Full of local shops, quaint annual parades and a top school district, Boerne is still a small city despite rapid growth. Boerne was founded in 1849 as a German immigrant community and named after a popular German satirist. The city has since transformed into a major urban center of Kendall County and the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area. Today, more than 18,000 people call this Hill Country town home. "Boerne is the gateway to Hill Country and just a day trip from all sorts of neat little towns," says Terri Walker, Realtor with KW City View and a resident for nearly 20 years. "It has grown so much in the last decade. After the recession of 2008-2011, there was this pent-up demand to get to Boerne from all over the country. After 2020, there was also an increase in the number of people who moved here because they could work from home."
Residents are a 31-mile drive from the heart of "Alamo City," while Boerne's rural setting prioritizes outdoor experiences and quiet country life. Boerne lacks significant industry, with manufacturing as the main economic driver, while many residents work from home or commute to San Antonio. New residential and mixed-use developments are emerging near I-10, with planned communities expanding in the outskirts. "Development is mainly in South Boerne along South Main Street. We are seeing bigger chains come here. That's all along the I-10 frontage," Walker says.
Niche ranks the Boerne Independent School District No. 36 in Texas, contributing to the city's family-friendly atmosphere. "The number one draw is the school district. It's one of the top districts in the state and country," Walker says. Boerne's small-town character is reflected in community events centered downtown, where historic German architecture lines the streets. Despite growth changes, Boerne still feels like home to many families who have lived here for generations. "Regarding raising a family, Boerne has a slower pace of life and is a very safe place to live," Walker says.
Downtown Boerne hosts many historical and charming buildings with great diners and shops.
Many allies and corners offer a glimpse of the past with antique cars and signs in Boerne.
Have a date night in the charming downtown streets of Boerne.
Downtown Boerne shops and dining.
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A-rated schools and athletics at Boerne ISD
The Boerne Independent School District serves over 10,000 students and gets an A on Niche. The district has a robust career and technical education department with nearly 20 STEM, trade and culinary arts pathways. It operates two high schools, three middle schools, and eight elementary schools. Recent developments include the opening of Viola Wilson Elementary School in 2024 and the George and Baudelia Mitchell Learning Center, which houses the PTECH Health Science and Boerne Academy. Additionally, construction began in 2023 on the $ 8.7 million Boerne Aquaplex. "Our sports teams are incredibly competitive. Our little league team went to the Little League World Series," Walker says.
Fabra Elementary School is found outside of Boerne, Texas.
Kendall Elementary found in Boerne, Texas offers students a great education.
Boerne Middle School North is a public middle school located in Boerne, Texas
The Geneva School Of Boerne located just northwest of town.
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Annual events down Hill Country Mile
Many of Downtown Boerne's small-town shops have served the community for over a century. "Our historic Main Street is called the Hill Country Mile—this downtown area has shops, breweries, restaurants and the Boerne Town Square," Walker says. Local German cafes and bistros with outdoor seating are within walking distance of Main Plaza Park, where hometown restaurants outnumber chain establishments. While awaiting new retail developments, Boerne has an H-E-B Plus!, Home Depot and Walmart Supercenter. For high-end shopping, The Rim and The Shops at La Cantera are 16-mile drive south near the Texas 1604 Loop.
Boerne Town Square is home to many weekend events throughout the year. "We have multiple parades each year. We have one of the biggest Christmas events the weekend after Thanksgiving — Dickens on Main. Thousands of people come," Walker says. "They have snow blown in and an ice rink they set up. It's this little wonderland in Texas. It grows every year." The Boerne Farmers Market is on Tuesdays, and Market Days showcases local artists and handmade crafts on the second weekend of each month. Another highlight is the Keys to the Hills Rod Run, one of the biggest hot rod shows in the country. Boerne's German heritage can be explored at its German bakery, its local brewery and even the local Turn Verein clubhouse; this German athletic and political society of the 19th century now serves as a social club for longtime Boerne residents and opens its bowling alley every Saturday.
Find everything you want or didn't know you wanted at Boerne Market Days in Boerne.
HEB is the large grocer in Texas with a Super location in Boerne for all of your shopping.
Locals and thrift and explore the amazing Johns Road Antique Mall off I-10 in Boerne.
Hamby's in Downtown Boerne offers the best burgers in town.
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Cordillera Ranch offers luxury living
Boerne offers smaller 19th-century homes, master-planned neighborhoods and acres of land in Northwest San Antonio's Texas Hill Country. This area is characterized by small, rolling hills that locals call mountains. Boerne's earliest homes differ from street to street and spread out downtown. The average home sale price has increased 36% since 2020, reaching $680,000 by early 2024. As of June 2024, the average home price reached $781,000, an 8% increase from June 2023. Overall, home prices in the city range from $300,000 to over $10 million. "A very popular luxury neighborhood is Cordillera Ranch. It's 13 miles outside — 8,000 acres — with the prettiest country club in the southern region, a Jack Nicklaus golf course," Walker says. Other sought-after communities include Fair Oaks and The Estates at Tapatio Springs, which offers resort-style living on over 150 acres with multi-acre lots and access to the Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort. Demand for affordable housing is also rising, with 33% of housing occupied by apartments. The city's tax rate is nearly 20% higher than Kendall County's.
Boerne is known for it's numerous 19th century home scattered throughout the city.
A street lined lined with two-story national and traditional homes in Boerne, Texas.
The history of Boerne can be seen in the home styles around the city.
A large traditional ranch style home with a two car garage can be found in Boerne.
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Boerne City Lake's summertime activities
Boerne residents have expansive views of the pastoral green hues of Texas Hill Country. Ten public parks offer recreational lakes, golf courses, playgrounds, skate parks and forested trails. Boerne City Park covers 106 acres and features the Cibolo Creek Trail, a 3-mile path that winds through the city and ends at Main Plaza Park downtown. South of the park, the Cibolo Nature Center has over 6 miles of trails lined with sycamore and cypress forests home to white-tailed deer and monarch butterflies. "The city also has a massive private lake called Boerne City Lake," says Michael McCall, a Realtor with JBGoodwin Realtors and founder of the Life in San Antonio Texas Home Group. "It's not for motorized boats, they only allow kayaking and canoeing." Further south of the city, other attractions include Cascade Caverns, and many residents come as members of the private Fair Oaks Ranch Golf & Country Club.
Boerne City Lake Park is a massive recreation area centering around water activities.
Have a picnic in the shade at Boerne City Park.
The Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne is full of trails that traverse the 160 acre property.
Main Plaza Park is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors, or to enjoy an event.
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New developments include Lemon Creek Ranch
Buc-ee's is one of Texas' most popular convenience stores and is set to begin construction in Fall 2024, marking a long-awaited addition to the city. Just south of Boerne, Lemon Creek Ranch is a 116-acre mixed-use development anchored by a newly built H-E-B grocery store and gas station. This community is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 and will feature 700-800 multifamily units, outdoor recreation, restaurants, shopping centers and office space. The proposed Major Thoroughfare Plan aims to enhance the transportation network along South Main Street and I-10 by improving roads, sidewalks, bike lanes and traffic management while minimizing environmental impacts on Cibolo Creek.
Easy access to Interstate 10
Locals have access to Interstate 45 and I-10, a major roadway connecting Florida to California that runs directly through Boerne. It links the city south to San Antonio, 31 miles away, and north to Fredericksburg. San Antonio International Airport has approximately 75 non-stop domestic and international flights to Germany and Mexico. Methodist Boerne Medical Center, located two miles south of downtown, has a freestanding ER, providing around-the-clock emergency care. Though Boerne is car-dependent, The Center offers door-to-door transportation services for senior citizens, assisting with work, shopping and errands.
Boerne's crime rates
Boerne benefits from low crime rates. In 2023, the Boerne Police Department Communications Division reported receiving over 55,000 calls, reflecting a 7% decrease from the previous year. The department's annual crime report indicated a 28% decrease in traffic citations, a 10% decrease in misdemeanor charges, and an 8% reduction in total arrests. The city's violent crime rate of 1.06 per 1,000 residents is significantly lower than both state and national averages. In contrast, its property crime rate of 15.02 is below the Texas average of 23 and the national rate of 20.
Boerne has flood risks in certain areas and, its hot climate can lead to heatwaves and droughts.
As a recognized member of the Platinum Top 50 San Antonio and a full-time REALTOR® with over two decades of experience, I am dedicated to delivering value to every client I serve. Married and a father of three, I know firsthand the importance of finding a home that meets both practical needs and long-term aspirations. This understanding drives my commitment to providing clients with not just a transaction but a truly meaningful, positive experience.
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Whether you’re buying, selling, or relocating, you can trust that I will go above and beyond to create a seamless and rewarding real estate experience tailored to your unique needs.
Ben Baca Realtor, Broker Associate All City San Antonio Registered Series (210) 683-3331 direct/text ben@benbacarealtor.com www.benbacarealtor.com
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