Oil is at the center of life and economy in Karnes City
Kenedy isn’t just another South Central Texas oil town. Many oil companies keep offices in the city due to its location in the middle of the Eagle Ford Shale formation. And those offices attract growth. “Most of the bigger oil field companies, they’re going to office out of Kenedy,” said Kyrissa Parsons, a broker with Sovy Realty Group, who has been selling in the community for 6 years. The John B. Connally Unit prison south of Kenedy is another vital employer. All of this work means Kenedy has more amenities than some nearby towns, Parsons says. “You are going to have more restaurants, you have a splash pad here at the city park, which is nice.” The community also has several events, including a concert series in the summer.
Lower-cost single-family homes with no HOA
Bungalows, ranch styles, and Split-Levels can range from $135,000 to $400,000. Newer one- and two-story New Tradtionals are between $180,000 and $250,000. Land is also available. Homeowners associations are not present in Kenedy.
Some properties in town are close together on gridded streets with large oaks and mesquite trees accenting lawns. Homes with larger acreage are typically on the outskirts of Kenedy.
Kenedy’s school district ranges from elementary to high school grades
Pupils start at Kenedy Elementary School, graded C-plus on Niche. They continue to Kenedy Middle School, which also earns a C-plus. Kenedy High School has a B and offers dual credit courses with Coastal Bend College.
Green spaces, splash pad and summer concerts
Local green spaces include Joe Gulley Park, which has baseball diamonds, a playground and sports courts. It is also the site of the Kenedy Market Day, featuring local craft and food vendors and live music. The Escondido Creek Parkway includes walking trails, a splash pad, and a skate park. It is also the site of a free live concert series during the summer. According to flood maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there is a chance of flooding along local creeks.
Dining on U.S. Highway 181 and Main Street, HEB and Walmart for shoppi
Most of Kenedy’s dining options are on U.S. Highway 181 and Main Street, featuring a mix of chains and local spots. The Mesquite Wood Steak House serves chicken and pasta dishes along with steaks. Taqueria Los Potros de Jalisco has tacos, enchiladas and burritos. Polack’s Sawsage Farm offers breakfast items, seafood and sandwiches.
The community has a few boutique stores along Main Street. H-E-B and Walmart are on the northern edge of town.
Connections to San Antonio and Interstate 37
U.S. Highway 181 runs along the eastern edge of Kenedy and connects to San Antonio and Corpus Christi. The entrance to Interstate 37 is 30 miles southwest on Highway 72. San Antonio International Airport is 66 miles northwest.
Otto Kaiser Memorial Hospital is 3 miles north of Kenedy.
