New Braunfels
RANK #927 / 996 NAT · #56 / 69 TX · POP 165,201
1YR FORECAST: -2.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +10%
New Braunfels, the county seat of Comal County, is known for its German-Texan heritage, evident in its architecture and annual festivals like Wurstfest. Located in south-central Texas, Comal County sits between San Antonio (29 miles northeast) and Austin (45 miles southwest), offering a blend of Hill Country scenery and convenient access to major cities. The community offers extensive outdoor recreation, with the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers popular for tubing, kayaking, and fishing, alongside Canyon Lake for boating and swimming. Numerous parks and trails, such as those in Landa Park and Guadalupe River State Park, provide opportunities for hiking and enjoying the natural landscape.
Life in Comal County attracts families and those seeking a balance of natural beauty and community amenities. The area is served by highly-rated public schools, including Comal Independent School District and New Braunfels Independent School District. Commute options primarily involve personal vehicles, though regional public transportation and rideshare services are available. The economy is experiencing growth, with tourism playing a significant role, particularly in New Braunfels. Beyond tourism, the county sees investment in various sectors, including technology and warehousing, contributing to job growth and a changing economic landscape.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.6x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
San Marcos Data Center I (CloudBurst Data Centers & Evolve Holdings)
CloudBurst Data Centers & Evolve Holdings
|
$1,200M | Under Construction |
|
Project Comal Data Center
KDC Real Estate Development and Investments
|
$145M | Planned |
|
Costco New Braunfels
Costco
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Mayfair Master-Planned Development
Undisclosed (mentioned in context of Costco)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Veramendi Master-Planned Development
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Comal County scores just 6/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #927 of 996 counties. Job growth at +3.9% and median household income of $93,744 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Comal County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $369,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,390/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Comal County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +5.7% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.9% clip. Home values shifted -2.0% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 6.02% of Comal County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.