Lampasas offers relief from Austin’s prices and hustle and bustle
The city of Lampasas started as a destination for Native Americans and European settlers, all of whom came looking for the healing aspects of the area’s mineral springs. And while traces of those springs are present today in the city’s natural spring-fed community pool, this community of about 7,300 is now attractive as an Austin suburb that offers a small-town feel and lower housing prices. “If you are looking for a community to belong to, and not just be a number, Lampasas is for you,” says Danielle Tucker Shepard, a broker/owner with Always Here Properties who sells throughout the Central Texas area and was raised in Lampasas.
Smaller homes close to city center, larger homes on the outskirts
Most homes in Lampasas are a mix of bungalows, New Traditional and ranch-styles that sit close together, especially near the city’s center. Mature trees dot front and back yards, and most homes have driveways with carports. Along the city’s outskirts, growing subdivisions feature large four-bedroom homes on spacious lots. Prices typically range from $150,000 to almost $600,000, with higher priced homes sitting on multiple acres or spanning over 2,000 square feet. This is an area where land is often used for hunting and ranching, so buyers can find lots priced between $25,000 for about a quarter-acre to about $4.4 million for 555 acres.
Lampasas ISD offers B or B-plus ratings and transfer options
Lampasas Independent School District serves the city, rates a B-plus on Niche and offers intra- or inter-district transfers. Kids may attend B-rated Hanna Springs Elementary, B-plus-rated Lampasas Middle and B-rated Lampasas High. The district offers a dual enrollment program with nearby Ranger College, where high schoolers can take college courses on the Lampasas High campus.
Residents enjoy green spaces and spring-fed pool at Hancock Park
Hancock Springs Park is the main green space in the city, home to a spring-fed, free-flow outdoor pool that opens each summer with water that stays cold, no matter how hot the weather gets. The park has been undergoing renovations and, as of October 2025, those updates are nearly completed. Campbell Park offers a playground, basketball court and the Hanna Springs Sculpture Garden, a city-owned art instillation. “The most famous [sculpture] there is a pickup truck with a giant catfish in the back. People take their prom pictures with it, their homecoming pictures, their wedding pictures,” Shepard says. Other popular outdoor spots include the Lampasas Skate Park and where residents go to show off their skateboard and bike tricks, Turner Field Park, which has multiple ball fields, and Goodrich Memorial Tennis Park, which offers two courts. Golfers tee off at Hancock Park Golf Course, a public, 18-hole layout on the city’s south side. Indoor activities can be found at Putters and Gutters Fun Center, which features bowling lanes, miniature golf and an arcade.
A mix of local dining options, Walmart and H-E-B within the city
Residents shop for groceries and essentials at H-E-B and Walmart. Dining out options include fast-food restaurants like Whataburger and Taco Bell and local spots like Storm’s Drive-In, a small family-owned chain whose Lampasas location has been operating since the early 2000s and is popular for its burgers and fries. Eve’s Café serves authentic German dishes in the city’s historic downtown district. Local boutiques, services and museums are also downtown.
Christmas on the Creek and Spring Ho are favorite annual events
The annual Spring Ho festival brings residents together every July for live music, kids’ activities, parades and a fireworks show. The annual Christmas on the Creek ushers in the holiday season with light displays along Sulphur Creek. The city’s weekly farmers market at Courthouse Square runs year-round and offers meat, eggs and produce, baked goods, and handmade gifts.
Main highways connect to nearby towns and Killeen Regional Airport
Key Avenue and Central Texas Expressway run through the city and connect to nearby communities. Residents depend on these thoroughfares as there is no fixed route bus line. It does have The Hop, a reservation-based, door-to-door bus service for a fee. Residents find medical care at AdventHealth Rollins Brook, located on the city’s north side. Killeen Regional is less than 30 miles away and has regular flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Proximity to Sulphur Creek means flooding is possible
Heavy rain can cause Sulphur Creek to rise, causing floods. The city’s website offers resources to help keep residents prepared for severe weather.
