Leander, TX

Leander got its start because of a slight detour by the railroad back in 1881. The original settlement, known as Bagdad, sat about a mile west. When the tracks were laid further east, the entire community packed up their homes and storefronts and hauled them closer to the new depot. The relocated town took the name Leander after railroad official Leander Brown. You can still see those historic roots in Old Town today, where walkable streets and weathered limestone buildings sit right along the tracks. Even so, the area's human story stretches back thousands of years before the first locomotive ever pulled in.

ATTRTexas State Library and Archives Commission from Austin, TX, United States / CC BY 2.0

During highway excavations in the 1980s, archaeologists uncovered one of North America’s oldest and most intact prehistoric burials along Brushy Creek. Dating back roughly 11,000 years, the discovery earned the nickname the "Leanderthal Lady." While ancient hunter-gatherers once made seasonal camps along these waterways, modern Leander has become one of the fastest growing suburbs in Central Texas. Over the past decade, the population more than doubled as families moved in for spacious neighborhoods, well-regarded schools, and a quieter pace on the edge of the Hill Country.

ATTRGreg3564 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting around is straightforward for an outer suburb. Drivers have quick access to Highway 183 and the 183A Tollway, while commuters love having Leander Station right in town. As the northern end of CapMetro's Red Line, it lets you skip Austin traffic entirely and take the train straight to The Domain, Q2 Stadium for a soccer match, or downtown Austin. The station area also anchors Austin Community College's San Gabriel campus, with a steady stream of new restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare offices opening nearby.

ATTRRenelibrary / CC BY-SA 4.0

On weekends, people head out to enjoy the local parks and community events. Old Town hosts regular street festivals with live music, local food trucks, and craft vendors set against the historic backdrop. Over on the east side, the 125-acre Lakewood Park is a favorite weekend hangout for families, featuring paved walking trails, a huge splash pad, a skate park, sports courts, and a fishing pier.