Your Guide to Georgetown, Texas: Gateway to the Austin MSA

Located 30 miles north of Austin, Georgetown is a rapidly growing city home to the “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas.” Just north of Round Rock, TX, Georgetown is a burgeoning Austin suburb drawing in many residents and businesses.

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

• Where is Georgetown, Texas?
• How big is Georgetown, Texas?
• What are the key demographics in Georgetown?
• What makes Georgetown an attractive place for people to live?
• What is there to do in Georgetown, TX?
• What kind of businesses are located in Georgetown?
• What are the main reasons tenants choose to locate their businesses in Georgetown? 
• Who are the largest tenants in Georgetown?
• What are the largest properties in Georgetown?

Where is Georgetown, Texas?

Georgetown is located 30 miles north of Downtown Austin. Georgetown centers along IH-35, encompassing the intersections of SH 130 and Hwy 29. 

How big is Georgetown, Texas?

Georgetown has a growing population of 86,507 people (2022 EST.) and, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Georgetown is the Fastest-Growing city in the U.S.. with a population of more than 50,000.

Georgetown encompasses 47.86 square miles of land.

Georgetown is home to the “Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas.”

What are the key demographics in Georgetown, Texas?

The majority of Georgetown’s population is considered to be of working age, between the ages of 18 and 65, with a median age of 45.5 years old. 

^{Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2021}

The majority of Georgetown’s residents have at least a high school education with 94.2% of the population aged 25 and older having a high school diploma or higher. And many are college-educated, with 45.9% earning a bachelor’s degree or higher. This is far greater than the rate of college education across the state, but a bit lower than neighboring Austin, Texas.

The median household income in Georgetown is $80,416, slightly higher than the U.S. average of $69,021.

^{Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2016 to 2020}

The majority of Georgetown’s residents are married. Of its population, 56.9% are married, 25.4% have never been married, 10.4% are divorced, 1% are separated, and 7.3% are widowed.

The average commute to work for residents of Georgetown is 27.4 minutes, only slightly higher than the U.S. average of 26.9 minutes.

What makes Georgetown an attractive place for people to live?

Georgetown’s reputation as one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, along with its many attractions, strong business climate, and proximity to Austin, is drawing in many newcomers. In 2018, it was even named the best city to live in by Southern Living. 

Schools in Georgetown, Texas

For families, Georgetown offers exceptional academic opportunities. Georgetown Independent School District serves over 12,000 students in 16 schools. 

In May 2020, Georgetown ISD was named the No. 2 Best School District to Buy an Affordable Home (SmartAsset). Georgetown earned its rank through a number of factors including:

• Low student-to-teach ratios of about 15
• High rates of proficiency in English and math (76.1% and 80.3% respectively)
• A strong graduation rate of 93%

Housing Prices in Georgetown

According to Redfin, the median sale price of a home in Georgetown is $459,990 while the median sale price of a home in Austin is $555,000. More affordable housing opportunities combined with Georgetown’s wide variety of schools, attractions, and businesses make Georgetown an attractive place for families and businesses alike. 

^{Source: Redfin, August 2022}

What is there to do in Georgetown, Texas?

Downtown Georgetown

Georgetown’s reputation as having “The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas” and award-winning Main Street have attracted tourists, residents, and businesses alike. 

Georgetown became a Main Street America Accredited Program as of 2020. The program implements guidelines and offers resources to businesses and historic landmarks in order to preserve the vibrancy and vitality of Georgetown’s downtown area.

Downtown Georgetown is the epicenter for all things Georgetown. The town center has state-of-the-art dining, shopping, and entertainment. From antique stores and museums to the Palace Theatre and All Things Kids toy store, there’s something in Georgetown for everyone. 

Downtown is also home to the Georgetown Public Library, which was awarded the 2018 National Medal for Museum and Library Science. For residents and visitors of Georgetown, there is always something to do.

Main Street in the Georgetown Square.

Outdoor Fun

If you are a fan of outdoor activities, Georgetown has everything you need.

Lake Georgetown is located in Northwest Georgetown and has something for everyone. The lake is great for a day of boating or fishing. You can even make a weekend of it and camp near the shore. If water isn’t your thing, you can choose to hike part, or all, of the 16 miles of hiking trails.

A similar outdoor option is Blue Hole Park, just north of Downtown Georgetown. This beautiful park offers a refreshing lagoon, trails, picnic areas, swimming, and fishing.

Looking for a place to escape the heat? Inner Space Cavern is the spot for you. This beautiful cave contains amazing formations, fossils, and more. The cave stays 72 degrees year-round (but can feel like 80 with humidity).

Inner Space Cavern. Photo courtesy of Brad Fults.

Southwestern University

Southwestern University is located in Georgetown and was founded in 1873, making it the first institution of higher learning in Texas. Southwestern University (SU) is a private, four-year, undergraduate, liberal arts college. SU has been ranked No. 78 on the list of best Christian Colleges in America and No. 2 on the list of Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Texas for 2022 by Niche.

Events in Georgetown

One of Georgetown’s most popular events is the annual Red Poppy Festival. This is a three-day event in Georgetown’s historic square. These days are filled with shopping, eating, parades, art, inflatables, music, and more.

Georgetown also offers a few great holiday celebrations. The annual Christmas Stroll surrounds the Georgetown Square featuring a parade, arts, and craft booths, appearances from Santa and the Grinch, seasonal treats, and more. You can also attend the Lighting of the Square before the holidays. More than just Christmas lights, this event also offers children’s activities, photos with Santa, and other entertainment.

The Lighting of the Square.

What kind of businesses are located in Georgetown, Texas?

Georgetown is home to a range of businesses, including advanced manufacturing, professional services, and life sciences.

Airborn Inc., an electronic parts manufacturer, is one of the major employers in Georgetown. The global company has its corporate headquarters in Georgetown and serves customers across industries such as aerospace, energy, and telecommunications. Other advanced manufacturing companies in Georgetown include Chatsworth Products, a multi-national information technology products manufacturer, and Manitex, an aerial platform and crane manufacturer.

Georgetown’s professional services industry has brought in many businesses in creative design, engineering services, and software and information technology. Sport Clips Inc, a national barbershop franchise, has its headquarters located in Georgetown, and Citigroup, a financial services company, opened a data center in Georgetown in 2008. 

Georgetown’s life sciences industry has drawn in healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical technology businesses. Some of the major life-science employers in Georgetown include St. David’s Hospital, Smile Doctors, and Rock Springs Hospital.

What are the main reasons companies choose to locate their businesses in Georgetown, Texas?

Like most Austin suburbs, businesses are drawn to Georgetown because it provides access to Austin with all the benefits of a small town combined with big-city amenities. 

Access to All of Texas and Beyond

Georgetown’s location along IH-35 is a major draw for businesses that rely on access to major U.S. highways for distribution and transportation. Not to mention, Georgetown is located within 200 miles of Houston, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and San Antonio, making Texas’ major cities highly accessible in all directions.

Incentives Available

The City of Georgetown offers a variety of incentives for businesses including, but not limited to, low taxes, bonds, and quality utility services. 

Additionally, Georgetown offers a “Triple Freeport” exemption on qualified inquiries. The city also offers personal and real property sales tax abatements to qualified businesses. 

Georgetown is also within the Foreign Trade Zone of Central Texas Inc (FTZ 183). 

Georgetown also fosters a climate of business development with its Business Retention And Expansion Program (BR&E). The BR&E aids businesses and helps boost the local economy. The BR&E offers hiring, investing, expanding, and relocating resources to existing businesses in the Georgetown area.

Abundant Talent

The growing workforce in Georgetown is another factor drawing businesses in. Georgetown’s labor shed encompasses over 700,000 workers, stretching north to Temple and south to Austin. The labor shed is well-educated with 40% of the labor shed having earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher and more than a third of the labor shed is workers aged 25 to 44. 

Additionally, retail businesses are especially drawn to Georgetown as the city has become an emerging regional retail destination with a growing demand for retail. 

Who are the largest tenants in Georgetown?

Industrial Tenants in Georgetown

Office Tenants in Georgetown

Retail Tenants in Georgetown

What are the largest properties in Georgetown, Texas?

Large Industrial Space in Georgetown

The largest industrial properties in Georgetown include:

• 3000 S. Austin Ave. (192,060 SF): 100% leased to Manitex Inc.  
• 111 Halmar Cv (150,500 SF) of industrial space: 96% leased to Texas Outdoor Power Equipment
• 100 W. Cooperative Way (129,554 SF): 100% leased to Texas Electric Cooperatives, an electric utility supply company
• 3004 S. Austin Ave ( 83,672 SF): recently leased to Chatsworth Products

NorthPark35, a two-building, 331,030-square-foot industrial development from Titan Development broke ground in late 2020. The project is part of a two-phase, seven-building plan and is located along IH-35 near the SH 130 intersection and the Georgetown Municipal Airport.

Large Office Space in Georgetown

One of the largest properties is Citigroup’s Georgetown Data Center Facility at 201 Blue Ridge Dr. The 55-acre property has 334,775 square feet of flex space and is owned by Citigroup, a financial services company. The building was awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental (LEED) certification at the Gold Level from the US Green Building Council in 2009. 

Other notable large office buildings in Georgetown include The Georgetonian, a multi-tenant office building at 205 E. University Ave. with 63,840 square feet of office space, and Tamiro Plaza Phase 1 at 501 S. Austin Ave. with 38,000 square feet of office space.  

Large Retail Space in Georgetown

One major retail project in Georgetown is the Wolf Crossing and Wolf Lakes retail center. Wolf Crossing is expected to hold 250,000 square feet of space, bringing dining and shopping to residents of Georgetown. Wolf Lakes Village will be a mixed-use 164-acre development. The Wolf Lakes Village project is expected to include a 725,000-square-foot regional employment center as well as retail, entertainment, hotel, and housing space.  

Other large retail centers in town include Republic Square Shopping Center with 117,018 square feet of retail space and Williamsburg Village with 88,130 square feet of retail space. 

Georgetown also has large properties leased to retail giants including the 123,886-square-foot building at 1021 W. University Ave. leased entirely to Target, a 200,478-square-foot building in Rivery Towne Crossing leased entirely to Walmart, and a 112,004-square-foot building in Rivery Towne Crossing leased entirely to Home Depot. 

Conclusion

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

Is Georgetown not the place for you? 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