Georgetown, Texas was established in 1848 by George Washington Glasscock on a fork in the San Gabriel River. Glasscock donated the fertile land, replete with numerous sources of clean, clear water, and the city became the seat of Williamson County. Until the mid-1800s, the area had primarily been inhabited by the Tonkawa Indians, and farming was a common source of income after the arrival of the settlers, as was the timber and logging industry.
The community remained mostly agrarian until the late 1800s, when the railroad was built, and about the same time, Southwestern University was established in the small community. The Chisholm Trail, which was used to transport cattle from Texas to Missouri and Kansas, also ran through the heart of Georgetown, so the cattle industry also provided jobs for settlers, along with cotton farming.
A large flood damaged the community in 1921, and efforts to control flood waters eventually led to the dam which created Lake Georgetown, which was finally complete in 1979, when the lake was officially opened for public use. Many of the city's historic homes were restored after the flood, and the downtown area of Georgetown reflects the Victorian style popular at the time, especially on historic Main Street. The Beaux-Arts Williamson County Courthouse, which dates to 1911, is considered the centerpiece of the historic downtown district.
Georgetown is also a very popular community for retirees, and the Del Webb retirement community of Sun City boasts numerous residents of retirement age; the area is quite popular with retirees due to its temperate weather, country flavor and rural charm, yet its close proximity to Austin, with its many benefits and big city amenities.
In the census of 2000, the population of Georgetown was around 28,000 inhabitants, but by 2008, the population had expanded to nearly 50,000, and a population density of 1241 people per square mile. The square area of Georgetown is just less than 25 miles, and 2.1 square miles of the area is water, mostly the river and Lake Georgetown. At the time of the census, there were 7,711 families in the community, and 10,393 households. The majority of the population is Caucasian, at 85%, and the remainder is an ethnic mixture of Hispanic, African-American, Asian, and a smattering of other nationalities.
The per capita income in Georgetown is a bit over $24,000, and the median household income in the city is about $54,000, and there are about 10,000 housing units in the city. Roughly 31% of the residents have children under the age of 18, and around 65% of the residents of the local households are married, and the percentage of women in the community slightly exceeds the percentage of men.
The San Gabriel River meanders throughout Georgetown, and there are parks along the river in many locations, most with hike and bike trails that border the river in many places and offer park visitors the opportunity to recreate in a serene and natural setting. One of the most well known parks is named for the river: the San Gabriel Park, and there are also two popular art galleries in the downtown area, the Winberg Art Gallery, and the 8th Street Art Studio, along with another popular park, Founders Park.
There are also many popular restaurants and nightspots, as well as libraries, museums, and ample shopping in the community. One of the most popular attractions in the Georgetown area is Inner Space Cavern, which is a natural cave on the south side of Georgetown near Interstate 35.
With its abundant amenities, beautiful scenery, and rural charm, as well as its historic past and proximity to the metropolitan advantages of nearby Austin, Georgetown is truly a place that has it all!
Escapeso Realty helps buyers looking for properties in central Texas. Their site has a search of the
Austin MLS along with information on
Austin Texas real estate and
Georgetown Texas real estate.
