Onion Creek, Austin

Updated · 209 residents

Onion Creek is a quiet, semi-rural residential community in Southeast Austin known for its spacious properties and scenic, golf-course-adjacent landscape. While the neighborhood offers a peaceful atmosphere with ample green space, residents should expect frequent aircraft noise due to proximity to the airport and a high reliance on personal vehicles for daily errands.

Key Highlights

Balanced PrivacyGenerally WalkableSpacious and UpscaleGreat for Dog OwnersSemi-Rural FeelQuiet and Car-DependentHigh Noise LevelsClean Air QualityPurely ResidentialModerate Insurance CoveragePredominantly LiberalDiverse Age RangeUndetermined Flood Risk
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About Onion Creek

The Onion Creek neighborhood in Southeast Austin was established in the early 1970s as a master-planned residential community centered around the Onion Creek Club. Founded in 1974 by legendary golfer Jimmy Demaret and developer Jimmie Connolly, the club gained national prominence as the birthplace of the Senior PGA Tour, hosting the prestigious Legends of Golf tournament. While the neighborhood is defined by its golf-centric identity and scenic creek-side landscape, it has also been shaped by a history of severe flooding. Following catastrophic events, particularly the 2013 Halloween flood, the City of Austin engaged in extensive property buyouts, leading to the demolition of numerous homes and the creation of the Onion Creek Metropolitan Park. Today, the area remains a blend of established residential development and preserved natural floodplains.

Onion Creek provides a spacious, semi-rural environment characterized by large residential lots and well-maintained landscapes. The area lacks industrial activity, ensuring a strictly residential atmosphere that appeals to those seeking a break from the density of central Austin. Its layout promotes walkability through accessible sidewalks, though the lack of a concentrated commercial core necessitates driving for most daily tasks. Prospective residents should consider the trade-offs of living in this area, particularly regarding acoustic comfort and infrastructure. Frequent aircraft noise is a notable feature of the local environment, and the neighborhood experiences a wide range of age demographics. Families should be aware that local school options, split between Austin and Hays school districts, are currently navigating significant financial and operational transitions. The area is well-suited for dog owners who appreciate the connectivity of local parks and the open, spacious feel of the surrounding landscape.

Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities

Privacy Index
Score: 6 out of 10

Residential layouts provide a mix of spacing and buffers between neighbors. According to iHuus data, this level of privacy is roughly in line with the Austin average.

Ranked #31 in Austin →
Walkability
Score: 7.2 out of 10

Sidewalks are available along one side of the streets and safe crossings are provided. According to iHuus data, the walkability in this area is higher than the Austin average.

Ranked #27 in Austin →
Visual Appeal
Score: 7.1 out of 10

Large residential properties and frequent upscale amenities provide a visual environment that is slightly above the Austin average. According to iHuus data, the area features wide driveways and well-maintained landscapes.

Ranked #13 in Austin →
Dog Friendliness
Score: 8.1 out of 10

Accessible green spaces and wide, protected paths make this area well suited for pet owners. According to iHuus data, the connectivity of local parks provides a higher level of pet-friendly infrastructure than the Austin average.

Ranked #3 in Austin →
Urban-Rural Index
Score: 7.8 out of 10

Open land and woodland areas are frequent throughout the neighborhood, offering a more spacious setting than the Austin average. According to iHuus data, the landscape features scattered homes situated among fields.

Ranked #5 in Austin →
Neighborhood Vibe
Score: 3.6 out of 10

Low-density residential pockets and suburban streets offer a serene environment, but local commerce is sparse. Most daily errands and social hubs require a vehicle due to the lack of a concentrated commercial core, placing the area's liveliness below the Austin average.

Ranked #65 in Austin →
Acoustic Comfort
Score: 0.6 out of 10

Frequent aircraft noise from the nearby airport runway and heavy rail proximity create a loud environment; this level of acoustic disturbance is significantly higher than the Austin average, according to iHuus data.

Ranked #73 in Austin →
Air Quality
Score: 7.8 out of 10

Air quality in Onion Creek is notably cleaner than the Austin average, with infrequent instances of elevated pollutants. Residents can expect mostly clear conditions according to iHuus data.

Ranked #1 in Austin →
Industrial Proximity
Score: 9.9 out of 10

Industrial activity and warehouse facilities are absent from this area, providing a more residential atmosphere than the Austin average. According to iHuus data, the landscape consists of quiet streets and open green spaces with no detected hazard sites.

Ranked #16 in Austin →
Health Insurance Coverage
Score: 6.8 out of 10

Health insurance accessibility in this area is lower than the Austin average, according to iHuus data. Residents may find fewer options for comprehensive coverage compared to other parts of the city.

Ranked #49 in Austin →
Ideological Lean
Score: 8.8 out of 10

Voting patterns and census indicators reflect a strong liberal leaning, though this political profile is slightly less pronounced than the Austin city average according to iHuus data.

Ranked #69 in Austin →
Population Age Profile
Score: 5.7 out of 10

Residents live alongside a broad spectrum of age groups, ranging from young professionals to families and seniors. This demographic variety is more widely distributed than the average seen across Austin, according to iHuus data.

Ranked #1 in Austin →
Flood Safety
Score: 4.9 out of 10

Flood risk levels in this area remain uncertain because official FEMA studies are not yet complete. This level of risk is roughly in line with the average for Austin.

Ranked #28 in Austin →

Address-Level Insights for Onion Creek

iHuus Neighborhood Intelligence Insights

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Compare with Any Neighborhood

Compare with
DimensionOnion CreekAllandale
🚶
Walkabilityavg 6.73
Score: 7.2 out of 10
Score: 7.2 out of 10
🔊
Acoustic Comfortavg 3.73
Score: 0.6 out of 10
Score: 3.5 out of 10
🤫
Privacy Indexavg 5.87
Score: 6 out of 10
Score: 6 out of 10
🎨
Visual Appealavg 6.95
Score: 7.1 out of 10
Score: 7.2 out of 10
🐕
Dog Friendlinessavg 6.92
Score: 8.1 out of 10
Score: 6 out of 10
🗺️
Urban-Rural Indexavg 7.09
Score: 7.8 out of 10
Score: 6.5 out of 10
Neighborhood Vibeavg 4.91
Score: 3.6 out of 10
Score: 5.4 out of 10
🏥
Health Insurance Coverageavg 7.56
Score: 6.8 out of 10
Score: 8.2 out of 10
🌿
Air Qualityavg 5.17
Score: 7.8 out of 10
Score: 6.5 out of 10
🏭
Industrial Proximityavg 8.86
Score: 9.9 out of 10
Score: 9.6 out of 10
🌊
Flood Safetyavg 4.83
Score: 4.9 out of 10
Score: 4.1 out of 10
🗳️
Ideological Leanavg 9.13
Score: 8.8 out of 10
Score: 9.7 out of 10
👥
Population Age Profileavg 4.52
Score: 5.7 out of 10
Score: 4.9 out of 10
🔥
Fire Safety
Score: not available
Score: not available
🏫
School Quality
Score: not available
Score: not available

School Districts Serving Onion Creek

Austin Independent School District
Grades K–12123 schoolsRatings 2–10/10
5/10
Gullett ElElementary
10/10
Hill ElElementary
10/10
Mathews ElElementary
10/10
Mccallum H SHigh
10/10
Kealing MiddleMiddle
10/10
Bowie H SHigh
10/10
Mills ElElementary
10/10
Gorzycki MiddleMiddle
10/10
Clayton ElElementary
10/10
Lasa H SHigh
10/10
Brentwood ElElementary
10/10
Casis ElElementary
10/10
Highland Park ElElementary
10/10
Lamar MiddleMiddle
10/10
Lee ElElementary
10/10
Maplewood ElElementary
10/10
Summitt ElElementary
10/10
Kiker ElElementary
10/10
Small MiddleMiddle
10/10
Baldwin ElElementary
10/10
Richards Sch For Young Women LeadersHigh
10/10
Bear Creek ElElementary
10/10
Barton Hills ElElementary
8/10
Becker ElElementary
8/10
Cunningham ElElementary
8/10
O Henry MiddleMiddle
8/10
Reilly ElElementary
8/10
Sunset Valley ElElementary
8/10
Travis Hts ElElementary
8/10
Zilker ElElementary
8/10
Garza Independence H SHigh
8/10
Casey ElElementary
8/10
Baranoff ElElementary
8/10
Cowan ElElementary
8/10
Guerrero ThompsonElementary
8/10
Joslin ElElementary
8/10
Anderson H SHigh
8/10
Austin H SHigh
8/10
Blanton ElElementary
8/10
Bryker Woods ElElementary
8/10
Doss ElElementary
8/10
Murchison MiddleMiddle
8/10
Ridgetop ElElementary
8/10
Mendez MiddleMiddle
8/10
Blazier ElElementary
8/10
Uphaus Early Childhood CenterElementary
8/10
Graduation Preparatory AcademyHigh
8/10
Blackshear ElElementary
6/10
Graham ElElementary
6/10
Navarro Early College H SHigh
6/10
Northeast Early College H SHigh
6/10
St Elmo ElElementary
6/10
Zavala ElElementary
6/10
Patton ElElementary
6/10
Boone ElElementary
6/10
Palm ElElementary
6/10
Kocurek ElElementary
6/10
Galindo ElElementary
6/10
International H SSecondary
6/10
Lbj Early College H SHigh
6/10
Graduation Prep Academy NavarroHigh
6/10
Garcia YmlaMiddle
6/10
Davis ElElementary
6/10
Crockett Early College H SHigh
6/10
Lively MiddleMiddle
6/10
Pillow ElElementary
6/10
Travis Early College H SHigh
6/10
Williams ElElementary
6/10
Langford ElElementary
6/10
Bailey MiddleMiddle
6/10
Covington MiddleMiddle
6/10
Akins Early College H SHigh
6/10
Perez ElElementary
6/10
Austin ISD Prek Partnership (Pkp)Prekindergarten
6/10
Harris ElElementary
4/10
Menchaca ElElementary
4/10
Norman-Sims ElElementary
4/10
Odom ElElementary
4/10
Pleasant Hill ElElementary
4/10
Walnut Creek ElElementary
4/10
Mcbee ElElementary
4/10
Padron ElElementary
4/10
Eastside Early College H SHigh
4/10
Allison ElElementary
4/10
Andrews ElElementary
4/10
Campbell ElElementary
4/10
Cook ElElementary
4/10
Oak Hill ElElementary
4/10
Ortega ElElementary
4/10
Rodriguez ElElementary
4/10
General Marshall MiddleMiddle
4/10
Sadler Means YwlaMiddle
4/10
Bedichek MiddleMiddle
2/10
Brown ElElementary
2/10
Burnet MiddleMiddle
2/10
Dawson ElElementary
2/10
Dobie MiddleMiddle
2/10
Govalle ElElementary
2/10
Oak Springs ElElementary
2/10
Sanchez ElElementary
2/10
Wooten ElElementary
2/10
Jordan ElElementary
2/10
Widen ElElementary
2/10
Hart ElElementary
2/10
Pickle ElElementary
2/10
Overton ElElementary
2/10
Barrington ElElementary
2/10
Houston ElElementary
2/10
Linder ElElementary
2/10
Martin MiddleMiddle
2/10
Pecan Springs ElElementary
2/10
Winn MontessoriElementary
2/10
Wooldridge ElElementary
2/10
Webb MiddleMiddle
2/10
Paredes MiddleMiddle
2/10
Travis County J J A E PHigh
Not rated
Travis County Juvenile Detention CenterHigh
Not rated
Greenleaf NccHigh
Not rated
RosedaleOther
Not rated
Austin St HospitalHigh
Not rated
Daep- ElMiddle
Not rated
Leadership AcademyHigh
Not rated
Alternative Learning CenterHigh
Not rated
Hays Consolidated Independent School District
Grades K–1226 schoolsRatings 4–10/10
5/10

School Insights for Onion Creek

School Insights

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  • Every school in the district — all schools within the enrollment boundary ranked by rating, not just the closest one
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Onion Creek a good place for dog owners?
Yes, the neighborhood is well-suited for pet owners. It features accessible green spaces and a network of protected paths that provide better pet-friendly infrastructure than many other parts of Austin.
Is it noisy in Onion Creek?
Residents may experience significant noise levels due to frequent aircraft traffic from the nearby airport and proximity to rail lines. This creates an environment that is notably louder than the average Austin neighborhood.
What are the school options for families in Onion Creek?
Students in the area are served by the Austin Independent School District and the Hays Consolidated Independent School District. Both districts are currently experiencing transitions involving budget challenges and operational shifts, so families should research specific campus performance.