Redeveloping railway town outside Austin, adding new schools and tech jobs
Before semiconductors came to Taylor, the economy was based heavily on its railyard. The city, named after a prominent railroad officer, began in 1876 with the arrival of the International-Great Northern Railroad, drawing European settlers from the untamed prairies to work at the burgeoning shipping point for cotton, cattle and grain. Almost 30 miles northeast of Austin, the city of 17,000 still maintains its small railway town vibe. But it's also modernizing, as Samsung prepares to bring nearly 2,000 jobs for a new chip manufacturing facility, supercharging development in the city's downtown, schools and housing. "Taylor has the old, small-town history, and they have a little downtown Main Street with those cute small-town characteristics that have allowed the city to have a modern spin," says Realtor Nate Dominguez of the Zell Team for Compass RE Texas. "For instance, the city took an old high school, which was like this super old building, and converted that into various shops, little bars and coffee shops, which is really huge."
New subdivisions and historic homes at lower prices than in Austin
The median price for a single-family home in Taylor is around $333,000, nearly half the median price in Austin. Redevelopment includes rehabs of downtown properties and emerging subdivisions surrounding downtown, like Castlewood or Summerfield. Most subdivisions are densely packed with new traditional homes that sport a Craftsman or Prairie-style influence. Historic properties include Queen Annes and neoclassical manors from the 19th century, contrasting more contemporary options like Craftsman cottages and sleek midcentury ranchers from the 20th century, interspersed with a few snout houses from the early 2000s. Most homes sit on lots ranging from a quarter acre to two acres, while the remaining land plots can see a price range of $100,000 to $700,000 per acre.
Modern new builds in Taylor, Texas, just minutes from the downtown square.
In Far Northeast, a small, up-and-coming community with amazing amenities awaits.
Single-story 3-bedroom home with a limestone facade graces Jarrell, Texas.
Brick facade one and two-story homes line the quiet streets of Taylor, Texas.
Newly built constructions are scattered across Far Northeast with lush, green lawns.
Two-story brick facade home with a newly landscaped yard in Eastwood Community.
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Amtrak, airports and a new Samsung Semiconductor facility
Many residents rely on U.S. Highway 79 to commute outside of Taylor. Alternatively, the Capital Area Rural Transportation Service provides reservation-based bus service within Williamson County. Those with jobs in the city commonly work in public education, manufacturing or health care at the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center of Taylor. Patterns are changing as construction crews break ground on a $17 billion Samsung semiconductor plant roughly 4 miles south of Taylor. Job growth has also occurred alongside enhancements to the Taylor Municipal Airport, a core attraction for large employers. Taylor is also a stop on Amtrak's Texas Eagle line, connecting major cities like San Antonio, Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Incoming UT satellite campus and new schools planned for Taylor ISD
In addition to Samsung, Taylor will soon be home to a new satellite campus for the University of Texas. Taylor Independent School District, rated B-minus by Niche, is growing alongside the city population. Taylor ISD oversees 1,300 students across six schools and recently approved a bond program to fund the construction of new campuses, including Main Street Elementary. Three more schools are slated for completion in the next year or two. The district offers several ways to accelerate student education, including a program at Temple College in which students can earn a tuition-free associates degree before graduating high school.
Coupland Elementary, a short walk from the neighborhood, has a rich history dating back to 1923.
Decades of downtown revitalization and repurposed spaces
Taylor's revitalization began in the 1980s when the city began fixing up Main Street and its surroundings. New businesses and coworking spaces took over the once-empty Art Deco, neoclassical and Western false-front buildings that line Main Street. "Before the Samsung plant, Taylor wasn't really a place that you'd go to hang out for a morning or afternoon. It was kind of a place you just wanted to pass through," Dominguez says. "But my wife and I have gone and hung out there for the afternoon or in the morning because now there are art studios, boutiques, coffee shops and breweries — all that stuff exists now." Several revitalization projects found inventive solutions to help preserve the city's architectural heritage. Old Taylor High School, for instance, was repurposed into a mixed-use community space and small-business incubator. "I think what they did at the old high school in Taylor is one of the coolest things that's happened over there," Dominguez says. Main Street is also where residents go to shop for groceries and other needs at various big-box retailers 2 miles north of downtown.
A local favorite, Vintage Arts Restaurant, boasts quaint small-town character.
Vintage Arts Bistro in downtown Jarrell, Texas, offers a great selection of sandwiches.
Downtown Taylor boasts a variety of shops around the square, a dog-friendly place for a stroll.
Taylor Soap Bar in Downtown Taylor provides all your soapy suds needs.
At H-E-B in Taylor, Texas, find groceries, flowers, and plants for all your needs.
The Taylor, Texas community takes pride in preserving its historical architecture.
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International dances and flavors at Taylor Fest
Taylor Fest, the city's main event, occurs every spring. The cultural showcase of culinary and musical arts includes performances for Hawaiian dancers, bluegrass jam bands and a traditional Chinese dragon dance. Taylor Second Saturdays invites shopgoers and beer sippers to the downtown area with attractions like a farmers market, a vendor village, live music and food trucks.
Beach parks on Granger Lake, public tees at Mustang Creek Golf Course
Over 8 miles of hike and bike trails span the eastern side of Taylor, connecting Bull Branch Park's disc golf course with Murphy Park's swimming pool before continuing south to the Dickey-Givens Community Center in Fannie Robinson Park. Taylor is home to 22 athletic fields, 14 in the Taylor Regional Park & Sports Complex. At the south end of Main Street, the Mustang Creek Golf Course provides a semi-private club to city residents. Roughly 5 miles north of Taylor, a dammed-off section of the San Gabriel River is home to numerous shoreline parks around Granger Lake, including campsites, boat ramps, swimming beaches and spots for fishing.
Heritage Square Skate Park in the heart of downtown Taylor, features a thrilling pump track.
Discover the islands on Granger Lake at Taylor Park for an adventurous outing.
Visit the Donkey Barn at Berry Springs Park and enjoy petting these friendly animals.
Bull Ranch Park in Taylor, Texas, features ducks eagerly awaiting to be fed.
Paved trails meander through communities, surrounded by nature in Far Northeast.
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Tornados and flash floods
Taylor's temperate climate features hot summers and mild winters as well as natural hazards like tornados, one of which damaged more than 1,000 structures in 2022. Mustang Creek and Bull Branch create floodplains throughout the city, but few residential areas are within special hazard flood zones. Wildfires can also be a concern, as much of Taylor and its surroundings are in an ember zone, and high-risk areas sit 5 miles west around Hutto.
FBI data shows that Taylor's violent and property crime trends remain below state figures. However, some forms of violent and property crime, primarily motor vehicle thefts, have been on the rise since 2022.
Stephen covers Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, and Pflugerville, Texas. In particular, he is known as one of the best Realtors in Killeen. Specializing in first-time home buyers and home listings. My mission is to create 100,000 homeowners through education on home buying and financing. I am dedicated to making real estate accessible and equitable for all. I believe in the power of knowledge and aim to empower my clients with the information they need to make informed decisions about mortgage options, interest rates, and home loans.
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