Famous for its ties to country music star, Willie Nelson, a small, unincorporated community has quickly grown to become a hotspot for affluent home buyers in Central Texas. Spicewood, home to Nelson’s Texas Ranch, is one of several areas outside the Austin city limits that is attracting more people now than ever before.
While it’s not an official city, the Austin-area town has spiked in population over the past two decades spurring further housing and business developments. MySA created a travel guide of Spicewood, for those considering moving or visiting soon.
Here’s everything you need to know about Spicewood:
What is Spicewood, Texas known for?
Spicewood is best known as the home of Willie Nelson, whose ranch is located along Bee Creek Road. Nelson’s Ranch is also a live music venue, which hosts an annual Luck Reunion featuring rising country artists and Nelson himself, who tends to headline the music festival every March.
How close is Spicewood to Austin?
Spicewood is located about 35 miles northeast of Austin on the southside of Lake Travis, primarily in Burnet County. To get there, you can take State Highway 1 to 71 East all the way until making a right on Spur 191. Spicewood also has its own airport for those who prefer to travel by plane.
What’s the population of Spicewood?
According to Point2Homes data, Spicewood has a total population of more than 12,500 residents. Forbes reported that in1990, Spicewood had an estimated population of 110, but in 2024 the community’s population grew to around 11,230.
What are the school districts like in Spicewood?
Spicewood is split between two school districts, Lake Travis ISD and Marble Falls ISD. According to Homes.com, Lake Travis ISD has A-rated schools, while other schools north of the river in Marble Falls ISD generally have B-level ratings. The area has six schools, four public schools including Spicewood Elementary, Rough Hollow, Cypress and Lake Travis Middle School plus two private schools — Spicewood Christian Academy and Lake Travis Christian Academy.
How much does it cost to buy a home in Spicewood?
The average price of a home in Spicewood is $711,906, down 3% over the past year, according to Zillow data from June. According to Forbes reporting, the area has grown into a popular Austin-adjacent alternative for wealthy people looking for waterfront properties along Lake Travis.
What is the average household income in Spicewood?
Spicewood residents make an average of $128,000, according to Point2Homes data. The median age for a Spicewood resident is 47 years old. Its housing landscape is made up of a majority (85%) of single-family homes, 10.9% of mobile homes and attached options, including duplexes and townhouses, make up 1.6%.
What’s the average renter cost in Spicewood?
According to Zilllow, the average rent in Spicewood is $4,000 a month. The price range for all bedrooms and all property types is $800 to $13,500.
Cost of utilities in Spicewood?
Spicewood residents spend about $147 per month on electricity based on utility bills shared with EnergySage. Spicewood is in a deregulated Texas energy market, which means residents can choose their energy provider unlike Austin, where most residents use Austin Energy. Average electricity bills generally fall between $140 and $200 per month, though costs often spike during peak summer months.
Best places to eat in Spicewood?
Some of the best places to eat in Spicewood according to Tripadvisor are Opie’s Barbecue, Angel’s Icehouse, J5 Steakhouse, Lee’s Almost By The Lake and La Cabana Mexican Grill, Poodies Hilltop Bar and Grill and Spicewood General Store. With some luck, maybe you’ll run into Willie Nelson dining at one of these places for lunch or dinner someday!…