Zilker - Homes, Schools & Neighborhood Guide
A 78704 neighborhood defined by Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool, Lady Bird Lake access, and some of the most in-demand addresses in Austin.
#1 ABoR Team 2024$1B+ Career Sales1,000+ Homes Sold
Written by Joe and Cara Keenan - #1 Austin Board of Realtors Team 2024, $1B+ career sales.
Austin Neighborhood Guide
Zilker Neighborhood Guide - Austin TX 78704
Zilker guide. Zilker Elem, O. Henry, Austin High. Barton Springs walkability. Keenan Group - #1 Austin team 2024.
Who is the best realtor in Zilker?
The Keenan Group at Compass is the #1 Austin Board of Realtors team (2024), with 25+ years, 1,000+ homes sold, and $1B+ in career volume serving Zilker. Joe and Cara Keenan represent buyers and sellers in Zilker with data-driven pricing, full-scale marketing, and direct access to qualified luxury buyers.
Source: Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate, Austin TX
Luxury Buyer Fit Snapshot
Compare Zilker on price, schools, and lifestyle access before scheduling private tours.
Buyer Fit
Best for buyers evaluating current inventory depth and value pockets in Zilker.
Lifestyle Fit
Austin ISD (78704) helps anchor school-driven search and day-to-day livability.
Keenan Group Authority
- ZIP codes
- 78704
- School district
- Austin ISD
- Active listings
- 15 active listings
What is it like to live in Zilker?
Zilker is a neighborhood in Austin's 78704 ZIP code, just south of Lady Bird Lake next to Zilker Metropolitan Park and Barton Springs Pool. In the 12 months to October 15, 2026, 62 homes sold in Zilker at a median price of $1.42M and a median of $669 per square foot, based on MLS closed sales; 15 homes are listed for sale now. Homes sold here most often list Zilker Elementary, O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School in Austin ISD; Niche grades Austin High School A- as of October 6, 2026. Assignment depends on the address.
As of · Austin MLS (ACTRIS)
- 78704 neighborhood south of Lady Bird Lake, next to Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool
- Austin ISD; confirm campuses by address
- Original bungalows to new construction
Source: Written by Joe and Cara Keenan - #1 Austin Board of Realtors Team 2024, $1B+ career sales.
Trailing 12 months ending October 15, 2026 · Keenan Luxury Market Index, MLS closed sales
Map & Boundary
Zilker Neighborhood Map
Active Listings
Explore Zilker
Why Buyers Choose Zilker
Zilker wins on lifestyle access. No other Austin neighborhood puts you within walking distance of a 351-acre metropolitan park, a spring-fed swimming pool, Lady Bird Lake, and a full dining corridor - all while being 5-10 minutes from downtown. That combination makes Zilker one of the most consistently in-demand neighborhoods in the city.
The neighborhood carries Austin's most recognizable name. Zilker Park hosts ACL Music Festival, the Trail of Lights, Zilker Kite Festival, and thousands of daily visitors to Barton Springs Pool. Living in Zilker means living next to all of that - which is both the draw and the tradeoff.
- Barton Springs Pool is a 5-10 minute walk from most Zilker homes. The spring-fed pool stays 68-70 degrees year-round and is Austin's most iconic swimming spot.
- Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail is directly accessible from the neighborhood's northern edge. Runners, cyclists, and kayakers use the trail daily.
- South Lamar Boulevard dining: Uchi, Barton Springs Saloon, Torchy's original location, and dozens of restaurants are within walking distance.
- Zilker Elementary feeds into the O. Henry Middle-Austin High school path, shared with Tarrytown. This Austin ISD path is one of the stronger south-of-the-river options.
Current Zilker Market Data
In the 12 months ending October 15, 2026, 62 homes sold in Zilker at a median price of $1.42M, with a median of 60 days on market and a median of $669 per square foot (Keenan Luxury Market Index, from MLS closed sales).
As of October 15, 2026, Zilker had 15 active and 4 pending listings, with 2.9 months of supply and a 94% sale-to-list ratio in the 12 months ending October 15, 2026.
- Median sale price, 12 months ending October 15, 2026: $1.42M
- Closed sales, 12 months ending October 15, 2026: 62
- Active listings as of October 15, 2026: 15
- Product filter: Single Family Residence only
- Price bands: review the live comp set by property type, lot, condition, and street-level position
Daily Geography in Zilker
Zilker is 5-10 minutes from downtown Austin by car via South Lamar Boulevard or Barton Springs Road. That is one of the shortest luxury-neighborhood commutes in the city - shorter than Tarrytown by a few minutes, and half the time of Westlake Hills or Northwest Hills.
The neighborhood is bounded roughly by Lady Bird Lake to the north, MoPac (Loop 1) to the west, Barton Hills to the south, and South Lamar Boulevard to the east. Barton Springs Road bisects the neighborhood and provides the primary east-west route.
- Downtown Austin: 5-10 minutes via South Lamar or Barton Springs Road. The Congress Avenue Bridge is the most direct route.
- UT Austin campus: 10-12 minutes north via South Lamar or Guadalupe.
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport: 15-20 minutes via MoPac to 71.
- The Domain: 20-25 minutes north via MoPac.
- Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool: 5-10 minute walk from most homes.
- Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail: accessible from the northern edge of the neighborhood. Most homes are a 10-minute walk to the trail.
- South Lamar dining and shopping: 2-5 minute walk from the eastern half of the neighborhood.
Local Anchors That Shape the Neighborhood
Zilker's identity is inseparable from its park. The 351-acre Zilker Metropolitan Park is the reason the neighborhood exists in its current form, and it shapes everything from property values to daily routines to annual frustrations.
- Zilker Park: 351 acres with soccer fields, disc golf, a botanical garden, the Zilker Eagle train, and acres of open green space. The park is Austin's outdoor living room.
- Barton Springs Pool: The spring-fed pool (68-70 degrees year-round) is the single most iconic Austin amenity. Morning swimmers, after-work loungers, and weekend crowds create a community of regulars.
- Lady Bird Lake: The northern boundary of the neighborhood. Kayak rentals, paddleboarding, and the Hike and Bike Trail make the lake part of daily life.
- Zilker Botanical Garden: 26 acres of themed gardens. The recent renovation expanded programming and events.
- Zilker Elementary: The neighborhood school anchors the community. The school shares the O. Henry Middle-Austin High path with Tarrytown.
- ACL Music Festival: Two three-day weekends in October. 75,000+ daily attendees. The neighborhood transforms - street closures, shuttle routes, and amplified music from noon to 10 PM. Plan accordingly.
- Trail of Lights: December holiday light display in Zilker Park. Draws 400,000+ visitors over the event period.
Living in Zilker means accepting that your neighborhood is also Austin's public playground. Most residents embrace it - the access to green space, water, and trails outweighs the periodic crowd inconvenience. But if you want quiet isolation, Zilker is not the right fit.
What Is the Best Way to Sell a Zilker Home?
In Zilker, the primary marketing differentiator is lifestyle access - Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake trail, and South Lamar dining within walking distance. We lead with that proximity in listing photography, video, and copy because it is the reason buyers pay a premium over comparable homes in adjacent neighborhoods.
Zilker Elementary assignment is a demand signal that matters. We verify attendance zone for every listing and lead with school path in marketing materials targeted at school-focused buyers. The O. Henry Middle and Austin High continuation - shared with Tarrytown - adds weight for planning-minded buyers.
Spring listings (February through May) perform strongest in Zilker. Buyers align purchases with the school enrollment window, and the outdoor lifestyle photographs at its best during Austin's spring months. We time listing prep and staging around this window when possible.
Staging in Zilker should sell the lifestyle, not just the square footage. We stage patios, outdoor living areas, and front porches to show buyers how the home connects to the park, the trail, and the neighborhood's walkable character. Inside, clean modern finishes photograph well, but the outdoor connection is what closes deals here.
We typically recommend public MLS listing in Zilker. Buyer traffic is high enough that MLS exposure generates competitive offers - particularly from the local and relocation buyer pool actively searching 78704. Off-market strategies work in ultra-scarcity neighborhoods, but Zilker's buyer volume rewards visibility.
Contact us for a Zilker pricing strategy based on your lot position, Barton Springs proximity, and condition.
How Zilker Compares to Nearby Alternatives
Zilker buyers almost always compare with Barton Hills, Bouldin Creek, Travis Heights, and South Lamar. The decision usually comes down to park access, noise tolerance, and price.
- Compared with Barton Hills: Barton Hills is directly south with a more residential feel, Barton Creek Greenbelt access, and slightly lower prices. Zilker has better Lady Bird Lake access and walkable dining. Barton Hills avoids the ACL traffic impact.
- Compared with Bouldin Creek: Bouldin Creek is east of South Lamar with a mix of bungalows and new construction at similar prices. Bouldin has South First Street dining; Zilker has park access. Bouldin avoids event traffic.
- Compared with Travis Heights: Travis Heights is east across South Congress with higher walkability scores and SoCo dining. Similar prices but different character - Travis Heights feels more urban, Zilker feels more outdoorsy.
- Compared with Tarrytown: Both share the Austin ISD school path (O. Henry, Austin High). Tarrytown has Lake Austin access and deeper lots. Zilker has Barton Springs and the park. Tarrytown is quieter; Zilker is more active.
- Compared with South Lamar: South Lamar is a corridor, not a neighborhood per se. Zilker addresses west of South Lamar are residential; east of South Lamar is increasingly mixed-use and higher-density.
Quick Answers About Zilker
Zilker is 5-10 minutes from downtown Austin by car via South Lamar Boulevard or Barton Springs Road. This is one of the shortest commutes of any residential neighborhood in Austin. The Congress Avenue Bridge provides the most direct route. During peak rush hour or ACL Festival weekends, add 10-20 minutes.
Zilker is served by Austin ISD. The primary school path is Zilker Elementary, O. Henry Middle School, and Austin High School. This is the same middle-and-high-school path as Tarrytown. LASA (Liberal Arts and Science Academy) is available as a magnet high school option.
The Keenan Group is the #1 Austin Board of Realtors Team (2024) with 60+ homes sold in Zilker and South Austin neighborhoods. With $1B+ in career sales and 1,000+ transactions, we provide critical local knowledge including flood plain boundaries, ACL impact zones, and lot-by-lot renovation economics. Off-market access through Compass Private Exclusives is especially valuable in Zilker.
The best Zilker agent understands walkability premiums, Barton Springs proximity value, Zilker Elementary demand cycles, and how ACL Festival impacts specific streets. Keenan Group - #1 Austin Board of Realtors Team 2024 - has sold 60+ homes in Zilker and South Austin with $1B+ in career sales and 1,000+ transactions over 25 years.
Zilker benefits from permanent supply constraints - a fully built-out neighborhood adjacent to 351 acres of protected parkland, spring-fed Barton Springs Pool, and Lady Bird Lake trail. That combination of lifestyle access and proximity to downtown (5-10 minutes) sustains buyer demand across market cycles. The teardown-to-rebuild trend continues to refresh housing stock without adding density. Flood plain status varies by lot and affects long-term value, so due diligence on specific parcels matters.
In Zilker, we typically recommend public MLS listing. Buyer traffic in 78704 is high enough that MLS exposure maximizes competitive offers - particularly from Zilker Elementary zone buyers and relocation buyers actively searching the area. Off-market strategies work in ultra-scarcity neighborhoods where very few homes are listed at once, but Zilker's buyer volume rewards visibility.
Zilker's land values are among the highest in 78704, so a standard lot carries much of a home's value. The teardown-to-rebuild math is aggressive: developers buy original homes primarily for the lot, then build much larger new homes. For renovation, the economics depend on lot position, flood plain status, and structural condition. We evaluate both scenarios before recommending a strategy because getting the teardown-vs-renovation call wrong can cost six figures in net outcome.
Pending property context
Source-checked Pending listings connected to this local guide. Status and terms can change - verify them before relying on this information.
- 1211 W Riverside DR Unit 6B — Pending at $4,450,000
MLS 4156776 · Listing brokerage: LPT Realty, LLC · MLS Grid / Unlock MLS source updated Aug. 26, 2026. Verify current status and terms.
Best Restaurants Near Zilker
Where Zilker buyers and residents actually eat - from date night to weeknight favorites.
| Name | Cuisine / Type | Price | Highlights | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas BBQ | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| New American / Farm-to-Table | $$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Japanese / Sushi | $$$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Italian | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Mexican | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Asian BBQ Fusion | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Japanese / Tiki Bar | $$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Contemporary American | $$$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| American / Burgers | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Tex-Mex | $$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Mediterranean | $$$ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Burgers / Smashburgers | $ |
| 2026-03-27 | |
| Breakfast / Brunch | $ |
| 2026-03-27 |
Best Trails & Outdoor Spots Near Zilker
Trails and outdoor activities that buyers and locals ask about most.
| Name | Highlights |
|---|---|
Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail |
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Barton Creek Greenbelt |
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Violet Crown Trail |
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Zilker Park Trails |
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Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk |
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Barton Springs Pool Walkway |
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Johnson Creek Trail |
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Things To Do Near Zilker
Family favorites, date night ideas, and local experiences close to the neighborhood.
| Name | Highlights |
|---|---|
Barton Springs Pool |
|
Zilker Botanical Garden |
|
UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum |
|
Butler Pitch & Putt |
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Rowing Dock - Kayak & SUP Rentals |
|
Austin City Limits Music Festival |
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Austin Trail of Lights |
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ABC Kite Festival |
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Zilker Hillside Theater |
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Zilker Support Pages
Zilker Homes for Sale
Browse active listings in Zilker with photos, pricing, and open house schedules.
78704 ZIP Guide
Demographics, schools, walkability, and community profile for ZIP 78704.
Austin ISD
School ratings, enrollment data, and campus profiles for Austin ISD.
Our Results
1,000+ homes sold over our career. See our track record and client results.
How Zilker Compares
Side-by-side comparison with similar Austin neighborhoods based on price range, school district, and location.
| Neighborhood | Median Price | Active Listings | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
ZilkerCurrent | $1.42M | 15 | You're here |
| $1.14M | 22 | View Guide | |
| $1.05M | 23 | View Guide | |
| $1.58M | 10 | View Guide | |
| $838K | 21 | View Guide |
Median sale price, trailing 12 months ending October 15, 2026 · Keenan Luxury Market Index, MLS closed sales. Contact Keenan Group for a personalized comparison.
Neighborhood listings
Zilker Real Estate Market
Homes in Zilker sell for around $669 per square foot, roughly 2.3 times the City of Austin median of $297.
| Metric | Zilker | City of Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Median Sold Price (12M) | $1.42M | $603K |
| Median Days on Market | 60 days | 52 days |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 94.4% | 93.4% |
| Median $/sqft (typical home) | $669 | $297 |
| Active Listings | 15 | 3,260 |
| Homes Sold (12M) | 62 | 8,844 |
| Months of Supply | 2.9 | 4.4 |
Data as of . Source: Keenan Group at Compass Real Estate, Austin MLS (ACTRIS). City of Austin reflects closed sales within its city limits over the trailing 12 months.
How Zilker Compares
| Neighborhood | Median Price | School District | ZIP | Active Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zilker (you are here) | $1.42M | Austin ISD | 78704 | 15 |
| Bouldin Creek | $1.14M | Austin ISD | 78704 | 22 |
| Travis Heights | $1.05M | Austin ISD | 78704 | 23 |
| Barton Hills | $1.58M | Austin ISD | 78704 | 10 |
| South Congress | $838K | Austin ISD | 78704 | 21 |
Median sale price, trailing 12 months ending October 15, 2026 · Keenan Luxury Market Index, MLS closed sales
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