Castroville is the Little Alsace of Texas, a 30-minute drive west of San Antonio on US 90, and one of the most genuinely charming small towns in the region: 1800s Alsatian houses, the Medina River running through town, and a slow, friendly rhythm that people either love immediately or learn to. It sits in Medina County at the edge of the Hill Country and is served by the fast-growing Medina Valley ISD, which is drawing a wave of new families. If you want small-town character without giving up San Antonio employment, Castroville deserves a serious look.
The feel of the area
What it's like to live here
Founded in 1844 by Henri Castro, the town brought Alsatian immigrants from the Rhine borderlands, and their influence is still the first thing you notice: stone houses with steep gabled roofs, half-timbered walls, and a main street that feels transported from a European village. It is called the Little Alsace of Texas for good reason, and the historic district is protected and walkable.
The Medina River is the town's other defining feature. It curves along the south edge of town, feeding Castroville Regional Park, and gives the area a greener, cooler feel than much of the surrounding ranch country. Weekends here lean toward river walks, the roadside stands along US 90, and the small festivals and parades the town loves to throw.
Daily life is straightforward: schools are close, the grocery and hardware runs are a few minutes, and a great many residents commute east to San Antonio every morning. Neighbors know each other, kids still walk to school events, and the pace measurably slows once you turn off the highway.
Housing market
Homes and what to expect
Housing in Castroville splits between two worlds. In town you find historic limestone and Alsatian-style homes, some lovingly restored, sitting on compact lots inside the historic district. Around the edges and along the county roads, the market is newer: brick and stone family homes, plus acreage tracts and hobby farms that appeal to buyers who want land. Recent market reports put the median sale price around $475,000 to $494,000, with the middle half of sales roughly $385,000 to $566,000 and newer or larger listings above that. These are ranges from real sales, not promises, and I will happily pull current comparables for your target.
Market snapshot
Price Ranges
- Middle half of recent sales
- $385K – $566K
- Median sale price (2026)
- ~$475K – $494K
- Newer and larger homes
- $560K+
Land
Typical Lot Sizes
- Historic district lots
- compact, walkable
- Newer neighborhood lots
- roughly 0.2 – 0.4 acres
- Acreage and hobby farms
- 1 – 5+ acres
Schools
Medina Valley ISD
Castroville is home to Medina Valley ISD, whose headquarters sit right in town. The district has grown quickly as families have moved west, and it has added brand-new campuses in recent years, including Creek View High School, to keep up. For families priced out of some of the metro's headline districts, Medina Valley is one of the more interesting plays in the region: room to grow, shorter commutes to the west side, and real community investment in the schools. I have the full Medina Valley ISD guide with ratings and what relocating families should check.
Read the full Medina Valley ISD guideGetting around
Commute and access
Castroville sits about 25 to 30 miles west of downtown San Antonio, a quick hop down US 90 that usually takes about half an hour outside of rush hour. US 90 connects to Loop 410 and then to the rest of the city, while FM 471 curls north toward the Hill Country. The trade is real but predictable: a calm, slower town in exchange for a daily highway commute east.
Lifestyle
Things to do in Castroville
Life in Castroville centers on the river, the historic streets, and small-town events. Castroville Regional Park has trails and swimming, the Landmark Inn is a state historic site right on the Medina, and the historic district is a pleasant walk any afternoon. For restaurants, shopping, and big-city nights, US 90 gets you to western San Antonio in about half an hour, and the rest of Medina County is close by. It is the classic small-town-with-a-commute arrangement, done better than most.
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Who it's for
Castroville fits people who want the charm, history, and quiet of a small Texas town but still need to work in San Antonio: growing families drawn to Medina Valley ISD's new schools, buyers who want acreage without being an hour from everything, and empty nesters ready to trade suburbia for a walkable historic main street.
Castroville FAQ
How far is Castroville from San Antonio?
About 25 to 30 miles west on US 90, roughly a 30-minute drive to the western part of the city outside of rush hour. Downtown and the airport run a bit longer.
What schools serve Castroville?
Medina Valley ISD, whose headquarters are in Castroville itself. The district has been modernizing and adding campuses, including the new Creek View High School, to handle growth.
What kind of homes will I find?
Historic limestone and Alsatian-style homes in town, newer brick-and-stone family homes around the edges, and acreage or hobby-farm properties along the county roads. Recent sales have centered around $475,000 to $494,000, with a wide range depending on vintage and land.
Is Castroville growing?
Yes, steadily. Medina County is one of the metro's quieter growth stories, and the new school campuses plus US 90 access have made Castroville a realistic option for west-side commuters who want a real small town.
Let me help you call Castroville home.
If a river town with Alsatian charm and a 30-minute commute sounds like your version of home, let me show you Castroville. I know which houses are worth your time, what the historic district rules mean for renovations, and how the Medina Valley ISD growth story plays out in the market. Reach out with what you're looking for, or book a free consult and we'll dig in.
