The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 78661 sells for about $190,200, or $145 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 85 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,450 a month.
ZIP 78661 — Prairie Lea
The housing market in 78661 is characterized by low inventory and slow turnover, typical of a rural area. Prices remain relatively affordable compared to the broader Austin metro, though growth is limited by the lack of new development and distance from major employment centers.
This area is best suited for those seeking rural living, affordability, and space, appealing primarily to local workers and those comfortable with longer commutes to larger metro areas.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 85 days on market with 6.0 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.3% · poverty 29.2% — a mixed stability 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 4.4%/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 5.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 78661, Caldwell County TX
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).
Residents typically rely on personal vehicles for commutes, with travel times to regional employment hubs like Austin or San Marcos often exceeding 45 minutes.
The area features rural landscapes and proximity to the San Marcos River, offering opportunities for fishing, swimming, and outdoor recreation.
The rental market is limited in depth due to the rural nature of the ZIP, with low turnover and minimal multi-family inventory.
The local economy is primarily agricultural and rural, with residents largely commuting to the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metropolitan area for employment.
Transportation is heavily dependent on private vehicles, with limited public transit infrastructure available in this rural area.
Parcels are subject to Caldwell County property taxes and local school district levies.
Data retrieved from Census Reporter and ACS 2024 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.
- Santa's Ranch Drive Thru Christmas Light Park4.616.4 mi
- Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park4.615.8 mi
- Texas Ski Ranch4.517.4 mi
- Unchartered Adventures Kyle4.715.5 mi
- Seek and Destroy Rage Room517.4 mi
- Strahan Arena4.515.2 mi
- Jim Wacker Field at UFCU Stadium4.615.1 mi
- The Bandit Golf Club4.319.2 mi
- Industry San Marcos4.315.1 mi
- Freiheit Country Store4.419 mi
- Son's River Ranch4.41.6 mi
- Son's Blue River Camp4.40.6 mi
- Lockhart State Park4.58.9 mi
- Lockhart City Park4.412.2 mi
- Longer Park4.17.3 mi
- Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing4.912.5 mi
- One & Only Studio 274.815.2 mi
- Price Center & Garden4.615.4 mi
- Connoisseur Smoke Shop4.715.3 mi
- Pioneer Flight Museum4.97.5 mi
- Lockhart State Park4.58.9 mi
- Lockhart City Park4.412.2 mi
- River Trail Park4.35.4 mi
- Longer Park4.17.3 mi
- Dollar General4.19.4 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Provides local access for swimming, tubing, and fishing.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.