.515.8 mi
- Fiesta Mart #644.217.5 mi
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport4.122.1 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
The amenity base that shapes daily life and property demand in this county — what residents actually live with, and what the pipeline is adding.
A spring-fed river popular for tubing, swimming, and kayaking, serving as a major recreational anchor for the county.
A major public university in San Marcos that provides cultural events, sports, and significant economic stability to the area.
Features a historic square with local boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife that serves as a community hub.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov; figures represent county-wide averages.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
applies when — Parcel is encumbered by a Texas constitutional home equity loan (HELOC or lump-sum equity loan).
Bars private power-of-sale foreclosure. Constitutional protections strictly require lenders to obtain a formal judicial or expedited quasi-judicial court order under Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 735 and 736 before initiating foreclosure proceedings against homestead residential property.
Tex. Const. art. XVI, Sec. 50(a)(6)(D); Tex. R. Civ. P. 735, 736.
applies when — Parcel is situated within a Municipal Utility District (MUD), Water Control and Improvement District (WCID), or other special taxing district created under Article XVI, Section 59 of the Texas Constitution.
Subject to supplemental ad valorem debt-service and maintenance tax levies imposed by the MUD board. Sellers are statutorily required to furnish an executed statutory district disclosure notice stating the district's authority to levy taxes, current tax rates, and total authorized bond indebtedness prior to contract execution. If notice is omitted, the buyer maintains statutory rights to terminate the transaction or sue for damages up to $5,000 plus costs.
Tex. Water Code Ann. Sec. 49.452.
applies when — Parcel is located within the unincorporated extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) adjacent to an incorporated municipality (ranging from 0.5 to 5 miles depending on municipal population).
Subjects parcel subdivision and development to municipal platting authority, roadway access rules, and utility easements under Local Government Code Chapter 212, even though municipal zoning does not apply. In 2023, the state enacted a petition/referendum mechanism permitting landowners in an ETJ to unilaterally opt out and release their parcel from municipal ETJ regulation.
Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Ann. Chapters 42, 212, and Chapter 247 (enacted by Texas Senate Bill 2038, effective September 1, 2023).
applies when — Parcel is subject to mandatory membership in a property owners' association under recorded restrictive covenants.
Obligates the seller to provide a formal statutory disclosure notice to the prospective purchaser before contract execution detailing mandatory HOA membership, obligations to pay regular assessments, association restrictive covenants, and the prospect of lien foreclosure for delinquency. Failure to deliver the notice enables the purchaser to terminate the contract prior to closing.
Tex. Prop. Code Ann. Sec. 5.012 and Sec. 207.003.
applies when — Parcel is subject to recorded dedicatory instruments, restrictive covenants, and mandatory membership in a property owners' association (POA/HOA).
Imposes statutory covenants and restrictions on parcel encumbrance and enforcement: association must file management certificates with county clerk and TREC; requires an expedited judicial court order under Tex. R. Civ. P. 736 to foreclose an assessment lien; bars non-judicial foreclosure for purely fine-based or attorney fee liens; guarantees the property owner a 180-day statutory post-foreclosure right of redemption; establishes statutory owner protections preventing POAs from banning solar panels, religious displays, security measures, or rain-harvesting barrels.
Tex. Prop. Code Ann. Chapter 209 (amended extensively under SB 1588 effective September 1, 2021).
applies when — Ad valorem real property taxes assessed by local taxing entities become delinquent under Chapter 33.
Authorizes local taxing entities to seize and judicially foreclose on the parcel to satisfy accrued tax debt, interest, and administrative penalties. Grants former owners an absolute post-sale statutory right of redemption: (1) 2-year redemption window for residence homesteads and ag-exempt land with redemption costs equal to purchase price plus a 25% premium in year 1 or a 50% premium in year 2; (2) 180-day redemption window for non-homestead residential parcels with a 25% premium.
Tex. Tax Code Ann. Chapters 33 and 34 (specifically Sec. 34.21).
applies when — Real property parcel secured by a deed of trust or contract lien containing an express power-of-sale clause upon borrower default (conventional mortgages).
Permits private non-judicial foreclosure without court intervention. Imposes strict statutory procedural timeline: minimum 20-day written notice of default and intent to accelerate with right to cure, followed by minimum 21-day public notice of sale (recorded with county clerk, posted at courthouse, and served on debtor via certified mail). Foreclosure sales must occur on the first Tuesday of the month between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the designated county venue. Under Texas law, conventional mortgage non-judicial foreclosure conveys permanent title without any post-sale statutory right of redemption for the mortgagor.
Tex. Prop. Code Ann. Sec. 51.002.
Statutorily compels sellers to affirmatively disclose whether the property is located wholly or partly in a 100-year floodplain, 500-year floodplain, floodway, flood pool, or reservoir; whether the parcel has ever experienced flooding or water penetration into structures during a natural event; and whether the seller currently maintains flood insurance coverage.
Tex. Prop. Code Ann. Sec. 5.008(b), amended by Texas Senate Bill 339 following Hurricane Harvey (effective September 1, 2019).
Obligates the seller to deliver an executed comprehensive written disclosure notice to the purchaser before entering into an executory contract. Failure to deliver the disclosure gives the buyer a statutory, unconditional right to terminate the purchase contract for any reason within seven days after receiving the notice or before closing, whichever occurs first.
Tex. Prop. Code Ann. Sec. 5.008.
applies when — Homestead parcel is owned and occupied by an individual aged 65 or older or an individual who qualifies as disabled under federal guidelines.
Grants an additional mandatory $10,000 exemption from ISD appraised value (Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100,000 - $10,000) and establishes an absolute statutory tax freeze (school tax ceiling): total ISD property taxes cannot exceed the dollar ceiling established in the first qualifying year, unless new improvements or additions are made to the parcel.
Tex. Tax Code Ann. Sec. 11.13(c) and Sec. 11.26.
applies when — The residential structure and land (up to 20 acres) are owned and occupied as the owner's principal residence as of the qualification date.
Imposes mandatory state-level valuation deductions and growth limitations on the qualifying homestead: (1) Mandates a $100,000 deduction from appraised value for independent school district (ISD) maintenance and operations/debt taxation: Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100,000; (2) Grants optional local-option percentage deductions (up to 20% of appraised value, minimum $5,000) for cities and counties: Taxable Value_Local = Appraised Value - Max(0.20 * Appraised Value, $5,000); (3) Caps annual homestead appraised value increases at 10% plus the value of new improvements: Appraised Value_t <= (1.10 * Appraised Value_{t-1}) + Value_NewImprovements.
Tex. Tax Code Ann. Sec. 11.13 and Sec. 23.23. The ISD exemption was expanded to $100,000 via constitutional amendment (Proposition 4) effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023.
Mandates ad valorem appraisal of all real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each tax year (Assessment Ratio = 1.00). Tax liability formula: Total Tax = SUM[(Appraised Value - Applicable Exemptions) * (Local Taxing Unit Adopted Rate / 100)] across all overlapping taxing units (independent school district, county, municipality, special districts). Establishes a statutory administrative protest and appeal process before the County Appraisal Review Board (ARB).
Tex. Tax Code Ann. Title 1, Subtitles A-D (specifically Sec. 23.01 and Sec. 26.01 et seq.). Annual appraisal cycle effective January 1.
Governance registry — every jurisdiction re-researches on a rolling 90-day cycle. Property reports compose these inherited burdens into a per-parcel ledger with conditional determinations. Informational only — not legal advice.