East of the Colorado River, 30 miles from bay waters with a creek winding through, Bay City is often called a gateway to nature. This Main Street city has a historic core and homes on acreage. Surrounded by farmland, there’s a touch of rural living here, with streets overflowing with old oaks. “We’re kind of an undiscovered area. So, could you keep it a secret?” says Realtor Sherry Williams, mostly in jest. She’s lived in Bay City for 17 years and works for Bay City Realty. “To the north and south of us, there are bigger areas like Corpus Christi, but we are in the middle and not as congested,” she says. Over 17,000 people live here, many working in wholesale agriculture and at STP Nuclear.
East of the Colorado River, Bay City is often called a gateway to nature.
Bay City historical homes sit on lots that overflow with oak trees that give the feel of rural living.
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Valor Park brings new homes to Bay City
Bay City has a historic district just south of downtown, where some residences trace back to the early 1900s. The city also has traditional-style homes from the midcentury to the early 2000s, and more options are coming. "We have two brand-new housing developments going in, and they are building hundreds of homes," Williams says. One is Valor Park, which is in the early stages but will eventually bring over 200 new residences to the area.
Bay City is built on low-lying land, making it prone to flooding. "A lot of people now are building things [like drainage ditches] to be more resistant to natural disasters," Williams says. Lot sizes range from under 10,000 square feet to over 5 acres on the outskirts. The city's median home price is around $215,000, significantly less than the state median.
Valor Park is a new development bringing hundreds of new homes to Bay City.
Traditional style midcentury homes in Bay City offer lots of charm.
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Vision Bay City 2040 looks toward the future
Bay City's gridded, downtown core is anchored by a town square and features longstanding, family-owned restaurants, coffee shops and specialty stores in historic buildings. Locals can meet here for lunch and dinner over seafood, Mexican, southern comfort dishes and elevated American cuisine or at a fast-food chain. As a Texas Main Street participant, the city commits to keeping its vintage buildings well preserved. Some of its plans outlined in Vision Bay City 2040 also include adding more landscaping and creating more events, creating an robust entertainment scene.
Bay City's gridded, downtown core is anchored by a town square featuring loads of retail and dining options.
As a Texas Main Street participant, Bay City commits to keeping its vintage buildings well preserved.
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Texas Paddlers' Rally brings local kayakers together
Downtown hosts numerous community events throughout the year. Camofest, a staple for nearly a decade, happens in January, giving residents a chance to sample wild-caught game and local wine while shopping at discounted rates. The Bay City's Matagorda County Fairgrounds rodeo launches in spring and always features a petting zoo. The season also brings local kayakers together for the Texas Paddlers' Rally at Riverside Park to float down the Colorado River.
Bay City kayakers get together for the Texas Paddlers' Rally at Riverside Park to traverse the Colorado River.
Bay City's Matagorda County Fairgrounds is always a beehive of activity every spring with rodeo action.
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Bay City ISD has a B rating on Niche
Bay City Independent School District serves over 3,500 students and earns a B-minus rating on Niche. Wharton County Junior College is local and there are over 30 colleges within 100 miles.
Bay City High School is empowering the next generation of leaders.
Bay City Junior High nurtures young minds and fosters excellence.
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Basketball at neighborhood parks, kayaking along the Colorado River
The city maintains over 20 parks and facilities. Riverside Park and Le Tulle Park are the largest, both along the Colorado River. Riverside Park’s 100 acres are filled with live oak, pecan and hackberry trees, and its concrete boat ramp offers a launching point into the river. At 32 acres, Le Tulle Park has lakes and an 18-hole disc golf course. It's in the same area as the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center — which hosts workshops and classes for naturalists at heart — and the Bay City Country Club. Neighborhood and community parks offer playgrounds, picnic tables, barbecue grills and sports courts. Matagorda Beach is less than 30 miles away.
Bay City's Riverside Park spans over 100 acres of natural beauty that is teeming with wildlife.
Grab a foursome for an afternoon on the course at Bay City Country Club.
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Houston is 80 miles away
State Highways 35 and 60 flow through Bay City, eventually leading to Houston in 80 miles, and Corpus Christi within 130 miles. “When I leave town, within one minute, I can be out driving through cornfields,” Williams says. “I always take the back road home.” Matagorda Regional Medical Center is a general hospital in the city. William P. Hobby Airport is the closest international airport, around 80 miles away following Highway 35.
Bay City crime and weather data
Bay City Police Department's annual report shows that calls for service are decreasing over time, from 31,645 in 2020 to 27,269 in 2023. The highest category of crime is traffic-related contact stops. As for weather, it's hot in Bay City for roughly four months and cool for less than three. Hurricanes sweep through periodically. The last major one was Beryl, in 2024, which caused power outages, flood and wind damage, across the state.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Photography Contributed By
Mitchell Hester
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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