The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 78602 sells for about $415,000, or $159 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 68 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,850 a month.
ZIP 78602 — Bastrop
The Bastrop 78602 housing market remains stable, supported by consistent demand from commuters and families seeking affordability relative to Austin. While inventory levels have increased slightly, the market maintains a healthy balance with steady year-over-year price appreciation. Current conditions are driven by regional growth and the ongoing expansion of local infrastructure.
This ZIP is ideal for family buyers and commuters looking for more affordable housing options compared to central Austin. It also attracts retirees and those seeking a balance between small-town character and proximity to major metro amenities.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 68 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
19% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.1% · poverty 10.8% — 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 7.3%/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 6.9%/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 78602, Bastrop County TX
Crime rates in Bastrop are generally lower than the national average, with property crime being the most frequently reported incident type. The area is considered safer than many larger urban centers in the Austin metro region.
Schools in the 78602 area are primarily served by the Bastrop Independent School District, which maintains a mix of ratings across its elementary, middle, and high school campuses.
The area faces moderate risks from wildfire and localized flooding, particularly near the Colorado River basin. Property insurance premiums have seen upward pressure due to regional weather patterns and wildfire risk assessments.
Bastrop is experiencing significant growth driven by its proximity to the Austin employment corridor and major infrastructure expansions. Key economic drivers include local retail, tourism, and an increasing influx of commuters seeking suburban housing.
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 Highway 71 to access the Austin employment core, with typical drive times ranging from 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicle ownership essential for most residents.
The area features extensive outdoor amenities including Bastrop State Park, Lake Bastrop, and the Colorado River for water sports and hiking. The historic downtown district offers a variety of local shopping and dining options.
The rental market is characterized by moderate vacancy pressure and rising rents, influenced by the area's popularity with commuters and limited new multi-family supply. Short-term rental activity is present but regulated by local ordinances.
The local economy is anchored by the Bastrop Independent School District, local government, and a growing retail and hospitality sector. It serves as a bedroom community for the broader Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA.
Transportation is heavily reliant on the Highway 71 corridor, which serves as the primary artery for regional connectivity. Infrastructure improvements are ongoing to manage increased traffic volume.
Development is focused on expanding residential capacity and supporting commercial growth along the Highway 71 and 21 corridors. Several master-planned communities are in various stages of approval.
The Bastrop Central Appraisal District manages property assessments, focusing on market-value appraisals for all taxable real estate within the county.
Parcels in this ZIP are subject to Bastrop ISD taxes, county taxes, and various utility or municipal utility district (MUD) assessments where applicable.
Property insurance remains a critical consideration due to wildfire risk in the piney woods and regional wind/hail exposure. Premiums are generally higher than in non-forested areas of the state.
Texas continues to see strong net domestic migration, with Bastrop County benefiting from spillover growth from the Austin metro area.
Texas is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for relatively fast foreclosure processes under the terms of a deed of trust.
Texas law requires sellers to provide a written disclosure notice to buyers, detailing the condition of the property and any known defects.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
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.
- Circuit of The Americas4.619.9 mi
- Germania Insurance Amphitheater4.519.9 mi
- The East 404.43.6 mi
- Scream Hollow4.36.9 mi
- PAC - Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts4.71.5 mi
- Sherwood Forest Faire4.812.7 mi
- Bastrop State Park4.61.7 mi
- The Dinosaur Park4.710.9 mi
- Buescher State Park4.69.8 mi
- The Gas Station4.73.7 mi
- The Dinosaur Park4.710.9 mi
- Scream Hollow4.36.9 mi
- Texas Wendish Heritage Museum4.819.3 mi
- Bastrop State Park4.61.7 mi
- Buescher State Park4.69.8 mi
- McKinney Roughs Nature Park4.79.6 mi
- Lake Bastrop South Shore Park4.63.3 mi
- Lake Bastrop North Shore Park4.65.3 mi
- Lost Pines Golf Club4.39.6 mi
- ColoVista Golf Club3.63.7 mi
- Bastrop River Club3.62.2 mi
- The East 404.43.6 mi
- Ross Dress for Less43.1 mi
- T.J. Maxx4.23 mi
- Store House Market & Eatery4.61.2 mi
- Brookshire Brothers410.4 mi
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport4.122.7 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Famous for its loblolly pine forest and recreational trails.
Popular destination for fishing, boating, and camping.
Features preserved 19th-century architecture with local boutiques and restaurants.
Key-figure check: median price diverges 25.2% from the nearest retained anchor (prior refresh cycle) — beyond the 12.5% tolerance; an automated validation case is open and the value publishes pending its verdict. Validation: the flagged $310,300 (-25.2% vs the prior refresh cycle) failed independent re-validation and was reverted to the prior cycle value; the case is under review in the Command Center.