Market Overview for Wells Branch
There are 7 active listings in Wells Branch with a median list price of $385K and a median sold price of $409K.
Homes average 13 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 1 homes have sold, with 54 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $263.
About Wells Branch
Wells Branch is a census-designated place and Municipal Utility District in northern Travis County, approximately 13 miles north of downtown Austin. The community occupies 2.5 square miles between Mopac (Loop 1) to the west and Interstate 35 to the east, with Wells Branch Parkway defining the southern boundary and Grand Avenue Parkway to the north. Addresses fall within the 78728 zip code.
The MUD was created in March 1981 by developer Milburn Investments. In 1987 community residents won a majority of seats on the Board of Directors and have governed the district since. The MUD provides water and wastewater services purchased wholesale from the City of Austin, drainage maintenance, solid waste and recycling collection, parks and recreation programming, and enforcement of restrictive covenants. Police and fire services are provided by Travis County.
The community had a population of approximately 14,000 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. Housing consists predominantly of single-family homes built in the 1980s and 1990s, with some multifamily complexes. The MUD operates facilities that include a recreation center at 3000 Shoreline Drive with a basketball court, fitness room, game room, art room, and dance room; two swimming pools including the year-round Willow Bend Pool; an 18-hole disc golf course; a skate park completed in 2018; off-leash dog parks; a community garden with rental plots; and the Wells Branch Community Library at 15001 Wells Port Drive, established by voter election in 1998.
The area's history predates the MUD. The Wells Branch name traces to Wayman F. and Mary Emily Wells, who settled the area around 1827. The historic Gault homestead, constructed in 1853, stands within Katherine Fleischer Park. Six miles of decomposed granite hike and bike trail wind through the community greenbelt, connecting the recreation center, pools, soccer fields, Mills Pond, Katherine Fleischer Park, and the disc golf course.
The Wells Branch MUD is governed by a five-member elected Board of Directors serving staggered four-year terms. The district has no separate HOA; the MUD tax, which appears on property tax bills alongside Travis County and school district levies, funds all community amenities, covenant enforcement, and infrastructure maintenance. The community is split between two school districts: Round Rock ISD serves the majority of households, while Pflugerville ISD serves the southeast portion, with specific school assignments depending on home address.
Living in Wells Branch
Wells Branch is served by two school districts. Round Rock ISD covers the majority of the community, with zoned schools including Wells Branch Elementary, an Arts Integration Academy with a Dual Language campus; Joe Lee Johnson Elementary, a STEAM Academy that opened in 2016; Deerpark Middle School; and McNeil High School. The southeast portion falls within Pflugerville ISD, with zoned schools including Northwest Elementary, Westview Middle School, and John B. Connally High School. Buyers should verify school assignments for specific addresses through each district's boundary map.
Commuting to downtown Austin takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes off-peak via Interstate 35 or Mopac. The Howard MetroRail Station at Howard Lane and Mopac provides Capital MetroRail Red Line commuter rail service to downtown with 301 parking spaces. The Parmer Lane technology corridor, home to semiconductor and technology facilities, is approximately five miles east.
Grocery shopping, dining, and retail are accessible within a short drive. The Tech Ridge commercial district along Interstate 35 is directly east. La Frontera Village in Round Rock is just north. The Domain, a mixed-use development with dining, retail, and office space, is approximately 10 to 15 minutes south via Mopac.
The MUD's recreation center, pools, trails, library, and parks are available to residents holding a Recreation Tag issued by the district. Katherine Fleischer Park, the community's 22-acre park, includes a pavilion, tennis courts, basketball court, volleyball court, baseball and soccer fields, a playground, and a butterfly garden.
Things to Do in Wells Branch
- Katherine Fleischer Park: A 22-acre community park with a pavilion, tennis courts, basketball court, sand volleyball, baseball and soccer fields, a shaded playground, butterfly garden, and the historic 1853 Gault homestead.
- Wells Branch Hike and Bike Trail: Approximately six miles of decomposed granite trail winding through the community greenbelt, connecting the recreation center, pools, soccer fields, Mills Pond, Katherine Fleischer Park, and the disc golf course.
- Mills Pond: A community pond with a fishing pier, floating boat dock for non-motorized boats, and catch-and-release fishing stocked by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Surrounded by walking trails.
- Wells Branch Disc Golf Course: An 18-hole course with concrete tee pads, free to play. Originally opened as a nine-hole course in 1996 and expanded to 18 holes in 2012.
- Wells Branch Recreation Center: A recreation facility at 3000 Shoreline Drive with a basketball court, fitness room with cardio and weight equipment, game room, art room, and dance room. Available to residents with a Recreation Tag.
- Willow Bend Park: Community park with a year-round swimming pool, off-leash dog park, playground, and half-court basketball, accessible via the hike and bike trail.
Major Employers in Wells Branch
- Samsung Austin Semiconductor (Technology/Manufacturing): Semiconductor fabrication facility on East Parmer Lane, approximately five miles east of Wells Branch.
- Apple (Technology): Major technology campus on Parmer Lane in the north Austin corridor.
- Dell Technologies (Technology): Headquarters at 1 Dell Way in Round Rock, accessible from Wells Branch via Interstate 35.
- Wells Branch MUD (Government/Utilities): District offices at 3000 Shoreline Drive, providing water and wastewater, parks, recreation, library, and community services.
Wells Branch Schools
Wells Branch is split between two school districts. Round Rock ISD serves the majority of households, with feeder patterns running through Wells Branch Elementary or Joe Lee Johnson Elementary, Deerpark Middle School, and McNeil High School. The southeast portion is served by Pflugerville ISD, with feeder schools including Northwest Elementary, Westview Middle School, and John B. Connally High School.
School District: Round Rock ISD / Pflugerville ISD (split boundary)
Public Schools
Round Rock Independent School District
- Wells Branch Elementary
- Joe Lee Johnson Elementary
- Deerpark Middle
- McNeil High School
Pflugerville Independent School District
- Northwest Elementary
- Westview Middle
- John B Connally High School
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wells Branch a city?
No. Wells Branch is a census-designated place and Municipal Utility District, not an incorporated city. It has its own elected Board of Directors that manages water and wastewater services, parks, recreation, and covenant enforcement. The mailing address is Austin, TX 78728.
What school district is Wells Branch in?
Wells Branch is split between Round Rock ISD (most of the community) and Pflugerville ISD (southeast portion). The school assignment depends on the specific home address.
Does Wells Branch have an HOA?
There is no separate HOA. The Wells Branch MUD enforces restrictive covenants and provides community amenities through a MUD tax that appears on property tax bills alongside Travis County and school district levies.
Does Wells Branch have a pool and recreation center?
Yes. The MUD operates two pools, including the year-round Willow Bend Pool, and a recreation center at 3000 Shoreline Drive with a basketball court, fitness room, game room, and other facilities. Residents access these with a Recreation Tag.
What is the commute from Wells Branch to downtown Austin?
Approximately 15 miles. Off-peak drive time is 15 to 20 minutes via Interstate 35 or Mopac. The Howard MetroRail Station at Howard Lane and Mopac provides commuter rail service to downtown.
Does Wells Branch have its own library?
Yes. The Wells Branch Community Library at 15001 Wells Port Drive was established by voter election in 1998 and is independently operated by the MUD, not part of the Austin Public Library system.