Georgetown blends small-town charm with big-city amenities. Founded in 1848, this Austin suburb features more than 180 homes and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Yet Georgetown also boasts plentiful access to modern-day offerings like shopping, entertainment, and health care. The fast-growing suburb honors the old while embracing the new.
People have definitely caught on to Georgetown’s attraction. Its population climbed 68% from 2010 to 2019, settling at 79,604 in July 2019. Among the country’s fastest-growing large cities from 2018 to 2019, Georgetown ranked seventh, notching a 7.2% lift in population.
As you might expect, thousands of new one- and two-story homes have sprung up to house the new arrivals. And dozens of historic homes are located throughout Georgetown’s four historic districts. There is the downtown district, anchored by the Williamson County Courthouse, that’s blessed with one of the state’s most impressive collections of Victorian-style commercial buildings. This district is hailed as one of the most beautiful town squares in Texas.
Georgetown isn’t known just for its history. It reigns as the Red Poppy Capital of Texas, for instance, because of the many red poppies throughout the city that pop up every spring. You’ll also find a performing arts theater, an art center, the scenic Blue Hole lagoon, parks, hike-and-bike trails, and the popular Inner Space Cavern. Another noteworthy facet of Georgetown is the 700-acre campus of Southwestern University, a private liberal arts school.
Located 30 miles north of Austin, Georgetown feels like a return to the past yet also a step into the future. That’s a potent combination that promises to keep drawing new residents.