Greater Austin | ||
---|---|---|
Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area | ||
![]() Downtown Austin in September 2018 | ||
![]() Interactive map of the Austin Metropolitan Area
| ||
Country | ![]() | |
State | ![]() | |
Principal cities | ||
Area | ||
• MSA | 4,279 sq mi (11,080 km2) | |
Population | ||
• MSA | 2,473,275 (26th) | |
• MSA density | 533.62/sq mi (206.03/km2) | |
GDP | ||
• MSA | $248.110 billion (2023) | |
Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
TheAustin–Round Rock–San Marcosmetropolitan statistical area, orGreater Austin, is a five-countymetropolitan area in theU.S. state ofTexas, as defined by theOffice of Management and Budget.[4] The metropolitan area is situated inCentral Texas on the western edge of theAmerican South and on the eastern edge of theAmerican Southwest, and bordersGreater San Antonio to the south. It forms part of the largerSan Antonio-Austin Metroplex.
As of the2020 U.S. census, the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos MSA is the 26th-largest metropolitan area in the United States, with a total population of 2,352,426.[1] The metropolitan area contains theCity of Austin—the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 10th-largest city in the United States with a population of 974,447 people.[5] Austin's largest suburbs areRound Rock,Cedar Park,Georgetown,San Marcos,Leander, andPflugerville.
The areas in and around Austin have been the site of human habitation since at least 9,000 B.C., and possibly considerably before that. The earliest known inhabitants of the area, during the late Pleistocene (Ice Age), can be linked to the Clovis people around 9200 B.C. just west of Williamson County.[6] But archeology dig sites show a much greater evidence of Archaic Period inhabitants has been recovered from burned rock middens and rock shelters near Round Rock along Brushy Creek, in Georgetown along the San Gabriel River, and in Austin especially near Barton Springs. The earliest known historical occupants of the area, the Tonkawas, were a flint-working, hunting people who followed the buffalo on foot and periodically set fire to the prairie to aid them in their hunts. During the 18th century they made the transition to a horse culture and used firearms to a limited extent. After they were crowded out by white settlement, the Comanches continued to raid settlements in the county until the 1860s. There also appear to have been small numbers of Kiowa, Yojuane, Tawakoni, and Mayeye Indians living in the Travis and Williamson counties at the time of the earliest Anglo settlements.[7]The prehistory of Texas has been studied by both professional and avocational archeologists for many decades. Pre-historic campsites are found throughout the county along streams or other water sources; most are "open occupation" sites, though caves and rockshelters are often found along various rivers and streams.[8]
When Europeans first arrived in the area, theTonkawa tribe was the most prevalent, though theComanches andLipan Apaches were known to travel through the area as well.[9] Spanish explorers, including the Espinosa-Olivares-Aguirre expedition, traveled through the area for centuries though few permanent settlements were created for some time.[10] In the mid-18th century the San Xavier missions were established along the San Gabriel River in what is now westernMilam County to facilitate exploration.[7]
In 1804 the fort Puesta del Colorado was established by the Spanish in what is nowBastrop.[11] In 1807 the San Marcos de Neve settlement (modern San Marcos) was established on theSan Marcos River.[10] Following the independence ofMexico, of which Texas was a part, the empresarioStephen F. Austin issued grants to settlers in what is now Bastrop and Fayette Counties. During the mid-1820s settlements were established along the Colorado River near modernLa Grange.[12] The village of Mina (later renamed Bastrop) was established in 1827. Growth of the settlements was stagnant for some time because of conflicts with the Native Americans in the region.[11] Nevertheless, the region sat along an important trade route known as theCamino Real de los Tejas, which ran from Mexico, though San Antonio and San Marcos, toNatchitoches.[13] During the 1830s others, such as Martín Veramendi and Thomas G. McGehee, were issued land grants by the Mexican government to encourage settlement in the region.[10] A string of forts was established east of modern Austin in what was then the western frontier.[14]
In 1835 Texans fought for independence in theTexas Revolution and won. Following independence other settlements were gradually established including Waterloo and Brushy Creek (modern Round Rock).[7] In 1839 a commission appointed by Texas PresidentMirabeau B. Lamar selected Waterloo as the site for the new capital and the nameAustin was chosen as the town's new name.[15] In 1840 a series of conflicts between the Texas Rangers and the Comanches known as theCouncil House Fight and theBattle of Plum Creek finally pushed the Comanches westward mostly ending conflicts in Central Texas.[16] Settlement in the area began to expand quickly. Travis County was established in 1840 and the surrounding counties were mostly established within the next two decades.[14] New settlements were established such as Hamilton (nowBurnet) in 1852.
In 1861, with the outbreak of theAmerican Civil War, voters in Austin, Bastrop, and other Central Texas communities and counties voted against secession.[11][17] However, as the war progressed and fears of attack by Union forces increased, the communities contributed hundreds of men to theConfederate forces. With the end of the war and the emancipation of Texas slaves, the African American population of the area swelled dramatically. Black communities such asWheatville, Pleasant Hill, and Clarksville were established around Austin by these newcomers.[17] The postwar period saw dramatic population and economic growth. The town of Bastrop became a significant manufacturing center producing iron, coal, and textiles.[11] TheChisolm Trail, one of the major routes for exporting cattle, passed through the region.[18] The opening of the Houston and Texas Central Railway, connecting Austin with Houston, transformed Austin into the major trading center for the region. However, as new railroads were built through the region in the 1870s, Round Rock and other communities took over much of Austin's role as a trading center.[17] In 1868 the Coronal Institute was established in San Marcos and in 1873 Texas University (later renamedSouthwestern University) was opened in Georgetown following the consolidation of five earlier colleges.[19][20] During the 1880s Austin gained new prominence as thestate capitol building was constructed and other universities were established in the area, most notably theUniversity of Texas.[17] Cattle and cotton production were major economic drivers for many outlying communities.[21] In the late 19th century Austin expanded its city limits to more than three times its former area and the Austin Dam was built to power a new street car line and the new municipal water system.[17]
In the early 20th century theTexas Oil Boom took hold creating tremendous economic opportunities in Southeast Texas and North Texas. The growth generated by this boom largely passed by Austin at first, with the city slipping from 4th largest to 10th largest in Texas between 1880 and 1920.[17] Bastrop, however, became a significant center for oil drilling and coal mining in the early-to-mid-20th century.[11] San Marcos, and some other communities, established significant manufacturing operations during the world wars substantially diversifying their economies.[21]
Beginning in the 1920s and 1930s, Austin launched a series of civic development and beautification projects that created much of the city's infrastructure and parks. In addition, the state legislature established theLower Colorado River Authority that, along with the City of Austin, created the system of dams along the Colorado River that formed the Highland Lakes. These projects were enabled in large part by the fact that Austin received moreDepression era relief funds than any other Texas city.[17]
During the mid- and later 20th century, Austin became firmly established as the major metropolitan center of what is now Greater Austin. Communities such as Round Rock, Georgetown, and San Marcos increasingly became attractive bedroom communities for Austin, even as each of these communities has maintained its own economic core as well.[21]/. In the late 20th century, the face of the Austin community was changing rapidly.[22]
Greater Austin is located inCentral Texas along theBalcones Fault andInterstate 35, northeast ofSan Antonio. The bisectingBalcones Fault renders eastern portions relatively flat and western portions—located on the edge of theTexas Hill Country—mildly hilly.[23]
The region is crossed by theColorado River with several human-made lakes, known as theHighland Lakes, along its length.[17] Because the hills to the west are primarilylimestone rock with a thin covering of topsoil, the western portions of the area are frequently subjected to flash floods from the runoff caused by thunderstorms.[24][25] To help control this runoff and to generate hydroelectric power, theLower Colorado River Authority operates a series of dams that form the lakes.[26]
The Austin area is located at the intersection of four major ecological regions and is consequently a temperate-to-hot green oasis with a highly variable climate having some characteristics of the desert, the tropics, and a wetter climate.[27][28][29] The area is very diverse ecologically and biologically, and is home to a variety of animals and plants.[30]
Lake | Dam |
---|---|
Lake Buchanan | Buchanan Dam |
Inks Lake | Inks Dam |
Lake LBJ | Wirtz Dam |
Lake Marble Falls | Max Starcke Dam |
Lake Travis | Mansfield Dam |
Lake Austin | Tom Miller Dam |
Lady Bird Lake | Longhorn Dam |
The soils of Central Texas range from shallow, gravelly clay loams over limestone in the western outskirts to deep, fine sandy loams, silty clay loams, silty clays or clays in the city's eastern part. Some of the clays have pronounced shrink-swell properties and are difficult to work under most moisture conditions. Many of Austin's soils, especially the clay-rich types, are slightly to moderately alkaline and have freecalcium carbonate.[31]
Greater Austin has ahumid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters.[32] On average, the City of Austin receives 33.6 inches (853.4 mm) of rain per year, with most of the precipitation in the spring, and a secondary maximum in the fall.[33] To the east, away from the Hill Country, precipitation is typically higher. For example, Bastrop receives an average of 38.0 inches (965.2 mm) of rain per year.[34] During springtime, severe thunderstorms sometimes occur, though tornados are rare in the city. Austin is usually at least partially sunny.
Central Texas summers are usually hot and humid, with average temperatures of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) from June until September. Temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) are common.[32][33][35] For the entire year there is an average of 111 days above 90 °F (32 °C) and 198 days above 80 °F (27 °C) in the City of Austin.[32] In general temperatures are somewhat cooler to the west in the Hill Country than in the plains to the east. The average August high temperature in Marble Falls is 94 °F (34 °C) compared to 96 °F (36 °C) in Bastrop, and the average January low in Marble Falls is 33 °F (1 °C) compared to 37 °F (3 °C) in Bastrop.[34][36]Winters in the Austin area are mild and dry. For the entire year, Austin averages 88 days below 45 °F (7 °C) and 24 days when the minimum temperature falls below freezing. Snowfall is rare in Central Texas, but the area suffers occasionalice storms each year that freeze over roads and can affect parts of the region for as much as 48 hours or more.[32]
Climate data forCamp Mabry, Austin, Texas (1991–2020 normals,[a] extremes 1897–present)[b] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 90 (32) | 99 (37) | 98 (37) | 99 (37) | 104 (40) | 109 (43) | 109 (43) | 112 (44) | 112 (44) | 101 (38) | 91 (33) | 90 (32) | 112 (44) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 80.1 (26.7) | 84.2 (29.0) | 87.7 (30.9) | 91.8 (33.2) | 95.5 (35.3) | 99.5 (37.5) | 102.3 (39.1) | 103.9 (39.9) | 99.9 (37.7) | 93.7 (34.3) | 85.3 (29.6) | 80.5 (26.9) | 105.3 (40.7) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 62.5 (16.9) | 66.5 (19.2) | 73.3 (22.9) | 80.3 (26.8) | 86.9 (30.5) | 93.2 (34.0) | 96.6 (35.9) | 97.8 (36.6) | 91.4 (33.0) | 82.5 (28.1) | 71.5 (21.9) | 63.9 (17.7) | 80.5 (26.9) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 52.2 (11.2) | 56.1 (13.4) | 62.8 (17.1) | 69.6 (20.9) | 76.8 (24.9) | 83.0 (28.3) | 85.8 (29.9) | 86.5 (30.3) | 80.8 (27.1) | 71.6 (22.0) | 61.0 (16.1) | 53.6 (12.0) | 70.0 (21.1) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 41.8 (5.4) | 45.8 (7.7) | 52.2 (11.2) | 58.9 (14.9) | 66.8 (19.3) | 72.9 (22.7) | 75.0 (23.9) | 75.1 (23.9) | 70.1 (21.2) | 60.8 (16.0) | 50.5 (10.3) | 43.4 (6.3) | 59.4 (15.2) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 27.1 (−2.7) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 34.8 (1.6) | 42.8 (6.0) | 53.4 (11.9) | 65.0 (18.3) | 70.1 (21.2) | 69.3 (20.7) | 58.5 (14.7) | 43.7 (6.5) | 33.8 (1.0) | 28.6 (−1.9) | 24.2 (−4.3) |
Record low °F (°C) | −2 (−19) | −1 (−18) | 18 (−8) | 30 (−1) | 40 (4) | 51 (11) | 57 (14) | 58 (14) | 41 (5) | 30 (−1) | 20 (−7) | 4 (−16) | −2 (−19) |
Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.64 (67) | 1.89 (48) | 2.88 (73) | 2.42 (61) | 5.04 (128) | 3.68 (93) | 1.96 (50) | 2.74 (70) | 3.45 (88) | 3.91 (99) | 2.92 (74) | 2.72 (69) | 36.25 (921) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) |
Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 7.6 | 7.7 | 8.9 | 7.1 | 8.9 | 7.4 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 7.1 | 7.0 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 85.8 |
Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 |
Averagerelative humidity (%) | 67.2 | 66.0 | 64.2 | 66.4 | 71.4 | 69.5 | 65.1 | 63.8 | 68.4 | 67.1 | 68.7 | 67.6 | 67.1 |
Averagedew point °F (°C) | 36.1 (2.3) | 39.6 (4.2) | 46.2 (7.9) | 55.0 (12.8) | 63.3 (17.4) | 68.2 (20.1) | 68.9 (20.5) | 68.4 (20.2) | 65.5 (18.6) | 56.5 (13.6) | 47.7 (8.7) | 39.4 (4.1) | 54.6 (12.5) |
Mean monthlysunshine hours | 163.8 | 169.3 | 205.9 | 205.8 | 227.1 | 285.5 | 317.2 | 297.9 | 233.8 | 215.6 | 168.3 | 153.5 | 2,643.7 |
Percentagepossible sunshine | 51 | 54 | 55 | 53 | 54 | 68 | 74 | 73 | 63 | 61 | 53 | 48 | 60 |
Averageultraviolet index | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990),[37][38][39] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Weather Atlas[40] (UV index) |
As of March 2020, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Austin–Round Rock-San Marcos MSA as includingBastrop,Caldwell,Hays,Travis, andWilliamson Counties.[41]
The U.S.Bureau of Economic Analysis includes the counties ofBlanco,Burnet,Lee,Llano,Mason, andMilam Counties, in addition to the Austin MSA, in its definition of the Austin Economic Area.[42] The Capital Area Council of Governments, an Austin-area intergovernmental cooperative, adds Blanco, Burnet,Fayette, Lee, and Llano Counties to the MSA counties in its definition of the metropolitan area.[43]
Census Area | 2020 census[1] | 2010 census | 2000 census | 1990 census |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bastrop | 97,216 | 74,171 | 57,733 | 38,263 |
Caldwell | 45,883 | 38,066 | 32,194 | 26,392 |
Hays | 241,067 | 157,127 | 97,589 | 65,614 |
Travis | 1,290,108 | 1,024,266 | 812,280 | 576,407 |
Williamson | 609,017 | 422,679 | 249,967 | 139,551 |
Austin Metropolitan Area | 2,283,371 | 1,716,309 | 1,249,763 | 846,227 |
The following are cities, towns, and villages categorized based on the latestUnited States Census Bureau 2020 census redistricting data (August 2021).[44] No population estimates are released forcensus-designated places (CDPs), which are marked with an asterisk (*). These places are categorized based on their 2020 census population.
City | 2023 Estimate | 2020 census | Change | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|
Austin | 979,882 | 961,855 | +1.87% | ![]() |
Round Rock | 130,406 | 119,468 | +9.16% | ![]() |
Georgetown | 96,312 | 67,176 | +43.37% | ![]() |
Leander | 80,067 | 59,202 | +35.24% | ![]() |
Cedar Park | 77,516 | 77,595 | -0.1% | ![]() |
San Marcos | 71,569 | 67,553 | +5.94% | ![]() |
Pflugerville | 65,301 | 65,191 | +0.17% | ![]() |
Kyle | 62,548 | 45,697 | +36.88% | |
Hutto | 38,765 | 27,577 | +40.57% | |
Brushy Creek* | — | 22,519 | — | ![]() |
More distant communities such asMarble Falls,Burnet,Johnson City,Killeen, andLampasas are sometimes considered part of Greater Austin though they fall outside the bounds of the OMB definitions.[45] There are almost 5 million people in the Austin-San Antonio corridor.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1950 | 160,980 | — | |
1960 | 212,136 | 31.8% | |
1970 | 295,516 | 39.3% | |
1980 | 536,688 | 81.6% | |
1990 | 781,572 | 45.6% | |
2000 | 1,249,763 | 59.9% | |
2010 | 1,716,309 | 37.3% | |
2020 | 2,283,371 | 33.0% | |
2024 (est.) | 2,550,637 | 11.7% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 2020 estimate |
Greater Austin is one of the fastest growing large metropolitan areas in the U.S.[46] In 2020, U.S. Census Bureau[47][48] estimated that in the Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown MSA increased to 2,283,371 people, 796,315 households, and 495,990 families. The racial makeup of the metropolitan area was 66.4%White, 6.6%African American, 0.9%Native American, 7.0%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 11.1% fromother races, and 16.5% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 31.9% of the population.
As of 2010[update], U.S. Census Bureau estimated that in the Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown MSA there were 1,719,289 people. The racial makeup of the metropolitan area was 72.9%White, 7.4%African American, 0.8%Native American, 4.8%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 10.9% fromother races, and 3.2% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 31.4% of the population.
The median income for a household in the MSA was $46,512 and the median income for a family was $54,361. Males had a median income of $35,612 versus $27,095 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $20,721.
As of 2014[update], the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the Austin–Round Rock–Georgetown MSA had increased to 1,943,299.[49] In 2010, the urban area population (as defined by the Census Bureau) was estimated to be 1,362,416 while the 2013 population of Austin proper estimated at 885,400.[50][51]
# | Largest cities in Greater Austin | County | 1950 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Austin | Travis | 132,459 | 186,545 | 251,808 | 345,496 | 472,020 | 656,562 | 790,390 | 961,855 |
2 | Round Rock | Williamson | 1,438 | 1,878 | 2,811 | 11,812 | 30,923 | 61,136 | 99,887 | 119,468 |
3 | Cedar Park | Williamson | 202 | 385 | 692 | 3,474 | 5,161 | 26,049 | 48,937 | 77,595 |
4 | Georgetown | Williamson | 4,951 | 5,218 | 6,395 | 9,468 | 14,842 | 28,339 | 47,400 | 67,176 |
5 | San Marcos | Hays | 9,980 | 12,713 | 18,860 | 23,420 | 28,738 | 34,733 | 44,894 | 67,553 |
6 | Pflugerville | Travis | - | - | 549 | 745 | 4,444 | 16,335 | 46,936 | 65,191 |
7 | Leander | Williamson | - | - | - | 2,179 | 3,398 | 7,596 | 26,521 | 59,202 |
8 | Kyle | Hays | n/a | 1,023 | 1,629 | 2,093 | 2,225 | 5,314 | 28,016 | 45,697 |
9 | Hutto | Williamson | n/a | 400 | 545 | 659 | 630 | 1,250 | 14,698 | 25,367 |
10 | Lakeway | Travis | - | - | - | 790 | 4,044 | 8,002 | 11,391 | 19,189 |
Metropolitan Area total | 160,980 | 301,261 | 398,938 | 585,051 | 846,227 | 1,249,763 | 1,716,289 | 2,283,371 |
Sector | Percentage |
---|---|
Professional and business services | 18.3% |
Government | 17.3% |
Education and health services | 11.6% |
Leisure and hospitality | 9.8% |
Retail trade | 9.7% |
Construction, natural resources, and mining | 6.4% |
Financial activities | 6.3% |
Manufacturing | 5.8% |
Wholesale trade | 4.9% |
Information | 3.6% |
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities | 2.4% |
Other services | 3.8% |
Greater Austin has a diverse economy, anchored by government, technology (particularly software and semiconductors), and education. The Austin-Round Rock MSA had an estimated gross domestic product of $168.4 billion in 2020, making it the 24th largest metropolitan economy in the U.S.[54]
As of late 2021, major employers in the Greater Austin area includeAccenture,Amazon,Apple,Applied Materials,Austin Independent School District,Ascension Seton HealthCare network,Dell,H-E-B Grocery,IBM,NXP Semiconductors,Samsung Semiconductors, St. David's HealthCare Partnership, theTexas State Government,Tesla, theUnited States Federal Government,The University of Texas at Austin,Whole Foods, andWal-Mart.[55][56]
The communities in Greater Austin hold many annual events. In Austin two of the most well known festivals are theSouth by Southwest Music and Film Festival and theAustin City Limits Music Festival, which draw artists and spectators from around the world. Many other Austin festivals take place including theOld Pecan Street Festival,Blues on the Green, and theLaguna Gloria Art Museum Fiesta.[57] TheTexas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is centered in Austin but takes place at restaurants and venues in multiple communities.[58]
Outside of Austin many communities host local events of their own. Marble Falls hosts theBluebonnet Blues and Fine Arts Festival, an event that attracts artists and performers from around the state to the community's downtown. Burnet hosts the SpringBluebonnet Festival, which features a golf tournament, car shows, vintage airplane shows, and other activities.[59] TheOld Settler's Music Festival in Driftwood features live outdoor performances ranging from folk music tobluegrass andjazz.[60] Some area communities host civic heritage festivals including theCedar Park Heritage Festival and theChisolm Trail Round Up in Lockhart.[61][62] TheOktoberfest celebration in Fredericksburg is one of the largest and most traditional in Texas.[63]
Rodeo fairs occur annually including theStar of Texas Fair and Rodeo and theBurnet Rodeo.
Austin has adopted the nickname "Live Music Capital of the World" based on its claim of having the highest percentage of music performers of any other major city.[64] The city has a variety of venues for live music performance of popular and country music including famous clubs such asAntone's andEmo's. The long-running television programAustin City Limits has for decades showcased the city's music scene, as has the South by Southwest festival and other events in the city. Apart from these the city hosts major classical music performances via theAustin Lyric Opera and theAustin Symphony Orchestra.
Other communities in the Austin Area host their own music venues and organizations as well. The Williamson County Symphony Orchestra, founded in 2002, offers performances at locations throughout the county.[65] The Starlight Symphony, a community orchestra, offers performances at various venues within the southwestern areas of Greater Austin including San Marcos, Dripping Springs, and Johnson City.[66] The Round Rock Symphony, a recently established organization, offers performances within Round Rock.[67]
Austin's sole major-league professional sports team isAustin FC, aMajor League Soccer team that debuted in 2021. Until then, the Austin metropolitan area was the second largest market in North America not to have any such franchises, behind theInland Empire.[68] The area is also home to several minor-league teams, as well as theTexas Longhorns andTexas State Bobcats collegiate sports programs and theCircuit of the Americas motor-racing circuit.
Regional professional sports clubs include theRound Rock Express inAAA baseball, theTexas Stars inAHL hockey, theAustin Spurs inG-League basketball, theAustin Aztex inUSL soccer, theAustin Outlaws inWFA football, and theAustin Aces inWTT tennis. In professionalmotorsport, the Circuit of the Americas hosts theUnited States Grand Prix and theMotorcycle Grand Prix of the Americas, as well as theX Games. Austin also hosts theTexas Rollergirls flat-trackroller derby league.
The region is also home to several endurance and multi-sport race events, including theAustin Marathon, the Capitol 10K race, and theCapital of Texas Triathlon. Sizeable running, swimming and bicycling communities make use of a network of trails and greenbelts centered on theLady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail and local pools likeBarton Springs Pool.
The Austin area has long been known for its outdoor attractions and is home to numerous parks and nature preserves.
Major parks within the City of Austin includeMcKinney Falls State Park,Emma Long Metropolitan Park,Zilker Park, andHippie Hollow Park.Mount Bonnell Park is a popular destination, located at one of the highest points in the city. Outside of the Austin various other parks, includingBastrop State Park,Lockhart State Park, andLonghorn Cavern State Park, are available. Further from the area's core is theEnchanted Rock State Natural Area, a 640-acre (260 ha) park near Fredericksburg featuring a largegranite mound that is popular with hikers and climbers. AdditionallyPedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City, andInks Lake State Park in Burnet, are among the many other parks available in Central Texas.
The largest nature preserve in the area is theBalcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a preserve northwest of Austin near Burnet and Marble Falls comprising 21,436 acres (8,675 ha).[69] Other preserves in the area include theWild Basin Wilderness Preserve, theLouis René Barrera Indiangrass Wildlife Sanctuary, and theOnion Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. These preserves are all part of theHeart of Texas Wildlife Trail, a network of trails and sites for viewing wildlife habitats, created by theTexas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The region contains numerous universities. Major area universities include theUniversity of Texas at Austin (flagship of theUniversity of Texas System),Texas State University (flagship of the Texas State University System), andSouthwestern University (Georgetown). The city of Austin itself contains numerous other institutions of higher education includingAustin Presbyterian Theological Seminary,Concordia University,Huston–Tillotson University,St. Edward's University,Austin Community College, and others. Additional institutions in the suburban communities includeTemple College in Taylor and the Texas State University extension in Round Rock.
In 2006, 35% of adults in the City of Austin held college degrees, placing fourth among the 77 largest cities in the U.S.[70] As of 2010[update] this percentage had climbed to 43.3%. In Round Rock 37.2% of adults held degrees, in Pflugerville 40.50% held degrees, in Cedar Park 39.1% held degrees, and in San Marcos 34.1% held degrees.[71] This compares to 23.2% for all of Texas and 24.4% for the entire U.S. making the Austin area one of the most educated metropolitan areas in the U.S.[72][73]
The region is served by numerous school districts. As of 2010[update] the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce lists 29 public school districts, 17 charter schools, and 69 private schools.[74]
The Chamber lists as the primary districtsAustin ISD,Bastrop ISD,Del Valle ISD,Eanes ISD,Georgetown ISD,Hays CISD,Lake Travis ISD,Leander ISD,Pflugerville ISD, andRound Rock ISD.[75] Adding to this list theSan Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, there are a total of 11 core districts. As of 2009[update] theTexas Education Agency ranks one district, Eanes, as "Exemplary", the highest rating. Three districts, Del Valle, Leander, and Round Rock, are ranked as "Recognized", the second highest rating. All of the others are ranked as "Academically Acceptable". These 12 districts operate 330 individual schools. Of these schools 98 (30%) are ranked as "Exemplary", and 87 (26%) are ranked as "Recognized".[76]
Major private schools in the area include Redeemer Lutheran School, Brentwood Christian School, Hill Country Christian School, Hyde Park Baptist School, the Regents School, Round Rock Christian Academy (Round Rock), Summit Christian Academy (Leander), St. Andrew's Episcopal School, and St. Michael's Academy.[77]
The principal highways in the metropolitan area areInterstate 35 and theMoPac Expressway (State Highway Loop 1), both of which are the primary north–south roadways. Other important arteries in the city and its immediate vicinity areU.S. Highway 183 (also known as "Research Blvd."), andU.S. Highway 290 which provide East/West thoroughfares. Other important highways includeState Highway 71 (also known as "Ben White Blvd.") which connects Austin withHouston to the south, and toMarble Falls and theHighland Lakes chain to the west. AndState Highway Loop 360 is a scenic highway which runs to the north–south on the west side of Austin but curves westward into the hills. Loop 360 carries special scenic zoning as well preventing billboards and minimizing views of the surrounding buildings. Austin's new toll roads includeState Highway 130,U.S. Highway 183-A, andState Highway 45 discussed below.Interstate 10 also runs through the extreme southern portion of Caldwell County.
In November 2006, theCentral Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA)[78] opened the first segment of the region's firsttoll road system. BothState Highway 130 andState Highway 45 toll roads run through portions of Austin and provide greatly increased mobility to the city.State Highway 130 prior to 2013 ran just south ofAustin Bergstrom International Airport at US Highway 183 and ended atInterstate 35 north ofGeorgetown. It provides mobility and access to the easternmost part of Austin and Travis County, and allows residents in Williamson County easy access to the airport. This project, completed in October 2012, now ends atInterstate 10 just east ofSeguin, about 30 miles east-northeast ofSan Antonio. The speed limit on the newly completed stretch is the highest in the United States, but not the first is Texas as I-10 has had an 85mph speed limit for decades[citation needed][when?], at 85 mph (137 km/h).
State Highway 45 is part of an eventual partial loop that runs east from U.S. Highway 183 inCedar Park to State Highway 130 atPflugerville (east of Round Rock) where it merges with the SH 130 toll road, and then intersects with the southern portion of SH 45 near Buda, south of Austin. SH 45 is one of the very few East/West connectors in Austin, but it also connects to a tolled extension ofLoop 1 (also known locally as the"Mopac Expressway") and allows direct access from to I-35 to Loop 1 by use of flyover connections rather than ground level intersections. The toll roads also provide access to theDell headquarters and its approximately 16,000 employees.[79] Despite the overwhelming initial opposition to the toll road concept, both toll roads have improved mobility in and around the Austin area and are significantly exceeding their revenue projections.[80]
The metro area is served by buses of theCapital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro). Capital Metro operates 48 fixed-route, 1 flex-route, and eight express bus services within the city of Austin and several nearby suburbs in Travis and Williamson counties. Capital Metro also operates the shuttles of the University of Texas, which provides limited-stop services to and from neighborhoods where many university students reside. Acommuter rail service—the Red line ofCapital MetroRail—began service on March 22, 2010, connecting Downtown Austin with the city of Leander.[81]
The region's primary airport isAustin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Year | DEM | GOP | Others |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | 59.4%634,882 | 39.0%416,716 | 1.7%18,012 |
2020 | 62.5%661,325 | 35.6%377,293 | 1.9%19,836 |
2016 | 56.3%441,316 | 36.7%288,229 | 7.0%54,966 |
2012 | 51.9%334,855 | 44.8%288,873 | 3.3%21,160 |
2008 | 56.3%367,229 | 42.1%274,866 | 1.6%10,640 |
2004 | 48.9%275,308 | 49.3%277,916 | 1.8%9,937 |
2000 | 37.8%174,349 | 52.7%241,972 | 9.3%42,927 |
1996 | 48.5%175,459 | 43.6%157,717 | 8.0%28,893 |
1992 | 44.1%170,871 | 34.1%132,050 | 21.8%84,653 |
1988 | 52.2%171,212 | 47.1%154,497 | 0.8%2,517 |
1984 | 40.5%118,843 | 59.2%173,939 | 0.3%885 |
1980 | 45.8%99,320 | 47.6%103,350 | 6.6%14,305 |
1976 | 53.0%103,380 | 45.5%88,844 | 1.5%2,999 |
1972 | 42.3%65,911 | 57.2%89,233 | 4.8%741 |
1968 | 49.8%54,317 | 38.6%42,082 | 11.6%12,674 |
1964 | 71.4%62,760 | 28.5%25,059 | 0.1%83 |
1960 | 58.5%40,943 | 41.2%28,832 | 0.3%190 |
Politically, Greater Austin leans toward theDemocratic Party, though it has voted Republican in the past, such as during TexanGeorge W. Bush's presidential victories in 2000 and 2004. However, at a local level, Austin has only two Democrats,Lloyd Doggett andGreg Casar, representing any part of it in Congress.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Report on the tollway...has been making more money than projected.
30°16′2″N97°44′35″W / 30.26722°N 97.74306°W /30.26722; -97.74306