Round Rock

About Round Rock

Round Rock is a large, flourishing city in the Austin metro area, located about 20 miles north of the city's downtown district. It's known as a comfortable suburb that offers a family-friendly lifestyle close to the conveniences of the big city. Round Rock has been named among Money magazine's "Best American Small Cities in 2008," though in recent years it has evolved into a large, bustling community with one of the fastest growth rates in the nation.

The History of Round Rock

Human civilization in the Round Rock area dates to around 9,200 B.C. Ancient skeletal remains have been found in and around the city, dating the earliest-known settlements to the Ice Age era. Artifacts from the Clovis culture have been discovered in the area at the heavily-studied Gault Site.

In terms of more modern history, the area was first settled in 1851 and originally named Brushy Creek. It wasn't until 1854 that the city was renamed Round Rock. In the latter half of the 1800s, Round Rock was somewhat of a Wild West town, witnessing train robberies and shootouts. By the 20th century, the town had transitioned to a more peaceful agricultural existence, producing flourishing crops of cotton and grapes.

Agricultural success continued through the 1950s, with Round Rock growing into a major economic powerhouse as a hub for cotton production and shipping. By the end of the 20th century, Round Rock evolved into a bedroom community providing a quiet home base for commuters who work in the nearby city of Austin.

Working in Round Rock

One of the most important pillars of Round Rock's local economy is the presence of technology giant Dell, founded in nearby Austin and now headquartered in Round Rock. As one of the largest technology companies in the world, Dell provides a steady flow of tax revenue for the city as well as hundreds of local jobs. Other major employers in Round Rock include Sears, IKEA, Cintas, Dresser and TECO-Westinghouse. If you're looking for a job in the area, you'll find that Round Rock provides plenty of options. It has emerged as an economic leader in central Texas, specifically excelling in industries like clean energy, computer development and advanced manufacturing.

Round Rock's commercial developments are also an important part of the city's job market and economy. La Frontera is among the largest developments in the city, offering office space, multi-family housing and about one 1 square feet of retail space. The Premium Outlets Mall is another significant retail presence, in addition to many other big-box and local retailers.

Round Rock Schools

The schools in Round Rock are part of Round Rock Independent School District, which is very highly-rated and a leading district in the state. There are also many private preschools and primary and secondary schools in the Round Rock area.

If you're interested in pursuing a college degree, you'll find several campus options throughout the city. The University of Texas has a Round Rock campus, and other schools include the Texas A&M Health Science Center Round Rock and Austin Community College.

Resources for Moving to Round Rock

Here are a few useful resources to make your move to Round Rock a little simpler:

• Utilities: Atmos Energy (natural gas) and the city of Round Rock (water and sewer) are the primary utilities providers in the city. You have the power to choose an electricity provider from several companies that serve the area.
• Garbage and Recycling: The city provides curbside collection of trash and recycling.
• Transportation: There are several METRO routes in Round Rock, providing a convenient option for public transportation in and around the city.

Round Rock Housing

Round Rock has a number of subdivisions and neighborhoods, including Creek View, Plantation and Settler's Overlook. You'll find a mix of home sizes and styles throughout these neighborhoods, and prices are generally more affordable than in the neighboring city of Houston.