Edna offers century-old homes, strong schools and outdoors access
Edna is a rural community that grew with the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s, about 45 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, in South Central Texas. As with many railroad communities, a town center developed near the tracks and shaped what is now Edna’s downtown. The next wave of development was residential, and many homes were built around the town center that still stands today. “Edna is known for its strong agricultural roots, welcoming community, and beautiful access to nature through nearby Lake Texana and Brackenridge Recreation Complex,” says Carolina Jalufka, the executive director for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture. “It’s surrounded by open farmland and ranchland, giving it a peaceful rural feel, but it also serves as a local hub for nearby smaller towns. The downtown area features local shops, schools, churches and community spaces that reflect the town’s pride and hospitality.”
Historic, midcentury ranch-style and multi-story traditional homes
Residential areas are laid out like a grid around downtown Edna. Many Minimal Traditional homes and bungalows were built between the late 1800s and the 1950s. Around the 1950s, ranch-style homes became increasingly common. Multi-story, contemporary homes were established in the 1980s. All single-family homes fall within a similar price range of approximately $40,000 to $420,000, depending on factors such as home conditions and sizes. “Property taxes are lower, and in certain parts, you have to be careful because of flood areas,” says Melissa Orr, the lead Realtor at The Orr Group, who was licensed in 2016.
The CAP Index Crime Score in Edna is 2 out of 10; compared to the national average of 4.
Learning in Edna, from primary and intermediate school to high school
Edna Independent School District serves the area and allows non-resident students to transfer, granted there is space. The district has four campuses, including one for Edna Primary/Intermediate School, also known as Edna Elementary School, which is currently ungraded by Niche. Edna Junior High School and Edna High School both earn A-minus grades. High schoolers can participate in technical and further education (TAFE) programs, which offers career-focused training in fields such as healthcare, and instruction forums vary from on-campus to online, with some pathways also available through apprenticeships. “Friday night football games and school events bring the community out in full force to cheer for the Edna Cowboys and surrounding schools,” Jalufka says.
From playing sports in Shelby Park to water recreation at Lake Texana
Shelby Park is a sports complex with baseball, softball and football fields that host local Little League teams and competitive adult leagues. It is also home to the city’s outdoor swimming pool, which has slides. A path loops around Children’s Park’s playground and picnic areas. Martin Luther King Park has similar features and a trail where two laps are equivalent to 1 mile. Edna Country Club is a semi-private, nine-hole golf course on the outskirts of Edna, surrounded by nature.
Texas Highway 111 connects the area to Lake Texana, about a 10-mile drive away. Boats and kayaks are permitted on the reservoir. Anglers can catch and release catfish and blue gill perch at a nearby pond. Lake Texana is in the Brackenridge Recreation Complex, a park and campground with 6 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Local restaurants from downtown Edna to Wells Street
An H-E-B supermarket is in downtown Edna, including local businesses, restaurants and shops. All About Flowers & Gifts is just a short walk away from 3 Potrillos Mexican Restaurant. Just outside the walkable area of Main Street, Pinto Bean serves Tex-Mex. “We have several great places to eat and shop, from cozy restaurants to family-owned boutiques. The one thing that really stands out, though, is our Mexican food and donut shops. We seem to have plenty of both, and locals wouldn’t have it any other way,” Jalufka says. Additional restaurants are on Wells Street, including Edna Donuts and the Edna Seafood and Grill.
Home to the county hospital, a highway to Houston and a railroad
Jackson County Hospital District is in south Edna, on TX-111. U.S. Highway 59 connects the area to Victoria, home to the DeTar Hospital Navarro, about 30 miles away. It also leads to Houston, which is around a 120-mile drive, including the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The Kansas City Southern Railway runs through the area, as some homes nearby may experience noise and traffic.
