The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 78655 sells for about $294,000, or $258 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 84 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $2,150 a month.
ZIP 78655 — Martindale
The 78655 market is characterized by steady growth driven by its proximity to the San Marcos employment hub and the appeal of riverfront living. While inventory remains tight, the area is seeing consistent price appreciation as demand from the Austin-San Antonio corridor continues to push eastward. Some figures, such as specific monthly closed sales counts, are preliminary or not fully aggregated at the ZIP level in current reports.
This ZIP is well-suited for those seeking a rural or semi-rural lifestyle near the river, including families and commuters who work in the San Marcos or Austin metro areas.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 84 days on market with 5.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.8% · poverty 11.2% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 12.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 11.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 78655, Caldwell County TX
Schools serving the area are primarily part of the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, which maintains a diverse student population and varying performance metrics.
The area is situated near the San Marcos River, presenting localized flood risks in low-lying zones; standard Texas wind and storm insurance coverage is recommended.
The area is experiencing steady eastward growth from San Marcos, driven by proximity to Texas State University and regional employment corridors.
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).
Commuters primarily utilize the I-35 corridor and Highway 80 to reach employment hubs in San Marcos, Austin, and the surrounding Hill Country.
The area is defined by its proximity to the San Marcos River, offering tubing, kayaking, and fishing, alongside local parks and rural landscapes.
The rental market is influenced by university-driven demand from nearby San Marcos, with a mix of long-term residential rentals and some short-term river-focused properties.
The economy is anchored by proximity to Texas State University in San Marcos and the broader Austin-San Antonio corridor, with a mix of local services and regional employment.
Development is focused on residential expansion along the Highway 80 corridor, connecting Martindale to the San Marcos urban core.
Parcels are subject to Caldwell County property taxes and the San Marcos Consolidated ISD; some newer developments may fall under specific MUD jurisdictions.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to regional weather patterns and wildfire risk assessments common to the Texas Hill Country.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA 78655 profiles.
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.
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels4.317.8 mi
- Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country4.418.6 mi
- Texas Tubes4.618 mi
- Santa's Ranch Drive Thru Christmas Light Park4.69.9 mi
- Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park4.67.9 mi
- Gruene Hall4.716 mi
- Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country4.418.6 mi
- EVO Entertainment + EVX + IMAX® - Kyle4.415.2 mi
- Strahan Arena4.57.3 mi
- Whitewater Amphitheater4.518.7 mi
- Rio Vista Park4.66.9 mi
- Son's River Ranch4.46.3 mi
- EVO Entertainment - San Marcos4.36.8 mi
- Son's Blue River Camp4.47.8 mi
- Meadows Center Glass-Bottom Boat Tours4.87.5 mi
- McKenna Children's Museum4.818.6 mi
- 7A Ranch4.519.7 mi
- Landa Falls4.518.3 mi
- Wimberley Glassworks4.814 mi
- Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing4.95.3 mi
- Rio Vista Park4.66.9 mi
- Meadows Center Glass-Bottom Boat Tours4.87.5 mi
- Lockhart State Park4.59.6 mi
- Sewell Park4.77.4 mi
- Five Mile Dam Park4.49.6 mi
- Kissing Tree Golf Club4.28.9 mi
- San Marcos Premium Outlets4.68 mi
- Tanger Outlets San Marcos4.58.2 mi
- Ross Dress for Less4.26.9 mi
- Marshalls4.36.9 mi
- Burlington3.98.1 mi
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport4.128.6 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Primary regional attraction for water recreation including tubing and kayaking.
Local public access point to the river.
Key-figure check: median price diverges 111.0% from the nearest retained anchor (published ten-year series (2026)) — beyond the 12.5% tolerance; an automated validation case is open and the value publishes pending its verdict. Research outlier held out — this pass returned a median of $620,249 (111.0% off the retained reading), contradicting every independent anchor; the prior reading stands pending corroboration. Validation: the flagged $620,249 (+111% vs the published ten-year series (2026)) could not be independently corroborated and was reverted to the prior cycle value pending review; the case is under review in the Command Center.