Hutto, Texas is a small community located seven miles east of Round Rock and northeast of Austin, Texas. The current population of Hutto is estimated at around 17k residents, and Hutto has been a very fast-growing city since the construction of State Highway 130, also called the Trans-Texas Corridor.

In the census of 2000, the population of Hutto was just over thousand people, but the recently built toll road has dramatically increased the population and the city is expected to continue expanding in the next few decades, as the highway nears completion.

Hutto was founded in the year 1876 when the International Great Northern Railroad passed through land owned by James Emory Hutto, for whom the city is named. Shortly thereafter, James Hutto sold fifty acres of local land to the New York Land Company for a town site. At the time, Hutto was a wealthy Williamson County landowner and cattleman, but a few years later, he relocated to Waco and entered the hardware business. At roughly the same time, numerous Swedish and German immigrants traveled to the area to begin new lives in the ranching and farming industries, which were becoming very successful in the Hutto area.

In 1915, a circus train stopped in at the Hutto train station and a hippopotamus escaped to nearby Cottonwood Creek, where it caused a commotion as local residents and railroad as well as circus employees tried to recapture the Hippo. The story caused a local legend to emerge, and eventually the Hippo became the mascot for the Hutto High School and its sports teams, as well as various other local businesses.

There are many activities in Hutto for the sports enthusiast as well as the gourmet diner, and some of the popular restaurants in Hutto include Mario's Mexican Restaurant and El Poblanito's, another Tex-Mex eatery. If the diner prefers a national chain, Chili's is sure to please, and there is a popular barbecue joint called Fat Thompson's as well.As for sports, the aptly named Hippo Stadium is home for the local Bulldogs, and there are many other sports-related facilities as well. The Hutto real estate market is also extremely affordable. It offers a much cheaper alternative than the nearby Pflugerville and Austin real estate markets.

Hutto also has a family-owned general store called Common Spirits which offers a variety of spirits and tobacco products, as well as basic amenities and grocery items at a reasonable price. The store is located on Front Street, and is a local favorite. As the city grows, there are more and more national brand stores and restaurants, but there is still plenty of local charm and family owned venues as well.

The new state toll road is expected to eventually spur the population growth to over 30k residents by 2010. The new toll road is the biggest transportation project currently underway in the entire United States, and the toll road connects the area to metropolitan Austin, and to other major thoroughfares leading to San Antonio and Houston, as well as nearby communities such as Pflugerville and Bastrop, as well as Bryan and college Station to the north.

One of the largest employers in the Hutto area is the T. Don Hutto Correctional Facility in nearby Taylor, Texas, which is just a few miles east of Hutto itself, and a family detention center that houses immigrants and their families. Hutto is also very well represented in the technology industry, with Agisca Technologies as well as Cypress Semiconductor, both of which are situated in or around Hutto.

Hutto is a very centrally located community, with access to many metropolitan areas, but a small town atmosphere and scenic rolling hillsides with parks, rivers and access to many local lakes and rivers.

Ki stayed in Austin after graduating from the University of Texas. He began working in Austin real estate. To aid buyers, he created a website escapesomewhere.com where they can search the Austin MLS. His site also provides information on neighboring communities like Pflugerville.

Austin is a big, beautiful city; there is no doubt about that. But, there are several small towns within 50 miles of Austin that are filled with charm and beauty. Whether you want to get out of the city for a weekend or move to a smaller town.

Smithville is a small town in Bastrop County, about 41 miles from Austin. Its population is just at 5,000. It is mostly famous for the 1998 movie "Hope Floats" that starred Sandra Bullock. Smithville is most proud of its recreation center. The center has a large gym, basketball court and has events for the entire community throughout the year.

Smithville also has many family owned restaurants, grills and antique shops. Visitors can always find something interesting while visiting.

Coupland is east of Austin on Highway 95, between Elgin and Taylor. This small town is most famous for its dancehall. The dancehall also has an Inn and a restaurant. There is always something going on here, and the band is always live. They have featured such acts a Kevin Fowler, Moe Bandy even George Strait's band has played there.

Coupland's last population was about 150. If you want to get out of the city, this is the place to visit.

Lexington is about 50 miles east of Austin, in Lee County. Its population is just under 1,200. This small German community was named after Lexington Massachusetts. The community has bed and breakfasts and each year, the first weekend in May, they have a "Homecoming" celebration. The celebration begins on the first Friday in May and runs through Sunday. The town holds a parade, food booths, arts and crafts and a BBQ cook off.

Lexington has a heritage center showcasing two log cabins that were built in the 1850's. They have pioneer furnishings, and are open for tours.

Lexington is also home of "Texas Monthly's" number one BBQ joint in Texas, Snows BBQ. It made the top spot in the magazine last summer and is open on the weekends.

Bastrop is a town south east of Austin. Their is a lake called lake bastrop. Over the last several years Bastrop has been slowly growing. With cheaper prices the Bastrop real estate market is becoming an alternative the sky high prices scene in Austin.

Giddings is just 18 miles south of Lexington, on highway 77 and is the county seat of Lee County. This little community's population is just under 6,000. The city has bed and breakfasts, hotels, antique shops. They also have the Lee County Junior Livestock and Rodeo each year at the fair grounds.

Dime Box is also located in Lee County, with a population of just 400. Dime Box received its name by a resident in 1877 when locals would use a wooden box to forward and receive mail. They would leave a dime in the box for payment.

This small town has a winding road through downtown, covered with trees. The community is so small, everything is within walking distance. Residents like to keep the German and Czech heritage alive with the Dime Box Heritage Museum.

There are not any hotels in the small town, but there are small towns nearby that have places to stay. Take time and visit a small town near Austin.


Ki loves to bike the Austin hill country. He has worked with Austin real estate for almost a decade. His website has a search of Austin MLS listings. Along with information about Bastrop real estate and Austin real estate.