Positioned strategically on the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, the county is an ideal location for businesses requiring excellent roadway connectivity.
Hays County stands as the second-fastest-growing large county in the nation, experiencing an impressive 16.4% population surge from 2020 to 2023. Positioned strategically on the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, the county is an ideal location for businesses requiring excellent roadway connectivity.
Benefiting from the presence of Texas State University in San Marcos, the state’s fourth-largest public university, the area boasts a vibrant and well-educated workforce. Additionally, the region serves as a robust retail center, hosting the nation’s largest outlet mall complex south of San Marcos along the I-35 corridor.
Thriving communities further enhance Hays County’s appeal, with Kyle and Buda emerging as dynamic cities along the I-35 corridor. For businesses seeking a picturesque setting, Dripping Springs, located 24 miles west of Austin in the scenic Hill Country, offers a unique opportunity for growth.
HAYS
COUNTY | AUSTIN MSA | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Population 2025 | 304,390 | 2,620,945 | |
| Population growth 2015-2025 | 58.5% | 31.7% | |
| Land area (sq. mi.) 2020 | 676.9 | 4,219.5 | |
| Median age 2026 | 34.1 | 36.1 | |
| Households 2026 | 114,806 | 1,071,655 | |
| Home ownership rate 2026 | 64.6% | 56.6% | |
| Median household income 2026 | $96,346 | $107,481 | |
| Per capita income 2026 | $49,227 | $61,010 | |
| High school grads 2026 | 93.4% | 93.5% | |
| College grads 2026 | 46.3% | 53.9% | |
| Labor force 2025 | 168,644 | 1,555,142 | |
| Unemployment rate 2025 | 3.4% | 3.5% | |
| Public school enrollment 2025-2026 | 45,692 | 403,226 | |
| High school graduates 2025 | 3,205 | 26,886 | |
| Retail sales 2025 | $5,465 mil. | $52,913 mil. | |
| Business 2025 | Establishments | 6,438 | 76,604 |
| Employment | 107,225 | 1,392,465 | |
| Average salary | $54,865 | $89,172 | |
| Mfg.business 2025 | Establishments | 262 | 2,267 |
| Employment | 5,624 | 85,332 | |
| Average salary | $75,643 | $130,831 | |
Source: Texas Comptroller for retail sales; Texas Workforce Commission for labor force and unemployment; Chmura Economics for businesses, employees, and salaries; Texas Education Agency for public school enrollment and graduates; ESRI for 2026 demographic estimates; and U.S. Census Bureau for all other data.
| LARGEST CITIES IN THE COUNTY | LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTY |
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Hays County in the news - Community Profiles
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