$297,306Average Value$209Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Blanco Gardens is a proud Hispanic community with interstate access
About a mile east of Downtown San Marcos, Blanco Gardens is wedged between its namesake Blanco River and the San Marcos River. Interstate 35 and Route 80 cross paths at the north end, bringing a great deal of commercial establishments to the community. In fact, Blanco Gardens is almost 30% retail. Residents can enter their neighborhood through the interstate’s frontage road, which features a series of warehouses, gas stations and hotels. An affordable, commuter-friendly location between Austin and San Antonio, this area also attracts those affiliated with Texas State University. "It's the mixing pot of Austin and San Antonio," says Emily Garza, a Realtor with Schaible Realty and Texas State University alumnus. "It's for people who want those city vibes, but it's much more affordable." Blanco Gardens, with the help of the city of San Marcos, embraces its Hispanic culture through community events and bilingual institutions that include the school system and businesses throughout the area. About 65% of residents in the neighborhood identify as Hispanic.
Steakhouses, pubs and taco eateries are right off Interstate 35
Where Interstate 35 and Route 80 meet, there’s an abundance of retail and restaurants. In addition to Walmart, H-E-B, a movie theater and arcade, there are chain restaurants, burger bars and other take-out eateries. A popular option for a night out, Saltgrass Steak House is a Texas-style chain with cowboy decor. Across the interstate, there are several Tex-Mex eateries, including Taquitos Mi Rancho, Herbert’s Taco Hut and Fuego Tortilla Grill. Also in this area, Ivar’s River Pub offers menu items like burgers and nachos, a full bar and patio seating overlooking the San Marcos River. Located about 5 miles south on Interstate 35, San Marcos Premium Outlets has athletic and designer brands.
Texas State University is known for its STEM and education programs
Texas State University is situated just one mile across the interstate. This public university offers reputable STEM and education programs and is classified as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Of the 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled, about 40% identify as Hispanic. "A lot of people go to college here and stay here," Garza says. "San Marcos in general is a younger town. It's not totally a college town because we have the river and all the trails. But a lot of graduates stick around."
Interstate 35 and the San Marcos Transit serve Blanco Gardens
Commuters can hop onto Interstate 35, which cuts through the west side of the neighborhood and intersects with Route 80 across the northern section. Once on the interstate, Austin is 30 miles north and San Antonio is 50 miles south. Homes located near Interstate 35 are classified as “busy” or “loud” on Soundscore, a method that measures the noise levels of an area. Residents can walk to some nearby stores, but the interstate is an obstacle to most areas around the neighborhood. Bus riders can access Route 4 of the San Marcos Transit system, which services the community.
Stokes Park trails connect to San Marcos’ larger city parks system
In contrast to the interstate that can bring noise to the community, the expansive San Marcos parks system bounds the west side of Blanco Gardens and allows for outdoor adventures. Bordering the southern part of Blanco Gardens, Stokes Park offers 5 acres of open green space and walking trails along the San Marcos River. Not only is this park a popular spot to launch kayaks or canoes but it also draws a summer crowd for tube-floating down the river. The trails connect to other city parks, including Rio Vista and Bicentennial Park. "The city park area is huge, and they all blend together," Garza says. "You get out of your car and you see the river, the pool, the huge playground. They all connect." Centrally located within the neighborhood, Conway Park is a small pocket park with a basketball court, a playground and a skate park. To the east, Bobcat Golf Range is a full-service driving range with a putting area.
Residences include quaint ranch-styles and newly built contemporaries
While the majority of Blanco Gardens consists of rental apartment complexes and retail properties, single-family homes account for about 12% of the neighborhood. Sidewalks line most of the residential lanes, and persimmon shrubs, sugarberry and elm trees dot quaint front lawns. Common styles include manufactured homes and other midcentury ranch-styles with brick, stone or vinyl exteriors. Sizes can range between 1,000 to 2,000 square feet, and price tags generally vary from $130,000 to $320,000. There is a recent development of two-story contemporary homes that are projected to be completed in 2025, offering 3,000 square feet of interior space for around $715,000. The CAP Index gives the neighborhood a crime score of 7 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4 out of 10. Homes that are near the San Marcos River to the west or the Blanco River to the east are at a higher flood risk than the rest of the community. Located in Blanco Gardens, The Horton House is a men’s sober-living halfway house that helps those in need get back on their feet. The organization hosts monthly barbeques and holiday functions for house members and their families.
Students attend public schools in the San Marcos Consolidated ISD
Students living in Blanco Gardens are part of San Marcos Consolidated ISD, which receives a C-plus from Niche. Depending on where they live in the neighborhood, they can begin at either Travis Elementary or Mendez Elementary, which both hold a C. They can then advance to Goodnight Middle School, which also has a C, before transitioning to San Marcos High School, which receives a B-minus. The Lady Rattlers Varsity basketball team made school history with a 2024-2025 winning season that landed them a place in the UIL Texas Girls Basketball State Championship. Nearby, Hill Country Christian School is a private kindergarten through twelfth-grade option with a B grade from Niche.
San Marcos hosts large annual festivals and smaller community events
Downtown San Marcos, about a mile’s drive from Blanco Gardens, hosts several recurring and annual community events. Each Saturday, there’s a farmers market at the Downtown Square, and on Thursdays during the warmer months, Summer in the Park provides free live music at San Marcos Plaza Park. The highly anticipated Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest embraces the city’s mermaid-friendly culture each May with a parade and a street fair, while festivalgoers don their best mermaid gear. In October, Sacred Springs Powwow celebrates Native American heritage through dance performances, food and art. The community also hosts trail runs and marathons through the city parks, and parades usher in different holiday seasons.
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
Myra Martinez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
John J Stokes River Park
San Marcos Plaza Park
Conway Park
Transit
Airport
Austin-Bergstrom International
46 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Blanco Gardens
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
9
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
9
4
Crime Score
7
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Blanco Gardens, San Marcos sell after 68 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Blanco Gardens, San Marcos over the last 12 months is $245,166, down 5% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Come see this charming 2/1 home in the established neighborhood. Most everything has been newly updated such as: wood flooring, new carpet, roof replaced in 2023, A/C replaced in 2023, the pier and beam foundation was leveled and 36 new piers added, new lights, bathroom remodeled with new lights, floor and vanity, wiring, new double pane windows by Anderson. The spacious back yard has two sheds
This prime 2-acre property, located just minutes from I-35, offers a unique opportunity for developers and investors.With a charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home already in place, the property combines convenience and potential in ahighly desirable area of San Marcos. Situated close to Texas State University, the bustling San Marcos outlets, and justminutes from downtown and the San
Motivated Seller! Move-in ready! Minutes from IH35, Texas State University, Downtown Square, San Marcos River, and the Outlet Mall. This inviting 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with a BONUS private entry room has a spacious front yard and backyard for hosting social gatherings. There is a driveway with tandem parking in the rear of the home and plenty of off-street parking for guests. This home is an
The Lynx Townhomes and Apartments in San Marcos, TX, offer a unique blend of comfort, style, and convenience. Our community features modern one, two, and three-bedroom homes with updated interiors and a host of exceptional amenities, including a pool, basketball court, pet park, and more. Located just minutes from the San Marcos River and downtown, The Lynx provides easy access to shopping,
Our Hybrid floor plan features brand new upgrades, including stainless steel appliances, designer sinks, and a beautifully tiled shower/tub combo. There is hardwood vinyl plank flooring throughout, as well as new light fixtures and 2 inch wood blinds. You'll enjoy decorative paint and solar screens along with our professional landscaping for a luxurious and comfortable living experience. Photos
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Myra Martinez,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
5,488
Median Age
29
Population under 18
26.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
7.6%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$28,018
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$39,751
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
80.6%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
35%
Advanced Degrees
9.8%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
39°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
55/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
35/ 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.
