Downtown Bastrop in Bastrop, Texas.
Visit Bastrop
A small, charming Central Texas town has quickly become a growing tech hub for business and entertainment outside of Austin.
While the City of Bastrop is known for its historic Southern charm, it has also captured national attention for its ties to Texas resident and billionaire Elon Musk, along with Hollywood filmmaking. Located roughly 33 miles east of Austin, Bastrop has experienced a massive population boom over the past decade due to its proximity to the Capital City, its relative affordability and major company moves like Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the Boring Company and X.
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In the future, the city will also be home to a major film studio, a $440M data center and a $10 million new hotel as Bastrop continues to attract new visitors and residents alike. Whether you’re planning a visit or a move, here’s everything you need to know about Bastrop.
How to get to Bastrop from San Antonio?
Bastrop is just shy of two hours northeast of San Antonio and about 40 minutes east of Austin.
To get there from San Antonio, you can take Interstate 35 North toward Austin until Buda and exit 223A toward TX-45 East to State Highway 71 East/TX-71 E. Then follow State Highway 71 to Bastrop. To avoid I-35, you can also take I-10 East all the way to Bastrop, according to Google Maps routes.
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To get there from Austin, you can take State Highway 71 East, which winds directly through Bastrop.
What major city is Bastrop near?
Bastrop is located about 33.3 miles east of Austin.
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The Boring Company in Bastrop.
Kelsey Thompson/MySA
Bastrop State Park is the epicenter of what looks like a fairy tale, magical forest of pines.
Eric Moreno for MySA
Why is Bastrop, Texas so famous?
Established in 1832, Bastrop is famous for being one of the oldest and most historic towns in Texas. The city is nestled along the banks of the Colorado River and over the years became “a farming and timber powerhouse in the mid-nineteenth century,” according to Bastrop’s tourism website.
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Today, the city is best known for Bastrop State Park, the site of its signature “Lost Pines,” an isolated region of loblolly pines and hardwood trees. The park, which opened in 1937, has grown to have 6,600 acres for visitors to camp, picnic, swim, ride bikes, hike and fish, per the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website.
In addition to its historic downtown and growing music scene, Bastrop’s two main tourist attractions are the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines and the gas station used in the 1974 Texas Chain Saw Massacre film. There is also a Buc-ee’s in Bastrop, making it a popular pit stop for road trips to towns East of the Capital City.
What’s the population of Bastrop?
Bastrop’s population is approximately 14,000 residents, according to 2025 U.S. Census Bureau data. The city, which is the Bastrop County seat, boasts a current growth rate of 5.44% annually, and its population has increased by 44.85% since 2020, per World Population Review.
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The median household income for a Bastrop resident is $81,551, and the median age for a person who lives there is about 40-years-old. The city has a majority (66.4%) white population, 29.7% Hispanic, 6% Black and 5.53% other races, and 18.5% of people who identify as two or more races.
The Gas Station used in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre film in Bastrop, Texas.
Visit Bastrop
The downtown square in Bastrop.
Eric Moreno for MySA
What are the school districts in Bastrop?
Bastrop County is home to four independent school districts, including: Bastrop ISD (the largest district in the county), Elgin ISD, Smithville Independent School District and McDade Independent School District.
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Bastrop ISD serves over 13,000 students and covers the city of Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Red Rock, Rockne, and Paige. Elgin ISD is located in the northern part of the county, serving nearly 6,000 students. Smithville ISD serves the eastern portions of the county, including the town of Smithville and McDade Independent School District (MISD) is a smaller, rural district located in the northern-central area of Bastrop County.
How much does it cost to buy a home in Bastrop?
The average price for a home in Bastrop is $355,912, which is down 4.2% over the past year, according to Zillow.
What’s the average rental cost in Bastrop?
The average rent in Bastrop is $2,080, with an $85 month-to-month change, per Zillow. The price range for all bedrooms and all property types is $750 (studio apartment) to $5,369 (a house).
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Rent in Bastrop is reportedly 4% higher than the national average, and Zillow described the current market temperature as “cool,” meaning it’s not as in demand (hot) as other U.S. cities.
Bastrop has a ton of great shops to visit.
Eric Moreno for MySA
Cost of utilities in Bastrop
An average Bastrop electricity/energy bill is approximately $117, according to the Find Energy website. Depending on the size of a home or apartment meter and usage, a Bastrop resident’s water bill can range from $ 37.72 to $ 1257, according to the city’s website.
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City council breakdown for Bastrop
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Place 3 – Kevin Plunkett
Mayor Pro-Tem, Place 5 – John Kirkland
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Best places to eat in Bastrop
The top 10 best local restaurants to eat in Bastrop according to high reviews from Yelp users are: The Storehouse Market & Eatery, No 28, Neighbor’s Kitchen & Yard, Roadhouse, Maxine’s Cafe & Bakery, The Grace Miller Gracie’s, Dockside BTX, Piney Creek Chophouse, Paw-Paw’s Catfish House and Ceddar’s Coppice.