This article is updated annually and was last updated in October 2023.
Round Rock, America’s second-fastest-growing city, is home to the largest waterpark in the U.S., Dell Technologies’ headquarters, and much more. It’s no wonder why everyone wants to learn more about this Central Texas boomtown.
In this article, we answer all your questions about Round Rock including:
- Where is Round Rock, Texas?
- How big is Round Rock?
- What are the key demographics of Round Rock?
- What makes Round Rock an attractive place for people to live?
- What is there to do in Round Rock?
- What kind of businesses are located in Round Rock?
- What are the main reasons companies choose to locate their businesses in Round Rock?
- Who are the largest tenants in Round Rock?
- What are the largest properties in Round Rock?
Where is Round Rock, Texas?
Round Rock is located 15 miles north of Downtown Austin, straddling IH-35. Round Rock is considered a part of the Greater Austin metropolitan area.
How big is Round Rock?
Round Rock is currently experiencing a massive population boom. Round Rock’s population has increased by 26% since 2010.
Round Rock stretches across 38 square miles and, according to city-generated population estimates, has a population of 130,938 people.
What are the key demographics of Round Rock?
Round Rock has a strong talent pool and a large consumer base, with 64.5% of the population between the ages of 18 and 65. The median age in Round Rock is 35..4.
| Age of Round Rock Population | |
| < 18 Years of Age | 26% |
| 18 – 65 Years of Age | 64.5% |
| > 65 Years of Age | 9.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Round Rock has a highly educated population as 93.2% of residents aged 25 and older have a high school diploma or higher. Even more impressive, 42.1% of Round Rock’s population holds a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The median household income in Round Rock is $86,587, coming in well above the national average of $64,994.
| Round Rock Demographics Compared to Austin and Texas | |||
| Round Rock, TX | Austin, TX | State of Texas | |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.2% | 90.6% | 84.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 42.1% | 55.1% | 31.5% |
| Median household Income | $86,587 | $78,965 | $67,321 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Just over half of the people in Round Rock are married (52.6%), 31.8% have never married, 11.5% are divorced, and 3.9% are widowed.
Round Rock’s average commute to work is 25.7 minutes, just less than the U.S. average of 26.8 minutes.
What makes Round Rock, Texas an attractive place for people to live?
Round Rock frequently appears on lists of the best cities in the U.S., checking all the boxes for livability. Some of Round Rock’s recent accolades include:
- Round Rock named Cheapest City People Want to Live (Kiplinger)
- No. 3 best city in America to start a family (LendEDU)
- Round Rock ranks as the safest city in Texas, No. 5 in the nation (Niche)
- Round Rock ranks No. 4 among the “Best Affordable Places to Live” in America (Livability.com)
Housing Prices in Round Rock
According to Redfin, the median listing price of a home in Round Rock is $465,000 while the median listing price of a home in Austin is $558,000. The affordable housing opportunities in Round Rock are very attractive to homeowners and families looking to save.
| Median Housing Price | Price Per SF | |
| Round Rock, Texas | $465,000 | $223 |
| Austin, Texas | $558,000 | $319 |
| Texas | $489,000 | $180 |
Source: Redfin, October 2023
Schools in Round Rock
Round Rock Independent School District educates more than 46,000 students across 56 schools. The district is frequently recognized for its excellence in academics. In January 2021, Educational Results Partnership named 20 schools from Round Rock ISD to its 2019 to 2020 Texas Honor Roll.
Round Rock ISD is also known for its success in extra-curricular activities. The district consistently stands out in athletics, as well as the arts. In 2020, Round Rock ISD was named a District of Distinction by Texas Art Education Association for the second consecutive year.
What is there to do in Round Rock?
From baseball to retail, Round Rock will keep you plenty busy.
Kalahari Resort & Convention Center
The Kalahari Resort & Convention center is a one-stop vacation spot. Not only is this a great place to stay, but it is also home to delicious restaurants, arcades and the largest indoor waterpark in the U.S. You won’t need to leave the property for your entire stay!
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express team is the minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros. Their home stadium is the beautiful Dell Diamond, located on the east side of town. Round Rock has a reputation for some of the most die-hard minor league fans in the nation, and Austin natives know better than to miss the Express’s season. Games run from April through September.
Shopping
Round Rock is home to a number of large retail centers that draw crowds from all over the Austin Metropolitan area.
Round Rock Premium Outlets boasts 125 name-brand and designer outlet stores in a beautiful open-air mall. Close by is IKEA Round Rock, a massive complex featuring three complete homes, dining, and a supervised children’s play area.
While in Round Rock, make sure to also visit Bass Pro Shop’s Outdoor World. Along with the huge selection of outdoor gear and apparel, this 120,000-square-foot complex features an art gallery, antique store, and aquarium.
Parks and Recreation
Similar to Austin, Round Rock maintains an impressive collection of green spaces and parks for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Old Settlers Park is a 645-acre sports destination filled with fields for baseball, football, soccer, and more. The park also features playgrounds, pavilions, and a nearby lake stocked with fish.
Round Rock Dog Depot is a leash-free area featuring agility elements for dogs like tunnels, a tire jump, and an A-frame contact ramp. The park also has plenty of open space for running and playing.
What kind of businesses are located in Round Rock?
Round Rock is a retail hub, home to destination retailers like IKEA, Round Rock Premium Outlets, and Bass Pro Shops. A large selection of shops can also be found in Downtown Round Rock.
Due to the young, highly educated local population, the last 20 years have seen a significant number of tech companies crop up in Round Rock. Most notably, Dell World Headquarters is located on the south side of town. Also headquartered in Round Rock is Toppan Photomasks, the world’s premier photomask provider.
What are the main reasons companies choose to locate their businesses in Round Rock, Texas?
Situated minutes from Austin, brimming with talent, and rapidly growing, Round Rock is attracting the attention of employers nationwide.
Talent and Location
A combination of affordable housing, high quality of life, and proximity to the University of Texas, provides Round Rock with a steady flow of young, educated workers. Local colleges, such as the Round Rock campuses for Texas State and Austin Community College, also contribute to this talent pool.
Quick access to IH-35 also gives Round Rock an advantage in distribution, granting companies easy transport on a national scale.
Growth
As the second-fastest growing city in America, Round Rock’s development continues to be nothing short of spectacular. This is largely due to city policy.
Round Rock offers generous incentives for businesses, including tax breaks, reinvestment zones, and Freeport exemptions. The city also dedicates one-half-cent of sales taxes to reducing the property tax and ensures that utility costs remain low for businesses and residents. Combined with Round Rock’s prime location, it’s no wonder why the city is positioned for growth.
Who are the largest tenants in Round Rock, Texas?
Led by Dell World Headquarters, Round Rock’s largest tenants are a diverse mix of retail, tech, and industrial.
Office Tenants in Round Rock
| Tenant | SF Occupied | Property |
| Dell | 1,331,000 | 7 Dell Way |
| Trellis Company | 223,649 | La Frontera |
| Emerson Process Management | 261,177 | Frontera Vista |
Industrial Tenants in Round Rock
| Tenant | SF Occupied | Property |
| TECO Westinghouse | 473,378 | 5100 I-35 N |
| UPS | 225,00 | 33 Roundville Ln |
| ProPortion Food | 200,411 | 101 Chisholm Trl |
Retail Tenants in Round Rock
| Tenant | SF Occupied | Property |
| Walmart | 362,00 | 2701 S Interstate Highway 35 |
| IKEA | 252,000 | 1 IKEA Way |
| HEB | 177,939 | 1700 E Palm Valley Blvd |
What are the largest properties in Round Rock, Texas?
Large Industrial Space in Round Rock
According to CoStar, Round Rock Distribution Center is one of the largest industrial properties in Round Rock. The entire property is leased out to ProPortion Food, a Round Rock-based food manufacturer.
Round Rock Distribution Center in Round Rock (Image Courtesy of CoStar)
Another large industrial site in Round Rock is the recently completed UPS Distribution Center. UPS invested more than $70 million on the project, developing the massive 225,000-square-foot property that can accommodate up to 300 UPS delivery vehicles.
Large Office and Retail Space in Round Rock
Round Rock’s largest office property is Dell 1, the tech giant’s world headquarters. Large retail spaces include the 362,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter and the aforementioned 252,000-square-foot IKEA.
Conclusion
Round Rock offers something exciting for every visitor, resident, and company. Round Rock’s staggering growth ensures a unique experience with every visit and a sound investment for anyone looking to relocate their firm or family. For those who want the safety and affordability of a suburb while remaining close to Austin, Round Rock is a prime location for your company and employees.
Want to learn more about Round Rock? Reach out to one of our industrial experts today.
Curious about other cities surrounding Austin? Check out some of these other Austin suburbs:
- Your Guide to Leander, TX: One of the Nation’s Fastest-Growing Cities
- Your Guide to Hutto, Texas: Austin’s Newest Northeast Neighbor
- Your Guide to Georgetown, Texas: Gateway to the Austin MSA
