Helotes, TX homebuyer’s guide
A former farming community retains its rustic charm in this family-friendly city northwest of San Antonio.
ED
Ethan David
Author
MP
Miranda Paredes
Reviewer
7 min read
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Shortly after the Texas Revolution, a farming community began to take form in a serene patch of land northwest of San Antonio that also served as a stagecoach stop for cattle drivers. That community is now the city of Helotes, and while it’s a bit more than a farming community, the old town feel remains.
Situated in the Hill Country, the city draws mostly families to its quiet suburbs with both private and public parks, boutique shopping, and year-round community events. The schools are as plentiful as the kid-friendly activities. Pair that with eclectic dining options and it's no wonder the area is so beloved by its residents and out-of-towners alike.
Of course, everything comes at a price, and the homes in Helotes cost over twice as much as their neighbors in San Antonio. That said, the wide range of home styles and neighborhoods makes it accessible to a wide range of home-seekers.
Latest homes for sale in Helotes, TX
Look & feel of Helotes, Texas
The Helotes, TX housing market
$340k
Median Home Price
$167
Median Price per Sq. Ft
104
Average Monthly Home Sales
Homeowners are the law of the land
Helotes residents like to plant roots! According to the 2021 Census, a whopping 93% of the city's homes are owner-occupied. This is almost 40 percentage points higher than the San Antonio homeowner rate.
Choose your own aesthetic
The most common home styles in Helotes are Modern Colonials and Tudors. The city has a mix of small urban-style new homes and older homes with a lot of acreage.
Small city, big prices
The median listing price in Helotes is $460,000, which is $150,000 higher than that of its neighboring city San Antonio. While there are many homes in the $200,000 range, million dollar estates drive up the median value.
Cost of living in Helotes, TX
71.9%
Rent Affordability Index
Housing costs make it costly
The cost of living in Helotes is just over 11% higher than the national average and almost 20% higher than the San Antonio average. Although food and groceries, utilities, and healthcare costs are all below the national average, housing and transportation prices raise the overall cost.
The job market
A little over 63% of Helotes residents are part of the civilian workforce. The leading industries are educational services, finance, and healthcare.
2.5%
Unemployment Rate
$132k
Average Salary per Year
A job hub
Helotes is the home to several major corporations, such as military insurance company USAA and energy companies NuStar and Valero. The area also boasts ample jobs in the education sector, with schools like University of Texas San Antonio, Trinity University, and the University of the Incarnate Word within range.
Public transportation
Services offered in Helotes
🔋
EV charging: EV Stations Local
Don’t plan on taking the bus
Helotes has no bus stops within the confines of its neighborhood, so locals primarily rely on cars for commuting. The closest bus stops are in the San Antonio neighborhood Oak Grove, which is south of the city.
All in on electric
There are 36 electric charging stations within a 10-mile radius of Helotes for EV owners to juice up. Commuters heading to San Antonio can choose from one of the 232 public ports citywide.
Demographics
21,621
Population
33.5
Median Age
126,598
Family Median Income
Families all around
Over 85% of households in Helotes are occupied by families. In 2013, Bloomberg named the city the best place to raise kids in Texas, noting the area has retained its small-town charm despite rapid growth.
Crime & safety
According to City-Data, the crime index in Helotes is over 80% lower than the U.S. average in 2019. The most common crimes are thefts.
Neighborhood guide
Helotes has a wide range of neighborhoods tailored to a wide range of lifestyles. Families, professionals, and retirees all have their place in the city's sought-after neighborhoods.
Wildhorse — an HOA hub
The pocket neighborhood Wildhorse is perhaps best known for the HOA amenities available to its residents. Between a community pool, a sprawling sports park, and protected bike lanes, locals of this suburb have no shortage of outdoor recreational activities. It’s also home to the highly-rated Krueger Elementary School.
Helotes Creek Ranch — an old town with an old town feel
While mainstream retailers have found their way into Helotes, many old stores and eateries of the city remain. This is no more evident than in Helotes Creek Ranch, where staples like John T. Floore’s Country Store and El Chaparral Mexican Restaurant have held their ground in what locals commonly refer to as Old Town. Residents also have access to a hardware store, an automotive, and a beer garden.
Sonoma Ranch — a conveniently located suburb
If you want a quiet community with all the amenities you can dream of, you probably want Sonoma Ranch. A stone’s throw away from a park, a golf course, and Six Flags, you’ll never run out of things to do in this centrally-located neighborhood.
Iron Horse Canyon — a sprawling gated community
Within the confines of this large gated community is a natural area and a recreation center for locals to enjoy. The rolling hills in this neighborhood offer views of Government Canyon and Downtown San Antonio.
3 things to know before buying a home in Helotes, TX, according to locals
1. There are events year-round
Helotes has many recurring community activities to keep locals engaged. The annual Cornyval celebrates the neighborhood's roots as a corn farming community with a 44-acre wide festival full of food, rodeo, and carnival rides. Locals can shop fresh produce, jewelry, and crafts the first Saturday of every month at the Old Town Marketplace. The city also hosts movies in Helotes City Park where families can enjoy kid-friendly movies for free.
2. Traffic can get congested
Helotes rapid growth has its drawbacks, most notably in the form of increased traffic in the area. According to San Antonio Magazine, “Though technically a suburb, Helotes is becoming engulfed by San Antonio’s growing Northwest Side, which means residents deal with all of the traffic and crowds of San Antonio.”
3. There are ample schools
The city is part of the Northside Independent School District, which has over 110 campus locations across The Hill Country and parts of San Antonio. There are also several private schools, including Infinity Christian Academy and Sunshine Montessori Academy.
The top 4 things to do in Helotes
1. Hit the Old Town Helotes
The historic Old Town Helotes community is a staple of Helotes. Reader's Digest called it the best hidden gem in all of Texas. It’s where you’ll find John T. Floore’s Country Store, a barbecue bar and live music venue that dates back to 1942 and is where Willie Nelson got his start. Antiquers can frequent Old Town Depot for vintage collectibles, furniture, and consignment items. There’s also Cheetahlish, a popular women’s clothing and accessory store.
2. Enjoy some outdoor time
Many people are drawn to Helotes because of its ample greenspace. While most of the parks are private HOA spaces only available to certain neighborhoods, there are also community parks like Helotes City Park. The city is also known for its Zip Disc Golf Course, where locals and visitors can partake in 3 acres of disc golf fairways. Hikers can trek nearly 40 acres of trails packed with wildlife in the nearby Government Canyon State Natural Area. Golfers have access to several courses within a 10-mile range of the city, including the PGA tour links at Dominion Country Club.
3. Dine for days
Helotes has some of the best dining in the San Antonio metro area. Locals can get their caffeine boost with the signature lattes at Cracked Mug. Over in Old Town, the family-owned El Chaparral has been serving authentic Mexican food for 50 years. And of course, it’s not Texas if there’s no quality BBQ options, and B-Daddy’s rises to occasion with meat served by the pound and eclectic sides. For drinks, grab some wine (or wine slushies!) at Helotes Creek Winery, or a wide range of beers at the veteran-owned Busted Sandal Brewing Company.
4. Have fun with the fam
There are many reasons why Helotes is such a great place to raise kids, and the countless family-friendly activities within range of the city is one of them. At Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, kids can enjoy trampolines, rope courses, and tumble tracks. They can also hit the go-karts at the nearby Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, which also features an arcade and bowling alley. And whether they have kids or not, amusement park enthusiasts can delight in having a Six Flags in their backyard.
Continue exploring the San Antonio area
ED
Ethan David is a writer and filmmaker. You can find more on his website ethandavid.com and follow him @ethandavidism.
MP
Miranda Paredes has spent her career in the marketing and public relations field since her graduation from Texas State University in 2016. She is a marketing consultant for individuals and small businesses. Fitness, outdoor recreation and hanging with her pup, Lilah, are some of her favorite activities, while a good cup of coffee and a good book serve as her perfect downtime.
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