Round Rock, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Round Rock, Texas
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Dell Diamond baseball stadium in Round Rock
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| Motto(s):
"Sports Capital of Texas"
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 Round Rock, Texas
Location in Texas
Round Rock, Texas
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Counties | Williamson, Travis |
| Incorporated | 1913 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 38.00 sq mi (98.41 km2) |
| • Land | 37.64 sq mi (97.48 km2) |
| • Water | 0.36 sq mi (0.93 km2) |
| Elevation | 735 ft (224 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 119,468 |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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123,876 |
| • Rank | US: 221st TX: 28th |
| • Density | 3,174/sq mi (1,225.6/km2) |
| Demonym(s) | Round Rocker |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
78664, 78665, 78680–78683
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| Area code(s) | 512 & 737 |
| FIPS code | 48-63500 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411005 |
Round Rock is a city in the state of Texas, in Williamson County. A small part of the city is also in Travis County. It is part of the larger Greater Austin area. In 2020, about 119,468 people lived there.
The city is located on the Balcones Escarpment. This is a natural fault line. East of Interstate 35, the land is flat with rich, dark soil, like the Blackland Prairie. West of the Escarpment, the land is hilly and rocky, with higher elevations. This area is part of the Texas Hill Country. Round Rock is about 20 miles (32 km) north of downtown Austin. It shares a border with Austin near Texas State Highway 45.
In 2008, Money magazine said Round Rock was the seventh-best small city to live in America. It was the only city in Texas to make the Top 10 list. In 2009, CNN reported that Round Rock was the second-fastest-growing city in the country. Its population grew by 8.2% in one year.
The Round Rock Independent School District is known as one of the best in Texas. In 2008, 12 of its 42 schools were rated "exemplary," and 11 were "recognized."
Round Rock is famous for being the international headquarters of Dell. Dell is a big computer company that employs about 16,000 people in Round Rock. Dell and other large companies, along with major stores like IKEA and the Premium Outlet Mall, have helped Round Rock grow. It has changed from a quiet bedroom community (where people live but work elsewhere) into a busy "super suburb" with many jobs and businesses.
Contents
History of Round Rock
Early People and Native Americans
Round Rock and Williamson County have been home to people for a very long time. Evidence shows people lived here as early as 9,200 BC. The oldest known inhabitants were from the Ice Age, around 11,200 years ago. Scientists found proof of the Clovis culture at the "Gault Site" near Georgetown.
Another important discovery was "The Leanderthal Lady," ancient human remains found 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Round Rock. These remains are about 10,500 years old. Many ancient campsites have also been found along streams, including Brushy Creek in Round Rock. These sites show that many people lived here during the Archaic Period, leaving behind tools and other items.
The first known Native American group in the area were the Tonkawa. They were hunters who followed buffalo and used flint tools. They later learned to use horses and some firearms. Other groups like the Kiowa, Yojuane, Tawakoni, and Mayeye also lived in the county. As more settlers arrived, the Comanches continued to raid settlements until the 1860s. By the late 1800s, Native Americans were pushed out of Central Texas.
Some of today's paved roads actually follow old Native American paths. One famous path was the "Double File Trail." It was wide enough for two horsemen to ride side-by-side. This trail crossed Brushy Creek in Round Rock. An elementary school in Round Rock is named after it.
How Round Rock Got Its Name
In 1851, a small community started near Brushy Creek. There was a large, round, anvil-shaped rock in the middle of the creek. This rock was a good spot for wagons, horses, and cattle to cross the water. The first postmaster called the community "Brushy."
But in 1854, the postmaster suggested a new name: Round Rock. This was to honor the famous rock in the creek. After the Civil War, Jesse Chisholm used this crossing to move cattle from South Texas to Kansas. This route became known as the Chisholm Trail. Many of the old buildings from that time, like the Saint Charles Hotel, are still there. This historic area is now called "Old Town."
The Sam Bass Story
Downtown Round Rock was the site of a famous gunfight on July 19, 1878. A well-known outlaw named Sam Bass was tracked to Round Rock by the Texas Ranger Division. Bass was shot and killed during a gun battle as he tried to escape. This event is known locally as the "Sam Bass Shootout." It is re-created every year at the "Frontier Days" celebration on July 4. Sam Bass is buried in the Round Rock Cemetery. His original headstone is on display at the Round Rock Public Library.
Cotton Farming and the Economy
In the early 1900s, cotton farming was very important to the county's economy. East of Interstate 35, farmers grew cotton, other crops, and grapes. West of the Balcones divide, ranchers raised cattle, sheep, and goats. Round Rock's location on the rich, fertile "blackland prairie" soils (also called "black waxy" soil) made cotton a huge part of its economy. This soil and climate are perfect for growing crops.
Nearby Taylor, Texas, was the main cotton center. Cotton was taken there to be ginned (seeds removed), pressed into bales, and shipped by train. Cotton farming and cattle raising still happen today, mostly east of Round Rock, but on a smaller scale.
Chisholm Trail Crossing Park
To remember its history, Round Rock created the Chisholm Trail Crossing Park. Visitors can see what the famous cattle crossing looked like. Plaques in the park tell the story of Round Rock. Bronze statues of four steers and a pioneer woman, Hattie Cluck, with her son, Emmitt, are in the park. These statues show Round Rock's role as a crossing point on the Chisholm Trail. The city plans to add more statues over time.
Old Settlers Association
After the American Civil War, a group of old settlers from Williamson County started holding reunions. The first one was in Georgetown in 1904. These reunions, now called Old Settlers Association (OSA) reunions, have happened every year since. The event moved to Round Rock, and a special building was built for it, along with three restored log cabins. This is located in the Palm Valley area, near Old Settlers Park.
Members of the OSA are descendants of people who lived in Williamson County before 1904. The OSA helps people socialize and collects historical information. Its facilities are also rented for events like meetings, shows, parties, and weddings.
The Impact of Interstate 35
In the 1950s, Taylor was the main economic center in the county because of its cotton production. So, people expected the new Interstate 35 to go through Taylor. However, some Taylor citizens and leaders did not want the highway. They worried about losing farmland, traffic noise, and their quiet country life.
Meanwhile, Round Rock leaders wanted the highway to come their way. They saw the chance for economic growth. The mayor at the time, Louis Henna, worked hard to convince the Highway Commission to route the Interstate through Round Rock. In 1956, the route was changed. Interstate 35 was built along the Balcones Fault line through Round Rock.
This highway helped Round Rock become a strong commercial center. Because of the Interstate and the decline of cotton, Taylor became a smaller town. Round Rock, however, grew rapidly into the largest city in the county, attracting companies like Dell and major shopping centers.
Round Rock as a "Bedroom Community"
By the 1990s, Round Rock was mostly a "bedroom community." This meant that most people who lived there worked in Austin and then came home to Round Rock. Housing and land were cheaper in Round Rock and Georgetown. In the 1990s, Round Rock didn't have many big employers besides local stores and services.
But in the late 1990s, this started to change. The city and the Chamber of Commerce focused on bringing in new businesses. Dell Corporation (now just Dell) moved its headquarters to Round Rock. This created many jobs, with 16,000 employees at its Round Rock location. This helped Round Rock become a major economic hub.
Geography and Climate
Round Rock is about 17 miles (27 km) north of downtown Austin. It is also 10 miles (16 km) south of Georgetown. The city's elevation is about 709 feet (216 m) above sea level.
The US Census Bureau states that Round Rock covers about 35.9 square miles (93.0 km2). Most of this area, 35.6 square miles (92.2 km2), is land, and a small part, 0.3 square miles (0.8 km2), is water.
What is the Climate Like in Round Rock?
The climate in Round Rock has hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Round Rock has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm temperatures and plenty of rain throughout the year.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 628 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,438 | 129.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,138 | −20.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,245 | 9.4% | |
| 1920 | 900 | −27.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,005 | 11.7% | |
| 1940 | 1,173 | 16.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,683 | 43.5% | |
| 1960 | 2,458 | 46.0% | |
| 1970 | 2,811 | 14.4% | |
| 1980 | 12,740 | 353.2% | |
| 1990 | 30,923 | 142.7% | |
| 2000 | 61,136 | 97.7% | |
| 2010 | 99,887 | 63.4% | |
| 2020 | 119,468 | 19.6% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 126,697 | 26.8% | |
Who Lives in Round Rock?
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 40,113 | 53,924 | 56,027 | 65.61% | 53.99% | 46.90% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 4,560 | 9,254 | 11,552 | 7.46% | 9.26% | 9.67% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 210 | 288 | 312 | 0.34% | 0.29% | 0.26% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 1,727 | 5,056 | 9,668 | 2.82% | 5.06% | 8.09% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 5 | 105 | 177 | 0.09% | 0.11% | 0.15% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 69 | 167 | 714 | 0.11% | 0.17% | 0.60% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 891 | 2,135 | 5,274 | 1.46% | 2.14% | 4.41% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13,511 | 28,958 | 35,744 | 22.10% | 28.99% | 29.92% |
| Total | 61,136 | 99,887 | 119,468 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 United States census, 119,468 people lived in Round Rock. There were 41,896 households and 29,962 families. About 29.7% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.87 people, and the average family had 3.29 people.
The median age in the city was 32 years old. About 31.9% of the population was under 18. The per capita income (average income per person) for the city was $30,605. Round Rock is the 28th most populated city in Texas.
Economy and Jobs
Round Rock has a great quality of life and is a major center for economic growth in Central Texas. It has many businesses in areas like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and computer/software development.
More than 20 major employers are located in Round Rock. These include Cerilliant Corporation, Cintas, Dell, Dresser, Emerson Process Management, Hospira, IKEA, KoMiCo Technology Inc., Round Rock Premium Outlets, Prudential Overall Supply, Sears Customer Care, Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp, Tekscend Photomask, and TECO-Westinghouse.
Dell's Headquarters in Round Rock
Dell is a huge global company that makes and sells computers and related products. Its main headquarters is in Round Rock. About 11,500 people work at Dell's Round Rock facilities. Worldwide, Dell employs about 138,000 people.
Dell started in Austin in 1984 as PC's Limited. As it grew, it needed a lot of space. In 1996, Round Rock offered Dell a special agreement. The city agreed to share sales tax revenue from in-state sales 50/50 with Dell. This was a new type of agreement for the area. By 1999, about half of Round Rock's general budget came from sales taxes from Dell. Today, Dell is one of the largest technology companies in the world.
In 2008, Dell changed its power sources at the Round Rock headquarters to be more environmentally friendly. 60% of its power comes from TXU Energy wind farms. The other 40% comes from a gas-to-energy plant at the Austin Community Landfill.
Shopping and Business Centers
Round Rock's largest business center is La Frontera. It is located where Loop 1, SH 45, and IH-35 meet. La Frontera has many offices, company headquarters, and a million square feet of retail space. It also has apartment complexes and other shops. The Marriott Austin North hotel, the largest in Williamson County, is also there. This hotel is important for large conferences and meetings.
La Frontera is also home to the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation and Emerson Process Management. The shopping area is the second-largest outdoor commercial project in the Austin-Round Rock area.
In 2006, a large shopping area opened at IH-35 and Highway 1431 (now University Boulevard), across from IKEA. This center includes the Simon Property Group's Premium Outlets Mall, along with many other stores and restaurants.
Sports in Round Rock
Round Rock is home to the Round Rock Express. This is a Triple-A Minor League Baseball team in the Pacific Coast League. The team is owned by RSR Sports, which includes Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and his son, Reid Ryan. The Express play their home games at the Dell Diamond. The City of Round Rock owns this stadium, and RSR Sports manages it.
In 2007, Round Rock opened a free public skate park behind the Clay Madsen Recreation Center.
Round Rock calls itself the "Sports Capital of Texas." The city's Old Settlers Park has many sports facilities. These include a disc golf course, cricket fields, cross country running trails, a twenty-field baseball complex, a five-field softball complex, and seven soccer fields. It also has the Rockin' River Family Aquatic Center.
In April 2018, Round Rock hosted the 11th annual US Quidditch Cup championship quidditch tournament.
Education in Round Rock
Public Schools
The Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) is a highly-rated school district. It covers all of Round Rock and parts of Austin and Cedar Park. The district spans about 110 square miles (280 km2). It includes high-tech businesses, shopping centers, neighborhoods, and farmlands.
About 45,000 students attend RRISD schools. The district has five high schools, ten middle schools, 32 elementary schools, and two alternative learning centers. In August 2010, the district opened its fifth high school, Cedar Ridge High School. The average student-teacher ratio is 16 students per teacher. More than 77% of graduating seniors take the SAT and ACT college entrance exams, scoring well above state and national averages.
In 2010, 25 RRISD schools received the highest possible rating ("Exemplary") from the Texas Education Agency. These included Westwood High School, Canyon Vista, Walsh, and Cedar Valley middle schools, and many elementary schools. The entire school district was rated "academically recognized" in 2010.
Parts of Round Rock are also served by the Leander Independent School District and Pflugerville Independent School District.
Colleges and Universities
Round Rock also offers many opportunities for higher education. In 1990, city leaders planned the Texas State University Round Rock Campus (also known as the Round Rock Higher Education Center). The idea was to bring colleges and universities together to offer education and degrees. Many early programs helped students get jobs at local companies like Dell.
In 2008, the first building, the Avery Building, opened. It was a joint effort by Texas State University, Austin Community College, and Temple College. This campus offers many educational programs and degrees, including graduate degrees. The campus is in the Avery Center development, which also has Seton Williamson and the A&M Health Science Center. By the end of 2009, 1,700 students were enrolled. The Avery family, early settlers in Round Rock, donated 100 acres (40 ha) of land for the campus.
The Texas A&M Health Science Center Round Rock opened in December 2010. It is designed to have many more buildings in the future.
In August 2010, Austin Community College's largest campus opened next to the Texas State University center. ACC is building five more buildings to serve up to 5,000 students. All three campuses are located close to each other.
The newest addition to higher education is the School of Nursing at Texas State University. It is part of the university's College of Health Professions. Other programs offered include health information management and physical therapy.
Transportation and Roads
Major Highways in Round Rock
Interstate 35
U.S. Highway 79 (starts here)
State Highway 45
State Highway 45 Toll Rd
State Highway 130 Toll Rd
Toll Roads for Easier Travel
In November 2006, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) opened the first part of the region's toll road system. Both State Highway 130 and State Highway 45 toll roads run through parts of Round Rock. These roads make it much easier to travel around the city.
State Highway 130 runs near the Austin airport and connects to Interstate 35 north of Georgetown. It passes through the eastern part of Round Rock. This road gives Round Rock residents quick access to the Austin airport. When finished, it will connect to Interstate 10 near Seguin, creating a road parallel to Interstate 35.
State Highway 45 is part of a future loop. It runs from Cedar Park to Pflugerville (east of Round Rock), where it joins the SH 130 toll road. SH 45 goes through the southern part of Round Rock. This highway makes travel between Round Rock and Austin much faster. It helps reduce traffic on Interstate 35. The toll roads also provide easy access to the Dell headquarters. Together, these toll roads greatly improve travel in Round Rock.
Famous People from Round Rock
- Barbette, a famous performer
- Juanita Craft, a politician and civil rights activist
- Ryan Goins, a professional baseball player
- Donnie Little, a football player
- Soapy Smith, a well-known con man
- Billie Lee Turner, a botanist
- Anike, a rapper
- Jarrett Allen, a professional basketball player
Movies and TV Shows Filmed in Round Rock
- The 1974 horror movie The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was filmed in Central Texas. Much of it was shot at two houses in Round Rock, on what is now the La Frontera commercial area. In 1998, one of the houses was moved to Kingsland, Texas, and restored. It now operates as a restaurant at The Antlers Hotel.
- Blood Simple (1984) was a crime film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. Parts of this movie were filmed in the area.
- Most of the 2002 Disney film The Rookie was filmed at the Dell Diamond baseball stadium in Round Rock. The movie is based on the true story of baseball player Jim Morris.
- The Simple Life (TV Season 2, episode 15) filmed an episode during a Round Rock Express baseball game. This reality show featured Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie doing everyday jobs.
- The movie A Dogwalker's Christmas Tale (2015) had many scenes shot in and around Round Rock. These included downtown Round Rock, the public library, Star Coffee Company, and the Round Rock Dog Depot.
Sister Cities
- City of Lake Macquarie, Australia (since 1985)
- Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Mexico (since 1991)
See also
In Spanish: Round Rock (Texas) para niños
