Circle C Ranch Homes & Neighborhood Guide

Overview

Circle C Ranch is SW Austin’s premier family community — 8/10-rated AISD schools, Hill Country terrain, a 15-mile greenbelt trail system, and a direct shot downtown with no toll road required.

Located in Austin 78739 in Travis County, it’s a master-planned community spanning 3 major sections, built from the late 1980s through the 2000s, with 4,500+ homes at build-out.

At a glance:

Kiker Elementary: 8/10
Downtown Austin: 15 min
Homes: 4,500+ across 3 sections
Slaughter Creek Trail: 15 mi
Community pools: 3
Median sale price: $750K

Schools

Austin ISD · Kiker-Gorzycki-Bowie pipeline · Top 15% Texas elementary.

The Kiker-Gorzycki-Bowie school pipeline is arguably the most well-known AISD sequence in southwest Austin and drives sustained demand from family buyers. Kiker Elementary’s 8/10 GreatSchools rating and consistent ranking in the top 15% of all Texas elementary schools makes its boundary one of the most searched data points buyers ask me about in Circle C. Families drive these streets before they ever call an agent.

— Sam Sheikh, SpecTower Realty · SW Austin

Kiker Elementary — 8/10

Elementary (Pre-K – Grade 5) · ~650 students · 4001 Slaughter Ln, Austin 78749

Tags: Top 15% Texas · G&T Program · PLTW STEM · Strong Math

One of AISD’s strongest elementary schools — top 15% of all Texas elementary schools. The Gifted & Talented program and PLTW STEM curriculum drive consistent performance. Being in this boundary adds measurable premium to home values.

Private alternative: St. Michael’s Catholic Academy — Pre-K–12 · 3000 Barton Creek Blvd · Adjacent to community.

Gorzycki Middle School — 8/10

Middle School (Grades 6–8) · ~1,200 students · 12207 Menchaca Rd, Austin 78748

Tags: Top 10% Texas · PLTW · IB MYP Prep · Strong STAAR

One of AISD’s strongest middle schools — top 10% in state. PLTW curriculum and IB prep keep Circle C students on a strong college-readiness track through high school.

James Bowie High School — 7/10

High School (Grades 9–12) · ~2,800 students · 4103 W Slaughter Ln, Austin 78749

Tags: AP Academy · 92% Grad Rate · College Prep

Bowie High rounds out the Circle C school pipeline with a strong AP catalog and 92% graduation rate. The school serves SW Austin’s established family community with consistent academic results.

Note: School zones are assigned by Austin ISD and can change. Verify your specific address at austinisd.org before submitting any offer. Do not rely on ZIP code alone.

Real Estate Market

SW Austin · Established resale market · 2024–2025.

Tier	Price Range	Notes
Entry-Level	$495K – $600K	Pre-2000 · 1,500–2,000 sq ft · Great first-home value in Circle C
Mid-Range (Most Active)	$600K – $850K	2,200–3,200 sq ft · Updated kitchens · Open layouts · Kiker zone
Upper Range	$850K – $1.2M	Larger lots · 3,500+ sq ft · Trail/greenbelt adjacency
Luxury	$1.2M – $1.7M	Custom builds · 4,000+ sq ft · Estate lots

Market stats:

Median Price: $750K
Days on Market: 25–40d
Sale-to-List: 98%
Price Reduced: ~45%

What commands a premium: Kiker Elementary zone · updated kitchen + open layout · trail/greenbelt adjacency · 3-car garage · larger lot · 2010+ build.

What may discount value: Power line easements · backing Slaughter Ln or Mopac · pre-2000 original kitchen/baths · flood-adjacent lots near Slaughter Creek corridor.

Amenities & Parks

35+ years of amenity infrastructure built into the Hill Country terrain.

Amenities

3 Community Pools — Main rec center pool + 2 satellite pools · Kiddie splash areas · Swim lessons · Season programming
Slaughter Creek Trail — 15-mile trail system · Paved + natural surface · Connects to Barton Creek Greenbelt · Right on community border
Lady Bird Wildflower Center — 279 acres · 5-min drive · National wildflower research center · Seasonal displays · Family hikes · Member events
Circle C Recreation Center — City of Austin facility · Indoor pool, gym, group fitness classes · Right within the community boundary
Tennis & Sport Courts — Courts adjacent to rec center · League play + open court time · Basketball · Various fitness options
Roy Kizer Golf Course — City of Austin 18-hole municipal · 15 min drive · $30–$50/round · Affordable daily-fee golf near SW Austin

Parks & Outdoors

Greenbelt, trails, and Hill Country terrain within minutes.

Slaughter Creek Trail (borders community) — 15 miles paved · Running, cycling · Connects to Barton Creek Greenbelt system
Circle C Metro Park (in community) — Baseball fields · Playgrounds · Open green space · Community events venue
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (5 min) — 279 acres · Native plant trails · Spring wildflower season draws thousands · Family-friendly
Barton Creek Greenbelt (10 min) — 12+ miles hike/bike/swim · Limestone canyon · Natural swimming holes · Austin’s most beloved outdoor space
Violet Crown Trail (10 min) — Multi-use corridor connecting SW Austin to Zilker Park · Paved sections + natural surface

Dining & Entertainment

Community Events

35+ years of neighborhood identity with a packed social calendar.

4th of July Celebration (Annual Tradition) — Annual community celebration at Circle C Metro Park. One of SW Austin’s most anticipated neighborhood events — fireworks, food, and families gathering on the green space.
Wildflower Season (Spring) — March–May at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — spring bloom draws the entire SW Austin community. Families with strollers, dog walkers, photographers. A Circle C rite of spring.
Tennis & Sports Leagues (Active) — Year-round league play at rec center courts · Pickleball groups · Swim teams · Adult fitness programs · Strong Nextdoor sports community
Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter (Entertainment) — 5135 W Slaughter Ln · 10 min · Dine-in cinema · The community’s go-to movie destination. Themed events and screenings throughout the year.

Village at Circle C and Escarpment Village within minutes.

In the neighborhood:

Tom’s Tabooley — Mediterranean · Village at Circle C · 3900 W Slaughter Ln · Neighborhood lunch/dinner staple · Fresh Mediterranean with local following
Salt & Time Butcher Shop — Craft Butchery · Village at Circle C · Whole-animal butchery + deli sandwiches · Austin institution expanded to Circle C
The Dock at Gaines Ranch — Casual Bar & Grill · 4701 Gaines Ranch Loop · Neighborhood watering hole · Casual food, bar scene, outdoor seating

5–10 minutes away:

Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q — Texas BBQ · Slaughter/290 · Classic Texas BBQ institution · Perpetually packed on weekends · Brisket worth the wait
First Watch — Daytime Café · Escarpment Village · Breakfast and brunch · Weekend staple for Circle C families · Open 7am–2:30pm
Torchy’s Tacos — Austin Institution · Multiple SW Austin locations · Iconic Austin tacos · 5–10 min from Circle C

Location & Commute

SW Austin · Mopac (SH-1) corridor · No toll road required.

Downtown Austin — 15–20 min · Mopac SH-1 → 1st St · No toll road required — a Circle C advantage
South Congress (SoCo) — 10–15 min · Mopac → Oltorf exit · Austin’s iconic lifestyle street
The Domain — 20–25 min · Mopac north → 183 · Oracle, Indeed, Meta, Amazon
Barton Creek Greenbelt — 5–8 min · Barton Springs Rd · Austin’s most beloved outdoor space
Austin Airport — 20–25 min · I-35 south → TX-71

The Honest Take

What commands a premium: Kiker Elementary zone · updated kitchen + open layout · trail/greenbelt adjacency · 3-car garage · larger lot · 2010+ build.

What may discount value: Power line easements · backing Slaughter Ln or Mopac · pre-2000 original kitchen/baths · flood-adjacent lots near Slaughter Creek corridor.

Circle C is largely a resale market with very limited new construction — most homes were built between the late 1980s and 2000s. Property taxes run a Travis County effective rate of approximately 2.0% for 78739 (roughly $15,000/year on a $750K home), and roughly 45% of listings see a price reduction before selling.

Daily Life

SW Austin’s best — HEB, trails, and Hill Country living.

Grocery & Shopping:

HEB Brodie Ln at Slaughter — 5 min · Primary grocery · Full service + pharmacy · Circle C staple
Escarpment Village — 5 min · HEB, Target, Starbucks, Academy · All daily errands in one stop
Barton Creek Square Mall — 3 miles · Full retail destination · Dillard’s, Apple Store, dining

Medical:

St. David’s South Austin Medical — 15 min · Level III trauma center · Primary hospital for Circle C
Ascension Seton Southwest — 7900 FM 1826 · 10 min · Urgent care + ER

Fitness & Recreation:

Circle C Recreation Center — City of Austin · Indoor pool, gym, classes · In community
Orangetheory Fitness — Slaughter Lane corridor · Popular group fitness
Slaughter Creek Trail — 15 miles · Runs along community border · Daily use by residents

Outdoors:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — 5 min · 279 acres · Seasonal displays · Trails · Member events
Barton Creek Greenbelt — 10 min · 12+ miles hike/swim/bike · Austin’s outdoor crown jewel

FAQ

Sam’s straight answers to Circle C Ranch’s most common buyer questions.

Is Circle C Ranch a good place to live?

Circle C Ranch is consistently ranked among Austin’s top family neighborhoods. Strong AISD schools, Hill Country terrain, no toll roads to downtown, and the Slaughter Creek trail system make it exceptional for families and professionals alike.

What school district is Circle C Ranch in?

Austin ISD. The primary pipeline is Kiker Elementary (8/10), Gorzycki Middle (8/10), and Bowie High (7/10). This is one of AISD’s strongest sequences and a major driver of Circle C’s resale demand.

How much do homes cost in Circle C Ranch?

Prices range from approximately $495K (smaller older homes) to $1.7M+ (luxury/custom). Median is approximately $750K as of 2024–2025.

Does Circle C Ranch have an HOA?

Yes. The master HOA covers common areas, trails, and community character. Fees are approximately $400–$600/year. Some sections have additional sub-HOA fees for pools and amenities.

How far is Circle C from downtown Austin?

Approximately 15–20 minutes via Mopac (SH-1) southbound. No toll road required — a significant differentiator vs. 183A-dependent NW Austin communities.

Are there new construction homes in Circle C Ranch?

Very limited. Circle C is largely a resale market. Nearby communities like Lantana and Legend Oaks have some new construction activity.

What is the property tax rate?

Travis County effective rate for 78739 is approximately 2.0%. On a $750K home, that’s approximately $15,000/year. Verify with Travis County Appraisal District at traviscad.org.

Does Circle C Ranch flood?

Most interior homes are not in a flood zone. The Slaughter Creek corridor has some flood-prone sections. Verify any specific property on FEMA’s flood map (msc.fema.gov) or Travis County’s flood data.