West Lake Hills, Texas
West Lake Hills is a small residential city in Travis County, set in the rugged, cedar-and-oak-covered hills just west of Austin on the edge of the Hill Country. It occupies rolling terrain near the Colorado River and the reservoir system west of the capital, and functions largely as an affluent suburban community within the Austin metropolitan area. Its winding roads and wooded lots reflect the steep limestone landscape on which it sits.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 3,229
- Change from 2020 base
- -6.9%
- Land area
- 3.6 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Travis County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Property here runs through the appraisal district and tax office for Travis County. The homestead exemption, appraisal cap, protests, and any MUD, PID, or special districts all sit at the parcel level.
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
County context
What to know around West Lake Hills
County lines carry much of the property, land, water, and outdoors context around West Lake Hills.
County History
How Travis County Was Founded and Named
Travis County was created on January 25, 1840 and named for William Barret Travis, the Alamo commander.
Property Tax Basics
Travis Central Appraisal District: What It Does
TCAD sets the value of your property, but a separate office collects your taxes.
Austin History
Why Austin Became the Capital of Texas
Austin became the Texas capital in 1839 after Republic President Lamar picked a site on the Colorado River.
Nearby
Places near West Lake Hills
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for West Lake Hills
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