A Hill Country River Town Rooted in Pioneer History

Ingram is a Kerr County town of approximately 4,999 residents along the Guadalupe River, where the median home value stands at $248,200 according to Census Bureau estimates. The community lacks formally mapped neighborhoods but centers around State Highway 27 and the river corridor. Students attend schools in Ingram ISD, rated B by the Texas Education Agency, or Big Springs Charter School. Kerr County's economy runs on retail trade employing 2,798 workers, accommodation and food services with 2,589 employees, and construction with 1,924 workers earning an average of $65,180 annually. With a homeownership rate of 77 percent and median household income of $70,964, Ingram attracts families and retirees seeking Hill Country living at more accessible price points than neighboring Kerrville.

History

Ingram's founding traces to 1879 when Reverend J. C. W. Ingram purchased land from pioneer settler Ab, though settlement began before the Civil War. Sherman's Mill operated from the 1870s grinding corn and sawing lumber, while survivors of the 1862 Battle of the Nueces like Howard Henderson brought their Union sympathies to this contested Hill Country ground.

ZIP Codes Compared

Ingram's housing stock lacks the formal neighborhood divisions found in larger cities, with properties distributed along the Guadalupe River corridor and surrounding hillsides. Buyers find a range from modest riverfront cottages to larger homes on acreage, though the town's compact size limits the geographic spread of options.

Demographics

The town's median age of 45 and high homeownership rate of 77 percent reflect an established community of families and empty-nesters. Census Bureau data shows the population is 62.2 percent White and 32.1 percent Hispanic, with 22.8 percent holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Economy

Kerr County's employment base centers on retail trade with 2,798 workers earning an average of $41,411, followed by accommodation and food services with 2,589 employees. Construction offers the strongest wages at $65,180 average annual pay, while manufacturing employs 1,418 workers at $72,089 average compensation according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Schools

Ingram ISD serves 270 students across one campus and holds a B rating from the Texas Education Agency, while Big Springs Charter School operates two campuses serving 175 students total. The small enrollment numbers create intimate learning environments where students receive individual attention.

Cost of Living

With a median home value of $248,200 and median rent of $1,105 monthly according to Census Bureau estimates, Ingram offers Hill Country living below the cost of larger Kerr County communities. The median household income of $70,964 supports comfortable middle-class living in this river town setting.

Homeowners Associations

Five registered homeowners associations operate in Ingram, a relatively light HOA presence for a town of this size. Most residential properties exist outside HOA governance, offering buyers flexibility in property use and modifications.

About Ingram

Ingram sits along the Guadalupe River in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, a town of nearly 5,000 residents where pioneer history still shapes the landscape. The Reverend J. C. W. Ingram arrived from California in 1879 and purchased land from early settler Ab, giving the town its name and establishing a community that would grow around the river's resources. Before that, Sherman's Mill operated near the Kelly Creek and Guadalupe River confluence starting in the 1870s, grinding corn, sawing lumber, and ginning cotton with water power until its eventual destruction. These early industries set the tone for a working community that values self-sufficiency and connection to the land.

Today Ingram maintains that practical character while serving as a residential anchor for Kerr County. The town center along State Highway 27 hosts essential services like Security State Bank & Trust, Dollar General, and O'Reilly Auto Parts, while local spots like Hunter House Cafe and Lift Coffee provide gathering places for residents. CityWest Church and Living Tree Baptist Church anchor the faith community, and the Ingram Volunteer Fire Department represents the town's volunteer spirit. The Guadalupe River remains central to daily life, offering fishing, tubing, and natural beauty that draws both residents and visitors.

With a median age of 45 and a homeownership rate of 77 percent, Ingram attracts established families and retirees seeking Hill Country living without Kerrville's higher density. The town's schools serve just over 400 students across Ingram ISD and Big Springs Charter School, creating close-knit educational environments. Historic properties like the Cade House, built by Confederate Army doctor Guilford Marion Cade after he purchased the land in 1883, still dot the landscape. Henderson Cemetery, two miles north, holds the grave of Howard Henderson, a survivor of the 1862 Battle of the Nueces who came to Texas in 1857. These markers remind residents that Ingram's story reaches back to the Civil War era, when the Hill Country was contested ground between Union sympathizers and Confederate forces. That independent spirit persists in a community that values river access, open space, and the kind of neighborly self-reliance that built the town generations ago.

Classification

Type

Incorporated Place

Class Code

C1

Identifiers

GEOID

4836032

State FIPS

48

Place FIPS

36032

Statistics

Neighborhoods

0

Population

2,003

Geography

Geometry

polygon

Area

4 km²

County

Kerr

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Ingram

Is Ingram a good place to live?

Ingram offers a compelling option for buyers seeking Hill Country living with Guadalupe River access at more affordable price points than neighboring Kerrville. The median home value of $248,200 according to Census Bureau estimates sits well below many Texas Hill Country markets, while the 77 percent homeownership rate indicates residents put down roots here. The town's location along the river provides recreational opportunities from fishing to tubing, and the compact community of nearly 5,000 residents creates the kind of neighborly atmosphere where people know each other at Lift Coffee or Hunter House Cafe. The trade-off comes in limited commercial development and job options, with most employment concentrated in Kerrville just minutes away. Ingram works best for retirees, remote workers, or those willing to commute for the privilege of river living and small-town pace. The median age of 45 reflects a mature community that values stability over rapid growth.

What is the cost of living in Ingram?

Ingram's cost of living centers on housing that remains accessible compared to much of the Texas Hill Country, with Census Bureau data showing a median home value of $248,200 and median rent of $1,105 monthly. The median household income of $70,964 provides comfortable support for these housing costs, particularly for the 77 percent of residents who own their homes. Everyday expenses align with small-town Texas norms, with essential services available at Dollar General and local businesses along State Highway 27, though residents often travel to Kerrville for broader shopping and dining options. Bureau of Labor Statistics data for Kerr County shows retail trade workers earning an average of $41,411 annually, while construction jobs pay $65,180 and manufacturing positions average $72,089. Property taxes vary by district, but the combination of moderate home values and rural setting keeps overall housing expenses manageable. Utilities and transportation costs follow typical Hill Country patterns, with most residents driving personal vehicles for work and errands.

How are the schools in Ingram?

Ingram ISD serves 270 students across one campus and holds a B rating from the Texas Education Agency, providing a small-school environment where individual attention is the norm. Big Springs Charter School operates two campuses serving 175 students total, offering families an alternative educational approach. The combined enrollment of just over 400 students across both systems means class sizes remain small and teachers typically know students and families personally. This intimate setting appeals to parents who value close teacher relationships and community involvement over the extensive programs and facilities that larger districts provide. The 22.8 percent bachelor's degree attainment rate among adults according to Census Bureau data suggests a community where college preparation exists but isn't the universal expectation. Families seeking specialized programs, advanced placement courses, or competitive athletics often consider schools in nearby Kerrville, though Ingram's schools serve students well who thrive in smaller environments. The B rating indicates solid academic performance within the constraints of a small rural district.

Is Ingram good for families?

Ingram works well for families who prioritize outdoor access, small-town safety, and affordable homeownership over abundant youth programs and activities. The Guadalupe River provides year-round recreation from swimming to fishing, and the high homeownership rate of 77 percent according to Census Bureau estimates creates neighborhood stability where kids grow up together. Ingram ISD's 270 students and Big Springs Charter School's 175 students mean children receive individual attention, though families seeking extensive extracurriculars or specialized academic programs may find options limited. The median household income of $70,964 supports comfortable family living, and the median home value of $248,200 makes homeownership achievable for middle-class households. Essential services like Ingram Elementary, Middle, and Tom Moore High School sit within the community, while places like Hunter House Cafe and local churches provide family gathering spots. The median age of 45 indicates fewer young families than retirement-age residents, so parents should expect a quieter community rather than bustling youth sports leagues and constant playdates. Families who embrace outdoor recreation, value safety over amenities, and want children to grow up in a close-knit river town find Ingram an excellent fit.

Find Your Place Along the Guadalupe in Ingram

Whether you're drawn to Ingram's river access, pioneer history, or small-town Hill Country character, a Texas Ally advisor can help you navigate the local market. We'll connect you with properties that match your budget and lifestyle in this tight-knit Kerr County community.