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Willow Creek

Willow Creek

$625,087 Average Value
$262 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Willow Creek is a family-friendly neighborhood in southwest San Marcos

Resting atop a wooded ridge, Willow Creek is a sought-after HOA-controlled neighborhood about 4 miles outside downtown San Marcos. With the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country to the east and the bustling Interstate 35 corridor to the west, Willow Creek puts residents close to both popular parks and shopping districts. “People are really happy with that neighborhood,” says Annie Flink, a 25-year resident of San Marcos and Realtor with Kelly Right Real Estate. “They have one-acre lots, which is pretty unique in the city. It’s family-oriented and there’s not a lot of college students.” The neighborhood also has a low crime risk, according to CAP Index, which gives Willow Creek a crime score of 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.

Spacious properties next to the Texas Hill Country

Developed in sections, Willow Creek features around 500 single-family homes built between the 1970s and today. These ranch-style homes and custom limestone creations rest on lots of an acre or more. Mesquite trees shade neatly landscaped front yards, spacious enough for circular driveways. Mailboxes encased in stone and brick pedestals add to the neighborhood’s established feel. Here, backyard pools and patios often have views of the Texas Hill Country. Properties typically cost between $400,000 and $850,000. However, sprawling luxury estates can range from $850,000 to nearly $1.5 million. The Willow Creek Homeowners Association has yearly voluntary dues of $20 to help offset the cost of neighborhood events. Homeowners in the private Ridge developments have mandatory annual maintenance fees of $200.

Willow Creek’s annual neighborhood garage sale

The volunteer-run Willow Creek Homeowners Association hosts neighborhood events throughout the year, from a National Night Out block party in October to a holiday lights competition each December. One of the biggest annual events is the two-day neighborhood garage sale. Held each April, it gives residents the chance to connect with their neighbors and make some cash after spring cleanouts. The event is so popular that it draws shoppers from across the city.

Public schools and a university close by

The San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District serves Willow Creek and receives a C-plus overall rating from Niche. The B-rated Hernandez Elementary and the C-rated Doris Miller Middle are close by. San Marcos High, which earns a B-minus, is known for its comprehensive career and technical education program. It offers more than 20 pathways in fields like automotive technology and construction. Students can earn industry-based certifications and participate in work-based learning as they earn their diploma. Texas State University, known for its Latin Music Studies program and for being the alma mater of former president Lyndon Johnson, is less than 5 miles away.

Natural areas and city parks close to Willow Creek

Purgatory Creek Natural Area’s rocky trails hug Willow Creek’s north side. This expansive park, which includes over 700 acres of meadows, woods and wetlands, is popular for hikes and birdwatching. “We go there all the time,” Flink says. “It’s very Hill Country: limestone and oaks and blue sky and grasses. It’s the smell of the junipers in the sun.” Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park is nearby. Flink says the theme park, featuring the only earthquake-made cave in the United States and a petting zoo, often hosts children’s birthday parties. Several city parks rest along the tree-lined banks of the San Marcos River, about 4 miles from the neighborhood. Children’s Park is a family-focused destination with an accessible playscape decorated with colorful mermaid-themed murals. Rio Vista Park offers a swimming hole, rapids for kayakers and pickleball courts.

Shopping and dining along Hunter Road and Interstate 35

Gas stations, convenience stores and a few local restaurants are near Willow Creek along Hunter Road. Reservations are often needed for a table at San Marcos BBQ, which draws in regulars for its Texas-style brisket and sausage. Jorge’s Mexican Restaurant serves breakfast all day and offers a lively atmosphere with DJs on Friday nights and live bands on Saturdays. At the Village at Park South nearby, shoppers can pick up a coffee at Mochas & Javas before browsing the provisions at Radish & Dill Fine Food Market. Chain restaurants and national retailers fill the shopping centers surrounding Interstate 35. Willow Creek is roughly 4 miles from the San Marcos Premium Outlets and the Tanger Outlets, dueling malls with more than 200 name-brand and designer stores. Flink says residents across San Marcos head to H-E-B for groceries. The city has two locations: one downtown and one about 5 miles away along East Hopkins Street. “We are getting a new H-E-B down on McCarty Lane. That’s exciting for people who live south of town,” Flink adds.

Commuting around San Marcos and Central Texas

While streets in Willow Creek are narrow and without sidewalks, residents are often out walking, running and biking thanks to the minimal amount of vehicle traffic on the residential streets. Despite its walkability, the neighborhood is car dependent due to the fact that the immediate area is almost entirely residential. The nearest San Marcos Transit bus stops are along Hunter Road, which provides a direct route to downtown, about 4 miles away. Interstate 35 heads to Austin, about 35 miles north, and San Antonio, around 50 miles south. Commuter buses and Amtrak trains stop at San Marcos Station nearby.

Important to know

FEMA flood maps show homes along Willow Spring Creek rest in a regulatory floodway and face a flood risk. According to the Willow Creek HOA, wildfire prevention is important in this neighborhood, particularly during the sweltering Texas summers. Following storms, the HOA requires homeowners to remove downed trees and yard debris promptly. Potential buyers should note that parts of the neighborhood are outside the San Marcos city limits, and homeowners in those areas must pay for private trash collection service.

DeeVa Payne
Written By
DeeVa Payne

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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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cody Lantelme, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Austin-Bergstrom International

56 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Willow Creek US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 2 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Willow Creek Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$484,990
Median Sale Price
$319,900
Median Single Family Sale Price
$499,990
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$360,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
5
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-19%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$262

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
318
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
1998
Months of Supply
7.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,853
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
43,995

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cody Lantelme, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,770
Median Age
52
Population under 18
17.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
33%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$103,358
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$110,868

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.7%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
42%
Advanced Degrees
12.7%
% Population in Labor Force
56.1%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

21 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Willow Creek
Cody Lantelme
Carson Properties
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