Kyle
Accessibility and affordability are the two major qualities that make Kyle attractive to those new to the Central Texas area. Easy access to I-35 and employers and businesses in Austin, San Marcos and San Antonio, as well as the lower housing costs has helped provide a "one-two punch" to make Kyle one of the fastest growing communities in Hays County.
Kyle's small town charm has tremendous appeal for those who long for small town life, but desire close proximity to shopping, businesses and schools found in larger cities says Jerry Hendrix, the director of communications with the City of Kyle.
"Our main appeal is for young families. Parents are excited about living within the Hays Consolidated School District and having the opportunity to secure quality education for their children," says Hendrix. "We're a little friendlier here, so if you're worried about getting lost in the big city, Kyle is the place to be. Although we are experiencing tremendous growth and development, there's still a small town feeling to our community that people love."
Courtesy of City of Kyle.
Hendrix says that Kyle's appeal doesn't stop with young families. "We see a lot of retirees moving here," he says. "We're more affordable than the larger cities for older folks on fixed incomes, and our laidback atmosphere is very appealing to them as well as people who are just starting a family or buying a home for the first time. We have something for just about every demographic here. Our location is ideal - we're close to San Marcos and San Antonio, and only a half hour away from Austin."
The numbers bear out Hendrix's assertion that Kyle is growing by leaps and bounds. Hendrix says the estimated population is 27,500 for 2007, compared to only 5,000 in 2001. "We're adding about 80 to 100 new utility accounts each month," he says. Kyle's electricity provider is Pedernales Electric Cooperative, while solid waste collection is supplied by Texas Disposal Systems. The City of Kyle provides water to its residents through a number of resources.
Courtesy of City of Kyle.
In addition to its population explosion, Kyle has also been experiencing significant commercial and retail growth. "We have a booming population, and the infrastructure in place to serve them," says Hendrix. "We are also working to bring in more retail and commercial businesses and move away from the 'bedroom community' reputation we have as we become a full-service city.
"We also have an H-E-B Plus store that opened in June, and we have announced that the Seton Family of Hospitals and SCC Development will construct a major mixed use project featuring a hospital, professional office buildings and retail. We have been driving specific efforts to develop Kyle's infrastructures, such as our roads and city water system, and we're now starting to step into large-scale commercial-type development. Our goal is not to be a bedroom community. We want to be a thriving, independent community where people can live, play and work within our city," Hendrix explains.
Courtesy of City of Kyle.
Kyle recently struck a unique deal with Response-Service-Initiative (RSI), Inc. to bring two of the manufacturing company's divisions to Kyle. Under the agreement, RSI will bring as many as 200 jobs into Kyle over the next five years. In turn, the Kyle will reimburse RSI, Inc. for their land purchase based on the number of jobs created and retained. The reimbursement is doubled if the person holding the job lives in Kyle. RSI's products support military, aerospace, oil, homeland security, and medical markets.
No matter how large Kyle becomes over the years, Hendrix believes Kyle will always maintain a close connection to its small town roots. Hendrix points to Kyle's many celebrations and community-wide activities throughout the year that are enjoyed by both long-time residents and newcomers alike.
Courtesy of City of Kyle.
"In April we have the Kyle Easter Egg-stravaganza every April with free games, train rides and music, as well as the Kyle Volksmarch, when we encourage people to come walk along our scenic trails," says Hendrix. "Every summer we have our 'Movies In The Park' series that runs from May through August, and in October we have our Fair On The Square and Kyle Birthday Celebration as well as our Halloween Carnival and Haunted House. And, of course, we have our annual Santa Visit, City Tree Lighting and School Choir Concerts on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving."
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ZONE: South
ZIP: 78640
Zip Code 78640
Demographic Profile
Population:
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29,265
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Avg HH Size:
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3.31
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Median HH Income:
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$60,865
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Median Age
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30.6
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% Married:
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65%
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% of HHs with Children:
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51%
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% with College Degree:
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16%
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% Owner Occupied Housing
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83%
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Median Yr Dwelling was Built
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2000
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Source: Claritas 2006
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Bastrop
Surrounded by beautiful pine trees and scenic vistas, Bastrop is best known as Central Texas' own emerald jewel, and rightfully earning it the name "Home of the Lost Pines." Located just 30 miles east of Austin in Bastrop County and nestled along the banks of the Colorado River, Bastrop offers a variety of choices for those looking to make a home in a small-town setting. In fact, going by the numbers and looking at the current growth trends, it doesn't look as though Bastrop's newfound popularity will end anytime soon. With a current population of a little more than 7,000 inside the city limits and nearly 70,000 within the county, Bastrop is second only to Williamson County in percentage growth and positioned for even more as people find its natural beauty, good schools and affordability offer a cost-effective option to living in Austin.
"Business-wise, many people think we are where Round Rock was 15 years ago," says Joe Newman, President and CEO of the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation. "We're a good-sized community now, and we think we're poised for quite a bit more growth. We have a lot of big shopping centers looking at us, and we don't mind having more of the Big Box retailers locate here - we'll roll out the red carpet for them. We're just waiting for a Dell Computer to show up and put their headquarters here," he laughs.
"We've got a lot of good things going for us," Newman continues. "When the Austin Bergstrom International Airport opened, it fueled a lot of our growth. We're only 22 miles from the airport, and with four 18-hole golf courses, we have a lot of pilots and airport personnel who have figured out they can live a laidback lifestyle in the piney woods, enjoy a game out on the links, and then get to the airport quickly and easily."
Pilots aren't the only ones who have figured out that the living is good in Bastrop. "We've got a mix of everything and everyone," says Newman. "We've got artists and musicians, good ol' boys, hippies and professionals, LCRA workers and UT professors - we even have a former Texas Chief Supreme Court Justice living here."
Housing options in Bastrop are just as diverse as its population. Those who prefer old fashioned country living with a home on some acreage for a "get away from it all" feeling will find Bastrop's historic charm irresistible, while whose who prefer convenience and affordable housing choices are drawn in by Bastrop's housing development boom and its easy accessibility to Austin. Retail stores ranging from the cute little boutiques in Bastrop's historic downtown to the Super Wal-Mart and H-E-B provide convenient shopping for residents. School-age children attend classes in academically recognized schools in the Bastrop Independent School District, one of the largest school districts in Texas. A recent $23.4 million school bond issue passed in 2005 that will allow for the renovation and expansion of Bastrop High School.
With all of the new construction there is an underlying pride in the settlement founded by Stephen F. Austin and named in honor of his friend, the Baron de Bastrop. The historic downtown area boasts of 135 historic homes on the national registry, and is home to the Bastrop Opera House, originally built in 1889 and now home to theatre productions, children's theater shows and Bastrop's annual Yesterfest Pioneer Heritage Festival.
Newman says that one of Bastrop's goals is to attract new businesses to the area. "About a third of the people in Bastrop go to Austin for work. Our goal is to attract more companies to move here so that people don't have to make the drive," he says. "We find that communities really thrive and that people are just generally better citizens when they have more time to spend with their children and families, to get involved with schools and P.T.A and local activities, and to do that well that means having more jobs closer to home."
Bastrop was successful in persuading Hyatt Regency to build the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa near its city limits. Newman says it took six years to negotiate, plan and build the $135 million luxury resort that now offers visitors three swimming pools, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, championship golf, meeting facilities and, of course, a world-class spa.
"We have several ideas on how to entice companies here, such as offering free land as an incentive, and we have a zero percent loan deal. We are very interested in bio-tech or high-tech companies - we already have four bio-tech companies here and we would like to expand on that. And, of course, we'd love to have a Dell here too," he chuckles.
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ZONE: South
ZIP: 78602
Zip Code 78602
Demographic Profile
Population:
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23,863
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Avg HH Size:
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2.62
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Median HH Income:
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$54,818
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Median Age
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35.5
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% Married:
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61%
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% of HHs with Children:
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35%
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% with College Degree:
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21%
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% Owner Occupied Housing
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78%
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Median Yr Dwelling was Built
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1990
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Source: Claritas 2006
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