If anyone finds themselves of the opinion that small towns can't be hip, residents of Bastrop TX will tell you otherwise. The area was first occupied by a fort placed strategically at a crossing point of the Colorado River. In 1823, the Baron de Bastrop sought Spanish permission to start a German colony in the area but failed. The Baron's coworker and friend, Stephen F. Austin named the area Bastrop in honor of him. In 1827 Austin was able to obtain permission to start a small colony of 100 families in Bastrop and it was incorporated on December 18, 1837. Two years later Austin became the capital of the Republic of Texas and Bastrop became a major supplier of lumber to the newly anointed capital city. Throughout the 1800's the town experienced major misfortune as a fire destroyed most of the buildings downtown in 1869, and creeks flooded during heavy storms rising as high as 46 feet and forcing evacuation. In the 1930's dams were finally built and the area became much less prone to disaster. As the industrial revolution was happening, Bastrop began to experience prosperity and today the population is at an all time high. As Austin has grown, property value soared in the small town for commuters who wanted to live away from the hustle and bustle of their jobs in the nearby capital.
Source:har.com
The population of Bastrop has grown by 41.5% since 2000 to 7,554 currently with 53.6% of residents being female and 46.4% male. The median resident age is 41.9 years compared to 34 for Texas overall. Median household income is up to $45,583 from 2000 when it was $40,212. The State of Texas median is $51,704. Per capita income has grown from $19,862 in 2000 to $22,773 present-day. Median house or condo value is up from $98,800 in 2000 to $136,451 compared to the state median of $132,000. The median rent is $904.
Average housing prices are as follows:
The population breakdown by race is:
Source:kellerwilliamsaustin.com
Out of residents 25 and older 81.3% have a high school diploma or higher, 22% have a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% have a graduate or professional degree. The unemployment rate is currently 2.2% and the average commute is 30.7 minutes.
The population breakdown by marital status 15 years and over is:
Source:gistradar.com
Out of Bastrop's entire population, 469 are foreign born with 5.5% coming from Latin America. Only 6.3% of the city is from foreign soil compared to 16.5% in the entire state of Texas.
The median property taxes paid for housing with mortgages is $2,859 or 2% and without a mortgage is $1,922 or 1.6%.
Single-family building permits for new house constructions from 1997 to 2012 have been distributed as follows:
Source:barleypfeiffer.com
Source:deuceslimited.net
The residents of Bastrop insist on the city being a fun place to live. Car shows, foodies, shopping and festivals keep the historic Downtown District hopping. People there pride themselves on the unique blend of a hip lifestyle with the preservation of their heritage. Citizens feel it is very important to know where you came from so you can see how far you've traveled. They don't mind rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty to restore historic homes and buildings and keeping their downtown looking like a throwback to an Old West town.
Source:statesman.com
The people in Bastrop are a cheery bunch, full of smiles and warm hospitality that speaks to their happiness and community pride. Area Vibes ranks various aspects of the town as follows:
Bastrop has taken big steps toward reducing crime over the past 15 years. According to City Data, the crime score was shockingly high in 2001 at 675.1 compared to the national average of 298.8. Now the score is down to a more palatable 381.3, a vast improvement but still well above national averages. Great Schools uses test scores to rate the school district and gives it a below average four of a possible ten points. Life is improving in the city but placing so much emphasis on fun and celebration in such a small town can invite higher crime rates.
Source:365bastrop.com
Bastrop stands out for its commitment to preserving its history and heritage yet meshing it with shops and restaurants that attract the hipster crowds. Residents pride themselves on making a great impression on visitors and utilize the old style buildings for shops as well as bed and breakfasts. Music festivals and car shows are in abundance, but the uniqueness of the blend of new with old is Bastrop's claim to fame.
