Market Overview for Smithville Independent School District
There are 117 active listings in Smithville Independent School District with a median list price of $422K and a median sold price of $370K.
Homes average 132 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 6 homes have sold, with 97 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $318.
About Smithville Independent School District
Smithville Independent School District serves approximately 1,800 students across four campuses in the city of Smithville and surrounding southeastern Bastrop County. The district covers a diverse landscape along the Colorado River, with post-oak woodlands, bottomland hardwood forests, and Blackland Prairie farmland converging in the area. Smithville sits at the intersection of State Highway 71 and State Highway 95, approximately 45 miles southeast of downtown Austin. The city has a population of about 4,500 and is known for its film history: scenes from several major productions including "Hope Floats" (1998) and "Tree of Life" (2011) were filmed on location in Smithville, and the city markets itself as a film-friendly community. The Colorado River forms the northern boundary of the city, and the historic downtown along Main Street features early-20th-century commercial buildings.
Real estate within Smithville ISD includes modest homes in the city's historic neighborhoods, newer construction on the outskirts, and rural acreage properties throughout the district. In-city homes range from $130K for older properties in need of work to $400K for updated homes on large lots near the river. Acreage properties of 5 to 20 acres with homes list from $300K to $600K. Larger ranch tracts and riverfront properties can reach $800K or more. Manufactured homes on rural lots are available from $100K. The median home price in the district is approximately $275K, significantly below the Austin metro average. The area has attracted remote workers and retirees seeking affordable homes within an hour of the capital city, and SH-71 provides a direct route without I-35 traffic.
The district operates Brown Primary School for pre-K through 2nd grade, Smithville Elementary for 3rd through 5th grade, Smithville Junior High for 6th through 8th grade, and Smithville High School for 9th through 12th grade. Smithville High School enrolls approximately 500 students and competes in UIL Class 3A athletics, with a competitive baseball program and active FFA chapter. The district offers Career and Technical Education pathways in agricultural science, health science, welding, and cosmetology. Dual-credit courses are available through Blinn College. TEA accountability ratings have been Met Standard, and the district has invested in campus facility upgrades in recent bond elections. Student-to-teacher ratios are below the state average across all campuses.
Smithville is approximately 45 minutes from downtown Austin via SH-71, a scenic two-lane highway that bypasses I-35 congestion. Bastrop is about 15 miles northwest on SH-71, La Grange is roughly 25 miles east, and Lockhart is approximately 30 minutes north via SH-142 and US-183. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about 40 minutes west. The Colorado River crossing at SH-71 provides the geographic anchor for the city, and the river bottom supports pecan orchards and cattle operations. Major employers include the school district, the City of Smithville, and a mix of small businesses and agricultural operations. The Texas Municipal Power Agency's Gibbons Creek power plant closure in 2019 removed a significant employer, and the community has focused on diversifying its economic base through tourism, film industry recruitment, and small business development.
Living in Smithville Independent School District
Smithville has a city population of approximately 4,500, with the broader district encompassing additional rural residents across southeastern Bastrop County. Median household income is roughly $48,000, reflecting a mix of retirees, remote workers, agricultural employees, and commuters to Austin and Bastrop. The city has a diverse population with significant white, Hispanic, and Black communities. Homeownership rates are above the state average, and the mix of older historic homes and rural acreage provides a range of housing options. The SH-71 corridor gives Smithville a more direct connection to Austin than many comparable small towns, as the route avoids I-35 and passes through minimal traffic.
Daily life in Smithville centers on the downtown square, the Colorado River, and community events. The annual Smithville Jamboree in April is the city's largest event, a multi-day festival with a parade, live music, a barbecue cook-off, carnival rides, and a community dance. Buescher State Park, a 1,017-acre facility along a small lake just east of town, provides camping, fishing, hiking, and a 12-mile scenic park road connecting to Bastrop State Park through the Lost Pines forest. The Colorado River offers fishing and kayaking access at Rocky River Ranch and other public points. Downtown Main Street has local restaurants including Olde World Bakery, Zimmerhanzel's BBQ, and several antique shops. The nearest H-E-B grocery store is in Bastrop, about 15 minutes northwest. The Smithville Heritage Museum documents the city's railroad, cotton, and film history. The Railroad Museum in the restored Katy depot displays rolling stock and artifacts from the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railway era.
Things to Do in Smithville Independent School District
- Smithville Jamboree: Annual April festival running for multiple days with a parade, live music on Main Street, barbecue cook-off, carnival rides, and a community street dance.
- Buescher State Park: 1,017-acre state park just east of Smithville with a small lake for fishing, camping, hiking trails, and a 12-mile scenic road connecting to Bastrop State Park.
- Colorado River Access: Fishing and kayaking on the Colorado River at public access points including Rocky River Ranch on the city's north side.
- Main Street Shops and Restaurants: Historic downtown with Olde World Bakery, Zimmerhanzel's BBQ, antique shops, and the Smithville Heritage Museum.
- Lost Pines Scenic Park Road: 12-mile paved road connecting Buescher State Park to Bastrop State Park through the Lost Pines loblolly pine forest, open to cars and bicycles.
Major Employers in Smithville Independent School District
- Smithville ISD (Education): Largest employer in Smithville with approximately 280 teachers, administrators, and support staff across four campuses.
- City of Smithville (Government): Municipal government including police, fire, utilities, and parks departments with approximately 80 employees.
- Bastrop County (Government): County offices in Bastrop with law enforcement, judicial, and administrative positions accessible within a 15-minute commute.
- Smithville Regional Airport (Government/Aviation): City-operated general aviation airport providing fuel services, hangar rentals, and maintenance employment.
Smithville Independent School District Schools
Smithville ISD serves approximately 1,800 students across four campuses with UIL 3A athletics, CTE pathways in ag science, health science, welding, and cosmetology, and dual-credit through Blinn College.
School District: Smithville ISD
Public Schools
- Brown Primary School - Pre-K through 2nd grade campus serving approximately 400 students.
- Smithville Elementary - 3rd through 5th grade campus with approximately 350 students.
- Smithville Junior High - 6th through 8th grade campus with approximately 300 students.
- Smithville High School - 9th through 12th grade with approximately 500 students, UIL 3A athletics, FFA, and CTE pathways.
Pre-Schools
- Smithville ISD Pre-K - Public pre-kindergarten program at Brown Primary School for qualifying 3- and 4-year-olds.
- Smithville Head Start - Federally funded early childhood program serving income-eligible families in southeastern Bastrop County.
Private Schools
- Bastrop Christian Academy - Private school in Bastrop, approximately 15 minutes northwest, serving pre-K through 8th grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What neighborhoods are in Smithville ISD?
Smithville ISD covers the city of Smithville along SH-71 and SH-95, historic neighborhoods near Main Street, the Colorado River corridor, and rural acreage extending across southeastern Bastrop County.
Is Smithville ISD good for families?
Smithville ISD offers UIL 3A athletics, CTE pathways in four career clusters, dual-credit through Blinn College, and class sizes below the state average. The median home price of approximately $275K provides affordable access within 45 minutes of Austin.
What are home prices in Smithville ISD?
The median home price in Smithville ISD is approximately $275K. City homes range from $130K to $400K, acreage properties list from $300K to $600K, and riverfront properties can exceed $800K.
How far is Smithville from Austin?
Smithville is approximately 45 minutes from downtown Austin via SH-71, a scenic route that avoids I-35. Bastrop is about 15 minutes northwest, and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is roughly 40 minutes west.
What movies were filmed in Smithville?
Smithville has served as a filming location for several productions including 'Hope Floats' (1998) starring Sandra Bullock and 'Tree of Life' (2011) directed by Terrence Malick. The city markets itself as film-friendly and has a heritage museum documenting its production history.
