Burnet, Texas Land Development: Demographics, Growth Projections, Taxes & Prices

Burnet, Texas Land Development: Demographics, Growth Projections, Proximity, Taxes & Prices

Central Texas real estate is shifting. While Austin, Cedar Park, and Georgetown grab headlines, Burnet, Texas, is quietly emerging as the next land development hotspot in the Hill Country.

For investors, developers, and families seeking space, Burnet offers a compelling mix: affordable land prices, rising population, Highland Lakes recreation, solid schools, and easy commutes to Austin metro hubs—all wrapped in small‑town Texas charm.

This guide breaks down everything driving Burnet's land market: who lives here, how fast it's growing, commute times to Cedar Park and Liberty Hill, property tax advantages for undeveloped land, current price‑per‑acre trends, schools, and tourism infrastructure that supports long‑term value.

Burnet Demographics: Stable, Affluent, and Growing

Understanding Burnet's demographic profile reveals why land here supports everything from family subdivisions to luxury lakefront estates.

Population & Household Snapshot

• City of Burnet: 6,600–6,900 residents as of 2026, up steadily from ~6,200 in 2020.

• Burnet County: 57,000–57,100 county‑wide, providing a robust buyer pool for land developers.

• Median age: 41.4 years—prime for working families (ages 25–54) and early retirees seeking Hill Country peace.

• Household income: Median ranges $88,000–$99,000, well above rural Texas averages and supporting mid‑tier housing ($300k–$600k homes on 1–10 acres).

• Ethnic composition: 74–83% White, 15–20% Hispanic, small multiracial segment; average household size 2.5–2.8 people.

What This Means for Land
Burnet attracts dual‑income families escaping Austin density, retirees wanting lake access, and investors banking on Hill Country scarcity. Demand centers on 3–10 acre ranchettes, lakefront lots, and custom‑build sites rather than dense urban plots.

Growth Projections: Burnet's Path Through 2050

Burnet County's momentum makes undeveloped land a strategic hold.

Historical Growth
From 42,800 in 2010 to 57,000+ today—that's 33% growth in 15 years at 2.5–3% annually, outpacing many Hill Country peers.

Near‑Term Outlook (2026–2030)
Expect 2–2.5% yearly increases as Austin remote workers and retirees continue migrating. The county could hit 60,000 by 2030. City proper holds steady around 6,800–6,900 through 2026.

Long‑Term to 2050
Projections show 25–30% county growth to ~61,000–65,000 residents, driven by:

• Austin/Williamson County density pushing families outward

• Highland Lakes tourism (5 major lakes attract 2M+ annual visitors, many converting to buyers)

• TX‑29 and US‑183 corridor improvements easing commutes

Burnet's Development Services and Economic Development Office streamline zoning/platting, signaling city's readiness for growth. This creates demand for 500–1,000 new housing units per decade, plus commercial pads.

Strategic Proximity: Commutes to Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Georgetown & Austin

Burnet's location—45–60 minutes from Austin but just 20–40 minutes to booming suburbs—makes it ideal for land targeting commuters.

Land Development Angle
Parcels near TX‑29 and US‑183 fetch premiums as "Austin‑adjacent Hill Country" for hybrid workers who commute 2–3 days/week. Marketing hook: "Live on the lake, work in Cedar Park—30 minutes door‑to‑desk."

Schools & Family Appeal: Burnet ISD and Marble Falls ISD

Land buyers with families evaluate schools. Burnet County offers solid options that support residential development.

Burnet Consolidated ISD

• 6 schools (3 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high schools) serving ~3,285 students.

• Burnet High School: Strong graduation rates (90%+), competitive STAAR scores, rated B‑minus overall by Niche.

• Burnet Middle School: Outperforms district/state averages on end‑of‑course exams.​

• Challenge areas: Elementary schools (e.g., Bertram Elementary) lag in state proficiency; the district is working on improvement plans.​

Marble Falls ISD (adjacent)

• 7 schools, ~4,048 students; rated B‑minus by Niche with higher test scores than Burnet CISD.​

• Top‑ranked schools: Falls Career High School, Colt Elementary.

• Many Burnet‑area land buyers choose Marble Falls ISD zones for lakefront parcels.​

Development Implication
Family‑focused subdivisions near Burnet High School or Marble Falls ISD boundaries attract Austin relocators seeking better student‑to‑teacher ratios than overcrowded Austin schools.

Highland Lakes & Tourism: Recreation Infrastructure Supporting Land Value

Burnet County is nicknamed the "Highland Lakes Region" for good reason—five major lakes drive tourism, second‑home demand, and land appreciation.

The Five Lakes

1. Lake Buchanan (largest; fishing, boating, river cruises)

2. Inks Lake (state park, camping, swimming)

3. Lake LBJ (luxury waterfront homes, marinas)

4. Lake Marble Falls (small, scenic, downtown proximity)

5. Lake Travis (southern border; Austin weekend escape)

Tourism & Second‑Home Market

• 2M+ annual visitors to Burnet County for boating, fishing, wine tours, and Longhorn Caverns.

• Strong vacation rental and Airbnb market on lakefront lots.

• Towns like Marble Falls, Kingsland, and Granite Shoals provide dining/lodging infrastructure supporting lake communities.​

Land Play
Lake‑adjacent parcels ($40k–$60k+/acre) sell to:

• Weekenders building cabins

• Retirees seeking a lakefront retirement

• Developers creating resort‑style subdivisions

Property Taxes on Undeveloped Land: Ag Exemptions Create Holding Advantage

Burnet's tax structure favors land investors via competitive rates and agricultural exemptions.

Standard Rates (2024–2025)

• Total effective tax rate: 1.04–1.20% of assessed value (Burnet city: ~1.16%; county similar).

  • City of Burnet: 0.6131% ($6.13/$1,000 valuation)

  • County General: 0.3111–0.3361%

  • Burnet CISD: 0.8742–1.0596%

Undeveloped Land Specifics

• Full market value taxation applies at ~1.16% in the city (higher than U.S. median 1.02%), but the 1‑D‑1 Ag/Open‑Space Exemption drops this to productivity value (10–30% of market).

• Qualification: 5 of 7 prior years agricultural use (livestock, hay, wildlife management); minimum 10–15 acres typical—annual application via Burnet CAD.

• Savings Example: $500k market‑value land → $5,800/year full tax; drops to $1,500–$2,500 with ag exemption (60–75% reduction).

No Ag Exemption?
Still competitive vs. Travis County (1.8–2.2%) or Williamson (1.5–1.9%). Hospital/road districts add 0.1–0.2%.

Hold Strategy
Exemptions keep annual costs low during entitlement, platting, or appreciation phases, making Burnet land attractive for multi‑year hold‑and‑develop plays.

Current Land Prices Across Burnet Areas

Burnet land offers strong value compared to pricier Austin suburbs, with variance by location and type.

County Overview

• Median: $28,780–$29,904 per acre across 562+ active listings totaling $738M–$1B in inventory (~25,000–100,000 acres).

• Average parcel size: 67–112 acres at $1.9M–$2.5M total price.

Price Breakdown by Sub‑Area

Recent Trends (2025–2026)

• Land prices up 5–10% year‑over‑year on sustained growth.

• Still 30–50% below Liberty Hill/Georgetown equivalents, creating entry opportunity.

• Home prices: Median $300k–$404k (varying by source), with land‑to‑home cost ratio favoring custom builds over existing inventory.

Investment Opportunity
Enter now at $28k–$50k/acre before Austin spillover pushes Burnet to Liberty Hill pricing ($50k–$80k/acre).

Housing Market Context: Why Land Wins in Burnet

Recent housing data shows Burnet in a buyer's market for existing homes, making land for new construction even more attractive.

Key Stats (Q4 2025–Q1 2026)

• Median home price: $300k–$404k (sources vary; average ~$374k).

• Year‑over‑year: Down 2.9–31.5% (market correction from 2024 peak).

• Inventory: 180–258 homes for sale; median 80 days on market.

• Sale‑to‑list ratio: 92.8% (buyers negotiating discounts).​

Land Advantage
With existing homes oversupplied and discounted, buyers shift to custom builds on purchased land to avoid bidding wars and get exactly what they want. This increases demand for 1–10-acre build‑ready parcels near schools and lakes.

Ready to Invest in Burnet Land?

Burnet, Texas, checks every box for smart land development: steady demographics, 25–30% growth to 2050, 30‑minute commutes to Cedar Park and Liberty Hill, ag‑exempt taxes slashing holding costs, $28k–$50k/acre entry prices, and Highland Lakes recreation infrastructure that attracts buyers year‑round.

Whether you're a developer eyeing subdivisions, an investor banking on Austin spillover, or a family seeking your own Hill Country ranchette, the data points to Burnet as a strategic play.