The Census Bureau released the latest American Community Survey five-year estimates for 2014-18 on Dec. 19. According to the U.S. census, the annual data release “helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities.”
According to the figures, the six ZIP codes that Community Impact Newspaper considers the boundaries of Northwest Austin—78726, 78727, 78729, 78750, 78758 and 78759—added 9,341 people from 2014-18, up to a total population of 193,532 residents.
Specifically, the southern portion of Northwest Austin’s boundaries added the most residents, according to census figures. The 78758 ZIP code in North Austin, which contains The Domain and some of the city’s most affordable houses, added 852 residents, up to 47,740 people total.
The bordering 78759 area added 677 residents, up to a total 42,524 residents.
Overall, Northwest Austin also grew its personal wealth in 2018. According to census data, the average median household income of the area rose to $76,584—up 3.57% from the year prior. That percentage increase in household income outpaces the federal inflation rate increase from year to year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
While the 78758 ZIP code added the largest number of residents and remained the most populous ZIP code in Northwest Austin, the area continues to languish economically compared to the rest of Northwest Austin.
According to census numbers, the 78758 ZIP code is the only ZIP tract in Northwest Austin to have a double-digit percentage of its residents living below the federal poverty level. The Census Bureau’s five-year estimates for 2014-18 found that 18.3% of all households in 78758 make less than the federal poverty level.
That number is down from previous surveys. In the Census Bureau’s five-year estimates for 2009-13, 24.2% of households in the 78758 ZIP code earned incomes below the federal poverty level.
No other ZIP code in Northwest Austin had 10% of its households earning below the federal poverty level from 2009-18, according to Census data.
The other areas of Northwest Austin proved to be more costly to live in, though, according to Census data. The average median monthly mortgage costs for a household in the six-ZIP code area of Northwest Austin rose to $2,085, a 4.72% increase from last year’s figures. In comparison, mortgage costs in 78578 stood at $1,446, according to census data.
The price of Northwest Austin homes rose to $264,035 by year end 2018, a 1.12% increase from 2017, according to Austin Board of Realtors data.
Rent across Northwest Austin rose as well. The average median rent rose by more than 5% in 2018, according to the census figures, up to $1,244 per month across all six ZIP codes.
