Is Kerrville the Next Big Thing in Texas Ranch Living?

Acreage trends, water, wildlife—why buyers look here.

Scenery, space, and a sane pace—Kerrville is fast becoming the Hill Country’s sleeper pick for ranch buyers.

From hunt-ready acreage to family retreats with river access, here’s why Kerr County belongs on your short list—and how to shop smart.

Kerrville: The Hill Country’s Rising Star for Ranch Living

By Ryan Rendon · Updated · Kerrville, TX

Tucked along the Guadalupe River, Kerrville blends small-town ease, real amenities, and versatile land. With adaptable soils, abundant wildlife, and more acreage-per-dollar than nearby hotspots, it’s drawing ranch buyers for cattle, hunting, recreation—and quiet.

What’s inside

  1. Small-Town Charm Meets Modern Amenities
  2. An Ideal Landscape for Ranching
  3. A Hunter’s Haven
  4. Better Value Than Other Hill Country Towns
  5. Lifestyle and Community
  6. What to Consider Before Buying
  7. Long-Term Potential

1) Small-Town Charm Meets Modern Amenities

Kerrville threads the needle: river-town calm with good schools, quality healthcare, shopping, and dining—all within an hour to ~90 minutes of San Antonio or Austin. You get serenity without sacrificing convenience.

2) An Ideal Landscape for Ranching

Rolling hills, workable soils, and reliable water features make Kerr County flexible for cattle, hay, or private retreats. Parcels span ~10–20 acres up to 100+; median ranch offerings hovered around $1.2M (mid-2024), typically buying more land than in Fredericksburg or Dripping Springs.

3) A Hunter’s Haven

Beyond whitetail, the area supports axis deer (year-round), plus blackbuck, fallow, and aoudad. Many larger ranches run managed hunts—guided or DIY—adding recreation and revenue potential.

4) Better Value Than Other Hill Country Towns

Per-acre pricing often undercuts better-known neighbors while delivering comparable vistas and wildlife. Interest is rising as buyers discover the value—positioning early movers for lifestyle upside and appreciation.

5) Lifestyle and Community

The Guadalupe River means kayaking and fishing on repeat; trail systems support hiking and horseback time. Markets, art shows, music festivals, and parades fill the calendar—where neighbors still know each other by name.

6) What to Consider Before Buying

  • Purpose: Working cattle, hunt property, homestead, or hybrid?
  • Water: Wells, springs, creek/river frontage, and water rights; storage and distribution.
  • Fencing & Access: Boundary condition, cross-fencing, gates, easements, and county-maintained road access.
  • Soils & Vegetation: Carrying capacity, brush management, oak wilt considerations.
  • Wildlife Mgmt: MLD participation, feed/water plans, predator pressure.
  • Improvements: Barns, working pens, power, septic, rainwater systems; realistic build/renovation budgets.
  • Risk & Insurance: Floodplains, fire mitigation (defensible space), and coverage costs.
Local tip: In multi-offer scenarios, non-price terms (lease-back, quick close, limited repairs, or rate-buydown credits) can trump small price deltas. Bring proof-of-funds and a clean survey/T-47 strategy.

7) Long-Term Potential

Limited land supply + steady in-migration + lifestyle demand = healthy fundamentals. Whether you keep the ranch in the family or exit later, Kerrville’s trajectory points to durable value.

Ready to shop Kerr County ranches?

I’ll pre-screen tracts for water, access, wildlife value, and build viability—then negotiate terms that fit your plan.

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Transcript
Looking for the next hot spot in Texas ranch living. Kerrville, Texas may just be the hidden gem you've been searching for. Let's go ahead and dive into why this town is turning heads so fast. Ryan rented Redding Realty Group, your favorite realtor right here in the Texas Hill Country. If you haven't subscribed to the channel yet, make sure you hit the subscribe button. But also that little bell so you can get notified anytime. I put out videos just like this one. Let's first start off with what makes Kerrville stand out. Located along the beautiful Guadalupe River, Kerrville offers a unique blend of small town charm but also modern amenities. It's really the type of place where you can enjoy a more peaceful, laid back atmosphere, but still have access to everything you need. Purple's vibrant community, top notch schools, and excellent health care facilities make it a great choice for families, retirees, and anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of that crazy city life. But what really sets Kerrville Par is its growing reputation as a prime ranch living spot. With all the rolling hills, fertile land, and abundant wildlife, Kerrville offers the perfect environment for those looking to own a piece of the Texas Hill Country. And whether you're looking for a working ranch, a hunting ranch, or even just a private retreat, Kerrville has a lot to offer. Now, let's go ahead and talk about the real estate market here at Kerrville. As of mid 2024, Kerrville Real Estate Market is seeing a steady increase in demand, particularly in ranch properties. The median price for ranches in our area is right around 1.2 million, but prices obviously can vary depending on the size, location and amenities of the property. And another reason Kerrville is set apart from other regions of Texas is it's a prime spot for ranch living, the main focus in today's video, and that includes some of the best hunting in all of the Texas Hill Country. Kerr County itself is a hunter's dream, with this diverse terrain providing an ideal habitat for a wide variety of game. Notably, one of the things that Kerr County is well known for is its abundant population of access deer, which is not only a prized animal to hunt around here, but you can hunt them all year round. These exotic animals, originally from India, have thrived in the region's climate and landscape, making Kerrville a go to destination for hunters looking for something beyond the usual whitetail experience. And in addition to access deer, our region is home to other exotic species like black book antelope, fallow deer, and even occasional all Dad sheep. This diversity in wildlife means that whether you're a trophy hunter or someone who enjoys the sport as a weekend activity, Kerrville has something to offer. The large ranches in our area provide a perfect setting for managed hunts, with properties offering everything from guided hunting experiences to private retreats where you can enjoy the sport on your own terms. The rich hunting environment is a major draw for those looking to invest in ranches around the Kerrville area. And again, whether you're looking for that working ranch, the hunting ranch, or the private retreat, Kerrville combination of natural beauty and exceptional hunting opportunities make it a standout choice here in the Hill Country. And another key factor that is driving interest to Kerrville is the value offers compared to other parts of the Hill Country. You can find larger properties with more acreage for a fraction of the price that you would pay in other well-known areas like Fredericksburg, Wimberley, or Dripping Springs. And with this increase in demand, property values in Kern County are going to continue to rise. So it is a good opportunity for you as a buyer or investor to get in. While the prices are still fairly manageable, so properties around Kerrville can typically range from 10 to 20 acres, but also up to 100 to 200 to 300 acres. Even more than that in some cases. And whether you're looking for a manageable little ranch or a sprawling estate, Kerrville has pretty much something to offer for every budget and lifestyle. So why is Kerrville gaining so much popularity in the first place? Well, there are a couple reasons. First, one being its natural beauty is a major draw. The quality River offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, from kayaking to fishing to simply just relaxing by the water. Our area's parks and trails are perfect for hiking, horseback riding and enjoying the great outdoors. Secondly, Kerrville also has a very strong sense of community. The town hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from farmers markets to art shows to music festivals and also, of course, can't leave out the holiday celebrations. It really is a place where neighbors know each other, and there's a real sense of pride in the community. And then finally, Kerrville location is also a very big selling point. It's close enough to the major cities like San Antonio, Austin for daily commutes or whatever you have when you get to the airport in a timely manner. There are only an hour, hour and a half away, but you're also far enough away where you can really enjoy the peace and quiet of rural living. The balance between accessibility and tranquil quality is a major reason so many people are choosing Kerrville for their ranch living dreams. So if you are considering buying a ranch in Kerrville, there are a few things you should keep in mind. And first is of course, your priorities. Are you looking for that cattle working ranch or livestock working ranch? The hunting ranch or your private quiet retreat? Each type of ranch has its own set of considerations, from water rights and fencing to wildlife management and soil quality. Secondly, you better be prepared for some competition as more and more people discover the Kerrville area, the competition has begun to rise, especially for those properties that are good in size, price and location, and also working with a local real estate expert like myself can give you a huge van. There's somebody that actually knows the market inside and out, who lives here locally, who lives, breathes real estate in this area. A lot of times we see that buyers might be working with an agent from out of town, Houston, Dallas Austin, who doesn't actually know the INS and outs of our local real estate market. Again, can give you a huge benefit in finding the right ranch property for you. And then finally, just think long term ranch properties in Kerrville not only offer a fantastic lifestyle, but also hold strong potential for appreciation. With the town's growing popularity and the increasing demand for rural properties, investing in Kerrville real estate could be a wise financial decision. So is Kerrville potentially the next big thing in Texas ranch living? Well, based on everything we've talked about today, I would say it's definitely worth looking at with this absolutely stunning natural beauty, vibrant community, and growing real estate market. Kerrville offers a lot of potential for those looking to buy a ranch in the Hill Country. And whether you're a first time buyer or a seasoned investor, the Kerrville real estate market has something to offer to everyone. Thanks for watching, everybody. If you found this video useful, make sure you give it a thumbs up, but also subscribe to the channel and hit that little bell so you get notified anytime I put out videos just like this one. And whether you're looking to buy in three days or three years, I would love to be a realtor of choice. All my contact information is down in the description and make sure you watch this next video. I think you're really gonna like it. We'll see you in the next video.