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Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek

$424,049 Average Value
$316 Average Price per Sq Ft
0 Homes For Sale

Residential pockets collide with greenery and businesses

On the liminal edge of Austin development, the area of Walnut Creek takes its name from a green belt and water feature that rushes through it, which converges at the southern end of the neighborhood with the more meandering Ferguson Branch. Spanning 8 square miles, like its geography, the neighborhood is a convergence of calm and busy – green, amenities-laden residential pockets, including some master planned subdivisions, push up against low industrial business parks like the Cameron Industrial area. As time has gone on, it has changed a fair bit along with the rest of north Austin, widening the options for shopping, recreation and, crucially, housing.
Walnut Creek is known for its large, tree-lined streets and peaceful atmosphere.
Walnut Creek is known for its large, tree-lined streets and peaceful atmosphere.
Colonial Place is a gated community near Walnut Creek with midsize homes.
Colonial Place is a gated community near Walnut Creek with midsize homes.
Walnut Creek locals enjoy Pioneer Hill’s homes with access to a full amenity center.
Walnut Creek locals enjoy Pioneer Hill’s homes with access to a full amenity center.
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Rental-heavy with master-planned options

More than two-thirds of residents are renters, so Walnut Creek's market is well stocked with single family homes homes for rent, multi-plex attached homes and apartment communities. The latter two options are primarily found near major roads at the south of the neighborhood, while single-family homes for sale or rent are found all throughout, usually in newer subdivisions. "From North Austin into Pflugerville, most of these neighborhoods were built in the mid-to-late 90s into the 2000s," says Realtor Miriam Moorman of Fathom Realty. "They started as mostly homeowner occupied neighborhoods, and as the investors moved in – because this is where the deals were – a lot of the neighborhoods, particularly the more affordable neighborhoods, started becoming a lot more renter occupied." Each subdivision offers its own style of single-family homes, such as Pioneer Hill's modern homes with low pitched roofs, which usually sell for $450,000 to $575,000. Colonial Place's new traditional designs sell for a similar price range, but offers more properties priced closer to $400,000. Chimney Hill's long rows of duplex snout houses offer the lowest buy-in at around $300,000 to $450,000.
Walnut Creek locals appreciate Pioneer Hill’s homes for their contemporary designs.
Walnut Creek locals appreciate Pioneer Hill’s homes for their contemporary designs.
This Walnut Creek home features a spacious two-story design and a large garage.
This Walnut Creek home features a spacious two-story design and a large garage.
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Planned extensions to the Walnut Creek Trail System

There are no municipal parks in the neighborhood, but most subdivisions come with their own community park and additional amenities, such as a pool and courts for basketball or other sports. In a city known for its miles of hike and bike trails, Walnut Creek enjoys close connections with numerous. This makes it possible to reach parks across the city, such as Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, without ever getting in a car. Most subdivisions even include cut-through paths for easier walks to the pool. "There are a lot of trails in Austin, and the Walnut Creek Trail is one that a lot of people use," says Realtor L.J. Sternberg of LJ Residential LLC. Although it does not yet pass through the neighborhood, the city is currently working to connect the northern and southern sections of the Walnut Creek Trail System. Currently, both sections end at trailheads less than a mile outside of the neighborhood on Dessau Road and Johnny Morris Road. Immediately south of the neighborhood, the 10-mile-long 183 Trail extends south to Montopolis along the U.S. Route 183 corridor. Along the way, riders can reach connections with other trails, such as the Southern Walnut Creek Trail or the Lance Armstrong Bikeway. The trail also includes the Montopolis Truss Bridge, a decommissioned car bridge restored for pedestrian and cyclist use in 2018, thus earning it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

Highway interchanges and some CapMetro buses

The southernmost end of Walnut Creek collides with a busy interchange for U.S. Highway 290, which becomes a toll road east of the interchange, and U.S. 183, which connects with Interstate 35 west of the neighborhood. Residents thus have a reliable set of commute options across the region, whether they are heading east-west or north-south, although traffic jams on any of Austin's highways are a daily occurrence. As an alternative, residents have CapMetro bus service on major roads in the southern ends of the neighborhood, as well as numerous hike and bike trails all throughout Walnut Creek.

Franklin Barbecue flavors without the long lines

With most of the area consisting of residential pockets, industrial parks and undeveloped forest, businesses tend to be spread out from one another. Although a JD's Supermarket is in the neighborhood for specialty Mexican items, most grocery runs happen at the Walmart Supercenter that is west of the neighborhood on Rutherford Lane. Further east, up Springdale Road, Austin Beerworks is a popular meetup spot, not just for craft beer tastings, but for outdoor activities too, like cornhole and even disc golf. On the opposite end of the neighborhood, Buddy's Burger is a straightforward greasy spoon that serves seasoned fries and milkshakes. Their most famous item is the Franklin BBQ Burger, a seasonal item that often sells out quickly, mostly because it is smothered in barbecue sauce made by Austin's legendary Franklin Barbecue.
Buddy's Burger near Walnut Creek is a favorite spot for fresh, classic American burgers.
Buddy's Burger near Walnut Creek is a favorite spot for fresh, classic American burgers.
Beyond craft beer tastings, Walnut Creek locals see Austin Beerworks as a popular meetup spot.
Beyond craft beer tastings, Walnut Creek locals see Austin Beerworks as a popular meetup spot.
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Small class sizes from kindergarten to Manor High School

Most students begin school within the neighborhood at Pioneer Crossing Elementary, which has a Niche score of C-plus. For sixth through eighth grade, students attend Decker Middle School, which has a C-minus Niche score. The last step is Manor High School, which is C-rated. All three schools have class sizes below the national average of 17 students per teacher. Students can alternatively apply to Manor New Technology High School, a B-plus-rated public charter school that emphasizes a tech-based curriculum.
Manor Senior High School is part of Manor ISD, near Austin's Walnut Creek area.
Manor Senior High School is part of Manor ISD, near Austin's Walnut Creek area.
Walnut Creek families consider Decker Elementary for pre-K to 6th grade in Manor ISD.
Walnut Creek families consider Decker Elementary for pre-K to 6th grade in Manor ISD.
Walnut Creek families enjoy proximity to Pioneer Crossing Elementary in Manor ISD.
Walnut Creek families enjoy proximity to Pioneer Crossing Elementary in Manor ISD.
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Pool parties and flea markets

HOAs are the primary way residents stay connected with one another, such as the annual garage sale at Colonial Place. In Pioneer Hill, barbecues, holiday parties and community game nights highlight the community's festive and family-friendly culture. In April of 2024, as the total solar eclipse passed over Austin, residents of Pioneer Hill gathered at the community pool to celebrate the rare occasion with a party and plenty of eclipse glasses to go around. When looking to get out of the neighborhood, residents seek out a dose of local culture at the Austin Country Flea Market, which hosts local Hispanic musicians every Sunday at lunchtime.

Things to consider

Walnut Creek slices the neighborhood in half, leaving a continuous string of flood zones along it. These are primarily a concern for the businesses around the Cameron Industrial area. Most residential areas are unaffected, except for some at the southern end of the neighborhood, near Chimney Hill. Additionally, most of the neighborhood is in an ember zone, posing some risk of wildfires. The city's Fire Department Wildlife Division designates most of the area as having an elevated wildfire risk.
Tom Jakob
Written By
Tom Jakob
Saeid Zare
Photography Contributed By
Saeid Zare
Kellan Beaver
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Kellan Beaver

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cyndi Cummings, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International

28 min drive

Bus

8009 Exchange & Tuscany

Bus

1601 Rutherford & Cameron

Bus

1600 Centre Creek & Rutherford

Bus

1706 Centre Creek & Cross Park

Bus

Cameron & Ferguson

Bus

8073 Exchange & Cross Park

Bus

8408 Tuscany & Us 290

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Walnut Creek US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Walnut Creek Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$825,000
Median Sale Price
$825,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$825,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
7
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
14%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$316

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,387
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
2005
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,906
On par with the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cyndi Cummings, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
7,899
Median Age
35
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
23.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$59,744
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$84,246

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
84.1%
On par with the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
37.8%
Advanced Degrees
13.2%
% Population in Labor Force
77.8%
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®

14 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

1 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

16 / 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Walnut Creek