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Quick Answer
Lake Austin TX: Key Facts
Location: West and northwest Austin, along a 22-mile constant-level reservoir on the Colorado River. Primary zip codes: 78733 and 78746, with waterfront sections also in 78703, 78730, 78731, and 78732. School districts: Eanes ISD (south and west shore), Austin ISD (east), Lake Travis ISD (far west). Commute to downtown Austin: 20 to 30 minutes depending on access point.
Lake Austin is a good place to live for buyers who want constant-level waterfront access, private boat docks, and Hill Country scenery within commuting distance of downtown. True waterfront properties median around $4M. The 78733 zip code averages $1.3M across all property types.1,2
Waterfront median $4M: Keenan Group at Compass, 276 closed Lake Austin sales1 / 78733 avg $1,313,259: austinrealestate.com April 20262
Many Lake Austin waterfront properties sell off-market and never appear on public MLS. Work with a specialist who has access to pocket listings in 78733 and 78746.
Talk to JeannieWhy Lake Austin
Buyers new to Austin often conflate Lake Austin and Lake Travis. They are distinct bodies of water with different lifestyles, price points, and access characteristics. Lake Austin is a 22-mile constant-level reservoir on the Colorado River, stretching from Tom Miller Dam near downtown west to Mansfield Dam. Because it is constant-level, docks and boat launches remain fully functional year-round — a key advantage over Lake Travis, which fluctuates significantly with drought and rainfall.
Constant-Level Water
Lake Austin maintains stable water levels year-round. Docks, boat lifts, and waterfront access remain consistent regardless of drought or rainfall — unlike Lake Travis.
Close to Downtown
Eastern sections — Tarrytown, Laguna Loma, Island Way — are 10 to 15 minutes from downtown Austin. Even far western sections in 78733 are 20 to 30 minutes out via Loop 360 or Bee Caves Road.
Three School Districts
Eanes ISD covers the south and west shore (78733, 78746). Austin ISD covers the east. Lake Travis ISD covers the far west. Eanes ISD — which includes Westlake High School — is the most sought-after.
The Neighborhoods
Lake Austin waterfront properties are spread across both shores, accessible from several major roads. Here is how the primary neighborhoods break down:
| Neighborhood | Access | Zip | ISD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Loma, Island Way, St. Tropez | Westlake Drive | 78746 | Eanes | Closest to downtown, highest price density, direct waterfront |
| Rob Roy on the Lake, Cypress Banks, Lake Pointe | Bee Caves / Loop 360 | 78733 / 78746 | Eanes | Mix of waterfront and view properties, strong Eanes ISD coverage |
| Cuernavaca, River Terrace, Saratoga Point | Cuernavaca Drive | 78733 | Eanes | Secluded, Hill Country feel, large lots, private lake access |
| Davenport Ranch | Loop 360 | 78746 | Eanes | Luxury community, Austin Country Club access, lake views not all direct waterfront |
| Greenshores, Apache Shores, Horseshoe Bend | RM 620 | 78733 / 78732 | Eanes / Lake Travis | Far west shore, more affordable entry, community boat ramps, voluntary HOA |
Source: Regent Property Group Lake Austin neighborhood guide / Spyglass Realty waterfront guide3,4
Property Types
True Waterfront Estates
Direct lake frontage with private boat dock. Multi-level dock structures, boat lifts, and covered slips are standard. Prices start at $3M and extend well past $10M for premium frontage. Many sell off-market as private exclusives.1
View and Lake-Access Homes
Hillside properties in Westlake Hills and Davenport Ranch offer panoramic lake views without direct frontage. Many communities include shared boat ramps and parks. Entry into the Lake Austin market ranges from $1M to $4M at this tier.
Tear-Down Opportunities
Older 1960s and 1970s fishing cabins and modest ranch homes on waterfront lots frequently sell for land value alone — often in the millions purely for the frontage. Custom new construction then follows on the same site.
Work with a Specialist
Lake Austin waterfront properties require a specialist who understands the difference between true waterfront, lake-access, and view properties — and who can navigate a market where the best homes never appear on public MLS. Jeannie Garr Roddy works with buyers and sellers across the Lake Austin corridor including Davenport Ranch, the Cuernavaca neighborhoods, Rob Roy on the Lake, and the broader 78733 and 78746 waterfront markets.
She holds both TX and CA licenses — particularly relevant for the California buyer pool that drives significant demand on Lake Austin.
Common Questions
Lake Austin waterfront properties primarily fall within zip codes 78733 and 78746. Additional zip codes with lake-adjacent or lake-access properties include 78703, 78730, 78731, and 78732 on the east side, and 78732 and 78734 further west near Mansfield Dam. The 78733 zip code covers much of the south and west shore including neighborhoods like Cuernavaca, Austin Lake Hills, and Rivercrest.
Yes, for buyers who prioritize waterfront lifestyle, privacy, and Hill Country scenery with city access. Lake Austin offers constant-level water access year-round, 20 to 30 minute proximity to downtown Austin, and many neighborhoods served by Eanes ISD. True waterfront properties median around $4M. The tradeoff is price and availability — the best waterfront properties rarely appear on public MLS.
True waterfront properties on Lake Austin have a median sale price of approximately $4M, with an average of $3.1M across recent transactions.1 The broader 78733 zip code averages $1,313,259 with listings ranging from $325,000 to $6,500,000.2 Entry-level lake-access homes with community boat ramps start around $750,000 to $1M in the far west shore neighborhoods.
Lake Austin properties are served by three school districts. Eanes ISD covers the south and west shore including most of 78733 and 78746 — this includes Westlake High School, frequently ranked in the top 1% of schools nationally. Austin ISD serves the eastern sections near downtown. Lake Travis ISD covers the far western portions near Mansfield Dam. School district boundaries vary street by street in some areas — always verify the specific address before purchasing.
Lake Austin is a constant-level reservoir on the Colorado River stretching 22 miles from Tom Miller Dam near downtown to Mansfield Dam. Its water level stays consistent year-round, meaning docks and boat access are always functional. Lake Travis is a flood-control reservoir further west with significant water level fluctuations. Lake Austin properties sit closer to downtown and command higher prices per frontage foot. Lake Travis offers more surface area and a broader range of price points.
Yes. Many Lake Austin waterfront properties sell as private exclusives and never appear on public MLS listings. Sellers in this market often prefer controlled, discreet transactions. Buyers looking for true waterfront estates above $3M should work with an agent who has direct relationships with property owners and access to off-market inventory rather than relying solely on MLS searches.
Explore More
Sources
1. Keenan Group at Compass — Lake Austin real estate market analysis: 276 closed sales, avg $3,136,385, median $4,000,000
2. austinrealestate.com — 78733 zip code data (April 14, 2026): 28 active residential listings, avg price $1,313,259, range $325K-$6.5M
3. Regent Property Group — Lake Austin neighborhood guide: shore access roads and zip code breakdown
4. Spyglass Realty — Lake Austin waterfront homes guide: neighborhood descriptions and community access details
22,484 people live in Lake Austin, where the median age is 40.9 and the average individual income is $125,826. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Average individual Income
There's plenty to do around Lake Austin, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Lux Boards, CTRUS, and Peace Cheese.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 2.13 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 3.48 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 3.54 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Dining | 2.98 miles | 16 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 4 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 0.02 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Shopping | 1.31 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.32 miles | 12 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.93 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.51 miles | 17 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.8 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Active | 1.38 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 4.9 miles | 7 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 3.23 miles | 22 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.48 miles | 14 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 1.64 miles | 15 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.93 miles | 9 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.91 miles | 8 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 3.06 miles | 22 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 3.16 miles | 22 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 2.13 miles | 5 reviews | 5/5 stars | |
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Lake Austin has 11,497 households, with an average household size of 1.92. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Lake Austin do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 22,484 people call Lake Austin home. The population density is 3,998.9 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
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Population by Age Group
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Total Households
Average Household Size
Average individual Income
Households with Children
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Blue vs White Collar Workers
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