The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 78942 sells for about $310,606, or $145 per square foot.
Prices are down 1.4% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 82 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,091 a month.
ZIP 78942 — Giddings
The housing market in 78942 is currently experiencing a period of price stabilization following years of growth. Demand remains steady, though inventory levels have led to a slight cooling in year-over-year price appreciation. Market activity is driven by local buyers seeking value outside of the primary Austin metro core.
This ZIP is well-suited for families and long-term residents seeking a quiet, rural-adjacent lifestyle with affordable housing costs compared to the nearby Austin metro area.
Median prices moved down 1.4% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 82 days on market with 6.4 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
18% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.2% · poverty 16.3% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 78942, Lee County TX
Crime rates in Giddings are generally lower than the national average, with property crime being the most frequently reported incident type in the region.
The area is primarily served by the Giddings Independent School District, which maintains a stable academic reputation within the rural Lee County educational landscape.
The region faces moderate risks related to severe thunderstorms and occasional flooding, with property insurance premiums reflecting standard Texas inland hazard profiles.
Economic momentum is driven by local government, education, and agricultural services, with steady infrastructure maintenance supporting the Giddings commercial corridor.
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).
Residents primarily rely on personal vehicles for commuting, with US Highway 290 serving as the primary artery for travel toward Austin and surrounding employment hubs.
Local amenities include Simmang Park and various community sports facilities, with proximity to Lake Somerville providing regional outdoor recreation opportunities.
The rental market is characterized by a high share of single-family detached homes, with moderate vacancy pressure and limited new multi-family development.
The economy is anchored by the Giddings Independent School District, local government, and regional agricultural and manufacturing operations.
Development is focused on small-scale residential infill and commercial improvements along the US-290 corridor.
Parcels are subject to Giddings ISD, Lee County, and local municipal utility district assessments.
The market is subject to standard Texas property insurance conditions with rising premiums due to regional weather-related risk exposure.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau and Postal-Codes.net
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. Source: NCES EDGE public school locations 2023-24.
A central community park offering playgrounds and picnic areas.
Serves as a primary cultural and educational hub for the city.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.