AUSTIN

Austin, the capital city of Texas, is located in Central Texas on the Colorado River. Established in 1839, it was named after Stephen F. Austin, known as the "Father of Texas". The city covers approximately 845.66 square kilometres, with about 17.02 square kilometres consisting of water. As of 1 January 2024, Austin's population was estimated at 986,928.
Austin is known for its cultural diversity and arts scene. It is called the "Live Music Capital of the World" due to its numerous live music venues and the long-running television concert series "Austin City Limits". The city hosts the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, which focuses on film, interactive media, and music.

The city's economy has expanded from government and education to becoming a centre for technology and business. Major companies such as Apple, Dell, and IBM have operations in Austin. The University of Texas at Austin, one of the largest universities in the United States, plays a major role in the city's education and research sector.

Austin is located at the meeting point of four major ecological regions, leading to a varied climate and ecosystem. The city is home to lakes and rivers, including Lady Bird Lake and Lake Travis, which provide opportunities for boating and swimming. The Barton Creek Greenbelt offers hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking.

Austin's distinct character is reflected in the unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird," which supports local businesses and cultural identity. The city is also home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, with approximately 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats living under the Congress Avenue Bridge.

1. As of 1 January 2024, Austin's population is estimated at 986,928, marking a 2.6% increase from the 2020 census count of 961,855.
2. Fort Worth has surpassed Austin as Texas's fourth-largest city, with a population of 989,878 as of January 2024.
3. Austin's average rent decreased by 12.5% from the previous year, with the average asking rent now at $1,435.
4. In 2024, Austin reported 70 homicides, an increase from 36 in 2019.
5. The University of Texas at Austin received a record 90,000 freshman applications for fall 2025, a 24% increase from the previous year.
6. Austin has been named the best U.S. state capital to live in, based on factors like affordability and quality of life.
7. Austin's median household income grew from $78,965 in 2021 to $86,556 in 2022.
8. The Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown metropolitan area had a population of 2,283,371 as of the 2020 census.
9. Austin's median property value in 2021 was $381,400, with a homeownership rate of 44.7%.
10. Austin's population density in 2020 was approximately 533.62 people per square mile.
11. Austin's average household income is $122,474, with a poverty rate of 12.43%.
12. Austin's median age is 34.2 years: 34.1 years for males and 34.3 years for females.
13. Austin's population grew by 1.43% from 2021 to 2022, increasing from 944,658 to 958,202.
14. Austin's median household income increased by 4.24% from 2020 to 2021, rising from $75,752 to $78,965.
15. Austin's median property value grew by 6.36% from 2020 to 2021, reaching $381,400.

The City of Austin has a council-manager system of local government. The City Council is composed of 10 council members elected from geographic districts, plus the Mayor who is elected at-large. The city manager is appointed by the City Council and serves as the chief administrative and executive officer. The city manager is responsible for executing laws and administering the government of the city. On the other hand, the council members are responsible for representing their district's interests and making policy decisions.

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Austin has always been an innovative city and today enjoys the status of being one of the top cities in the U.S. for tech startups. The city thrives in technology, trade, and commerce and has a diverse economy with a gross domestic product (GDP) of over $150 billion. The size of its economy is larger than that of several U.S. states. The city is also known for its strong job market and low unemployment rate.

Austin, Texas, has developed into a significant centre for business and technology. The city's economy is diverse, with key sectors including government, education, and high technology. The Greater Austin metropolitan area reported a gross domestic product (GDP) of $222 billion in 2022. Major employers encompass the Austin Independent School District, the City of Austin, Dell Technologies, the U.S. Federal Government, NXP Semiconductors, IBM, St. David's Healthcare Partnership, Seton Family of Hospitals, the State of Texas, Texas State University, and the University of Texas at Austin.

Austin has earned the nickname "Silicon Hills" due to the concentration of high-tech companies in the region. Notable technology firms with operations in Austin include 3M, Apple, Amazon, AMD, Applied Materials, Arm Holdings, BigCommerce, BioWare, Blizzard Entertainment, Buffalo Technology, Cirrus Logic, Cisco Systems, Cloudflare, CrowdStrike, Dropbox, eBay, Electronic Arts, Flextronics, Facebook, Google, Hewlett-Packard, HomeAway, HostGator, Indeed, Intel Corporation, Meta, National Instruments, Nintendo, Nvidia, Oracle, PayPal, Polycom, Qualcomm, Rackspace, RetailMeNot, Rooster Teeth, Samsung Group, Silicon Labs, Spansion, TikTok, United Devices, VMware, X (formerly Twitter), Xerox, and Zoho Corporation. Tesla, Inc. has also established its corporate headquarters in Austin, with Gigafactory Texas employing over 20,000 people.

The city fosters a supportive environment for startups and entrepreneurs, offering access to capital, skilled workers, and affordable office space. Austin is home to numerous startup incubators and accelerators, such as Capital Factory, Austin Technology Incubator, and TechStars. In 2018, companies in the Austin metropolitan area attracted a total of $1.33 billion in venture capital investments, accounting for more than 60% of Texas's total investments.

Austin's business-friendly climate is further enhanced by Texas's absence of personal or corporate state income tax and a reasonable regulatory environment. The city's central location provides easy access to both the east and west coasts of the United States, with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport offering numerous nonstop flights. Additionally, Austin's high quality of life, vibrant cultural scene, and relatively low cost of living make it an attractive destination for businesses and professionals alike. For those exploring land and real estate opportunities across the region, firms such as Mossy Oak Properties Texas also contribute to the broader property and investment landscape supporting Austin’s growth.

Austin, Texas, has a well-developed infrastructure that supports its growing population and economy. The city's transport network includes major highways such as Interstate 35, U.S. Highway 183, and State Highway 130, which provide connectivity within Texas and beyond. The city is served by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which offers domestic and international flights, handling over 21 million passengers annually.

Public transport in Austin is managed by Capital Metro, which operates bus routes, commuter rail, and on-demand ride services. The MetroRail Red Line connects downtown Austin with the northern suburbs, while plans for an expanded rail system under Project Connect aim to improve mobility.

Austin has a reliable energy infrastructure, with power supplied by Austin Energy, one of the largest publicly owned electric utilities in the country. The city has a strong focus on renewable energy, with a significant portion of electricity generated from wind and solar sources.

Water supply and wastewater services are managed by Austin Water, which provides clean drinking water and wastewater treatment to the region. The city has also implemented flood control measures, including the Waller Creek Tunnel, to manage stormwater.

Austin, Texas, has emerged as a prominent technology hub, often referred to as "Silicon Hills" due to its hilly terrain and concentration of high-tech companies. The city's technology sector has experienced significant growth, with employment in tech industries increasing by 34.5% over the past five years, outpacing the 21.9% growth across all industries in the region. 

As of 2022, Austin was home to 9,789 high-tech employer firms, contributing to a tech workforce that comprises approximately 16% of the area's total employment. Major technology companies such as Apple, Dell, IBM, and Samsung have established significant operations in Austin, attracted by the city's skilled talent pool and favourable business environment. In recent developments, Tesla relocated its corporate headquarters to Austin and inaugurated Gigafactory Texas, a substantial vehicle assembly plant. The city also fosters a vibrant startup ecosystem, supported by numerous venture capital firms and incubators. 

In 2018, Austin-based companies secured a total of $1.33 billion in venture capital investments, accounting for over 60% of Texas's total investments that year. The University of Texas at Austin plays a pivotal role in supplying a steady stream of engineering and computer science graduates, further bolstering the local tech industry. Additionally, Austin is gaining recognition as a hub for autonomous vehicle technology, with companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Uber initiating self-driving and ride-hailing services in the city. This dynamic growth underscores Austin's status as a leading centre for technological innovation and investment.