College Station sits in the heart of Aggieland, about halfway between Austin and Houston on the eastern side of Texas. Home to Texas A&M University, the city of 120,000 got its name when the college was established in 1876 and a train station sat on the western side of campus in the Brazos Valley. “Because we have students, we have the infrastructure of a larger town, but because they leave for the summer or go on vacation, you don’t have this huge amount of people all of the time,” says Raylene Lewis, a Realtor with NextHome BCS who has over 20 years of real estate experience in College Station and its nearby sister city of Bryan.
College Stations was founded in 1876 is located halfway between Houston and Austin.
College Station is home to the highly rated Texas A&M.
College Station is home to 71,000 Texas A&M students.
The Aggieland mural becomes a photo spot for Briarcrest locals.
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From traditional brick homes to custom estates on acreage lots
College Station is separated into dozens of distinct neighborhoods, and there’s plenty of pride of ownership across the city. Housing styles range from traditional brick homes from the 1970s and ’80s to custom estates on acreage lots. There’s also a fair share of historic homes, including some in the Southside neighborhood, the first residential community separate from the Texas A&M campus. Many homes and townhomes sell between $200,000 and $400,000, below the national average of $416,700. However, homes on acreage lots can be priced in the millions. “There’s a greater demand for houses than there are homes to offer,” Lewis says. “On average, though, homes have an appreciation rate of 2.5 to 3% per year.”
Multi-million dollar homes are also available and generally newer builds in Emerald Forest.
Southside's historic homes reflect the early 20th-century charm and architecture.
College Station has many living options available, including townhomes.
Ranch style homes are common in the Central College Station neighborhood.
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Nature walks at Lick Creek Park and an abundance of green spaces around the city
Green space is abundant throughout College Station. According to the Trust for Public Land, 77% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park, better than the median rate for cities across the country. Many neighborhoods in the city, like Pebble Creek and Castlegate, were constructed with outdoor recreation in mind, with walking trails that loop around the community and lead to parks. Lick Creek Park, on the southern end of College Station, also serves as a nature preserve. The 523-acre park has multiuse trails where visitors can see wildlife and native plant species. Wolf Pen Creek Park has an open amphitheater that hosts city events like Movies in the Park or the annual Rocking at the Creek, where residents can pull up a lawn chair and jam to local musicians.
Central College Station residents can play disc golf at Texas A&M Research Park.
Lick Creek Park offers scenic trails perfect for leisurely dog walks in the Williams Creek area.
Central College Station residents enjoy the green space and playground at Brother Pond Park.
Central Park in Wolf Pen Creek District offers a serene spot to enjoy nature and birdwatch.
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Highly rated College Station Independent School District and historic Texas A&M University
College Station was founded on education. Texas A&M University is now home to over 71,000 students, with 140 undergraduate degrees and 270 graduate and professional degrees. Though there is plenty of on-campus housing, some students choose to live in off-campus homes close to school. While the university is a significant driver for the city, the College Station Independent School District is also a major draw. The school district received an A-plus grade from Niche, and its graduation rate of 94.7% is higher than the state average. Several well-rated private schools are also scattered throughout the city.
Texas A&M University, just minutes from Traditions Country Club, is a hub of education.
Texas A&M is a big part of College Station life and is close to The Estates of River Run.
College Station High School inspires young minds with its innovative teaching methods.
A&M Consolidated High School earned an A grade from Niche.
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Santa's Wonderland and gamedays at Kyle Field
Gamedays are huge in College Station. Countless Aggies adorn the maroon and white to watch their favorite team play, whether it’s football at Kyle Field or basketball at Reed Arena. Beyond sport, there are plenty of events throughout the year, including the Aggieland Farmers Market. “One of the biggest things that College Station is known for is Santa’s Wonderland, which happens during the holidays,” Lewis says. The holiday event, which takes place a few miles south of College Station, takes place from mid-November until the end of December and is filled with shops, good food and plenty of attractions.
The Aggies play against long time rivalry, the University of Texas in College Station.
Fans from near and far converge on College Station on game days to support the Aggies.
Shoppers find unqiue jewelry at Aggieland Farmers Market.
Wolf Pen Creek District locals enjoy attending the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo.
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Easy traveling around Aggieland
Many residents of College Station say that, even when classes are in session at Texas A&M, it only takes about 15 minutes to get anywhere in the city. Texas Avenue and Wellborn Road are two main thoroughfares, and Texas Avenue can also be used to reach neighboring Bryan. “Traffic is not bad compared to other areas. So if you want to get from one side of town to the other, you’ll spend less time in your car,” Lewis says. State Highway 6, the major highway in the area, leads to Houston, about 95 miles away. US 290 is also close by for Aggies heading to Austin, which is 110 miles out. For trips to Dallas, residents can take a flight from Easterwood Airport, a small airport with flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The car-dependent city doesn't have much in the way of public transportation except for the AggieSpirit bus that gets students to and from campus.
Texas Avenue hosts an array of restaurants and retail
Much of College Station’s retail and restaurants are along Texas Avenue, as well as the William D. Fitch Parkway. Though there are many chain options along Texas Avenue, the city is not without its local staples like Luigi’s Patio Ristorante or Stella Southern Cafe. Retail options are mostly within shopping centers, and there are plenty in Post Oak Mall, which has over 70 department stores. The Northgate district is a popular choice for a night out or watching the Aggies play. The small area is lined with local restaurants and bars, including Dixie Chicken, which has been a staple since 1974. The aptly named Backyard boasts an expansive outdoor patio space with games, drinks and a widescreen television to catch the game. Century Square is an up-and-coming part of the northern end of College Station, filled with boutique shopping options and restaurants, centered on an outdoor space.
Carney's Pub and Grill offers a full bar as well as classic American food.
Post Oak Mall is a popular shopping destination near Wolf Pen Creek District.
The Backyard on Northgate offers outdoor seating and live performances.
Northgate is home to the famous Dixie Chicken, a local landmark since 1974.
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Important to Know
Texas A&M University is the region's major employer — not only for College Station but for Brazos Valley as a whole — but there are other major employers in the area, including software company Reynolds and Reynolds. St. Joseph’s Hospital and highly rated Baylor Scott and White, two major medical centers in the area, also account for a lot of employment in the area.
College Station generally has hot, humid summers and mild winters. Seasonal tornados and wildfires are not uncommon in the region. The city plans an array of Capital Improvement Projects, which include repairs and upgrades to infrastructure. As of 2024, the city had 84 active projects underway, including a plan to build a new fire station and new pickleball and futsal courts at Bee Creek Park and Stephen C. Beachy Central Park. Over the past five years, College Station has had a lower crime rate than the average for the state. According to data from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the overall crime rate in College Station dropped by 30% between 2022 and 2023. “It’s a very safe town,” Lewis says. “People can go out walking at night and not feel worried.”
Texas A&M in College Station is one of the largest employers near Bryan.
The Baylor Scott and White Medical Center is a major employer near Bryan.
The software company, Reynolds and Reynolds is major employer and is near Bryan.
St. Joseph Health in Bryan employees many Bryan residents.
On average, homes in College Station, TX sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in College Station, TX over the last 12 months is $354,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Tamara loves sharing Bryan’s history with her new-to-town clients. Take one trip with her Downtown and you’ll understand why locals still call her “the Queen.” (Hint, it has less to do with royal bloodlines and more to do with her fundraising for the Historic Queen Theatre!)
While Tamara has a special heart for older, established neighborhoods, mature trees and historic homes (she and he husband are currently renovating her 122 year old home in the Eastside Historic District), her degree in architecture affords her clients an edge when navigating the new and custom home design process.
If “home is where the heart is,” Tamara knows every home has a special story worth telling. Whether listing or buying, Tamara can’t wait to help you tell, (or sell!) your next chapter!
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.