$462,256Average Value$379Average Price per Sq Ft57Homes For Sale
East Congress homes are much larger than those in downtown Austin.
East Congress offers the best of South Austin
Even before the 1993 film "Dazed and Confused" cemented Austin's reputation as a hotbed of hipness, the city had a trendy, cool vibe. These days, one neighborhood in particular that is gaining a reputation as a trendsetter is East Congress. Tucked into the southwest corner of Ben White Boulevard and Interstate 35, East Congress is a residential neighborhood that combines a mere 5-mile commute to downtown Austin with nearby amenities and more affordable home prices than other nearby areas. And while the lower price points are certainly an attraction, new residents also flock to the neighborhood for its proximity to the shopping and dining corridor of South Congress, known locally as SoCo. “Living in East Congress means you can walk to some of the best of South Austin,” says Realtor Teresa Lacey, who has been representing real estate transactions in the city for two decades. “The whole area has grown so much, and there are so many different restaurants and shops.”
Shopping and dining in SoCo
One of the primary draws of East Congress is the abundance of nearby shopping and dining opportunities. Fiesta Mart is located in the southern part of the community, but residents can choose from several grocery stores within a 4-mile radius. “There’s a Central Market close by, and there’s a brand-new H-E-B coming in on the other side of the highway, which would be considered the Travis Heights area, but everyone’s excited,” says Mike Vilece, a Realtor with Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty who lives in neighboring West Congress. “It’s going to have a concert venue and a bar — it’s huge.” The new H-E-B is projected to open in late 2024 or early 2025. For retail therapy, nightlife and restaurants, locals head 3 miles away to SoCo. But ample restaurants are in and around the neighborhood, too. A variety of food trucks offer casual grab-and-go meals at The Yard on St. Elmo Road. Diners can pair their meals with a beer from St. Elmo Brewing or a whiskey cocktail from Still Austin Whiskey Co. For a sit-down meal, locals flock to Casa Maria for authentic Mexican cuisine and sweets. There’s also Sagebrush, a popular honkytonk bar with live music and dancing.
East Congress buzzes with cultural fusion in Austin, featuring Still Whisky at the Yard.
The murals in East Congress serve as dynamic outdoor galleries looking over the neighborhood.
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Condos, townhouses and ranch-style homes
Housing options include condominiums, townhouses and detached single-family homes, and that range of choices — as well as the accompanying range of price points — makes East Congress an attractive neighborhood for young professionals, families and others seeking a friendly, welcoming neighborhood that’s close to some of the city’s best-loved amenities. Condos and townhouses can range from $275,000 to $500,000, while luxury complexes like The Station at St. Elmo and Congress Lofts can cost between $500,000 and $700,000. Deeper into the residential section of the neighborhood — between South Congress Avenue and Frontage Road — the streets are lined with sidewalks and mature trees. Craftsman bungalows and midcentury ranch-style homes with attached two-car garages are common here. Fixer-uppers can cost under $350,000, but most homes tend to range from $400,000 to $650,000. Larger renovated homes and rare new builds can cost up to $1 million.
The East Congress neighborhood is known for its larger home and lot size.
Unique homes line East Congress Avenue.
Vibrant homes dot East Congress streets.
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Williamson Creek Greenbelt is a greenbelt series in East Congress which runs along the creek.
Close to Battle Bend Neighborhood Park
Tucked into the northeast corner of Sheraton Avenue and Suburban Drive, Battle Bend Neighborhood Park is a favorite among families. The compact park provides a refreshing green retreat amid the surrounding industrial area and offers a playground, climbing structures, a basketball court and a covered pavilion with picnic tables. For more expansive greenspace, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is 5 miles away. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, swimming and wildlife spotting are all possible in the urban natural area. The sprawling McKinney Falls State Park has a campground and hiking and biking trails with views of waterfalls, wildflowers and bald cypress trees, including “Old Baldy,” a 103-foot-tall behemoth estimated to be more than 500 years old. Art lovers might enjoy the Cathedral of Junk, an ever-growing sculpture made with more than 60 tons of junk and organic material located a few streets over in West Congress. Artist and owner Vince Havemann offers free tours by appointment.
Travis Early College High School has CTE courses
East Congress is districted to the Austin Independent School District, which earns an overall rating of A-minus from Niche. Students in the neighborhood can attend Galindo Elementary School, which receives a C-plus from Niche, before heading to Bedichek Middle School, which earns a B-minus. Travis Early College High School also receives a B-minus. The school offers more than a dozen Career and Technical Education classes, and teens can earn an associate degree while still in high school thanks to a partnership with Austin Community College. Alternatively, parents can avail themselves of several private schools in the area, including St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, which earns an A-plus and is rated as the best private school in the Austin area by Niche.
Pleasant Hill Elementary, a school near the East Congress area produces high test scores.
Bedichek Middle near East Congress has a nationally recognized STEM program.
Pleasant Hill Elementary School encourages creativity and exploration.
Crockett High School fosters academic excellence and community spirit.
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Roughly 5 miles to downtown Austin
With Interstate 35 marking the neighborhood’s eastern boundary, commuters can reach downtown Austin in about 5 miles. “The location where we are is great. I can get downtown to my office in 10 minutes and I can get to the airport in 10 minutes,” Vilece says. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is roughly 8 miles west. Medical care is available at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center less than 2 miles away from the neighborhood. Several Capital Metro bus stops along Congress Avenue make it easier to get around town without having to drive.
Crime
Crime in East Congress is higher than the national average. The neighborhood receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 7 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4, including 9 out of 10 for motor vehicle theft and 9 out of 10 for larceny. People experiencing homelessness sometimes set up camp on the Williamson Creek Greenbelt or spend the night at Battle Bend Neighborhood Park. However, housing insecurity doesn’t affect day-to-day life for most locals.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
East Congress
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
9
4
Larceny
9
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
East Congress Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in East Congress, Austin sell after 89 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in East Congress, Austin over the last 12 months is $407,500, down 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo offers the ideal combination of value, security, and convenience. Within a fully secured, gated community, you’ll enjoy peace of mind just minutes from downtown Austin and only 6 minutes from St. Edward’s University.Natural light fills the open floor plan, highlighting a spacious kitchen and generous living areas designed for everyday comfort and entertaining.
Wonderful opportunity in the St. Elmo District, spacious 4 bed/3 bath home with extensive updates throughout! Home boasts great curb appeal and a wonderful layout: one bedroom downstairs, multiple living spaces (flex room upstairs perfect for a game room, office, etc), spacious primary suite up, updated kitchen that opens to a cozy family room with a fireplace and a backyard that backs up to an
Very motivated seller. Enjoy a modern 1-bed, 1-bath condo that gets you close to all that is on Congress and St Elmo including Arts, and Wineries. Besides a well designed living space, this unit offers a fifth floor view from the generous balcony towards the Hill Country. If Sunsets are your thing, this is your place! It has a view of Austin you have not seen and worth your consideration! Your
Experience modern Austin living at its finest in this new construction 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo at Congress Lofts, ideally situated in the vibrant St. Elmo district. Unit #532 offers a stylish open-concept layout with soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and a private terrace that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor living. The sleek kitchen is outfitted with premium cabinetry, quartz
There’s a certain magic about this 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo at Congress Lofts that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s the kind of place where every inch has been carefully crafted, from the quartz countertops and Bosch stainless steel appliances in the kitchen to the commercial-grade Quaker windows that let light pour in from every direction. The open-concept living area is designed to flow
Welcome to The Station at St. Elmo! This 1st floor, 1 bedroom unit has tall 12' ceilings that really opens the floor plan. This unit faces the interior and gives you direct access to the interior amenities including the pool. Brand-new and ready for immediate move-in. Located in the popular St. Elmo district and extremely close to entertainment and popular attractions like The Yard with coffee
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,228
Median Age
38
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$71,352
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$95,727
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.5%
College Graduates
48%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
11.4%
% Population in Labor Force
78.6%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
42/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
35/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
44/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
