The once-sleepy suburb of Round Rock, Texas has, in recent years, been under a renaissance of growth in the wake of the tech boom and the movement of Dell Computers from Austin to Round Rock.  Despite this rapid growth, with the population rising from 60,000 to right under 90,000 people in 5 years, Round Rock is still known for its small town values and family-centered way of life, especially due to its highly touted school districts. 

Round Rock has all the hallmarks of an up-and-coming town.  Not only do they have the seat of a local industry in Dell Computers, they also have their very own minor league baseball team the Round Rock Express.  In some eyes, the day they really knew they had arrived was when Ikea opened its Central Texas branch not in Austin, but in Round Rock.  In the spirit of staying at the forefront, the city of Round Rock released a video advertising the many benefits of their city on You Tube.   

Round Rock looks to the future, but also has a strong relationship with the past.  The town name honors a large round rock sitting in Brushy Creek that helped many a wagon train pass through the area, especially as the area became a point on the famous Chisholm Trail.  Old Town Round Rock is built around the area, with the buildings preserved to reflect the Wild West heritage of the town. 

Round Rock routinely ranks high on national surveys.  It’s considered one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People, mostly due to the innovative and comprehensive approaches to education in the schools.  It ranks as the 13th safest city in the U.S. with a population over 75,000 people.  And it was ranked 5th in a survey of best cities to relocate your family.  Not only is Round Rock’s school district in the top 1/3 nationally, the proximity to the various universities in the area, including the UT Austin, make this an attractive option for families with college-bound members. 

While many people in the outlying areas commute to Round Rock for work, there is still a fair number of Round Rock residents who commute to Austin every day for work.  The recent improvements to the highway system in the area have made this commute much easier, and the Capital Metrorail, slated to be finished in 2008, that links Round Rock to downtown Austin is expected to make it easier still.  The short drive to Austin adds value for recreation, as well, as residents can enjoy the Capital, the various museums, and the famous Austin nightlife.