78620 is Dripping Springs’ zip code, a fast-growing stretch of Hays County about 25 miles west of downtown Austin along US-290. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker with Uncommon Realty, and I show buyers this area often for the exact reason most of them come looking: more land, more privacy, and Hill Country views you can’t get closer to the city.
Schools and Growth
Dripping Springs ISD serves 78620, and the district has been building schools at a pace that matches the population growth out here — a good sign for families, but worth confirming campus assignment before you fall for a specific house, since boundaries can shift as new schools open. The area is unincorporated in parts and incorporated as the City of Dripping Springs in others, so tax rates and permitting rules can differ block to block.
What You’ll Find Living Here
Home styles range from acreage properties with septic and well water on the outskirts to newer master-planned communities like Belterra and Caliterra closer to US-290, where you get a neighborhood pool and sidewalks instead of a well pump. Founders Memorial Park, right off Ranch Road 12 in the city itself, has a public pool, sports fields, a skate park, and the Pound Farmstead museum if you want a sense of the area’s history. If you’re comparing options a little further southwest, I also cover Driftwood, which has a similar rural feel with even more acreage.
Wineries, Distilleries, and the 290 Corridor
Dripping Springs has picked up the nickname “Beverage Capital of Texas” for good reason — more than 20 wineries, breweries, and distilleries are packed along US-290 and Fitzhugh Road. That’s part of the draw for a lot of my buyers, along with the shorter commute compared to Hill Country towns farther out like Wimberley or Blanco.
What to Check Before You Buy
Well and septic systems are common outside the master-planned communities, so get both inspected separately from the general home inspection. Confirm whether a property is inside Dripping Springs city limits or the unincorporated county, since that affects taxes and future development rules nearby. And if you’re looking at a newer community, review the HOA documents for amenity fees and any remaining builder assessments.
If you’d like to talk through financing before you start touring, get pre-approved first, then schedule a buyer consultation with me and I’ll walk you through which part of 78620 actually fits what you’re after.
Ready to take the next step? search all homes for sale in 78620.
