This article is updated annually and was last updated in September 2023.

For those keeping an eye on the Austin real estate market, you’ve likely heard of the town of Buda, Texas in the news as of late. In fact, Buda is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. 

Whether you’re familiar with the Austin suburb or you’ve just recently learned about the town, you’re likely wondering what all of the business buzz is about. 

At AQUILA, we make it our business to provide our readers with everything you need to know about the Austin-area real estate market. 

Read Now: The Latest Austin Industrial Market Report

In this article, we guide you through everything you need to know about Buda including:

 

Where is Buda, Texas?

Located 15 miles south of Austin, the growing town of Buda is an increasingly popular Austin suburb for businesses and homebuyers alike. 

Buda, Texas | Water Tower

This photo and the featured image are courtesy of the City of Buda.

The town is located along the IH-35 corridor that connects Austin and San Antonio. Buda is located immediately south of Austin along the IH-35 corridor that connects Austin and San Antonio.

 

How big is Buda, Texas?

Buda takes up 5.36 square miles, and based on 2020 estimates has a population of 16,484.

Buda is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. According to a 2020 report by Community Impact in a 10-year span, 2010-2020, the population of Buda has grown 132%.

Buda, Texas Water
 

What are the key demographics of Buda?

The majority of Buda’s population is considered to be of working age, between the ages of 18 and 65, with a median age of 36.2 years old.

Age of Buda Population
< 18 Years of Age 26.7%
18 – 65 Years of Age 63.8%
> 65 Years of Age 9.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022

Residents of Buda are highly educated with 54.5% of the population aged 25 and older earning a bachelor’s degree or higher, slightly lower than the city of Austin and much higher than the state of Texas. The vast majority of Buda’s residents have at least a high school education with 98.4% of the population aged 25 and older having a high school diploma or higher, a higher percentage than both the city of Austin and the state of Texas. 

The median household income in Buda is $87,571, significantly higher than the U.S. average of $69,021.

Buda Demographics Compared to Austin and Texas
Buda, TX Austin, TX State of Texas
High school graduate or higher (age 25+) 98.4% 90.6% 84.8%
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+) 54.5% 55.1% 31.5%
Median Household Income $87,571 $78,965 $67,321

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 to 2021

The majority of Buda’s residents are married; of its population, 58% are married and 42% are single

The average commute to work for residents of Buda is 31.4 minutes, slightly higher than the U.S. average of 26.1 minutes.

 

What makes Buda an attractive place for people to live?

Buda is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas and is a popular option for Austinites looking for more affordable housing. 

Buda has relatively affordable housing compared to Austin and is just 20 minutes from Downtown Austin, leading many people in the area to make the move to Buda to start families and build careers. 

Buda Bike Company | Buda, Texas

Schools in Buda

Buda is a part of the Hays Consolidated Independent School District.  Hays CISD is home to 25 campuses serving 20,000 students. Hays CISD offers Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) based education.

Buda’s proximity to Downtown Austin and San Marcos offers opportunities for individuals pursuing higher education. Buda is a 20-minute drive from the University of Texas at Austin and a 15-minute drive from Texas State University in San Marcos. Not to mention, the Austin Community College – Hays Campus is located off IH-35 between Kyle and Buda.

Housing Prices in Buda

According to Redfin, the median sale price of a home in Buda is $439,000, while the median sale price of a home in Austin is $558,000. 

Median Housing Price Price Per SF
Buda, Texas $439,000 $208
Austin, Texas $558,000 $319
Texas $489,000 $180

Source: Redfin, NAugust 2022

 

What is there to do in Buda, Texas?

Historic Downtown Buda

One of the biggest attractions in Buda is Downtown Buda, which is a nationally recognized historic site. Downtown Buda is home to six blocks of historic buildings, restaurants, shops, and places to relax.

Louie's Craft BBQ | Buda, Texas
The Downtown Buda Farmers Market is held every Sunday, and on the first Saturday of each month, the Downtown Buda Merchant’s Group offers live music, food, and drinks to encourage the community to support Buda’s unique local merchants. 

Buda Mill & Grain | Buda, Texas

 

Parks & Outdoor Spaces in Buda

Buda has an abundance of outdoor attractions to enjoy. In fact, Buda has such a high percentage of parkland that it was named “The Outdoor Capital of Texas” by the Texas State Legislature. In total, Buda has 13 parks across 268 acres of public parkland

One of the most popular parks is the Historic Stagecoach Park. The park has a pavilion, amphitheater, playground, hike and bike trail, pond, and open park ground. This scenic park is home to acres of mesquite and oak trees along with abundant wildlife. 

Buda, Texas Stagecoach Park

Stagecoach Park in Buda. Photo courtesy of the City of Buda.

Events in Buda

Buda offers a variety of events to enjoy throughout the year. They have traditional events like an annual Easter egg hunt, a downtown Christmas event, and a summer movie series. 

But on the last weekend of April, a unique event held in Buda is the annual Buda Lions Country Fair & Wiener Dog Race, held on the last weekend of April. The fair starts with a pet parade followed by the wiener dog races! You can cheer on your favorite dog and enjoy the fair’s BBQ cook-off, live music, vendor booths, and best-dressed dog contest.  

Buda, Texas Dog Races

Weiner Dog Races in Buda. Photo courtesy of the City of Buda.

Downtown Buda, Texas

Live music downtown.

 

What kind of businesses are located in Buda, Texas?

Buda is primarily home to industrial businesses including companies like Ampersand Art Supply, an art supplies manufacturer, a Deep Eddy Vodka distillery, and Centex Materials, a sand and gravel supplier. Many of Buda’s top employers are manufacturers, distributors, and construction companies. 

A notable addition to Buda’s local economy is Amazon’s distribution center. In July 2020, the Buda Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced that Amazon would be opening a new delivery station in Buda by the end of 2020.

Buda has also established a retail presence in its Downtown and Regional Freeway submarkets

A majority of the retail businesses in Downtown Buda are locally owned and operated shops. Stores like The Mercantile at Mill + Grain, a home goods and apparel boutique, represent the eclectic mix of local businesses in Buda.

Some major retail chains have also made their way into Buda. Buda’s largest major retailers are Cabela’s, H-E-B, and Walmart, all located along IH-35. 

Cabela's | Buda, Texas
 

What are the main reasons companies choose to locate their businesses in Buda?

With suitable land available for development and a growing employee pool, it’s no wonder so many businesses are drawn to Buda. 

According to the Buda EDC, “cost advantages, proximity to talented employees, incentives, and the ease of doing business” are among the many reasons businesses choose to locate in Buda.

For industrial businesses especially, Buda offers multiple advantages. 

Access to Major Distribution Arteries

Industrial businesses can benefit from Buda’s access to major U.S. highways, access to major distribution centers and proximity to Austin’s customer base. The location along IH-35 allows for easy north-to-south distribution to Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and beyond. 

Abundant Talent

By locating in Buda, employers have access to a growing and highly educated workforce. And, the town’s affordable housing prices make it a convenient place for talent to relocate or buy a home. 

Incentives Available

The City of Buda and Buda Economic Development Corporation provide incentive programs and resources like grants, legal services, and market information for different types of businesses that are located in or expanding to Buda. 

Additionally, Buda is one of the few communities in the Austin area to offer a “Triple Freeport” exemption on qualified inquiries

Finally, the Buda Chamber of Commerce works with the Texas State University Small Business Development Center to provide assistance for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses 

 

Who are the largest tenants in Buda, Texas?

A majority of Buda’s largest tenants are industrial and retail businesses. 

Industrial Tenants in Buda

Tenant Square Footage Property
Amazon 305,768 2956 Main St
US Foods 290,000 2150 Fire Cracker Dr
Four Hands 244,085 320 Deep Roots Dr
Four Hands 115,000 250 Deep Roots Dr
Deep Eddy Vodka 110,407 150 Precision Bldg A
Rinchem Company Inc 46,700 1235 FM 967 S – Bldg 2
Dynamic Glass 30,000 980 S Loop 4
Royal Manufacturing 24,000 199 Park 35 Cv N
MI Box of Austin 20,000 15295 S IH-35

Retail Tenants in Buda

Tenant Square Footage Property
Cabela’s 185,000 15570 S I-35 Hwy
Walmart 231,765 Buda Town Center
H-E-B 61,384 15300 S IH-35

 

What are the largest properties in Buda, Texas?

Large Industrial Space in Buda

One of the largest properties in Buda is the Park 35 industrial facility on 2956 Main St. The 305,758-square-foot property is home to one of Amazon’s newest distribution centers in central Texas.

Another notable property is the 290,000-square-foot industrial facility on 2150 Firecracker Dr. This industrial facility is one of the distribution centers for US Foods. This industrial facility is one of the distribution centers for US Foods and it serves as one of the main restaurant suppliers for Buda, Austin, and the IH-35 corridor.

Deep Eddy Vodka, an Austin favorite, has a new distillery in Buda. The distillery is located in a 194,000-square-foot, two-building property on 150 Precision Dr. Deep Eddy Vodka occupies all of Building A and 20,493 square feet of space in Building B.

Large Office Space in Buda

While there are not a large number of existing offices in Buda today, there is potential for development along the pad sites along FM 967 near IH-35. It will be interesting to see what new development arises as Buda and the IH-35 corridor continue to grow.

 

Conclusion

Buda is a fast-growing Austin suburb that offers multiple advantages for families and businesses alike. For those who want access to Buda and all the benefits of a small close-knit community, Buda is the perfect place for your company and employees.

Is Buda not the place for you? Check out some of these other Austin suburbs:

 

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Blake Patterson | Industrial Expert

Blake Patterson

Blake is an expert in all things industrial including leasing, property acquisitions and dispositions, and tenant representation.

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