RANK #975 / 996 · POP 245,351 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -4.2%
Hays County, Texas, is often recognized for Jacob's Well Natural Area, a significant artesian spring and the headwaters of Cypress Creek, offering swimming and hiking opportunities. Located in south-central Texas, approximately 23 miles southwest of Austin, the county blends hilly, tree-covered ranch land with agricultural plains. Commuting to Austin is common, with Interstate 35 serving as a primary route. The community offers access to numerous parks and natural areas like Blue Hole Regional Park and Spring Lake Natural Area, providing trails for walking, running, birding, and swimming.
Life in Hays County attracts a mix of families and professionals, many of whom commute to nearby cities. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in commercial and residential development. Educational institutions, including Texas State University in San Marcos, contribute to a skilled workforce. The county has also seen expansion in industrial and logistics sectors, alongside some manufacturing activity. Public schools in Hays County are generally well-regarded.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Border States Tenant Improvement
Firecracker 6 Industrial Owner LLC
|
$1,000M | Under Construction |
|
Hays CISD Bond Program (Educational Facilities, Athletics, Technology)
Hays CISD
|
$969M | Planned |
|
Waterstone Unit A
DRP TX3, LLC
|
$603M | Under Construction |
|
Texas State Hilltop Housing Phase II
Texas State University System
|
$228M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Fulfillment and Logistics Centers (Multiple Locations)
Amazon
|
$191M | Operating |
|
CloudBurst Data Centers - San Marcos Data Center I (Phase 1)
CloudBurst Data Centers / Evolve Holdings
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hays County has a Boom Town Index score of 2/100, ranking #975 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +5.5% and a median household income of $79,990, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Hays County is $335,700 with median rent at $1,355/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2383, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +4.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +5.5%. Home values changed -5.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 8.41% of Hays County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.