Greater Austin Information (San Marcos) @ Fredericksburger.com

Greater Austin, also known as the Austin Area or the Capital Area, is a metropolitan area in the U.S. state A U.S. state is any one of 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of commonwealth rather than state. State citizenship is of Texas Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States, while San Antonio is the second largest in the state and seventh largest in the United States. Dallas–Fort Worth and Greater Houston are the fourth and sixth largest United States metropolitan areas, respectively. Other major cities include El Paso and Austin—the. It is centered around the city of Austin Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 15th-largest in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in the nation from 2000 to 2006. According to the 2008 U.S. Census in the central part of the state Central Texas , is a region (and a physiographic section within the Great Plains province, as it pertains to geography) in the U.S. state of Texas. It is roughly bordered by San Marcos over to Fredericksburg up to Waco, and back down to Brenham, and includes the Austin–Round Rock, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Bryan-College Station, and Waco straddling the Balcones Escarpment The Balcones Fault Zone is a tensional structural system in Texas that runs approximately from the southwest part of the state near Del Rio, Texas to the north central region near Waco, Texas along Interstate 35. The Balcones Fault zone is made up of many smaller features, including normal faults, grabens, and horsts. One of the most obvious and the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country The Texas Hill Country is a vernacular term applied to a region of Central Texas, that features tall rugged hills that consist of thin layers of soil lying ontop of either limestone or granite. It also includes the Llano Uplift and the second largest granite monadnock in the United States, Enchanted Rock, which is located 18 miles north of. The area is sometimes called Central Texas Central Texas , is a region (and a physiographic section within the Great Plains province, as it pertains to geography) in the U.S. state of Texas. It is roughly bordered by San Marcos over to Fredericksburg up to Waco, and back down to Brenham, and includes the Austin–Round Rock, Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, Bryan-College Station, and Waco or South-Central Texas, though these terms often refer to a much larger region that may include Greater San Antonio San Antonio–New Braunfels is an eight-county metropolitan area in the United States defined by the Office of Management and Budget . The metropolitan area is colloquially referred to as "Greater San Antonio" and is situated in South-Central Texas. As of July 1, 2009)[update] the census estimate, the metropolitan area's population. Greater Austin is home to the state capitol, numerous universities, and many high-tech firms. The numerous lakes along the Colorado River The Colorado River is the 18th longest river in the United States and the longest river with both its source and mouth within Texas; however its drainage basin and some of its usually dry tributaries do extend into New Mexico. The 862-mile long river flows generally southeast from Dawson County through Marble Falls, Austin, Bastrop, Smithville, La (the Texas Highland Lakes The Texas Highland Lakes is a chain of 6 reservoirs in Central Texas formed by several dams on the Colorado River as it winds southeast from its headwaters near the border of Texas and New Mexico to Matagorda Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The dams provide flood control and are used to generate hydroelectric power) and many protected areas in the region create multiple venues for outdoor recreation, and provide a powerful draw for the area's resorts and resort communities.

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget The Office of Management and Budget is a Cabinet-level office, and is the largest office within the Executive Office of the President of the United States (EOP) (OMB) defines three regions around Austin for government statistics: the Austin urban area An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets, the five-county Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan statistical area In the United States, a metropolitan area refers to a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are not legally incorporated as a city or town would be, nor are they legal administrative divisions like counties or states. As such the precise definition of any, and the six-county Austin–Round Rock–Marble Falls combined statistical area The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties (or county-equivalents). Currently defined metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas are based on application of the 2000 standards (which appeared in the. For these regions the OMB designates as "principal cities" Austin Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 15th-largest in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in the nation from 2000 to 2006. According to the 2008 U.S. Census, Round Rock Round Rock is a city located in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. A part of the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan area, its population was 79,136 as of the 2000 census. The 2008 census estimates placed the population at 104,446, San Marcos San Marcos is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, and is the seat of Hays County. Located within the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan area, the city is located on the Interstate 35 corridor—between Austin and San Antonio. Founded on the banks of the San Marcos River, the area is considered to be among the oldest continuously, and Marble Falls Marble Falls is a city in Burnet County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,959 at the 2000 census.^[1] As of the 2009 U.S. census estimate, the populations of the MSA and the CSA exceeded 1.7 million people.^[2] The Austin urbanized area had a population of just over 1 million as of 2008.^[3]

Boundaries

Location of the Austin–Round Rock–Marble Falls Combined Statistical Area and its components: Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area Marble Falls Micropolitan Statistical Area

Counties

The Austin area is centered around the City of Austin and Travis County. As of 2009^[update] the U.S. Office of Management and Budget defines the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos MSA as including Bastrop According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 896 square miles , of which, 888 square miles (2,301 km²) of it is land and 8 square miles (20 km²) of it (0.84%) is water, Caldwell Caldwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. In 2000, the population was 32,194. Its county seat is Lockhart. Caldwell County was named in 1848, after Matthew Caldwell, a ranger captain who fought in the Battle of Plum Creek against the Comanches and later against Santa Anna', Hays Hays County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2008, its population was 149,476. It is named for John Coffee Hays, a Texas Ranger and Mexican-American War officer. The seat of the county is San Marcos, Travis Travis County is located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. In the year 2009, the population was 1,026,158; the county has gained more than 400,000 residents since 1990. Its county seat is Austin, the capital of Texas. The county is named in honor of William Barret Travis, the, and Williamson Williamson County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. In 2008, the population was 394,193, a 57.7% increase from the 2000 figure . Its county seat is Georgetown. The county is named for Robert McAlpin Williamson, a leader and veteran of the Battle of San Counties. The Austin–Round Rock–Marble Falls CSA additionally includes Burnet County Burnet County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 34,147. The 2008 Census Bureau Estimate was 44,488. Its county seat is Burnet. Burnet is named for David Gouverneur Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas.

Communities

The two largest cities in the metropolitan area are Austin Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 15th-largest in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in the nation from 2000 to 2006. According to the 2008 U.S. Census and Round Rock Round Rock is a city located in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. A part of the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan area, its population was 79,136 as of the 2000 census. The 2008 census estimates placed the population at 104,446. Other large municipalities in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos MSA (cities with over 25,000 people as of the 2008 census) are, in order of size, Cedar Park Cedar Park is a city that lies primarily in Williamson County in the U.S. state of Texas. From a population of 5,161 in 1990, Cedar Park has grown to approximately 62,308 as of the 2009 U.S. Census Estimate. The city is a major suburb of Austin, the center of which is approximately 16 miles to the southeast, although Austin directly borders Cedar, San Marcos San Marcos is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, and is the seat of Hays County. Located within the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metropolitan area, the city is located on the Interstate 35 corridor—between Austin and San Antonio. Founded on the banks of the San Marcos River, the area is considered to be among the oldest continuously, Georgetown Georgetown is a city in and the county seat of Williamson County, Texas, United States. The population was 28,339 at the 2000 census. Southwestern University is located in Georgetown, about 1/2 mile east of the historic square. A popular tourist attraction, Inner Space Cavern is a cave found on the southside of the city, just off Interstate 35, Pflugerville Pflugerville is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 16,335 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 39,653, Kyle Kyle is a town in Hays County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,314 at the 2000 census; it was 26,103 in the 2008 census estimate, making it one of the fastest growing cities in Texas and Leander Leander is a city in Williamson and Travis counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 7,596 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimates the population is now 25,424. The city was established in 1882 on the railroad to Austin and was named in honor of Leander "Catfish" Brown, a railroad official.^[7]^[8]

Smaller communities in the MSA include Bastrop Bastrop is a city and the county seat of Bastrop County, Texas, United States, located about thirty miles southeast of Austin it is part of the Austin–Round Rock metropolitan area. The population was 5,340 at the 2000 census. By 2007, the city had an estimated population of 7,823, twice the population of the early 1970s, Brushy Creek, Buda Buda is a city in Hays County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,404 at the 2000 census. City leaders estimated the population exceeded 5,100 in 2008, Dripping Springs, Elgin Elgin is a city in Bastrop and Travis Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 5,700 at the 2000 census. By 2005, the population grew to an estimated 8,689. Elgin is also known as The Sausage Capital of Texas and the Brick Capital of the Southwest due to the presence of three operating brickyards in the mid-twentieth century (two of, Hutto Hutto is a city in Williamson County, Texas, United States. It is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. The population was 1,250 at the 2000 census; it had grown to 7,401 in the 2005 census estimate and had reached 17,120 by January 2008, Jollyville Jollyville is a census-designated place in Travis and Williamson counties in Texas. The population was 15,813 at the 2000 census, Lakeway Lakeway is a city in Travis County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,002 at the 2000 census; it was 8,852 in the 2005 census estimate. The city is located near Lake Travis, Lockhart Lockhart is a city in Caldwell County, Texas, United States. It is the county seat of Caldwell County. In the 2000 census the population of Lockhart was 11,615. As of 2007[update] the estimated population was 12,013. The city of Lockhart is named after Byrd Lockhart, an assistant surveyor of Geen Dewit and reportedly the first Anglo to set foot in, Luling, Shady Hollow, Taylor Taylor is a city in Williamson County, Texas, United States. The population was 13,575 at the 2000 census; it was 15,014 in the 2005 census estimate. The T. Don Hutto Residential Center, opened in May 2006, is located in Taylor, Wells Branch, and Windemere. Marble Falls and Burnet are included in the CSA.

Distant communities such as Johnson City, La Grange, Killeen, Lampasas, and Fredericksburg are sometimes considered part of Greater Austin though they fall well outside the bounds of the OMB definitions.^[9]

History

Further information: History of Austin, Texas El Camino Real de los Tejas, an important Spanish/Mexican trade route

When Europeans first arrived in the area, the Tonkawa tribe was the most prevalent, though the Comanches and Lipan Apaches were known to travel through the area as well.^[10] Spanish explorers, including the Espinosa-Olivares-Aguirre expedition, traveled through the area for centuries though few permanent settlements were created for some time.^[11] In the mid 18th century the San Xavier missions were established along the San Gabriel River in what is now western Milam County to facilitate exploration.^[12]

In 1804 the fort Puesta del Colorado was established by the Spanish in what is now Bastrop.^[13] In 1807 the San Marcos de Neve settlement (modern San Marcos) was established on the San Marcos River.^[11] Following the independence of Mexico, of which Texas was a part, the empresario Stephen F. Austin issued grants to settlers in what is now Bastrop and Fayette Counties. During the mid 1820s settlements were established along the Colorado River near modern La Grange.^[14] The village of Mina (later renamed Bastrop) was established in 1827. Growth of the settlements was stagnant for some time because of conflicts with the Native Americans in the region.^[13] Nevertheless the region sat along an important trade route known as the Camino Real de los Tejas, which ran from Mexico, though San Antonio and San Marcos, to Natchitoches.^[15] During the 1830s others, such as Martín Veramendi and Thomas G. McGehee, were issued land grants by the Mexican government to encourage settlement in the region.^[11] A string of forts was established east of modern Austin in what was then the western frontier.^[16]

In 1835 Texans fought for independence in what was known as the Texas Revolution and won. Following independence other settlements were gradually established including Waterloo and Brushy Creek (modern Round Rock).^[12] In 1839 a commission appointed by Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar selected Waterloo as the site for the new capital and the name Austin was chosen as the town's new name.^[17] In 1840 a series of conflicts between the Texas Rangers and the Comanches known as the Council House Fight and the Battle of Plum Creek finally pushed the Comanches westward mostly ending conflicts in Central Texas.^[18] Settlement in the area began to expand quickly. Travis County was established in 1840 and the surrounding counties were mostly established within the next two decades.^[16] New settlements were established such as Hamilton (now Burnet) in 1852.

An 1873 illustration of Austin

In 1861, with the outbreak of the American Civil War, voters in Austin, Bastrop, and other Central Texas communities and counties voted against secession.^[19]^[13] However, as the war progressed and fears of attack by Union forces increased, the communities contributed hundreds of men to the Confederate forces. With the end of the war and the emancipation of Texas slaves, the African American population of the area swelled dramatically. Black communities such as Wheatville, Pleasant Hill, and Clarksville were established around Austin by these newcomers.^[19] The postwar period saw dramatic population and economic growth. The town of Bastrop became a significant manufacturing center producing iron, coal, and textiles.^[13] The Chisolm Trail, one of the major routes for exporting cattle, passed through the region.^[20] The opening of the Houston and Texas Central Railway, connecting Austin with Houston, transformed Austin into the major trading center for the region. However as new railroads were built through the region in 1870s, Round Rock and other communities took over much of Austin's role as a trading center.^[19] In 1868 the Coronal Institute was established in San Marcos and in 1873 Texas University (later renamed Southwestern University) was opened in Georgetown following the consolidation of five earlier colleges.^[21]^[22] During the 1880s Austin gained new prominence as the state capitol building was constructed and other universities were established in the area, most notably the University of Texas.^[19] Cattle and cotton production were major economic drivers for many outlying communities.^[23]

In the late 1800s Austin expanded its city limits to more than three times its former area and the Austin Dam was built to power a new street car line and the new municipal water system.^[19] In the early 1900s the Texas Oil Boom took hold creating tremendous economic opportunities in Southeast Texas and North Texas. The growth generated by this boom largest passed by Austin at first, with the city slipping from 4th largest to 10th largest in Texas between 1880 and 1920.^[19] Bastrop, however, become a significant center for oil drilling and coal mining in the early to mid 1900s.^[13] San Marcos, and some other communities, established significant manufacturing operations during the world wars substantially diversifying their economies.^[24]

Beginning in the 1920s and 1930s the Austin launched a series of civic development and beautification projects that created much of the city's infrastructure and parks. In addition the state legislature established the Lower Colorado River Authority that, along with the City of Austin, created the system of dams along the Colorado River that formed the Highland Lakes. These projects were enabled in large part by the fact that Austin received more Depression era relief funds than any other Texas city.^[19]

During the mid and later 1900s Austin became firmly established as the major metropolitan center of what is now Greater Austin. Communities such as Round Rock, Georgetown, and San Marcos increasingly became attractive bedroom communities for Austin, even as each of these communities has maintained its own economic core as well.^[24]

Geography

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

Greater Austin is located in Central Texas along the Balcones Fault and Interstate 35, northeast of San Antonio. As a result of its stradling the Balcones Fault the eastern part of the city is flat, whereas the western part and western suburbs consist of rolling hills on the edge of the Texas Hill Country.^[25]

The region is crossed by the Colorado River with several man-made lakes, known as the Highland Lakes, along its length.^[19] Because the hills to the west are primarily limestone rock with a thin covering of topsoil, the western portions of the area are frequently subjected to flash floods from the runoff caused by thunderstorms.^[26]^[27] To help control this runoff and to generate hydroelectric power, the Lower Colorado River Authority operates a series of dams that form the lakes.^[28]

The Austin area is located at the intersection of four major ecological regions and is consequently a temperate-to-hot green oasis with a highly variable climate having some characteristics of the desert, the tropics, and a wetter climate.^[29] The area is very diverse ecologically and biologically, and is home to a variety of animals and plants.^[30]

Highland Lakes
Lake	Dam
Lake Buchanan	Buchanan Dam
Inks Lake	Inks Dam
Lake LBJ	Wirtz Dam
Inks Lake	Inks Dam
Lake Marble Falls	Max Starcke Dam
Lake Travis	Mansfield Dam
Lake Austin	Tom Miller Dam
Lady Bird Lake	Longhorn Dam

The soils of Central Texas range from shallow, gravelly clay loams over limestone in the western outskirts to deep, fine sandy loams, silty clay loams, silty clays or clays in the city's eastern part. Some of the clays have pronounced shrink-swell properties and are difficult to work under most moisture conditions. Many of Austin's soils, especially the clay-rich types, are slightly to moderately alkaline and have free calcium carbonate.^[31]

Climate

Greater Austin has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters.^[32] On average, the City of Austin receives 33.6 inches (853.4 mm) of rain per year, with most of the precipitation in the spring, and a secondary maximum in the fall.^[33] To the east, away from the Hill Country, precipitation is typically higher. For example, Bastrop receives an average of 38.0 inches (965.2 mm) of rain per year.^[34] During springtime, severe thunderstorms sometimes occur, though tornados are rare in the city. Austin is usually at least partially sunny.

Central Texas summers are usually hot and humid, with average temperatures of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) from June until September. Temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C) are common.^[32]^[35]^[33] For the entire year there is an average of 111 days above 90 °F (32 °C) and 198 days above 80 °F (27 °C) in the City of Austin.^[32] In general temperatures are somewhat cooler to the west in the Hill Country than in the plains to the east. The average August high temperature in Marble Falls in 94 °F (34 °C)compared to 96 °F (36 °C) in Bastrop, and the average January low in Marble Falls is 33 °F (1 °C) compared to 37 °F (3 °C) in Bastrop.^[36]^[34] Winters in the Austin area are mild and dry. For the entire year, Austin averages 88 days below 45 °F (7 °C) and 24 days when the minimum temperature falls below freezing. Snowfall is rare in Central Texas, but the area suffers occasional ice storms each year that freeze over roads and can affect parts of the region for as much as 48 hours or more.^[32]

Climate data for Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas, USA
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	90 (32.2)	99 (37.2)	98 (36.7)	99 (37.2)	104 (40)	108 (42.2)	108 (42.2)	110 (43.3)	112 (44.4)	100 (37.8)	91 (32.8)	90 (32.2)	112 (44.4)
Average high °F (°C)	60 (15.6)	65 (18.3)	73 (22.8)	79 (26.1)	85 (29.4)	91 (32.8)	95 (35)	96 (35.6)	90 (32.2)	81 (27.2)	70 (21.1)	62 (16.7)	78.8 (26)
Average low °F (°C)	40 (4.4)	44 (6.7)	51 (10.6)	58 (14.4)	65 (18.3)	71 (21.7)	73 (22.8)	73 (22.8)	69 (20.6)	60 (15.6)	49 (9.4)	42 (5.6)	57.9 (14.39)
Record low °F (°C)	-2 (-18.9)	-1 (-18.3)	18 (-7.8)	30 (-1.1)	40 (4.4)	51 (10.6)	57 (13.9)	58 (14.4)	41 (5)	30 (-1.1)	20 (-6.7)	4 (-15.6)	-2 (-18.9)
Precipitation inches (mm)	1.89 (48)	1.99 (50.5)	2.14 (54.4)	2.51 (63.8)	5.03 (127.8)	3.81 (96.8)	1.97 (50)	2.31 (58.7)	2.91 (73.9)	3.97 (100.8)	2.68 (68.1)	2.44 (62)	33.65 (854.7)
Source: Weather.com^[33] 16 Feb 2010

Economy

Employment by Industry for MSA^[37]
Sector	Percentage
Government	21.9%
Professional and business services	13.3%
Retail trade	10.4%
Education and health services	10.2%
Leisure and hospitality	10.1%
Manufacturing	8.6%
Financial activities	6.0%
Construction and mining	5.6%
Wholesale trade	5.3%
Information	3.0%
Transportation, warehousing, and utilities	1.6%
Other services	3.9%

Greater Austin has a diverse economy heavily anchored by government activities and education. High-tech firms, particularly related to semiconductors and software, are also important economic pillars.

Most of the area's largest employers are all within the City of Austin. These include Advanced Micro Devices, Austin Independent School District, the City of Austin, Freescale Semiconductor, IBM, Seton Healthcare Network, the Texas Government, the United States Government, and the University of Texas at Austin.^[37] Major employers outside of Austin include Dell (Round Rock), MD/Totco in Cedar Park (a division of National Oilwell Varco), Southwestern University in Georgetown, and Texas State University in San Marcos.

Transportation

Highways

The principal highways in the metropolitan area are Interstate 35 and the MoPac Expressway (State Highway Loop 1). Other important arteries in the city and its immediate vicinity are U.S. Highway 183, U.S. Highway 290, State Highway 71, and State Highway Loop 360. Further out, two toll roads, State Highway 45 and State Highway 130, also serve the metropolitan area.

Public transportation

The metro area is served by buses of the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro). Capital Metro operates 48 fixed-route, 1 flex-route, and eight express bus services within the city of Austin and several nearby suburbs in Travis and Williamson counties. Capital Metro also operates the shuttles of the University of Texas, which provides limited-stop services to and from neighborhoods where many university students reside. A commuter rail service—the Red line of Capital MetroRail—began service on March 22, 2010, connecting Downtown Austin with the city of Leander.^[38]

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1960	301,261	—
1970	398,938	32.4%
1980	585,051	46.7%
1990	846,227	44.6%
2000	1,249,763	47.7%
Est. 2009	1,705,075	36.4%
historical data source:^[39]

As of 2000^[update] U.S. Census Bureau estimated that in the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos MSA there were 1,249,763 people, 471,855 households, and 295,781 families. The racial makeup of the metropolitan area was 72.49% White, 7.96% African American, 0.57% Native American, 3.52% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 12.75% from other races, and 2.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.23% of the population.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $46,512 and the median income for a family was $54,361. Males had a median income of $35,612 versus $27,095 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $20,721.

As of 2009^[update] the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the population of the Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos MSA had increased to 1,705,075. The 2009 population of the Austin–Round Rock–Marble Falls CSA was estimated to be 1,750,494.^[2]^[40] In 2000, the urban area population (as defined by the Census Bureau) was estimated to be 901,920 while the 2009 population of Austin proper estimated at 757,688.^[41]^[42]

Education

Universities and colleges

Texas State University–San Marcos

The region contains numerous universities. Major area universities include the University of Texas at Austin (flagship of the University of Texas System), Texas State University–San Marcos, and Southwestern University (Georgetown). The city of Austin itself contains numerous other institutions of higher education including Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Concordia University, Huston-Tillotson University, St. Edward's University, and others. Additional institutions in the suburban communities include Temple College in Taylor and the Texas State University extension in Round Rock.

In 2006, 35% of adults in the City of Austin held college degrees, fourth place among the 77 largest cities in the U.S.^[43] As of 2010^[update] this percentage had climbed to 43.3%. In Round Rock 37.2% of adults held degrees, in Pflugerville 40.50% held degrees, in Cedar Park 39.1% held degrees, and in San Marcos 34.1% held degrees.^[44] This compares to 23.2% for all of Texas and 24.4% for the entire U.S. making the Austin area one of the most educated metropolitan areas in the U.S.^[45]^[46]

Primary and secondary

Austin Independent School District headquarters

The region is served by numerous school districts. As of 2010^[update] the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce lists 29 public school districts, 17 charter schools, and 69 private schools.^[47]

The Chamber lists as the primary districts Austin ISD, Bastrop ISD, Del Valle ISD, Eanes ISD, Georgetown ISD, Hays CISD, Lake Travis ISD, Leander ISD, Pflugerville ISD, and Round Rock ISD.^[48] Adding to this list the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District and the Marble Falls Independent School District, the districts of the other two principal cities defined by the CSA, there are a total of 12 core districts. As of 2009^[update] the Texas Education Agency ranks one district, Eanes, as "Exemplary", the highest rating. Three districts, Del Valle, Leander, and Round Rock, are ranked as "Recognized", the second highest rating. All of the others are ranked as "Academically Acceptable". These 12 districts operate 330 individual schools. Of these schools 98 (30%) are ranked as "Exemplary", and 87 (26%) are ranked as "Recognized".^[49]

Major private schools in the area include Redeemer Lutheran School, Brentwood Christian School, Hill Country Christian School, Hyde Park Baptist School, the Regents School, Round Rock Christian Academy (Round Rock), Summit Christian Academy (Leander), St. Andrew's Episcopal School, and St. Michael's Academy.^[50]

Culture and recreation

Annual events and festivals

The communities in Greater Austin hold many annual events. In Austin two of the most well known festivals are the South by Southwest Music and Film Festival and the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which draw artists and spectators from around the U.S. Many other Austin festivals take place including the Old Pecan Street Festival, Blues on the Green, and the Laguna Gloria Art Museum Fiesta.^[51] The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is centered in Austin but takes place at restaurants and venues in multiple communities.^[52]

Outside of Austin many communities host local events of their own. Marble Falls hosts the Bluebonnet Blues and Fine Arts Festival, an event that attracts artists and performers from around the state to the community's downtown. Burnet hosts the Spring Bluebonnet Festival, which features a golf tournament, car shows, vintage airplane shows, and other activities.^[53] The Old Settler's Music Festival in Driftwood features live outdoor performances ranging from folk music to bluegrass and jazz.^[54] Some area communities host civic heritage festivals including the Cedar Park Heritage Festival and the Chisolm Trail Round Up in Lockhart.^[55]^[56] The Oktoberfest celebration in Fredericksburg is one of the largest and most traditional in Texas.^[57]

Rodeo fairs occur annually including the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo and the Burnet Rodeo.

Arts and music

Austin for its part has adopted the nickname "Live Music Capital of the World" based on its claim of having the highest percentage of music performers of any other major city.^[58] The city has a variety of venues for live music performance of popular and country music including famous clubs such as Antone's and Emo's. The long running television program Austin City Limits has for decades showcased the city's music scene, as has the South by Southwest festival and other events in the city. Apart from these the city hosts major classical music performances via the Austin Lyric Opera and the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Other communities in the Austin Area host their own music venues and organizations as well. The Williamson County Symphony Orchestra, founded in 2002, offers performances at locations throughout the county.^[59] The Starlight Symphony, a community orchestra, offers performances at various venues within the southwestern areas of Greater Austin including San Marcos, Dripping Springs, and Johnson City.^[60] The Round Rock Symphony, a recently established organization, offers performances within Round Rock.^[61]

Parks and preserves

Bastrop State Park

The Austin area has long been known for its outdoor attractions. It is home to numerous parks and nature preserves both within the municipalities and outside.

Major parks within the City of Austin include McKinney Falls State Park, Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Zilker Park, and Hippie Hollow Park. Mount Bonnell Park is a popular destination, located at one of the highest points in the city. Outside of the Austin various other parks, including Bastrop State Park, Lockhart State Park, and Longhorn Cavern State Park, are available. Further from the area's core is the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a 640-acre (260 ha) park near Fredericksburg featuring a large granite mound that is popular with hikers and climbers. Additionally Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City, and Inks Lake State Park in Burnet, are among the many other parks available in Central Texas.

The largest nature preserve in the area is the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a preserve northwest of Austin near Burnet and Marble Falls comprising 21,436 acres (8,675 ha).^[62] Other preserves in the area include the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, the Indiangrass Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Onion Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. These preserves are all part of the Heart of Texas Wildlife Trail, a network of trails and sites for viewing wildlife habitats, created by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Greater Austin

Largest cities	Austin · Cedar Park · Georgetown · Pflugerville · Round Rock · San Marcos

Other communities	Bastrop · Buda · Burnet · Elgin · Hudson Bend · Hutto · Jollyville · Kyle · Lago Vista · Leander · Lakeway · Lockhart · Lost Creek · Luling · Marble Falls · Taylor · Smithville · Wells Branch · West Lake Hills · Wimberley · Windemere · Wyldwood

Counties	MSA/CSA: Bastrop · Burnet · Caldwell · Hays · Travis · Williamson Outlying: Blanco · Burleson · Colorado · Fayette · Gillespie · Hays · Lee · Llano · Milam · Washington

Parks and preserves	Balcones Canyonlands · Bastrop · Emma Long · Enchanted Rock · Hippie Hollow · Indiangrass · McKinney Falls · Mount Bonnell · Onion Creek · Pedernales Falls · John Stokes · Wild Basin · Zilker

Geography	Balcones Fault · Edwards Aquifer · Edwards Plateau · Highland Lakes · Hill Country · Llano Uplift

Bodies of water	Barton Creek · Barton Springs · Colorado River · Granger Lake · Lady Bird Lake · Lake Austin · Lake Georgetown · Lake Marble Falls · Lake Travis · Lake Walter E. Long · Pedernales River · San Gabriel River · San Marcos River

State of Texas

Austin (capital)

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Metropolitan areas	Abilene \| Amarillo \| Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos \| Beaumont–Port Arthur \| Brownsville–Harlingen \| College Station–Bryan \| Corpus Christi \| Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington \| El Paso \| Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown \| Killeen–Temple–Fort Hood \| Laredo \| Longview \| Lubbock \| McAllen–Edinburg–Mission \| Midland \| Odessa \| San Angelo \| San Antonio–New Braunfels \| Sherman–Denison \| Texarkana \| Tyler \| Victoria \| Waco \| Wichita Falls

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50 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the United States by population

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