$487,874Average Value$410Average Price per Sq Ft21Homes For Sale
Laid-back living close to South Congress Avenue
When most Austinites think of South Congress Avenue, boozy brunches and hip boutiques might come to mind. But tucked between South First Street and South Congress Avenue is West Congress, SoCo’s easygoing sibling. Veiled behind one of the neighborhood cottages is the Cathedral of Junk, an ever-evolving sculpture that has been lovingly curated by artist and resident Vince Hanneman since he moved to the neighborhood in 1989. Made with more than 60 tons of junk and organic material, the cathedral is quintessential, quirky Austin. “Most of the neighbors have been here a good bit of time, so everybody’s fairly neighborly and close,” Hanneman says. Mike Vilece, a West Congress resident and Realtor with Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty, says the neighborhood has drawn a variety of residents over the years. “It’s a healthy mix of young families, young professionals, and older retirees who are original owners. I've been in my house for almost six years, and I know everybody on the street,” Vilece says. “I built a deck on the front of my house, and I sit out there at night when I get home from the office and just talk to people as they walk by. The people in the neighborhood are just awesome. It really feels like a community.”
West Congress offers quick access to downtown Austin.
West Congress is located south of Ben White and bordered east to west by South Congress.
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Eat and shop in SoCo
Vilece recommends starting the day at Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden, which offers specialty coffee and local beers with a focus on sustainability. Walmart does groceries, but locals are excited for the revamped H-E-B at Oltorf and South Congress, reopening late 2024. The new grocer will span more than 145,000 square feet and feature a restaurant and outdoor stage for live performances. After a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Junk, its caretaker Hannemann recommends stopping at Casa Maria, which serves up regional Mexican fare and has a bakery specializing in traditional sweets. Locals sip at Sagebrush, a popular honkytonk dive bar that has live music and two-steppin’ almost every night. South Congress, one of Austin’s best shopping and dining districts, is just down the street. Perla’s is known for fresh seafood and oysters, and Hopdoddy Burger Bar, a regional franchise specializing in house-made burgers and buns. SoCo is also lined with boutiques and longtime staples like Allens Boots, a Western retailer where shoppers can choose from over 10,000 boots.
The relaxing ambiance of Cosmic Coffee makes it a favorite among West Congress residents.
West Congress fashion enthusiasts appreciate the unique styles at Allens Boots.
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Cozy cottages and brand-new builds
West Congress was once a mix of older homes built as early as the 1940s, but now the neighborhood has a mix of homes ranging from low-key cottages and colorful bungalows to new condos and apartments. A studio condo can range from $400,000 to $450,000, while bungalows can range from $465,000 to $500,000. Renovated homes can range from $500,000 to $800,000, while a new condo or architect-designed home can range from $800,000 to more than $1 million. “They keep tearing down houses in the neighborhood and building new, bigger houses, so there’s not a lot of the older houses left,” Hanneman says. “This was a sketchy neighborhood when I moved here in ’89. Now there’s Teslas here, and the house down the street sold for 1.7 million.”
West Congress offers a variety of colorful bungalows.
Residents of West Congress enjoy the minimalist aesthetics of their modern homes.
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Walk the halls of "Friday Night Lights"
Kids might attend St. Elmo Elementary School, graded B-minus by Niche, before moving on to Bedichek Middle School, which received a C-plus. Teens can attend Travis Early College High School, graded B-minus by Niche and famously featured in the 2004 football drama “Friday Night Lights.” Thanks to the school's partnership with Austin Community College, students have the chance to earn an associate degree while still in high school.
South Manchaca_St Elmo Elementary School Sign
At Bedichek Middle School, sports fields inspire greatness.
Travis Early College High School is a top rated public school in Austin, TX.
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Expanding greenspace
When it’s time to enjoy the Texas sun, many residents take to the sidewalk and stroll the neighborhood. “We’re always outside. It’s very walkable,” Vilece says. Nearby, Battle Bend Neighborhood Park has a playground, a basketball court and a pavilion. Havemann, the deacon of detritus, offers free tours of the Cathedral of Junk, which visitors can schedule by calling ahead. There are plans for more outdoorsy activities, too. “We do have a creek, and the city has gone in the back of the neighborhood and bought three houses in a floodplain,” Vilece says. “The plan in the future is to make that a big, open, off-leash park, and they’re going to put trails that go from here all the way to the major greenbelt we have in Austin.”
Families enjoy the parks in West Congress.
Central Williamson Creek Greenway and greenbelt runs through the West Congress neighborhood.
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Roughly 4 miles from downtown Austin
While the neighborhood is close to all the action in SoCo and 4 miles from the state capital, local typically drive or hop on a CapMetro bus to get around town. Residents are close to two major thoroughfares, Interstate 35 and U.S. 290, and 8 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
Ben White Boulevard and South Congress are main thoroughfares in West Congress.
Public transport is convenient in West Congress.
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Crime
Crime in West Congress is higher than the national average. CAP Index gives the neighborhood a Crime Score of 8 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4, including 10 out of 10 for burglaries. “There have been two break-ins in the six years I’ve been here, and ironically both are on either side of me,” Vilece says. “But other than that, I’ve heard of nothing. I feel super safe in my neighborhood.” Encampments dot the nearby green space, but Vilece says housing insecurity does not affect day-to-day life for most residents.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Katherine Wright,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Joslin Park
Trails
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Battlebend Spring Neighborhood Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Gillis Park
Baseball/Softball
Lake
Playground
Armadillo Neighborhood Park
Bike Trails
Picnic Area
Trails
South Austin Neighborhood Park
Picnic Area
Soccer
Tennis
Transit
Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International
22 min drive
Bus
5201 S 1st & Ramble
Bus
118 Stassney & Congress
Bus
4217 S 1st & Radam
Bus
South Congress Bay I
Bus
5310 Congress & Mockingbird
Bus
4722 Congress & Sheraton
Bus
4617 S 1st & Orland
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
West Congress
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
6
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
10
4
Larceny
9
4
Crime Score
8
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Congress, Austin sell after 65 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in West Congress, Austin over the last 12 months is $475,828, down 9% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Investor or builder opportunity in an unbeatable central Austin location. Nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac, this South Austin property offers potential as a flip or tear-down. This over-sized lot provides a great canvas for redevelopment or a custom build. Just minutes to downtown, the airport, South Congress, and the University of Texas. Easy access to major highways, employers, and top
Top-Floor Elegance in the Heart of St. Elmo Arts District – Investment or Primary ResidenceWelcome to Little Ford Condominiums, a boutique community on South Congress offering a rare opportunity to own a top-floor 2-bedroom, 2-bath home in one of Austin’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Whether you're seeking a stylish primary residence or a turnkey investment property, this unit delivers on every
Welcome to The Blue Bird Residence, a recently constructed home on a quiet street in South Austin. Beautiful white oak floors are present on both levels. The heart of the home is the ground level with a spacious, open living and kitchen area. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances with an 10-foot peninsula island that can seat up to four barstools comfortably. An ample-sized pantry and
With a perfect location on South Congress Avenue, you will have the best of the city center right outside your front door. Inside your one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartment home you'll find features you crave like granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. Experience an enhanced lifestyle with our amenity offerings including two swimming pools, two fitness centers, resident clubhouse,
Live in the heart of South Austin’s coolest pocket at Little Ford Condominiums — a boutique community with only 22 private, modern residences. Tucked into the booming St. Elmo District just off South Congress, this is where sleek design meets laid-back community living. Inside this stylish 2 bed, 2 bath condo, you’ll find an open layout with tons of natural light, high ceilings, stainless steel
Welcome to The Arts Apartments at South Austin in Austin, Texas, where great apartment home living can be found. Located southwest of downtown Austin, you will be close to everything you need. Our warm and inviting community provides easy access to Interstate 35, making that stressful commute a thing of the past. Close to shopping, great dining, and ample entertainment, this is the place to be!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Katherine Wright,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,989
Median Age
37
Population Density
11 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$53,505
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$83,012
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.4%
College Graduates
43.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
16%
% Population in Labor Force
75.1%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
41/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
33/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
49/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
