Hays County

Hays County, Texas

What does Hays County, Texas include?
Hays County lies southwest of Austin and covers about 680 square miles. San Marcos is the county seat, and the county includes Dripping Springs, Buda, Kyle, Wimberley and Woodcreek.

Hays County had about 241,000 residents at the 2020 Census. It has two distinct sides. Along I-35, Buda, Kyle and San Marcos line the corridor between Austin and San Antonio. To the west, Dripping Springs and Wimberley sit in the Hill Country, with larger lots, creeks and winding ranch roads.

For clients who want Hill Country space within reach of Austin, Dripping Springs is often the first stop. For those who want I-35 access and newer homes, Buda and Kyle come up just as often. Moving from out of town? My Relocating to Austin guide covers the bigger picture.

Hays County at a glance

Cities and communities in Hays County

• Dripping Springs: on US 290 west of Austin, with acreage, custom homes and master-planned communities, plus the nearby Belterra and Driftwood areas. Dripping Springs homes for sale
• Buda: just south of Austin on I-35, with a historic downtown and newer neighborhoods. Buda homes for sale
• Kyle: south of Buda on I-35, with a large share of newer construction.
• San Marcos: the county seat, home to Texas State University and the spring-fed San Marcos River.
• Wimberley and Woodcreek: Hill Country towns along the Blanco River and Cypress Creek.
• Smaller communities: Bear Creek, Hays, Mountain City, Niederwald, Uhland and Creedmoor, plus a small part of Austin.

Homes and lifestyle

• Hill Country acreage and custom homes around Dripping Springs, Driftwood and Wimberley.
• Master-planned communities with amenity centers in Dripping Springs, Buda and Kyle.
• New construction along the I-35 corridor in Kyle and Buda. Browse new construction homes.
• River and creek living near the San Marcos River, Blanco River and Cypress Creek.
• Wineries, breweries and wedding venues in the Dripping Springs and Driftwood area.

For specific lifestyles in Hays County, see Equestrian Properties and Farm and Ranch for acreage around Dripping Springs and Driftwood, and Golf Course Homes for golf communities.

Getting around

I-35 connects Buda, Kyle and San Marcos to Austin to the north and San Antonio to the south. US 290 runs west from Austin through Dripping Springs. RM 12 links Dripping Springs and Wimberley. Commute times to downtown Austin vary widely, so test-drive your route at rush hour before you buy.

Property taxes and appraisal

The Hays Central Appraisal District sets property values, and the Hays County Tax Office collects the taxes. Many newer neighborhoods sit inside a municipal utility district (MUD) or other special district with its own rate, so check the full rate for any address. If you'll live in the home, file your homestead exemption with the appraisal district.

School districts

Hays County is served by several school districts, including Hays CISD, Dripping Springs ISD, Wimberley ISD and San Marcos CISD. District lines don't follow city lines, so always confirm the district for a specific address with the district itself.

Working with Albert Allen

Albert Allen is an Austin native and Luxury Real Estate Advisor with Compass, with more than a decade of experience helping clients buy and sell across Austin.

Albert represents buyers and sellers across Hays County, from Dripping Springs to Buda and Kyle. Schedule a Walk & Talk, request a home valuation or ask about private listings.

Common questions about Hays County

What is the county seat of Hays County?

San Marcos is the county seat of Hays County.

Is Dripping Springs in Hays County?

Yes. Dripping Springs is in northwestern Hays County, on US 290 west of Austin.

What cities are in Hays County, Texas?

The main cities are San Marcos, Kyle, Buda, Dripping Springs, Wimberley and Woodcreek. Smaller cities and villages include Bear Creek, Hays, Mountain City, Niederwald, Uhland and Creedmoor.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (2020 Census), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Hays Central Appraisal District. Albert Allen, REALTOR®, Compass RE Texas, LLC. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed. Photo: Hays County Courthouse, Travis Witt (Liveon001), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.