Where the Rivers Meet and Retirement Feels Like Vacation

Kingsland is a lakeside Hill Country community of approximately 8,719 residents in Llano County where the median home value sits at $245,500 and the median household income reaches $57,742 according to Census Bureau estimates. The town functions primarily as a retirement and recreation destination with a median age of 52.1 and a 74% homeownership rate. Students attend schools in LLANO ISD and ORENDA CHARTER SCHOOL, both rated C by the Texas Education Agency, while the local economy centers on accommodation and food services employing over 1,300 workers county-wide. Sixteen registered homeowners associations govern various subdivisions and lakefront developments throughout the area.

History

The Antlers Hotel historical marker commemorates Kingsland's 19th-century origins when Martin D. King purchased land at the strategic junction of the Llano and Colorado rivers, a location that had attracted visitors for millennia. This founding as a destination for those drawn to the rivers' natural beauty established the pattern that continues today as a lakeside recreation and retirement community.

ZIP Codes Compared

Housing costs in Kingsland vary primarily based on lake access, with waterfront properties commanding significant premiums over homes set back from Lake LBJ. The single neighborhood designation reflects the town's compact geography, though subdivisions and developments within Kingsland span a range from modest manufactured home communities to upscale lakefront estates.

Demographics

The population skews significantly older than state averages with a median age above 52, reflecting Kingsland's role as a retirement destination where 74% of residents own their homes. The racial composition is 69.5% White and 25.8% Hispanic, with educational attainment at 24.3% holding bachelor's degrees, lower than urban Texas metros but typical for rural Hill Country towns.

Economy

Llano County's employment landscape centers on tourism-related sectors, with accommodation and food services leading at 1,313 employees earning an average of $38,955 annually according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Construction jobs paying an average of $58,361 support ongoing lakefront development, while finance and insurance positions offer the highest average pay at $95,549 though represent a smaller employment share.

Schools

Students in Kingsland attend LLANO ISD, which serves 630 students across one school and holds a C rating from the Texas Education Agency, or ORENDA CHARTER SCHOOL, a smaller option with 145 students also rated C. Families seeking higher-rated districts typically look toward Marble Falls ISD or Burnet CISD in neighboring communities.

Cost of Living

With a median home value of $245,500 and median rent at $908 monthly according to Census estimates, Kingsland offers more affordable housing than Austin metro while maintaining Hill Country lakeside access. The median household income of $57,742 aligns with a community where many residents are retired or semi-retired rather than dependent on high local wages.

Homeowners Associations

Kingsland has sixteen registered homeowners associations that primarily govern lakefront subdivisions and planned communities, reflecting the area's development pattern around Lake LBJ waterfront access. HOA fees and rules vary significantly depending on amenities like boat ramps, community docks, and shared recreational facilities.

About Kingsland

Kingsland sits at the confluence of the Llano and Colorado rivers in the Texas Hill Country, a location that has drawn people for centuries and today defines the character of this lakeside community. The Antlers Hotel, a historical landmark dating to the 19th century when Martin D. King purchased land here, marks the town's roots as a destination for those seeking the natural beauty of the Highland Lakes region. That heritage continues today as Kingsland serves primarily as a retirement and recreation town where the median age of 52.1 reflects a population that has chosen waterfront living over urban hustle.

Daily life revolves around Lake LBJ and the rhythm of a small town where Spykes BBQ becomes a familiar evening stop and H-E-B handles the weekly shopping. The Blue Herron Coffee and M&M Donuts anchor morning routines, while El Bracero and Grand Central Cafe & Club Car Lounge provide dinner options that locals cycle through regularly. First Baptist Church, Highland Lakes Baptist Church, and Kingsland Community Church serve as social centers beyond Sunday services, hosting community events that bring together the town's roughly 8,700 residents. The Kingsland Community Center and Kingsland Branch Library offer gathering spaces, while Legends Golf Course gives retirees and weekend visitors a recreational outlet with Hill Country views.

The town functions as a lake community first and a commuter suburb second. With 74% homeownership and a median home value of $245,500, Kingsland attracts buyers seeking affordable waterfront or water-adjacent property compared to Austin's escalating prices an hour southeast. The economy reflects the tourist and service orientation of a lakeside town, with accommodation and food services employing over 1,300 workers across Llano County. Construction jobs support the ongoing development of lakefront properties, while retail positions at businesses like 7-Eleven and O'Reilly Auto Parts serve both residents and the steady stream of visitors heading to the Highland Lakes.

Classification

Type

Census Designated Place

Class Code

U1

Identifiers

GEOID

4839304

State FIPS

48

Place FIPS

39304

Statistics

Neighborhoods

0

Population

7,075

Geography

Geometry

polygon

Area

23 km²

County

Llano

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Kingsland

Is Kingsland a good place to live?

Kingsland works exceptionally well for retirees and second-home buyers seeking affordable lakeside living in the Texas Hill Country, evidenced by the median age of 52.1 and 74% homeownership rate according to Census Bureau data. The town offers direct access to Lake LBJ recreation including boating, fishing, and waterfront dining without the premium prices of nearby Horseshoe Bay or Marble Falls. Daily amenities like H-E-B, local restaurants including Spykes BBQ and El Bracero, and community gathering spots such as the Kingsland Branch Library and Kingsland Community Center provide the essentials without requiring drives to larger cities. The tradeoff comes in limited employment opportunities beyond tourism and service sectors, with accommodation and food services dominating the local job market at average pay around $38,955 annually per Bureau of Labor Statistics records. Families with school-age children should note that both LLANO ISD and ORENDA CHARTER SCHOOL hold C ratings from the Texas Education Agency, which may prompt consideration of private schools or neighboring districts. For those prioritizing lake access, outdoor recreation, and a slower pace over career advancement and top-rated schools, Kingsland delivers considerable value at a median home price of $245,500.

What is the cost of living in Kingsland?

Housing costs in Kingsland remain notably lower than Austin metro, with a median home value of $245,500 and median rent of $908 monthly according to Census Bureau estimates, making lakeside Hill Country living accessible to middle-income retirees and families. The median household income of $57,742 reflects a community where many residents are no longer in peak earning years but have chosen affordability and lifestyle over higher-wage markets. Waterfront properties command premiums that can push prices significantly above the median, while homes set back from Lake LBJ offer entry points well below $200,000 in some subdivisions. Daily expenses align with small-town Texas norms, with H-E-B providing grocery options at competitive prices and local restaurants like Grand Central Cafe and La Tequila Jalisco offering meals at price points below what you'd find in tourist-heavy Marble Falls or Horseshoe Bay. The sixteen registered homeowners associations in the area add varying monthly or annual fees depending on amenities like boat ramps and community facilities, which prospective buyers should factor into total housing costs. Employment opportunities lean heavily toward service sectors, with accommodation and food service jobs averaging $38,955 annually per Bureau of Labor Statistics data, meaning many working-age residents commute to Marble Falls, Burnet, or even Austin for higher-paying positions while enjoying Kingsland's lower housing costs.

How are the schools in Kingsland?

Kingsland students attend schools in LLANO ISD, which serves 630 students across one school and holds a C rating from the Texas Education Agency, or ORENDA CHARTER SCHOOL, a smaller alternative with 145 students also rated C by the state. These ratings place both options in the middle tier of Texas public schools, adequate for basic education but not drawing families specifically for academic excellence. The older demographic profile of Kingsland, with a median age above 52, means the school system serves a relatively small percentage of the population compared to family-oriented suburbs, which can limit extracurricular offerings and advanced coursework options. Parents prioritizing highly rated schools often look toward Marble Falls ISD or Burnet CISD in neighboring communities, both of which offer more robust programs and higher state ratings, though this requires either relocation or significant daily commuting for students. ORENDA CHARTER SCHOOL provides an alternative educational model for the 145 students it serves, though its C rating suggests similar academic outcomes to the traditional district. For retirees and empty-nesters who comprise the majority of Kingsland's population, school quality factors minimally into the decision to live here, but families with school-age children should visit campuses, review standardized test scores, and consider whether the trade-off of lakeside living at $245,500 median home values balances against the educational opportunities available in higher-rated districts an additional twenty to thirty minutes away.

Is Kingsland good for families?

Kingsland serves families best when outdoor recreation and lake access rank higher in priorities than top-tier schools and abundant youth activities, given that both LLANO ISD and ORENDA CHARTER SCHOOL hold C ratings from the Texas Education Agency and the median age of 52.1 indicates a retirement-oriented community. Families who embrace boating, fishing, and water sports will find Lake LBJ access a daily amenity, with Legends Golf Course and various parks providing additional outdoor options that keep active children engaged. The 74% homeownership rate and median home value of $245,500 according to Census Bureau data make Kingsland financially accessible compared to Austin metro suburbs, allowing families to purchase larger properties or waterfront lots that would be unattainable an hour southeast. Community gathering spots like the Kingsland Community Center, Kingsland Branch Library, and churches including First Baptist Church and Kingsland Community Church provide some family programming, though the smaller population base of roughly 8,700 residents means fewer organized youth sports leagues, arts programs, and extracurricular options than you'd find in Marble Falls or Burnet. The local economy's focus on accommodation and food services offers part-time job opportunities for teenagers but limited career paths for parents, with many working-age residents commuting to neighboring towns for employment. Families who value small-town safety, affordable housing, and immediate lake access while accepting trade-offs in school ratings and structured activities will find Kingsland workable, particularly if they're willing to drive twenty to thirty minutes for sports leagues, tutoring, or supplemental educational programs in larger Hill Country communities.

Find Your Lakeside Home in Kingsland

Whether you're searching for waterfront retirement property or an affordable Hill Country base near the Highland Lakes, a Texas Ally advisor can connect you with listings that match your lake lifestyle goals. We know the Kingsland market and can guide you through HOA considerations, lakefront access options, and the neighborhoods that fit your budget.