Where is Austin, Texas?

Austin is located in Travis County, in the central part of Texas, along the banks of the Colorado River. Austin is the capital city of Texas and is known for its vibrant music scene, earning the nickname "Live Music Capital of the World." The city is also recognized as a hub for technology, innovation, and education, with the University of Texas at Austin. Popular destinations of Austin include Lady Bird Lake, Zilker Park, and the Texas State Capitol.

Location Map of Austin, Texas

Where is Austin Located, TX?

Situated in the central part of Texas, the city Austin was settled during the period of 1830s along the bank of Colorado River with name of Waterloo village. But later on the name has been renamed after the name of F. Austin; he is more popularly known as ‘father of Texas.’ The city became the capital city of the newly independent Republic of Texas in the year 1839.

In the late 20th century, the city has grown very fast and became centre of many modern industries, services along with headquarters of various top companies. Besides, it is also cultural and economic centre of Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos. Because of all these reasons, the city is given nickname “The Live Music Capital of the World.” During the period of late 1980s, the city became popular with the name “Violet Crown” because during the winter time violet glow of color just after the sunset.

Above all, the capital city is also an attraction for the tourists because of having various amusement parks, museum, shopping malls, theatres, and many other points of attraction.

Austin, Texas Quick Facts

CityAustin
CountyTravis County, Williamson County, Hays County
StateTexas
State CapitalAustin
US RegionSouth
Latitude30.2672° N
Longitude97.7431° W
Elevation489 ft (149 m)
Land Area (sq mi)319.94
Water Area (sq mi)7.20
Total Area (sq mi)327.14
Population (2020 Census)961,855
Population Density (per sq mi)3,006
ZIP Codes73301, 73344, 78701, 78702, 78703, 78704, 78705, 78712, 78717, 78721, 78722, 78723, 78724, 78726, 78727, 78728, 78729, 78730, 78731, 78732, 78733, 78734, 78735, 78736, 78737, 78738, 78739, 78741, 78744, 78745, 78746, 78747, 78748, 78749, 78750, 78751, 78752, 78753, 78754, 78756, 78757, 78758, 78759
Area Code512, 737
Time Zone StandardCentral Standard Time (UTC-6)
Time Zone DaylightCentral Daylight Time (UTC-5)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code48-05000
Congressional DistrictTexas's 10th, 21st, 35th, and 37th Congressional Districts

Nearby Cities to Austin, Texas

  • Round Rock, Texas - 18 mi North
  • Cedar Park, Texas - 20 mi Northwest
  • Pflugerville, Texas - 15 mi Northeast
  • Georgetown, Texas - 30 mi North
  • Lakeway, Texas - 22 mi West
  • Buda, Texas - 15 mi South
  • Kyle, Texas - 22 mi South
  • San Marcos, Texas - 31 mi South
  • Leander, Texas - 25 mi Northwest
  • Bee Cave, Texas - 15 mi West

Austin, Texas Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January62422.1
April80592.6
July97751.8
October84624.0
Annual816034.5
Climate Classification (Köppen)Humid Subtropical (Cfa)
Annual Rainfall34.5 in
Annual Sunshine Days228
Hurricane/Tornado RiskModerate Tornado Risk
Snowfall0.3 in

Driving Distances from Austin, Texas

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
San AntonioTexas801 hr 20 min
WacoTexas1021 hr 40 min
College StationTexas1081 hr 50 min
KilleenTexas701 hr 15 min
TempleTexas701 hr 10 min
HoustonTexas1652 hr 45 min
DallasTexas1953 hr
Fort WorthTexas1903 hr
Corpus ChristiTexas2153 hr 30 min
LubbockTexas3906 hr

Transportation and Connectivity in Austin, Texas

Airport NameAustin-Bergstrom International Airport
IATA CodeAUS
PortNo Seaport
Major HighwaysI-35, US 183, SH 71, Loop 1 (MoPac), SH 130
Train/Amtrak ServiceAvailable via Austin Amtrak Station
Local Bus/Transit ServiceCapMetro Bus and MetroRail
  • Interstate 35 - Primary north-south corridor connecting Austin with Dallas, Waco, and San Antonio.
  • U.S. Route 183 - Major route serving Austin and surrounding communities.
  • State Highway 71 - Connects Austin with Houston-area corridors and West Texas destinations.
  • Loop 1 (MoPac Expressway) - Important urban freeway serving western Austin.
  • State Highway 130 - Toll route providing an eastern bypass around the city.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Austin, Texas

Landmark NameType
Texas State CapitolHistoric Landmark
Zilker Metropolitan ParkUrban Park
Lady Bird LakeRecreation Area
Barton Springs PoolNatural Attraction
Blanton Museum of ArtMuseum
LBJ Presidential LibraryMuseum
Mount BonnellScenic Viewpoint
Bullock Texas State History MuseumMuseum
Congress Avenue BridgeLandmark Attraction
The DomainEntertainment District

Economy and Major Employers in Austin, Texas

SectorMajor Employer or IndustryNotes
TechnologyTechnology IndustryAustin is a leading technology hub in the United States.
GovernmentState of TexasState capital and major public-sector employer.
Higher EducationUniversity of Texas at AustinMajor research institution and employer.
HealthcareAscension Seton and St. David's HealthCareLeading healthcare providers.
SemiconductorsElectronics ManufacturingImportant component of the local economy.
FinanceFinancial and Professional ServicesRapidly expanding employment sector.
TourismMusic and Convention IndustryDriven by festivals and entertainment.
TechnologySoftware and Innovation CompaniesSupports startup and corporate growth.

Colleges and Universities in Austin, Texas

Institution NameType (Public/Private)LevelNotable For
University of Texas at AustinPublicUniversityResearch, engineering, and business programs
St. Edward's UniversityPrivateUniversityLiberal arts and business education
Huston-Tillotson UniversityPrivateUniversityHistorically Black university
Austin Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeWorkforce and transfer education
Concordia University TexasPrivateUniversityLiberal arts and professional programs
South University - AustinPrivateUniversityHealthcare and business programs
Texas Health and Science UniversityPrivateUniversityIntegrative medicine education
Austin Presbyterian Theological SeminaryPrivateCollegeTheological and ministry studies

Waterbodies in Austin, Texas

Colorado River, Lady Bird Lake, Lake Austin, Lake Travis, Barton Creek, Bull Creek, Walnut Creek, Onion Creek, Lake Walter E. Long, Barton Springs

Golf Courses in Austin, Texas

Lions Municipal Golf Course, Avery Ranch Golf Club, Falconhead Golf Club, Grey Rock Golf Club, Butler Pitch & Putt, Morris Williams Golf Course, Jimmy Clay Golf Course, Onion Creek Club, Barton Creek Country Club, River Place Country Club

Austin, Texas - Key Historical Facts

  • Austin was founded in 1839 and selected as the capital of the Republic of Texas.
  • The city was originally named Waterloo before being renamed in honor of Stephen F. Austin.
  • Austin remained the capital when Texas joined the United States in 1845.
  • The establishment of the University of Texas in 1883 helped shape Austin as an educational center.
  • The city became nationally known for its live music scene and earned the nickname "Live Music Capital of the World."
  • Today Austin is recognized as a major center for technology, government, higher education, and innovation.

Written and fact-checked by | Last Updated: January 11, 2025, 11:50 PM ET