Market Overview for Garfield
There are 2 active listings in Garfield with a median list price of $310K.
Over the past 30 days, 1 homes have sold, with 0 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $224.
About Garfield
Garfield is a census-designated place (CDP) in eastern Travis County, Texas, situated along the Colorado River and State Highway 71 approximately 12 miles southeast of downtown Austin. The CDP had a population of 1,825 according to the 2020 U.S. Census, up from 1,698 in 2010, and covers approximately 12.2 square miles of largely rural and semi-rural land.
The community was settled around 1880 and named for President James A. Garfield when a post office was established in 1881. By 1884 the settlement had 15 residents, a church, a school, a steam gristmill, a cotton gin, and a general store. The post office was discontinued in 1902, with mail redirected to Del Valle. Population declined to approximately 20 by the late 1940s before growth resumed in the 1980s as Colorado River-area development attracted new residents. Garfield is currently unincorporated and has no municipal government.
Garfield sits between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to the west and Bastrop County to the east, placing it along a corridor that has seen significant industrial development. Tesla's Gigafactory Texas, one of the company's largest manufacturing facilities, is located approximately 5 miles to the west along the Colorado River. The community is part of the Del Valle area of eastern Travis County and uses the Del Valle ZIP code (78617).
The landscape consists of rolling terrain along the Colorado River bottomlands, with a mix of homesteads, ranchettes, and newer residential construction. The elevation is approximately 476 feet. The community's proximity to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the Tesla Gigafactory has positioned it along one of eastern Travis County's most active development corridors, though much of the CDP retains its rural character with large lots and agricultural parcels.
Historically, the area was also known by the names Haynie's Chapel, Oswego, and Wallace before the Garfield name was established with the 1881 post office. Schools consolidated into the Colorado district (later Del Valle ISD) in 1954. The population declined to approximately 20 by the late 1940s before growth resumed in the 1980s as Colorado River-area development attracted new residents.
Living in Garfield
Garfield residents access Austin via SH 71 westbound (approximately 12 miles to downtown) or SH 130 toll road for connections to north Austin and Round Rock. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is approximately 5 miles to the west. Daily shopping and services are available in the Del Valle and southeastern Austin corridors along SH 71.
Students attend Del Valle Independent School District schools. The district serves approximately 11,800 students across its campuses. Elementary-age students attend Del Valle Elementary (approximately 714 students) or Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary (approximately 712 students), feeding into Dailey Middle School or Del Valle Middle School. Del Valle High School enrolls approximately 3,589 students and competes in UIL 6A.
Primary healthcare is available at the Del Valle Health & Wellness Center at 7050 Elroy Road, operated by CommUnityCare and affiliated with Central Health. The nearest full-service hospital is St. David's South Austin Medical Center, approximately 15 miles west.
Outdoor recreation is accessible via nearby Travis County and LCRA parks. Webberville Park on the Colorado River offers fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding. McKinney Roughs Nature Park, approximately 5 miles east along SH 71, provides 1,140 acres of trails and river activities. McKinney Falls State Park is approximately 10 miles to the west.
Things to Do in Garfield
- McKinney Roughs Nature Park: 1,140-acre LCRA park along the Colorado River at 1884 SH 71 West in Cedar Creek with 17.6 miles of trails, zip lining, horseback riding, and river rafting.
- McKinney Falls State Park: 744-acre TPWD park at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway with hiking trails, swimming holes at Upper and Lower McKinney Falls, camping, and wildlife observation. Approximately 10 miles west.
- Webberville Park: Travis County park on the Colorado River at 2305 Park Lane with fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, and picnic areas.
- Little Webberville Park: Travis County park providing Colorado River access for canoeing and kayaking in the Garfield-Webberville area.
- Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park: 1,200-acre lake park at 6614 Blue Bluff Road with boating, fishing, swimming, volleyball, picnic areas, and trails. Approximately 8 miles northwest.
Major Employers in Garfield
- Tesla Gigafactory Texas (Manufacturing / Technology): Large-scale electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility on approximately 2,500 acres along the Colorado River near SH 130, approximately 5 miles west of Garfield.
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (Transportation): Regional airport hub approximately 5 miles west, employing airline, concession, TSA, and City of Austin operations staff.
- Del Valle Independent School District (Education): Public school district serving approximately 11,800 students across eastern Travis County.
- Samsung Austin Semiconductor (Semiconductor Manufacturing): Semiconductor fabrication facility at 12100 Samsung Boulevard in Austin, accessible via SH 130.
Garfield Schools
Garfield is served by Del Valle Independent School District, which operates 15 campuses across eastern Travis County with approximately 11,800 students.
School District: Del Valle ISD
Public Schools
- Del Valle Elementary - Approximately 714 students.
- Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary - Approximately 712 students. Serves portions of the Garfield and Hornsby Bend areas.
- Dailey Middle School - Approximately 727 students.
- Del Valle High School - Approximately 3,589 students. UIL 6A classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Garfield, Texas?
Garfield is a census-designated place in eastern Travis County along the Colorado River and SH 71, approximately 12 miles southeast of downtown Austin. It uses the Del Valle ZIP code (78617).
What school district serves Garfield?
Garfield is served by Del Valle Independent School District. Students attend Del Valle Elementary or Hornsby-Dunlap Elementary, then Dailey Middle School and Del Valle High School (UIL 6A).
Is Garfield an incorporated city?
No. Garfield is an unincorporated census-designated place. Residents voted to incorporate in 1985 to avoid annexation by Austin, but the community is currently classified as unincorporated.
How far is Garfield from Austin-Bergstrom Airport?
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is approximately 5 miles west of Garfield via SH 71.
What is the history of Garfield, Texas?
Garfield was settled around 1880 and named for President James A. Garfield when a post office opened in 1881. Historical alternative names for the community include Haynie's Chapel, Oswego, and Wallace. The post office was discontinued in 1902.