The small town of Refugio, Texas
The small town of Refugio, about halfway between Victoria and Corpus Christi, is a tight-knit Texas community where many families have lived for generations. “Generally, people that buy houses in Refugio already live there and have family there,” says Realtor Melissa Orr with The Orr Group. “There aren’t a lot of people moving in and out.” With a hospital in town, a mix of local restaurants, several parks, an annual county fair and an H-E-B, for many Texans, Refugio offers everything they need.
Bungalows, ranch-style homes and land
Refugio has land and single-family homes for sale, and its housing market moves slowly. “There was a house that was completely remodeled, and it took us almost a year to get sold,” Orr says. Ranch-style and bungalow architecture are common. Many neighborhood are without curbs or sidewalks. Land prices start around $25,000 and can get as high as $275,000, while single-family homes typically sell for $35,000 to $350,000.
Learning opportunities in Refugio Independent School District
Students attend schools in Refugio Independent School District, which gets an overall B-minus grade from Niche. Refugio Elementary School receives a C-plus, Refugio Junior High School gets a B-minus and Refugio High School receives a B. Students at Refugio High School can take dual credit, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes.
Public parks and recreation along the Texas Gulf Coast
Heritage Park, in the middle of town, has a covered basketball court and a playground. Nearby, Mission River Park is beside a creek with picnic tables shaded by tall trees. About 35 miles southeast, Rockport boasts opportunities for fishing and boating. Forty miles east, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge allows visitors to enjoy hunting, fishing and hiking along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Local restaurants, fast food and H-E-B
Refugio has an H-E-B in town for groceries, as well as several local and chain restaurants for dining out. Taqueria Guadalajara is a family-owned Mexican restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Gumbo serves a mix of Mexican food and seafood in a casual dining room. La Victoria Mexican Food is a cozy wooden bungalow serving homemade empanadas, fajitas and other Mexican dishes alongside burgers and chicken wings. Cowboy Penguin is a new ice cream shop in town that serves shave ice and scoops of ice cream in bubble waffle cones. Chain restaurants in town include Whataburger, McDonald’s and Golden Chick.
Refugio County Fair
Each March, residents come together for the Refugio County Fair, which includes a livestock show, carnival and rodeo. Kids can get involved by participating in the junior livestock competition, and adults can sign up for ranch rodeo and team roping contests.
Halfway between Victoria and Corpus Christi
Refugio is located along U.S. Route 77, about halfway between Victoria and Corpus Christi, both of which are about 43 miles away. The town has its own medical center, Refugio County Memorial Hospital, offering residents convenient access to medical services. The nearest airport is Corpus Christi International Airport, about 50 miles south.
