America's fourth-fastest-growing city conjoins surrounding comforts
Long before arenas, shopping malls and subdivisions cropped up roughly 16 miles north of Austin, Cedar Park was called Running Brushy, named for a spring at the headwaters of a nearby creek. By 1874, its first post office opened, followed by a railroad stop between Austin and Burnet. But it wasn't until the 1970s that Cedar Park came into full view, incorporating as an independent city and growing its population from 125 to over 3,000. Today, Cedar Park is home to 77,000 people, and it remains one of the fastest growing cities in the country. While it lacks a brimming downtown, the city offers suburban comforts in the center of a fast-growing region. "Cedar Park is pricey, but not compared to somewhere in Austin proper," says Realtor Adam Zell of the Zell Team for Compass RE Texas. "I feel like Cedar Park is kind of a kind of a 'tweener. It's sort of a combo of all these cities around it, like Round Rock, Georgetown and Leander."
Context shot, residential neighborhood
Enjoy the best at Caballo Ranch Bar and nearby high-rated restaurants.
homes
Cedar Park boasts a variety of shopping and dining options.
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Continuous housing development since the 1970s
Cedar Park’s master-planned subdivisions include well-established communities with HOAs, like Buttercup Creek, as well as brand-new subdivisions like The Place. The new traditional homes with Craftsman or Prairie-style touches often sport large, attached garages, surrounded by quiet streets and resident-only parks. However, some subdivisions are more densely packed, including communities of attached multiplex homes. A handful of homes are still standing from Cedar Park's 1970s housing boom, often in southernmost neighborhoods like Cedar Park Ranchettes. As development chugs along, new projects include the highly anticipated Bell District project, bringing retail and dining space, high-density housing, a new public library and office space.
The median price for a single-family home in Cedar Park is around $510,000. Townhouses see a median price of $394,000, while smaller homes often begin around mid-$300,000. However, some new construction is listed as high as $1.7 million.
Walking sidewalks at Caballo Ranch are perfect for evening strolls.
Cedar Park offers dog-friendly walking paths.
Cedar Park is defined by sprawling suburbs and booming population.
Locals enjoy the new Cedar Park Public Library, which offers free wi-fi.
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H-E-B and other Austin-based chains reign supreme
Supercharged development in Cedar Park results from tech employers moving into nearby cities like Round Rock and Georgetown and a few new companies within Cedar Park, like Firefly Aerospace. However, the Cedar Park Regional Medical Center remains the city's largest employer. Nevertheless, tech growth has stimulated largescale commercial developments. Whitestone Boulevard and other major roads are now home to large concentrations of retail and dining, including shopping centers like the Lakeline Mall or 1890 Ranch. Shoppers have no shortage of regional favorites nearby, including local chains like P. Terry's Burger Stand, Thundercloud Subs and Whataburger. While some shop for groceries from national chains like Whole Foods and Target, a particular regional chain supermarket reigns supreme. "People love H-E-B around here," says Realtor Joaquin Sanchez of the Zell Team for Compass RE Texas. "I've lived all over this country, and I believe that H-E-B is by far the best. Even the stuff they make themselves, like the tamales. It's a very random selection, but there's a lot of really tasty stuff." Of course, local businesses like barbecue smokehouses, comic book shops and plant nurseries can be found in between the many chains along Bell Boulevard too.
Cedar Park's Whole Foods Market features fresh produce.
Nearby HEB is a favorite spot for Silverado Ranch.
Locals living in Cedar Park can enjoy rapid access to the Lakeline Mall nearby.
P. Terry's is a local favorite burger chain in Cedar Park.
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High test scores and early college credits from Leander ISD
Cedar Park's high-quality public schools are a significant draw. Most students are zoned for the Leander Independent School District, which has an overall A-plus Niche rating. A few students are zoned for the Round Rock Independent School District, which is A-rated. "The high school sports facilities are pretty good. They have a lot of pretty famous tennis players that'll sometimes come back and practice at the high school courts," says Lexi Zell of the Zell Team for Compass RE Texas. Leander ISD is ranked the 2nd best district in the Austin area. While its athletics are fairly distinguished, the district also boasts high graduation rates and an average SAT score of 1240, well above the national average score of 1050. Leander ISD serves more than 42,000 students across 50 schools, including one early college high school where students can earn up to 60 college credit hours and a specialty high school offering individualized instruction. Even so, Leander ISD has an average class size of 16 to 1, below the national average of 17 students per teacher. Cedar Park is also home to the Austin Community College Cypress Creek campus, which offers a dual enrollment program with Leander ISD.
Artie L Henry Middle fosters creativity and growth.
Stiles Middle School educates 1,446 students in grades 6-8.
Vista Ridge High School is a public high school located in Cedar Park, Texas.
Monta Jane Akin Elementary School serves students in kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade.
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Headliner concerts and ice hockey matches at the H-E-B Center
Before the Cedar Park Center became the H-E-B Center in 2009, Cedar Park was a relatively sleepy place where residents mainly sought entertainment from local organizations and HOA-led events. But nowadays, the city's premier fixture competes with Austin's famed downtown venues for headliner concerts, sports games and special events. "The H-E-B Center is the main thing we visit up there," says Realtor Lexi Castles of the Zell Team for Compass RE Texas. "That's where I graduated high school actually, but they do concerts and minor league hockey there too." As the home arena for both an NBA G League team and the Austin Stars, the H-E-B Center's sporting events are frequent and highly attended. But residents find other ways to remain social aside from sports games and concerts, like an annual 4th of July fireworks show in Elizabeth Milburn Park, free events at the Cedar Park Public Library, a weekly farmer's market at the Lakeline Mall or the Cedar Fest Barbecue Cook-Off every spring.
Cedar Park's H-E-B Center hosts concerts and events.
Biker on trail
Elizabeth Milburn Park features a BMX track, public pool, playing fields & a rock-climbing wall.
The brand new Cedar Park Public Library is open and ready for all book lovers.
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Light rail connections with the Domain and Downtown Austin
U.S. Highway 183 forms the backbone of Cedar Park, connecting it with major commuter routes that lead into downtown Austin, like the MoPac Expressway and Interstate 35. Traffic gets heavy on North Austin's commuter highways around peak hours. However, many residents only commute halfway to major employers like Cisco, IBM, and Charles Schwab, which occupy the Domain -- "the new downtown" for North Austin, as many locals call it. Residents can commute to the Domain and Downtown Austin using CapMetro's light rail line, although most rely on personal vehicles.
Cedar Park has several convenient bus stations.
CapMetro Rail connects Cedar Park to major Austin destinations.
Access to Highway 183 makes commuting easy from Caballo Ranch.
Highways 183 and 45 intersect in Cedar Park.
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A taste of Texas Hill Country
Roughly 11 miles east of Lake Travis, proximity to Hill Country ensures ample recreation at the parks, zipline courses, marinas and hiking trails that enwrap the reservoir. Within Cedar Park, 49 park facilities eclipse 1,000 acres of public recreational space, and additional resident-only parks and playgrounds are available within certain subdivisions. Brushy Creek Lake Park is where most locals put in a kayak or catch fish. Central gathering spaces like Elizabeth Milburn Park host frequent outdoor events, including concerts and movie nights. Veteran’s Memorial Park features a popular dog park, an 8,500 sq. foot splash pad and an outdoor amphitheater.
Fishing is a popular activity at Lakewood Park in Caballo Ranch.
Cedar Park's Brushy Creek Lake Park is perfect for biking.
Body of water - Whitewater Cave Preserve
Caballo Ranch residents enjoy the local playground for outdoor fun.
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Low crime rates and coyote sightings
According to FBI crime data, rates of violent and nonviolent crime in Cedar Park fall below state and national figures, and below the rates in Austin proper. However, violent crime has been on a slight rise since early 2021. Brushy Creek and its intermittent tributaries form flood zones throughout the city, although this only becomes a hazard when flash floods occur from Hill Country's notoriously heavy rainstorms. Wildfires are more of a concern in Cedar Park, where 50 acres were charred in 2023. Core neighborhoods are well protected from wildfires, particularly around Buttercup Creek, but the rest of the city is in an ember zone, and areas with high vulnerability sit roughly 8 miles north. In response, the city has a fire department division trained to combat brushfires.
Written By
Tom Jakob
Photography Contributed By
Saeid Zare
Video By
Maurice McNeil
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On average, homes in Cedar Park, TX sell after 51 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Cedar Park, TX over the last 12 months is $515,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome home! This home has New Roof. A fireplace and a soft neutral color palette create a solid blank canvas for the living area.Relax in your primary suite with a walk in closet included. The primary bathroom features plenty of under sink storage waiting for your home organization needs. Take it easy in the fenced in back yard. The covered sitting area makes it great for BBQs! Hurry, this
Welcome home! This home has Fresh Interior Paint, Partial flooring replacement in some areas. A fireplace and a soft neutral color palette create a solid blank canvas for the living area. You'll love cooking in this kitchen, complete with a center island and a sleek backsplash. The primary bathroom is fully equipped with a separate tub and shower, double sinks, and plenty of under sink storage.
Welcome to this fabulous area! This home has Fresh Interior Paint. A fireplace and a soft neutral color palette create a solid blank canvas for the living area. Step into the kitchen, complete with an eye catching stylish backsplash. You won’t want to leave the serene primary suite, the perfect space to relax. The primary bathroom features plenty of under sink storage waiting for your home
Welcome to The Gardens at Twin CreeksThis beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2-bath home in Cedar Park’s desirable Gardens at Twin Creeks offers both comfort and convenience. Built by DR Horton and cared for by its original owner, the property features gas cooking appliances, a cozy gas fireplace, a Rinnai tankless water heater, and a roof less than 5 years old. All appliances—including
Welcome to 2410 Sweetwater Lane, a charming single-story brick home designed for easy living. With 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths, this thoughtfully laid-out floor plan offers flexibility—whether you need guest space, a home office, or simply room to spread out with over 2000 square feet. New Roof and gutters added August 2025.Step inside and you’ll find bright natural light, neutral
Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac and surrounded by mature trees, 2407 Powderham Lane is located in the highly desirable Twin Creeks community. Designed for both comfort and functionality, this home offers four bedrooms, a dedicated office, and 2,770 square feet of living space. The layout lives like a single story with the addition of an upstairs bonus room—perfect for use as a media room, game
FOR LEASE, Will be clean and ready for a Oct 1st, 2025 Move-In! 6 Month Lease Option ONLY! Updated 1-story 4-bedroom 2 full bath home with brand new 2-tone paint throughout, new vinyl flooring on the secondary bedrooms and master closet so ALL carpet has been removed, Quartz Countertops at Kitchen/Master Bath/ and Secondary Bath, All new Ceiling Fans, and All New Appliances including Fridge,
Welcome to your dream home, located in the desirable Leander, TX. This brand new, four-bedroom, four-bathroom home is a perfect blend of style and comfort. Each bedroom comes with its own en suite, ensuring privacy and convenience for all residents. The chef's kitchen is a culinary enthusiast's dream, equipped with modern amenities and plenty of space for cooking and entertaining. The home is
Welcome to this beautifully maintained 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac in Cedar Park! This home offers a functional and flexible floorplan with a dedicated study/home office—perfect for remote work or quiet focus.The primary bedroom is conveniently located on the main floor, while upstairs you'll find a large game room and three additional bedrooms, ideal for guests,
Located less than 25 miles north of Austin, Caballo Ranch offers a seamless blend of suburban charm, access to nature and proximity to Leander and Cedar Park. “You’re still away from the hustle and bustle of downtown (Austin) but yet still close enough to where you can get groceries without having to drive 20 miles (away). You’re close to everything family-oriented,” says Rica Greenwood, a broker with Keller Williams Realty.
Many homes in Caballo Ranch have views of Block House Creek or Brushy Creek. Homes have generous lots on suburban-style streets with neat, tidy lawns and backyards. Modern, ranch and transitional-style homes are common and have masonry sidings of stone or brick. Prices for a four-bedroom home start around $600,000 and can rise to more than $800,000. Houses with additional bedrooms and extra space can cost $1 million or more.
Kids can attend highly rated schools in the Leander Independent School District. Students can start at Akin Elementary School before heading to Stiles Middle School and graduate from Vista Ridge High School, all graded A by Niche. The high school not only offers traditional advanced placement classes like calculus and history, but also AP art and STEM courses such as drawing, computer science, and 2-D art and design.
The Caballo Ranch Amenity Center has a playground, walking trails and a community pool for residents to enjoy. Anglers can take advantage of the neighborhood’s two catch-and-release fishing ponds. However, one of the neighborhood’s biggest draws is its proximity to Southwest Williamson County Regional Park. Members of the Hill Country Cricket Association love the park's cricket field, while kids like to cool off at the Quarry Splash Pad on hot summer days. Runners sprint around the 400-meter track, and hikers and bikers utilize the crushed granite trail along the park’s perimeter. Also nearby is Lakewood Park, which features a skatepark and a sculpture garden trail. Perfect Game, the world’s biggest youth baseball and softball scouting organization, has chosen nearby Cedar Park as its future headquarters. Plans call for the headquarters to include a baseball and softball tournament complex with hotels, retail and other amenities.
Whitestone Boulevard, also locally known as FM1431, is lined with amenities, restaurants and big-box stores like H-E-B, Walmart and Target. The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen is also on Whitestone Boulevard, which specializes in New American fare and features a large patio. Hopdoddy Burger Bar offers hand-crafted burgers, while Jack Allen’s Kitchen is an Austin favorite that serves up spirited Texan cuisine.
Caballo Ranch is located directly off of Ronald Reagan Boulevard, a major thoroughfare. “If you are on the Ronald Reagan corridor, then the (home) values skyrocket,” Greenwood says, largely due to the location. The neighborhood also has access to Interstate 35, which connects to Dallas and San Antonio, and the 183A Toll Road. Caballo Ranch is less than 3 miles from Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, less than 25 miles north of downtown Austin and 30 miles north of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
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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.
