Skip to content
In Central Texas, Hays County has experienced explosive growth. Its seat, San Marcos, is a bustling college town (home to Texas State University). Other communities—Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, and Wimberley—have become booming suburbs or Hill Country destinations. Established in 1848, Hays County’s history spans from ranching to tourism to suburban sprawl. Today, it is a mix of urban-suburban growth and Hill Country retreats. Housing ranges from starter homes in Kyle, to master-planned communities in Buda, to Hill Country estates in Dripping Springs and Wimberley. Proximity to Austin (20–30 minutes north) drives demand, while San Antonio is an hour south. Prices reflect high growth: most homes range $350,000–$600,000, with Hill Country estates exceeding $1M. Land near Austin averages $40,000–$75,000 per acre, while rural tracts farther west are somewhat less.