The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 76689 sells for about $338,000, or $178 per square foot.
Prices are down 5.9% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 70 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,400 a month.
ZIP 76689 — Valley Mills
The 76689 market is currently experiencing a cooling phase, with prices reflecting a discount compared to the broader Waco metro area. High inventory levels and longer days on market suggest a balanced to buyer-leaning environment, driven by limited local economic growth and a reliance on the Waco employment core.
This ZIP is best suited for experienced investors or buyers seeking a lower-cost entry point who are comfortable with the risks associated with a slower-growth, rural market.
Median prices moved down 5.9% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 70 days on market with 9.6 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
22% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.2% · poverty 9.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 76689, Texas
The region around Valley Mills has seen limited economic absorption compared to the broader Waco market, resulting in a discount for the area.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Texas) — Senior (65+) and Disabled Homestead Exemption and School Tax Ceiling: Grants an additional mandatory $10,000 exemption from ISD appraised value (Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100,000 - $10,000) and establishes an absolute statutory tax freeze (school tax ceiling): total ISD property taxes cannot exceed the dollar ceiling established in the… State (Texas) — General Residence Homestead Exemption and 10% Valuation Growth Cap: Imposes mandatory state-level valuation deductions and growth limitations on the qualifying homestead: (1) Mandates a $100,000 deduction from appraised value for independent school district (ISD) maintenance and operations/debt taxation: Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100… State (Texas) — Ad Valorem Real Property Taxation and Assessment Ratio: Mandates ad valorem appraisal of all real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each tax year (Assessment Ratio = 1.00).
Valley Mills is a rural community requiring a significant drive to reach the primary employment hubs in Waco.
The area features rural landscapes and proximity to local outdoor spaces, though major shopping and entertainment are concentrated in the Waco metro core.
The rental market is characterized by limited depth and inventory, with trends largely mirroring the broader, cooling Waco metro area.
The local economy is primarily rural, with residents largely commuting to the Waco metropolitan area for employment in education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Transportation is heavily reliant on personal vehicles, with access to the Waco core via state highway corridors.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently reported within the 76689 ZIP code.
The McLennan County Appraisal District manages property assessments for the majority of the ZIP code, following standard Texas property tax laws.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and county-level assessments; specific MUD or utility district information is not centrally published for this rural area.
Property insurance premiums in this region are influenced by regional weather patterns, including wind and hail risk common to Central Texas.
Texas is a non-judicial foreclosure state with relatively short timelines for lenders to initiate the process.
Texas law requires sellers to provide a written disclosure notice to buyers regarding the condition of the property.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Tonkawa Falls City Park4.410.7 mi
- Valley Mills Vineyards4.94.9 mi
- The Cliftex Theatre4.88.9 mi
- Lake Whitney Dam4.717.8 mi
- Coryell Museum and Historical Center4.819.4 mi
- Tonkawa Falls City Park4.410.7 mi
- Lake Waco Marina & RV Park4.319.8 mi
- Parsons Marina at Lake Whitney4.319.3 mi
- Waco Regional Airport4.119.1 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Local community park serving the immediate area.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.