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Lockhart

Lockhart

$381,337 Average Value
$265 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

The official 'Barbecue Capital of Texas'

Though many claim the title, the city of Lockhart is the true "Barbecue Capital of Texas" — at least according to the state legislature. The small city in Central Texas is the seat of Caldwell County, and though it hasn't yet felt the rapid development found in the "Innovation Corridor" between Austin and San Antonio, growth is on the menu. Lockhart is now planning for new housing, infrastructure, parks and schools, parallel to the growth of tech boom towns like Bastrop just outside Austin. "You get that small-town feel because we're still a little bit under 20,000 people, but that's going to change," says Travis Hughes, director of parks and recreation for the city. "We're preparing the citizens for that, but we're trying to be mindful of our development at the same time."

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New downtown and outer subdivisions accommodate growing demand

New builds are cropping up in communities further from Lockhart's downtown, like Summerside. Meanwhile, developers are planning subdivisions just off the city core. Land buyers are enticed by numerous plots for sale in the city and outer areas, which typically range from $25,000 to $150,000 per acre, although some reach as high as $500,000 per acre. Most single-family homes downtown are much more established, with some built during the mid-20th century and others as old as 1915, creating a market for rehabs. Single-family homes see a median price of $305,000, well below the median prices for similar outer cities like Bastrop or San Marcos.

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Easy commutes to South Austin without Interstate 35 traffic

There are few east-west connections between Lockhart and I-35. For some commuters, that's a preference. "We're just enough distance away from the I-35 corridor to be separate from it," Hughes says. "Going up TX-130 from Lockhart to Southeast Austin is an easy 30 minutes without bumper-to-bumper traffic, or to the airport – that's a straight shot, too." But many residents also work locally. The city's largest employer is the Lockhart Independent School District, followed by retailers like Wal-Mart and H-E-B. The Lockhart Correctional Facility is also a major employer.

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Lyndon B. Johnson's favorite smokehouse in a walkable downtown

Lockhart's downtown is anchored by a historic courthouse, forming a central square of shops, galleries and cafes in restored art deco and western false-front buildings. "We're actually redoing the sidewalks and the streets and the drainage downtown to improve the walkability," Hughes says. Museums, theaters and the oldest continuously operating public library in Texas provide ample entertainment as residents and day-trippers stroll the true Barbecue Capital of Texas. Some of the city's smokehouses were even favorite catering choices for President Lyndon B. Johnson. Downtown is also home to a central H-E-B. Additional supermarkets and retailers are found throughout town.

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Rodeos, music festivals and numerous annual barbecue cook-offs

Lockhart's mouthwatering events include the annual Texas Monthly BBQ Fest, which bustles with smokers from across Texas competing in a cook-off as eventgoers chow down on brisket, peruse a vendor village and listen to live music. However, the Chisholm Trail Roundup is Lockhart's largest event. The three-day affair goes whole-hog with a highly attended rodeo and cook-offs for both barbecue and chili. For the rest of the family, there's a carnival, parade and live music aplenty.

Better aquatics facilities planned for Lockhart City Park

Recent and upcoming park improvements have largely been driven by a recently updated parks master plan. Across the city's nine parks, focus has been placed on Lockhart City Park. "We're rebuilding the pool, and we're going to build a rec center right next to it so we can manage it with the same administrative team," Hughes says. "That would give us more synergy to have summer camps and after school programming and things like that. Those are the things we're really building toward in addition to upgrading our outdoor spaces and the trail system, which we want to expand." The city is also preparing plans to upgrade Lions Park downtown.

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New and expanding schools for Lockhart ISD

Students are zoned for Lockhart ISD, rated C-plus by Niche. The 2024 school year saw record enrollment after Lockhart voters approved a bond in 2022 to fund construction of a new elementary school and a new wing at Lockhart High School. Currently, the district oversees roughly 6,400 students across 9 schools.

The school's alumni include professional athletes, musicians, and business leaders.
The school's alumni include professional athletes, musicians, and business leaders.
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High summer temperatures and low crime rates

Summer temperatures can reach as high as 102 degrees Fahrenheit in Lockhart. The city is also prone to tornados and heavy rain. Major storms can create flooding in the city, but most residential areas are not in a flood zone, aside from those closest to the train tracks that run through Lockhart.

According to FBI data, crime trends in Lockhart generally remain below state and national figures. All forms of violent crime have been trending downward for the past several years and remain below state and national figures. Some forms of property crime have been on the rise since 2022, namely burglaries and motor vehicle thefts, rates for both of which surpass state and national figures.

Tom Jakob
Written By
Tom Jakob
Saeid Zare
Photography Contributed By
Saeid Zare
Sara Warthen
Video By
Sara Warthen

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Araceli Frazier, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
24
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Median Year Built
2000
Months of Supply
12.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,930
On par with the national average
1,931
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
43,560

Open Houses

  • Sunday, May 3
    Open Sun 3PM - 5PM

    417 N Blanco St, Lockhart, TX 78644

    $459,500

    • 5 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,439 Sq Ft
    • 417 N Blanco St
    • New 15 days ago

    This 2,439 sq. ft. home offers 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and a dedicated office/nursery. The open-concept kitchen and living area feature new cabinets, recessed lighting, fixtures, fresh interior/exterior paint, and a new roof. Enjoy tile floors throughout.The in-law suite includes its own entrance, bedroom, full bath, kitchenette, living/dining space, washer/dryer hookups, and a brand new

    Micah Franks T J Lewis Real Estate

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  • Sunday, May 3
    Open Sun 12PM - 7PM

    3916 Melody Rd, Lockhart, TX 78644

    $424,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,593 Sq Ft
    • 3916 Melody Rd

    The front porch opens into the two-story entryway. A private home office with French doors is right off the entrance. Past the stairwell you enter the kitchen which features a corner walk-in pantry, 5-burner gas cooktop and an island with built-in seating. The dining area connects the space with the family room boasting a wall of windows with access to the covered backyard patio. The primary

    Lee Jones Perry Homes Realty, LLC

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  • Sunday, May 3
    Open Sun 2PM - 4PM

    1708 Violeteared Way, Lockhart, TX 78644

    $324,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,493 Sq Ft
    • 1708 Violeteared Way

    Welcome to this beautiful 2024 two-story home offering 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms. The spacious primary suite is conveniently located downstairs and features a large walk-in closet. Enjoy an open concept kitchen overlooking the living and dining areas- perfect for entertaining. The laundry room is also located on the main level for added convenience. Upstairs, you'll find additional bedrooms

    Mariela Ramirez TS Realty

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Neighborhoods in Lockhart

Property Mix - Square Feet

Lockhart Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
1
Median Rent
$3,500
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,500
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,500

Demographics

Total Population
17,364
Median Age
39
Population Density
110 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$66,618
Below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$78,036

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
85.5%
College Graduates
21.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.1%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.6%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Somewhat friendly

Bike Score®®

30 / 100

Fairly friendly

Walk Score®®

50 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Lockhart