Austin, TX

Austin named 9th best place to live, but falls out of top 10 largest cities

Published

2 years ago

May 23, 2024

Press Room

Austin named 9th best place to live, but falls out of top 10 largest cities

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin is one of the best cities in which to live in the country, at least according to one report.

What You Need To Know

The rankings are done by the U.S. News and World Report using U.S. Census Bureau data and other federal government datasets as well as a public survey of thousands of people throughout the country

Austin came in at No. 9 due to its “contagious vibrancy and enthusiasm,” job opportunities and live music scene

Behind Austin, the next closest Texas city was McAllen at No. 48, and Texas’ three most populated cities were further down the list with San Antonio at No. 89, Dallas at No. 95 and Houston at No. 97

The most recent Census data showed that Austin’s 12-year streak as the country’s fastest-growing large metropolitan area was snapped by Jacksonville, Florida

Every year, U.S. News and World Report releases its list of the “150 Best Places to Live in the U.S.”

The method behind the rankings comes from looking at the most recent data from the federal government and a public survey of thousands of individuals throughout the U.S. on what they value in a place. Those factors include looking at the quality of life, job market, desirability and housing affordability of each city.

Austin came in at No. 9 right behind Virginia Beach, Virginia, and ahead of Boulder, Colorado. The outlet’s reasoning behind the high ranking was because of Austin’s “contagious vibrancy and enthusiasm,” job opportunities and live music scene.

U.S. News and World Report gave Austin an overall score of 6.8 out of 10. The highest-ranked city–Naples, Florida–had an overall score of 7.1 out of 10.

Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement that this only confirmed what Austin residents already knew.

“We’re honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report with this distinction that confirms what Austinites know—our city is a special place,” Watson said in a news release. “Our access to nature, our dynamic and diverse economy, and an unparalleled music scene make Austin a vibrant place to live, work, and play.”

The next closest Texas city on the list was McAllen coming in at No. 48 because of its “good quality of life” and “bicultural community” according to the report. The next three on the list are all along the edges of the Lone Star State with El Paso at No. 62, Corpus Christi at No. 77 and Brownsville at No. 87.

Texas’ three most populated cities were further down the list with San Antonio at No. 89, Dallas at No. 95 and Houston at No. 97.

The last two Texas cities to make the top 150 were Beaumont at No. 99 and Killeen at No. 107.

These U.S. News and World Report rankings used the U.S. Census Bureau’s population data, which was recently updated to include the first half of 2023. This update saw a big change for Texas’ capital city.

Austin fell out of the top 10 largest cities in America after being surpassed by Jacksonville, Florida. Austin is now at No. 11 with approximately 980,000 people.

Texas’ other metropolitan areas stayed at the same rankings with Houston coming in at No. 4, San Antonio at No. 7 and Dallas at No. 9.

Fort Worth moved up the list to No. 12, surpassing San Jose, California.

Austin also saw its 12-year streak as the nation’s fastest-growing large metro area come to an end, with the greater Austin area slipping to second place behind Jacksonville.

Another notable thing to come out of the data was that three of the top five counties with the largest number of growth in housing were in Texas. Harris County–home to Houston–ranked at No. 1, while Travis County–where Austin is located–and Collin County–north of Dallas–came in at No. 4 and No. 5.

Texas cities also dominated the lists of the fastest-growing cities for both larger and smaller metro areas.

Source link

Click to comment

Austin, TX

Swims You Might Have Missed On The Final Day Of The 2026 Austin Pro Swim Series

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2026

Press Room

Swims You Might Have Missed On The Final Day Of The 2026 Austin Pro Swim Series

2026 PRO SWIM SERIES – AUSTIN

As the Austin Pro Swim Series draws to a close, there were a few swims on the final night that you may have missed.

Van Mathias made a lot of noise in the breaststroke events this week, but had a stunning swim to take 2nd in the 50 fly last night. He hacked six tenths off a second off his best of 23.62, set in the semi-finals, to notch 23.06 and rise to third in the world this season. Not only that, but he is now the 5th-fastest U.S. man in history in the event.

Ryan Erisman has thrown down some speedy swims on freestyle in Austin, but closed out the meet with the 200 fly, an event he hadn’t swum since 2024. He knocked 1.47 seconds off his best of 1:59.47, going 1:58.00 for 3rd place.

Bobby Finke also tried the 200 fly on for size, swimming the third-fastest time of his career in 1:59.34. That included a 29.11 final 50 which took him from 8th to 4th.

Brinkleigh Hansen set a big best time en route to silver in the women’s 800 free, knocking seven seconds off the 8:42.75 she swam 18 months ago. She swam 8:35.78 tonight, beating Claire Weinstein by over a second, and now ranks 39th in the 15-16 age group.

Luc Dionne notched another breaststroke personal best, slicing a second and a half off in the 200 to go 2:13.31. He also ranks highly in the 15-16 age group, moving up from 18th to 6th, just ahead of American Record holder Matt Fallon.

Emma Harvey lowered her own Bermudian record in the women’s 50 fly last night, shaving eleven-hundredths off to go 26.59 and place 4th overall. She neared her nati0nal standard of 28.34 in the 50 back later in the session, swimming 28.70 for another 4th place finish.

Source link

Austin, TX

Texas A&M holds off Texas, ends long drought in Austin

Published

14 hours ago

January 17, 2026

Press Room

Texas A&M holds off Texas, ends long drought in Austin

Rashaun Agee and Rylan Griffen scored 17 points each as Texas A&M outlasted Texas 74-70 on Saturday in a key Southeastern Conference dustup between the two rivals in Austin, Texas.

The contest was tied at 29 at halftime before the Aggies (14-4, 4-1 SEC) surged to the front by 10 points early in the second half. Texas pulled to within 68-62 when Jordan Pope converted a four-point play with 4:37 left.

Ali Dibba’s layup and a 3-pointer by Jacari Lane, the latter with 3:02 remaining, built the A&M lead to 11 points but the Longhorns made a final surge, drawing to 73-70 on Chendall Weaver’s putback layup with 7.9 seconds to play.

Lane then canned a free throw to close out the game and the Longhorns, as Texas A&M ended an 11-game road losing streak to the Longhorns.

Ruben Dominguez added 10 points and Agee grabbed 11 rebounds for the Aggies, who have won seven of their past eight games.

Pope and Dailyn Swain led Texas with 17 points apiece, with Matas Vokietaitis scoring 14 and Tramon Mark adding 13 points. The Longhorns (11-7, 2-3 SEC) had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Texas opened the game by scoring seven of the first nine points before the Aggies roared back with a 10-2 run, going up 12-9 on a putback dunk by Jamie Vinson at the 10:49 mark of the half. A&M pushed its lead to four points on a Pop Issacs’ layup with 8:37 to play but the Longhorns swung back, retaking the lead at 15-14 when Mark drove the lane for a short jumper 50 seconds later.

Texas expanded the margin to six points after Swain’s free throw with 3:36 to play until halftime but the Aggies answered with a 11-2 run punctuated by a pair of free throws by Lane with 17 seconds left in the half. That was just enough time for Mark to find the space to hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer that tied the game at 29 at the break.

Vokietaitis led all scorers with 11 points before halftime while Agee and Dominguez hit for seven each to pace Texas A&M.

A&M roared out of the gate over the first four-and-a-half minutes of the second half, building a 46-36 lead after Dibba’s layup with 15:25 to play.

–Field Level Media

Source link

Austin, TX

Top 5 Events In Austin Today – Saturday, 17th January, 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 17, 2026

Press Room

Top 5 Events in Austin Today - Saturday, 17th January, 2026 - Collage

Updated: Saturday, January 17, 2026

This Saturday, January 17th, 2026, Austin is radiating with energy, offering a soulful blend of wellness, history, and world-class performance!

Below is my list of the Top 5 events in Austin today. For a complete round-up, check out my article on the best Events Happening in Austin this Weekend!

Today’s highlights offer something for every vibe, whether you’re seeking a fresh perspective at the Metaphysical Fair for Austin or honoring a powerful legacy at the MLK Kids Event in San Marcos. For those looking to move, the Mind, Body, Vacancy series at Vacancy Brewing kicks off your morning with community-focused wellness.

As evening falls, you can choose between the breathtaking choreography of the Mark Morris Dance Group at Bass Concert Hall or an intimate, string-quartet tribute to Coldplay under the glow of candlelight in Georgetown. Whether you’re exploring the arts, diving into spiritual wellness, or enjoying family-friendly history, these top picks capture the very best of the Greater Austin area this Saturday.

Read on to plan your day and make some unforgettable memories in Central Texas!

Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Top 5 Events in Austin Today – Saturday, 17th January, 2026

Metaphysical Fair for Austin

Image Credit: heartoftexasfairs.com

Experience a day of insight and transformation at the Metaphysical Fair for Austin. Visitors can connect with gifted psychics, healers, and intuitive readers while exploring a variety of metaphysical vendors.

The event also offers a unique opportunity to discover crystals and spiritual tools designed to provide guidance and refresh your energy for the year ahead.

Where: Wyndham Garden Austin, 3401 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Austin, TX 78741
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026
How Much: Free

MLK Kids Event

Image Credit: dhasmtx.com

Join the Dunbar Heritage Association for a vibrant celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This family-friendly event invites children and teens (ages 3–18) to engage with history through new books, art, videos, and hands-on crafts.

Where: San Marcos Public Library, 625 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 10:30 am – 1 pm
How Much: Free

Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay on Strings

Experience the music of Coldplay reimagined for a string quartet at the Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center at Southwestern University.

The evening’s tentative program features orchestral arrangements of the band’s most iconic hits, including “Yellow,” “The Scientist,” “Fix You,” and “A Sky Full of Stars.” Secure your tickets to enjoy these contemporary anthems in an intimate, atmospheric environment.

Where: Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center at Southwestern University, 1001 E University Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 8:45 pm
How Much: Starts at $31

Mind, Body, Vacancy: Social Wellness Series at Vacancy Brewing

Top 5 Events in Austin Today - Social Wellness Series at Vacancy Brewing

Image Credit: Vacancy Brewing FB Page

Join us at Vacancy Brewing for Mind, Body, Vacancy, a four-week social wellness series at Vacancy Brewing focused on movement, community, and good vibes. Each week brings a new local fitness partner and class style, all levels welcome.

Where: 415 E St Elmo Rd 1 d2, Austin, TX 78745
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 11 am
How Much: Free

Mark Morris Dance Group: The Look of Love

Top 5 Events in Austin Today - The Look of Love

Image Credit: texasperformingarts.org

This production celebrates Bacharach’s sophisticated musical style, which blends jazz, rock, and Brazilian influences with the evocative, bittersweet lyrics of Hal David. The production is anchored by a live ensemble of piano, trumpet, bass, and drums, led by the powerhouse vocals of Broadway star Marcy Harriell.

Where: Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, TX 78712
When: Saturday, January 17, 2026 | 7:30 pm
How Much: Not stated

Lacey is a freelancer and Austin local who’s always on the hunt for new restaurants to try, fun activities to do, and local events to attend. She loves sharing her discoveries with others through her writing and hopes her work encourages both visitors and locals to be active in the community. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring one of the city’s many hiking trails with her Blue Heeler, Oreo, getting lost in a good book, or dancing the night away to some house or techno beats at one of her favorite rave spots.