The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 78650 sells for about $300,300, or $158 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% 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 $875 a month.
ZIP 78650 — McDade
The housing market in 78650 remains stable with modest price growth and limited inventory, reflecting its status as a rural, affordable alternative to the Austin core. Market activity is driven by long-term residents and commuters seeking lower entry prices, though the limited supply keeps sales volume low. No significant shifts in market sentiment are observed this quarter.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking affordable, rural living with space, who are willing to commute to the Austin metro area for employment.
Median prices moved up 2.1% 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 4.1% · 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 6.1%/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 6.6%/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 78650, Bastrop County TX
Crime rates in McDade are generally low and consistent with rural Bastrop County, with property crime being the primary concern compared to more urbanized areas of the region.
Schools serving the area are primarily part of the Elgin Independent School District, which maintains a moderate rating profile focused on rural community engagement.
The area faces moderate wildfire risk typical of the Texas Piney Woods and post-oak savanna transition zones, with localized flood risks near drainage basins.
Economic momentum is driven by the expansion of the Austin metro area, with increasing residential development pressure and proximity to major regional employment hubs.
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).
Commuting primarily involves driving via US Highway 290 toward Austin or Elgin, with limited public transit options available for the rural population.
Recreation is centered on rural outdoor activities, with proximity to local parks and the natural landscapes of Bastrop County, though major shopping and entertainment are located in nearby cities.
The rental market is limited in depth, consisting mostly of single-family homes with low vacancy pressure and minimal short-term rental activity.
The local economy is largely agricultural and service-based, with many residents commuting to the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metropolitan area for employment in technology and government.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicles, with US Highway 290 serving as the primary artery for regional connectivity.
Development is characterized by low-density residential expansion and small-scale commercial projects along the highway corridor.
The Bastrop Central Appraisal District manages property assessments, focusing on market-value appraisals for residential and agricultural land.
Parcels are subject to Elgin ISD taxes and various county-level special districts for emergency services and water management.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to regional wildfire risk and the general hardening of the Texas homeowners insurance market.
Texas continues to experience strong net domestic migration, driven by job growth and relative affordability compared to coastal states.
Texas is a non-judicial foreclosure state, allowing for relatively efficient processes for lenders under strict notice requirements.
Sellers are required to provide a standard Seller's Disclosure Notice detailing the condition of the property, including known defects.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA 78650 profile.
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. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.
- The East 404.418.6 mi
- Coupland Dancehall4.513.8 mi
- PAC - Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts4.713.6 mi
- Cotton Bowl Speedway4.713.3 mi
- 602 Brewing Company4.414.2 mi
- Sherwood Forest Faire4.87 mi
- Lake Bastrop North Shore Park4.69.8 mi
- Sherwood Forest Camping Gate4.87 mi
- Elgin Memorial Park4.58.9 mi
- Broadway Paul’s Antiques & Salvage4.810.3 mi
- The Dinosaur Park4.718.1 mi
- Lake Bastrop South Shore Park4.611.8 mi
- Lake Bastrop North Shore Park4.69.8 mi
- Elgin Memorial Park4.58.9 mi
- Morris Memorial Park4.68.6 mi
- Veterans Memorial Park4.68.1 mi
- Dollar General3.98.2 mi
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport4.126.6 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Local community park serving as a central gathering space.
Nearby regional attraction offering hiking and camping.
Key-figure check: median price diverges 17.6% from the nearest retained anchor (published ten-year series (2024)) — 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 $247,300 (17.6% off the retained reading), contradicting every independent anchor; the prior reading stands pending corroboration.