Along with the bustle of 6th Street, the Rainey Street Historic District is one of Austin's principal entertainment districts. Among its gallery of tiny cottages retrofitted as bars and hip eateries, Rainey Street is packed any given night with nine-to-fivers sipping craft beer, playing cornhole, munching on street food and listening to live music. Although it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, few would agree that the attraction to Rainey Street is historical. And as the area further develops, the boozy debauchery in this festive pocket neighborhood is changing alongside the rest of Austin's fast-rising downtown. “They’ve been building up all these high-rise condos and making it a place where people can actually live,” says Chloe Hardesty, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. “There’s still some nightlife, but there’s upscale restaurants and other amenities, too. It’s got all the benefits of being downtown, except it’s becoming a place where families can be as well.”
A wealth of amenities and activities are available to Rainey Street Historic District residents.
Relax at The Perch ATX cafe with a patio view overlooking the serene waters of Colorado River.
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Food Truck Alley and cucumber margaritas from Lucille
The centerpiece of the Rainey Street Historic District is its trail of saloon-like bars and restaurants lodged within Craftsman cottages and bungalows. At one point, these structures were homes in what was originally a working-class Hispanic barrio. The bungalows and cottages are responsible for the neighborhood’s spot on the National Register of Historic Places, although many residents at the time disapproved of the designation. Today, very few of the remaining single-family homes serve as private residences. The vast majority have been repurposed into cocktail bars like the Half Step or Lucille, known for their jalapeno "cucumberita." However, a night on the town is not complete without a belly full of street food from Food Truck Alley, where vendors stay open late to serve tacos, arepas, shawarma and other international foods to crowds of hungry bar hoppers. Little Lucy's satisfies a late-night sweet tooth with unusual flavors of mini donuts. Amid the party, elegant experimental restaurants like Emmer & Rye also find a home. For nights in, residents have a Royal Blue Grocery in the neighborhood for quick grab-and-go items or a Whole Foods Market on 5th Street, across Interstate 35.
Enjoy a drink at one of Rainy Street's vibrant bars.
Food trucks in Rainey Street District offer tasty bites.
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Karaoke at Augustine and Mexican cultural events
Rainey Street has an unyielding schedule of live events. Local musicians play at outdoor music venues like Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden every weekend. Across the street at Augustine, Sunday karaoke attracts those brave enough to face a crowd prepared to 86 anyone. Thanks to the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, family-friendly events occur in the neighborhood, too, including celebrations for Mexican holidays like Día de los Muertos and Mexican Independence Day. But no time on Rainey Street compares to the fanfare of SXSW – Austin's premier film and music festival. Each evening upon leaving the nearby Austin Convention Center, droves of attendees descend upon Rainey Street in the evening to discuss what new movies they saw or musicians they heard perform.
Riverside parks and future trail connections with the Waterloo Greenway
Along the Colorado River, a continuous string of waterfront parks provides a buffer from the cacophony of downtown, offering an easy escape from the ruckus of Rainey Street. Residents head to the neighborhood's south end to find a quiet corner beneath the shade of cypress trees in Waller Beach. “One of the best things about the area is that there are hiking and biking trails all along the water,” Hardesty says. Some visitors begin a trip on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Waller Beach. The 10-mile ride connects with other parks that span the riverfront, such as Festival Beach, and the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge offers a way to reach parks on the south side of the river. Many residents use the downtown trails to commute to work or school, increasing demand for continuous improvements and additions to the neighborhood trail systems. The $91.5 million Waterloo Greenway Project will soon connect Waterloo Park to Waller Beach with a hike and bike trail along Waller Creek.
Sculptures grace the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, enhancing the trail's scenic appeal.
A wealth of amenities and activities are available to Rainey Street Historic District residents.
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Luxury condos offer 24-hour security and sweeping views of Ladybird Lake
Luxury high-rise condos now tower over the single-story wooden structures that helped give the neighborhood its identity. Top-tier amenities — rooftop pools, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Ladybird Lake, garage parking, 24-hour concierge services and security — drive up the desirability for these luxury units. Prices for a one-bedroom, one-bath typically begin at $450,000 and can reach up to $750,000. For two bedrooms and up, most units sell for between $1 and $2 million.
Bikeshares, bus stops and light rail for non-drivers
The neighborhood abuts I-35, Austin's busiest commuter route. Traffic gets very heavy on the highway during peak commuting hours. Residents are afforded some alternatives to driving, however, especially hike and bike trails, and those who don't own a bike can rent from an ATX MetroBike station at Waller Beach. CapMetro bus routes skirt past the neighborhood on Cesar Chavez Street. On the other side of the Austin Convention Center, the downtown station for Austin's light rail line offers a way to head north.
Delight your taste buds at Ziki Food Truck in Rainey Street Historical District.
Conveniently explore Austin with the ATX MetroBike Station in the Rainey Street District.
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All schools A-rated
Students in the Rainey Street Historic District begin at Mathews Elementary School. For grades 6 through 8, students attend O. Henry Middle School and finish their last four years at Austin High School. All three schools have Niche scores of A-minus or higher.
Mathews Elementary in historic Clarksville, Austin.
Austin High School, a historic and prestigious public high school in Austin, Texas.
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Things to consider
Visiting Rainey Street is one thing; living there is another. Nightlife and interstate traffic make it a noisy neighborhood, although most luxury condos are designed with soundproofing in mind. Like other entertainment districts, the Rainey Street Historic District also has a higher crime rate than other neighborhoods. The neighborhood has a CAP Index score of 9, well above the national average of 4, prompting officials to increase police and park ranger presence throughout the neighborhood and its waterfront park. Austin's waterfront neighborhoods also experience occasional flooding, particularly those along Waller Creek, although recent investments have helped improve resiliency. "In the later portions of the 1900s, the city started looking at a pretty significant flood tunnel to help reduce the flooding downtown," says John Beachy, downtown division manager for the city's Watershed Protection Department. "Now, it's been successfully constructed and implemented, and they've been able to reduce 28 acres of land that was formerly within the flood plain."
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Vesper is a premier luxury condominium community in downtown Austin, offering modern residences with high-end finishes and exceptional amenities. Located steps from Rainey Street and Lady Bird Lake, Vesper provides direct access to Austin’s top dining, nightlife, and outdoor spaces. Unit 2010 offers west-facing views of Ladybird Lake and the Downtown skyline. It features one bedroom and a den,
Vesper is a premier luxury condominium community in downtown Austin, offering modern residences with high-end finishes and exceptional amenities. Located steps from Rainey Street and Lady Bird Lake, Vesper provides direct access to Austin’s top dining, nightlife, and outdoor spaces. This unit with skyline views offers 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 969 interior square feet, complemented by a
Vesper is a premier luxury condominium community in downtown Austin, offering modernresidences with high-end finishes and exceptional amenities. Located steps from Rainey Streetand Lady Bird Lake, Vesper provides direct access to Austin’s top dining, nightlife, and outdoorspaces. Unit 2007 has eastern facing views offering 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and 727 interiorsquare feet,
Experience elevated downtown living at 44 East Ave, one of Austin’s most sought-after high-rise communities. This meticulously upgraded 2-bedroom, 2-bath residence showcases over $50K in designer enhancements, from curated lighting and custom window treatments to elevated paint finishes, creating a refined and inviting atmosphere throughout. Floor-to-ceiling windows and lofty ceilings flood the
Special Financing Options Available! Welcome to Milago, the pinnacle of happiness living in the heart of Downtown Austin! Situated directly on the banks of Lady Bird Lake, Milago offers rare and direct access to the Hike & Bike Trail—just steps outside the building’s doors. As one of the only buildings in Austin located right on the trail, it provides the perfect blend of city convenience and
Experience breathtaking views and exceptional design in this rare 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo with a studio at the iconic 70 Rainey. Soaring floor-to-ceiling windows frame unobstructed panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake and the downtown skyline, flooding the space with natural light and creating a truly elevated atmosphere. A striking designer chandelier anchors the open-concept living area, while
Ana Gabriela Villarreal BustamantePinnacle Realty Advisors
Discover refined urban living in this brand-new, southwest-facing 2-bedroom condo perched on the 23rd floor of The Modern Austin Residences. This thoughtfully designed home features floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light and frame striking views of Lady Bird Lake. The kitchen is appointed with sleek light quartz countertops, a premium Wolf gas range, and modern,
Experience upscale urban living in one of the most desirable residences at 44 East Ave, an expansive and rarely available two-bedroom home offering sweeping, unobstructed views of downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake. Perfectly positioned at the quieter end of Rainey Street, this premier location provides immediate access to the Hike & Bike Trail and the vibrant energy of downtown, all while
Ascent to high-rise living at SkyHouse Austin Apartments in the popular Rainey Street neighborhood. Our studio, one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment homes with floor-to-ceiling windows provide breathtaking views of Austin, Rainey Street and Lady Bird Lake. Interior features include stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, exposed concrete ceilings and frameless shower doors. Rooftop
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,117
Median Age
40
Population Density
39 ppl/acre
Population under 18
8.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$176,284
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$185,972
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.9%
College Graduates
84%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
33.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
82.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Biker's Paradise
Bike Score®
91/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
87/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
60/ 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.
