Downtown Austin

Welcome to Downtown Austin

Where Austin’s dynamic past and sky’s-the-limit future converge.

It’s no wonder that an increasing number of residents are so drawn to the city’s energetic hub. Downtown is dotted with historic reminders of the enterprising frontier town Austin once was (see the built-for-a-cattle-baron Driskill Hotel) and is abuzz with the creative energy of the start-ups and tech companies that have been relocating here.

When Austin’s first mayor, Edwin Waller, drew up the town’s blueprints in 1839, he wanted Congress Avenue, which begins in front of the pink-granite State Capitol building, to be at the center of what would be the city’s vibrant nucleus. A lively downtown has indeed blossomed on all sides of the broad main street, and much of the current building boom has added even more residential options.

What to Expect

Busy sidewalks and a new skyscraper seemingly every week.

Downtown’s sidewalks hum with office workers and scooter-riding visitors, but they become noticeably more mobbed on weekend evenings and during the city’s headline-making festivals, like South by Southwest. The local joke is that the official bird of Austin is the construction crane.

The Lifestyle

The ideal balance of work and play.

Both tourists and business professionals are happily surrounded here by a full spectrum of fine restaurants, food trucks, and watering holes, particularly around Sixth Street and Rainey Street. And, as you would expect of the self-proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World, there is an abundance of worthy nightlife venues. Most retail is centered around the 2nd Street District.

Unexpected Appeal

Green spaces that temper all the sleek concrete.

Downtown’s southern boundary kisses a shimmering stretch of the Colorado River. Urban dwellers (and their pups) enjoy the well-maintained trails along the river’s edge and fill the smooth waterway with a small flotilla of stand-up paddleboards and kayaks.

The Market

Sky-high condos and apartments with prices to match.

Single-family homes are the outliers here. Instead, downtown’s ballooning population has largely traded yards and rush-hour headaches for the horizon-scanning views and balconies of the many luxury high-rise buildings that have gone up in the last decade.

You'll Fall in Love With

Downtown’s homegrown hideaways.

Unlike a lot of urban cores, Austin’s downtown is anything but staid. Just like the rest of the city, the vibe here is mellow and down-to-earth, as evidenced by the many friendly gathering spots and beer gardens, like the creekside Easy Tiger and the 1866 Scholz Garten.

Overview for Downtown Austin, TX

12,523 people live in Downtown Austin, where the median age is 40 and the average individual income is $126,821. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

12,523

Total Population

40 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$126,821

Average individual Income

Around Downtown Austin, TX

There's plenty to do around Downtown Austin, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

99

Walker's Paradise

Walking Score

91

Biker's Paradise

Bike Score

69

Good Transit

Transit Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Gelu Italian Ice - Austin, Tweedy's, and Ronkita Custom Sewing & Design.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Gelu Italian Ice - Austin page on Yelp Search 2701 E 7th St on Google Maps	Dining	2.04 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Tweedy's page on Yelp Search 2908 Fruth St on Google Maps	Dining · $$	1.75 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Ronkita Custom Sewing & Design page on Yelp	Shopping	2.13 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Longhorn Leisure page on Yelp Search 1600 Scenic Dr on Google Maps	Active	3.08 miles	16 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the SoLa CrossFit page on Yelp Search 2119 Goodrich Ave on Google Maps	Active	2.31 miles	21 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Westlake Taekwondo Academy page on Yelp Search 3736 Bee Caves Rd on Google Maps	Active	3.88 miles	13 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the SkySWEAT page on Yelp	Active	3.28 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Your Karaoke Fun Cab page on Yelp	Nightlife	0.21 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Association of Aesthetic Laser Professionals page on Yelp Search 105 E Annie on Google Maps	Beauty	1.74 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Violet Crown Tattoo page on Yelp Search 2025 E 7th St on Google Maps	Beauty	1.51 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Kneading Bodies page on Yelp Search 1209 Pkwy on Google Maps	Beauty	0.72 miles	19 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Mise En Place Salon page on Yelp Search 3202-A Guadalupe St on Google Maps	Beauty	2.03 miles	15 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Blood and Glitter Makeup page on Yelp	Beauty	1.74 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Austin Skincare Company page on Yelp Search 2605 Jones Rd on Google Maps	Beauty	4.73 miles	22 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the 26th and Butler page on Yelp Search 3663 Bee Cave Rd on Google Maps	Beauty	3.86 miles	16 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Kneadz page on Yelp Search 1700 S Lamar Blvd on Google Maps	Beauty	1.91 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Wai Society page on Yelp Search 3202 Guadalupe St on Google Maps	Beauty	2.04 miles	14 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Laser & Electrolysis Studio page on Yelp Search 1513 W Koenig Ln on Google Maps	Beauty	4.28 miles	21 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the LettyWoman Medical Aesthetics page on Yelp Search 711 W38th St on Google Maps	Beauty	2.26 miles	29 reviews	5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Downtown Austin, TX

Population Households Employment

Downtown Austin has 8,101 households, with an average household size of 1. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Downtown Austin do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 12,523 people call Downtown Austin home. The population density is 12,687.118 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

12,523

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

40

Median Age

59.94 / 40.06%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

8,101

Total Households

1

Average Household Size

$126,821

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Downtown Austin, TX

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Downtown Austin. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name