Moving to Round Rock Texas

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What to Know Before Moving to Round Rock

Round Rock, Texas, was established on the north bank of Brushy Creek where Jacob M. Harrell, formerly a blacksmith in Austin, set up his shop during the spring of 1848. The settlement was first called Brushy Creek. Thomas C. Oatts, who became the first postmaster in 1851, was asked by postal officials to submit another name, and on August 24, 1854, the town officially became Round Rock, as suggested by Oatts and Harrell, who often fished together from a large anvil-shaped limestone rock in Brushy Creek near their homes. The Chisholm Trail, used by early cattle drivers on their way to Kansas, passed through Round Rock, crossing Brushy Creek near the rock.

Expert Advice For Moving to Round Rock, TX

Moving to Round Rock, Texas 

Historic Round Rock at Bushy Creek

Historic Round Rock at Bushy Creek, namesake of the City of Round Rock, Texas, USA

Before you pack your bags to move to Round Rock Texas, let’s talk about Williamson County. Texas has one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing economies in the world and Williamson County has been one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Texas for more than a decade. One word represents the current state of Williamson County – Growth! Growth in business, growth in population, and growth in the services.

Williamson County is located in the central part of Texas just north of the state capital and occupies a land area of 1,135 square miles. Its population growth ranks it fourth in the state and 14th in the country with a population of more than 609,000 according to the 2020 US Census Bureau.

Location

There is a song by Dale Watson called “South Of Round Rock, Texas”. The song starts with “There’s something going down In the little town South of Round Rock, Texas”. The little town south of Round Rock that the song refers to is Austin Texas. Round Rock is located on the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country, the southern side of Williamson County and just 20 miles north of downtown Austin. Its proximity to the state capital of Austin has brought unprecedented growth and opportunity. Despite rapid growth and easy access to Austin, Round Rock has managed to maintain a friendly small-town neighborhood atmosphere.

In terms of square mileage, Round Rock isn’t very big, but you’ll find that Round Rock has everything you need to succeed. Round Rock offers top talent, superior real estate, an unparalleled quality of life, and is home to world-class businesses. Ideally situated along Interstate 35, just north of the state capitol in Austin and Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Round Rock offers easy access to hospitals, colleges, world-class shopping, hotels, museums, and more.

Round Rock is one of the nation’s most economically vibrant cities, is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and one of the coolest suburbs in America, showing that people continue to want to live and work here, in Round Rock, Texas. Whether you’re a young professional relocating for work in the growing clean energy, tech, or life science industries, or you just want a high quality of life and exemplary schools, relocating to Round Rock may be a good choice for you!

Living in Round Rock, TX: What to Know Before Moving to Round Rock

Friendly small-town charm, vibrant lifestyle and exciting opportunities at every turn – this is why so many people are moving to Round Rock, Texas. Previously a sleepy suburb of Austin, Round Rock began booming with economic, commercial, and residential development in the 1990’s. But the city has been able to manage that growth and maintain an exceptional quality of life. The population reached 125,000 in 2020, with a median age of 34 years old. Award-winning schools prepare students for bright futures while emphasizing community life, growing companies provide no shortage of employment opportunities, and delightfully designed parks and recreation offer adventure that begins at your doorstep.

Round Rock boasts an extensive park system that supports a healthy and active lifestyle. With 1,700 developed acres there is a space for everyone to explore including specialty parks like the Dog Depot Dog Park and the Play for All Abilities Park. Living an active lifestyle while enjoying the outdoors & adventure. Round Rock has over eighteen miles of hike and bike trails. You can explore Round Rock’s outdoor recreation in a scenic, natural environment. Round Rock is the ultimate choice for amateur, youth, and recreational sports. From basketball to volleyball, you’ll find it all in Round Rock. Round Rock is also home to the Round Rock Express minor league baseball team.

Find the Best Home in Round Rock

Every new resident moving to Round Rock has unique needs for their Round Rock home. ROCK Properties Realty was founded in 2003 by Walter and Susan Rock after moving to the Austin-Round Rock area in 1990 for high-tech jobs. ROCK Properties Realty is family owned and family-oriented business. ROCK Properties Realty combines passion, fun, client focus, Integrity, results, experience and expertise in real estate sales and marketing technology to help our clients make wise and successful real estate decisions.

Check out our websites at – RoundRockRealty.com and RockProperties.com for very useful and informative information about Round Rock and Homes. Also call or text us at 512-850-4510 and we’ll help you make wise choices and a smooth relocation to Round Rock, Texas.

Pluses and Minuses of Living in Round Rock

As with any town, there are Pros and Cons to living in Round Rock.  Round Rock has grown and changed a lot in the last ten years, but the continuous growth shows that people not only want to work here, but want to live here as well.

Pros:

Everything you need to succeed – Round Rock offers top talent, superior real estate, an unparalleled quality of life, and is home to world-class businesses. Ideally situated along Interstate 35, just north of the state capitol in Austin and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Round Rock offers easy access to hospitals, colleges, world-class shopping, hotels, museums, and more. Round Rock is one of the nation’s most economically vibrant cities with major international companies including: Dell, Oracle, 3M, Samsung, Google, Indeed, Facebook, and Apple have locations in or just outside Round Rock. Round Rock is ranked one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and one of the coolest suburbs in America.

Excellent schools – Round Rock ISD has consecutively earned the highest possible rating of Met Standard in the Texas Education Agency accountability system, and students consistently outscore state averages in all categories of assessment. Round Rock Independent School District is recognized across Texas for its competitive schools that prepare students at every level with a quality education. Round Rock ISD has been inspiring students to learn; empowering students for life since 1913.

Friendly and safe atmosphere – Living in Round Rock offers residents a suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Round Rock there are a lot of parks, pools, hiking & biking trails, playgrounds, and friendly, walkable downtown. Many families and young professionals live in Round Rock and residents tend to have moderate political views. This city has focused on creating a high quality of life and is one of the best places to live in Texas.

Cons:

Traffic – Working 8-5 and commuting into Austin can be a challenge but driving within the Round Rock city limits is not too bad.  Round Rock has continued to improve the roads enough to keeping cars moving within the fast-growing city, 

Seasonal allergies – Round Rock is located on the edge of the Texas Hill Country which is covered with cedar trees. Many people in the Central Texas area are affected by intense seasonal allergies with cedar pollen, oak, and mold.

Summertime heat – Round Rock boasts about 300 days of sunshine per year. The short and typically mild winters are great, but the summers can be hot and humid.  You have to learn to schedule summer activities around the hottest parts of the day.
 

Tax Rates

Property Tax – The Round Rock property tax rate is around 2.09% which is a lower tax rate than many cities around Austin, Texas. Property tax on a home with an appraised tax value of $300,000 would be $6,270 per year.

Property Tax Interactive Social Share FV 01

Taxing UnitEstimated Rate
Round Rock Schools1.13%
Williamson County0.40%
City of Round Rock0.40%
Austin Community College0.10%
Williamson County Roads0.04%
Upper Brushy Creek Water0.02%
Total Estimated Property Tax Rate2.09%

Sales Tax – The combined sales tax rate for Round Rock is 8.25%, a total of 6.25% Texas state tax and 2% Round Rock city tax. Round Rock is higher than the overall, average combined state and local sales tax in the US of 7.12%.

Income Tax – Texas does not have an income tax, which is great, but they do collect their fair share through property taxes.

Housing Market

The Round Rock housing market is currently very hot. According to market analytics from the Austin Board of Realtors, in November 2021 the median price of a home in Round Rock was $460,000, a 46% increase over the previous year. As of February 2022, the median listing price for a home in Round Rock is about $400,000 and the median square footage is about 2,200 sf. About 60% of Round Rock homes are owner-occupied and about 40% of those who are moving to Round Rock are renters. Rental homes in Round Rock currently average about $1,800 for a house and $1,350 for an apartment.

Historic Population in Round Rock Graph 02 01 1536x1117 1

Cost of Living

According to bestplaces.net, the Round Rock cost of living is higher than the US average. While groceries, health care, and miscellaneous costs are lower than the national and state average, other amenities such as housing, utilities, and transportation are higher. The median household income in Round Rock is $82,676 compared to the US average of $67,463 annually. The Economic Policy Institute reports the average family of four in Round Rock, Texas, needs to earn $80,000 to meet the cost of living expenses.

Weather & Natural Disasters

Round Rock, Texas, sits in a unique transition zone between the dry southwest and the humid southeast. It exhibits characteristics of both climates, although it’s officially classified as a humid subtropical climate. The summers are hot and humid, with temperatures peaking in July and August at an average high of 97 degrees, while nights drop down to 75 degrees. The winters are mild with December and January as the coolest months, with average highs of 62 degrees and average lows of 42 degrees.

Snowfall is very uncommon in Central Texas but ice storms are not uncommon and Round Rock experiences one every two years on average. The city experiences four marked seasons, with spring and especially winter exhibiting pollen counts that can trigger allergies in prone individuals.  Cedar trees begin to pollinate after the first frost of the season and typically continue through spring and can cause extreme allergies on windy winter days.

The average annual rainfall is 34.25 inches, and it rains most often in May and June. Thunderstorms, which can occur multiple times per year, bring winds, lightning, and heavy rain and can occasionally pose the threat of floods. Tornados are a minor threat as this region of Central Texas lies just south of the United States Tornado Alley.

Visit Ready Round Rock for disaster preparedness information and to subscribe to notifications for emergency events.

Traffic and Transportation

Round Rock’s primary thoroughfare is Interstate Highway 35, which runs north and south through Round Rock and divides the city into East and West sides. US Highway 79 runs through the east side of Round Rock, while Highway 45 runs through the southwest corner, providing access to Austin’s Loop 1, and the regional airport. As Round Rock continues to grow, the city is experiencing some congestion, but city planners have been proactive in initiating transportation projects, a dozen which are currently under construction.

According to WalkScore, Round Rock is a car-dependent city, with moderate accessibility for bikes. Most errands require a car, and not many bike lanes exist, though, within neighborhoods such as Chisholm Valley South and La Frontera, walking is possible. The walk score is 22, and the bike score is 33. Round Rock isn’t granted a transit score, however the city partners with Capital Metro to offer public transportation to the greater Austin area.

What To Do

The Texas Hill Country has a charm all its own. You can enjoy the wineries in towns just a short drive from Round Rock, such as Dripping Springs, Cedar Park, and New Braunfels. You can dance the night away at a rustic Coupland Dance Hall. 

Round Rock is the self-proclaimed Sports Capital of Texas, a moniker that makes sense, given the city’s seemingly endless recreational opportunities. Dell Diamond is home to the Round Rock Express, a Triple-A Pacific Coast League baseball team. Settler’s Park is a 640-acre space with courts for baseball, softball, soccer, golf, as well as pavilions to host picnics and barbecues. Seven playgrounds sit throughout the park, as well as 3.3 miles of trails, and even a pier for catching bass, catfish, and perch. 

For more outdoor adventure, several stunning state parks are a short drive away, perfect for a day trip. They include McKinney Falls State Park, Pedernales State Park, and Enchanted Rock. Each offers a unique combination of hiking trails, natural features such as canyons, and natural swimming options in rivers and creeks.

Schools and Universities

Round Rock Independent School District serves the Round Rock area, with 55 schools spanning grades K-12. Pflugerville ISD and Hutto ISD also serve specific neighborhoods. According to greatschools.org, K-12 students perform at a proficiency rate of 58%, significantly higher than the Texas state average of 31%. The Texas Education Agency designated a greater number of exemplary schools for Round Rock than any other suburb in Central Texas. These schools are Westwood High School, Canyon Vista, Walsh, and Cedar Valley middle schools; and Spicewood, Forest North, Caraway, Brushy Creek, Laurel Mountain, Fern Bluff, Canyon Creek, Great Oaks, Teravista, Cactus Ranch, Sommer, Deep Wood, Robertson, Pond Springs, Live Oak, Old Town, Jollyville, Forest Creek, Blackland Prairie, Union Hill, and Gattis elementary schools.

In recent years, the city’s leadership has concentrated efforts to provide greater and more varied higher education opportunities. Austin Community College provides students with over 100 areas of study in associate degree and technical certification programs. Texas State University’s Round Rock Campus offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields spanning Computer Science, Education, and Health Science. Texas A&M’s Health Science Center provides its medical school students with third and fourth-year clinical training in regional clinics and hospitals.

Crime

According to bestplaces.net, Round Rock has a lower crime index than the state of Texas and neighboring Austin. Violent crimes occur at a much lower rate than the national and state averages – at an index of 10 compared to the US average of 22.7. Nonviolent crime, at 32, is just under the national average of 35. The areas with higher concentrations of reported crime are focused in downtown, central north, and the southwest and southeast regions, while all other surrounding regions exhibit a lower crime rate.

Utility Providers

  • Gas service – Contact Atmos Energy, the designated gas provider for Round Rock, to activate your service.

  • Electric service – Electricity in Round Rock is deregulated, meaning you’re able to choose an energy plan from providers based on rate and plan length. Browse Choose Texas Power to select a provider that suits your budget.

  • Water service – The City of Round Rock provides water, wastewater, and drainage utility. You apply for these services at RRTXWater.com. Due to its geography, Round Rock sometimes experiences drought conditions. To combat the recurring lack of water, the city implements water restrictions, which residents must closely follow. Also, the city rewards the use of efficient appliances through rebates programs and offers irrigation consultation for sustainable landscapes free of charge. Visit Water to learn more.

  • Trash pick-up/recycling service – The City of Round Rock also provides garbage and recycling collection, which means one less thing to worry about. You can also apply for these services at Garbage and Recycling.

  • Internet/Cable service – Choose from a variety of internet providers to service your home, selecting among plans for speed and value. AT&T, Century Link, and Spectrum are three popular options.

Best Neighborhoods in Round Rock, TX

Everyone wants to know where the best neighborhoods in Round Rock are. That really depends, but here are a few of the many great Neighborhoods in Round Rock, TX: Round Rock West, Settlers Crossing, Greenlawn, Chisholm Valley, Lake Forest, Behrens Ranch, The Woods, Paloma Lake. There are so many considerations that each person must consider, like budget, lot size, home size, age, schools, etc.   ROCK Properties Realty is a great resource for learning about the subtle details of the great neighborhoods in Round Rock. Call us at 512-850-4510 to discuss the many neighborhoods, homes and communities in the City of Round Rock. The best way to make an informed decision is to let us help you do your research at ROCK Properties Realty.

FAQ's

Popular Buyer Questions

No matter what your real estate needs, we can help. Call us at 512-850-4510  whenever you need assistance with buying, selling or investing in real estate. We look forward to serving you! 

In Texas, the homeseller typically pays the commission of the agent that is listing the home for sale as well as the commission of the agent that is representing the buyer.  Commission payments to the real estate agents on both sides are typically paid out of the proceeds of the sale at closing and are typically 3% of the sale price for each agent.

Buyers will typically incur some costs as part of the purchase. Those costs most commonly include:

EARNEST MONEY: Usually about 1% of the sales price.

OPTION MONEY: The option fee is typically $500-$1000 for an average priced home.

INSPECTION COSTS: For a standard inspection of an average priced single family home, a buyer can expect to pay $500 – $1,000.

LENDER COSTS & FEES:  These fees are based on the Lender’s APR (Annual Percentage Rate),  The APR, reflects the true and total cost of the loan. It factors in the interest rate plus any upfront costs and fees that are charged by the lender to obtain that rate or to close the loan, such as points, fees, or other costs associated with the loan.

DOWN PAYMENT: This is the portion of the loan that you pay at closing, while the rest of the loan is typically paid over time through a mortgage.   Down payments are usually a percentages of the mortgage in the range of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30% down, etc).

MARKET VALUE: The FMV (Fair Market Value) is simply the agreed upon price between a willing buyer and seller, both of whom are reasonably knowledgeable about the property in question.

APPRAISED VALUE: The valuation determined by a professional appraiser during the mortgage origination process.

ASSESSED TAX VALUE: This is the value assessment performed by the county tax assessor’s office for tax purposes.

The listing agent works for the seller and they are obligated to work in the seller’s best interest.  Therefore, there is a benefit for the buyer to have their own Agent and there is no cost to the buyer for the service.

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