When most people think about Austin, they picture live music, tacos, and tech jobs—not segregation. But the truth is, Austin’s history of racial zoning and discriminatory housing practices still shapes the city we live in today.
Understanding that history isn’t about blame. It’s about recognizing how we got here and working together to create a fairer future for all Austinites.
A Quick History Lesson:
How Segregation Was Built Into Austin
Freedmen Communities (1860s–1920s):
After emancipation, formerly enslaved Texans built thriving neighborhoods across Austin, including Clarksville, Wheatville, Pleasant Hill, and Masontown. These communities were hubs of culture, worship, and independence (Do512).
The 1928 Master Plan:
Austin’s leaders institutionalized segregation by creating a designated “Negro district” in East Austin. The city withheld schools, parks, and utilities from Black residents in other parts of town, forcing them east of what’s now I-35 (Wikipedia – 1928 Austin City Plan, Pease Park Conservancy).
Pease Park Conservancy – “Austin City Plan of 1928” (Segregation of the City)
Redlining & Urban Renewal (1930s–1960s):
Federal housing maps labeled Black and Hispanic neighborhoods “high risk,” denying them access to loans and investment (Austin History Center). Later, “urban renewal” bulldozed communities like Wheatville, scattering families and consolidating segregation east of I-35.
Segregated Public Spaces:
Even parks and pools were segregated. Barton Springs Pool wasn’t officially integrated until 1962 (KUT).
How Segregation Still Shapes Austin Today
KUT, “Austin’s racial segregation continued over the last decade” (census map)
Neighborhood Demographics:
East Austin remains home to many Black and Hispanic families, while West Austin is predominantly white and higher-income. Gentrification has displaced thousands of longtime residents, replacing them with wealthier newcomers (KUT).
School Segregation:
Austin ISD schools are more segregated today than in the 1990s. Some schools are now almost entirely Hispanic or Black, while campuses in wealthier areas are overwhelmingly white (Axios).
Opportunity Gaps:
Children in East Austin often have limited access to high-performing schools, healthcare, and safe parks, while kids west of I-35 grow up in some of the highest-opportunity areas in the U.S. (Axios).
Housing Inequality:
Home values in some historically Black neighborhoods have increased tenfold, making it impossible for many families to remain in the communities their grandparents built (KUT).
What We Can Do:
Action Steps Toward Equity
You don’t need to be in politics to make a difference. Here are practical, bipartisan ways to support housing equity in Austin:
Learn the History
Take a Black Austin History Tour.
Explore archives at the Austin History Center.
Read about freedmen’s communities like Clarksville and Wheatville.
Support Affordable Housing
Attend City of Austin planning or zoning meetings.
Back nonprofits like Austin Habitat for Humanity that create equitable housing.
Promote Fair Housing
If you’re a landlord or investor, follow HUD Fair Housing guidelines.
Encourage policies that expand housing access across income levels.
Invest in Local Communities
Choose businesses from the Black Austin Business Directory.
Visit cultural institutions like the George Washington Carver Museum.
Advocate for Schools
Attend Austin ISD board meetings.
Volunteer through Austin Partners in Education to support under-resourced schools.
Talk About It
Share articles, podcasts, or this post with friends and family.
Bring awareness to the role history plays in shaping today’s Austin.
What Our Team Does to Help
As Realtors, we’re not just here to buy and sell houses—we help shape communities. Here’s how our team works toward fairness and access in Central Texas:
Fair Housing First: Every client gets equal access, advocacy, and respect—no exceptions.
Education: We provide buyers with real context about neighborhoods, schools, and history, not just home prices.
Access to Programs: We connect clients with down payment assistance, VA loans, and assumable mortgages.
Responsible Investment: We encourage opportunities that add value without displacing long-time residents.
Community Support: We partner with nonprofits and minority-owned vendors, and we give back through initiatives like Sell a Home, Save a Child.
In Closing
Segregation shaped Austin’s past—but it doesn’t have to define its future. By learning, speaking up, and investing intentionally, we can help build a city where opportunity is available to everyone—no matter what side of I-35 they live on.
If you’d like to talk about real estate in Austin—and how we can help you make a smart move while contributing to a stronger, more equitable community—our team is here for you.
