Hill Country deer, 2008
Canyon Lake’s story
Canyon Lake in pictures
Census counts: 9,975 in 1990, 31,124 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 2008 and 3 maps from 1927 on.
Explore the history →
Canyon LakeTX
Public schools that outperform most of Texas. A town in Texas, home to 33,883 people.
1 bordering townMap →
Fischer Historic District · Photo: Renelibrary · CC BY-SA 4.0
Population
33,883
Census survey, 2020–24
Typical home
$392K
−1.8% in a year
Household income
$97K
median
Median age
48.2
years
Jobs based here
3,615
A commuter town
TownGrade
B−
#213 of 640 in TX
Is Canyon Lake a good place to live?
Real strengths, and real weak spots. Where it falls short is cost of living (C−): the typical home is worth about $392K, 5.1 years of the San Antonio metro’s $76K median household income. Its strongest is schools (A) — its schools rank ahead of 86% of Texas towns. Overall, that makes a B−, good for 213th of 640 in Texas. That leaves it better than 45% of U.S. towns. Canyon Lake has 1 place on the National Register. Canyon Park, at 461 acres with 10.5 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve. The town’s average trip to work is 39 minutes, where Texas’ towns sit at 25 minutes and U.S. towns at 25 minutes.
Figures: schools, state test and graduation results · home values, Zillow · incomes, Census ACS, 2020–24 · National Register of Historic Places · OpenStreetMap.
What makes Canyon Lake stand out
Where Canyon Lake beats most towns.
A growing town
Canyon Lake has grown 46% from 2010 to 2020
21,262 counted in 2010 and 31,124 in 2020.
U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts
How Canyon Lake grades
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Texas), ordered by how far Canyon Lake is from typical.
SchoolsBased on how pupils do in exams and testsAOpen →Hazard riskInland flooding tops the listC−Open →Cost of livingHomes are harder to afford than in most townsC−Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 5.4 of 20; 3% of households have no car; 1.2% of workers walk, bike or ride transitCOpen →Jobs & income$97K median household incomeB+Open →HealthResolute Health Hospital 15.6 miles awayB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
OutdoorsAhead of most towns comparedB+Open →HistoryGraded on historic places and the town’s ageDOpen →Civic life2.5 library visits per resident; 3.8 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsC+Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Getting set up
Moving to Canyon Lake: who provides what
Canyon Lake is unincorporated, so Comal County and regional agencies provide most services.
PowerPedernales Electric Coop12.8¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterSjwtx Triple Peak Plant water system1 health-based violation in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet7 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & county servicesComal CountyComal County provides services here
Register to voteIn personTexas has no online registration; you can register in person until 30 days before Election Day or by mail (postmarked 30 days before).vote.govWho runs elections hereComal County Early Voting ClerkComal County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2017
ZIP codes78133, 78070, 78132, 7862378133 64% · 78070 19% · 78132 14% · 78623 3%Census 2020
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
The data
Ordered by what stands out in Canyon Lake.
Canyon Lake has hotter summers than nearly all U.S. towns, has home values still below their peak and sends most of its workers to San Antonio and beyond.
SchoolsA
Canyon Lake’s grade for schools is an A
The largest public high school is Canyon Lake H S, with 1,066 students. The public schools here belong to Comal ISD. Below: Three of its 6 schools, each with why it was picked.
86%of TX districts it outscoresASchool Grade
| School | Level | Students | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt. Valley MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8 | Grades 6–8 | 781 | A− |
| Canyon Lake H SLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12 | Grades 9–12 | 1,066 | A− |
| Rebecca Creek ElTop results in townGrades PK–5 | Grades PK–5 | 578 | A− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within TX on state tests and graduation
Work & commuteJobs & income grade B+
Most working residents commute out of Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake has 3,615 jobs for its 13,618 working residents: even if every job went to a resident, most would still commute out. The average commute takes 38.9 minutes, against 26.7 across Texas.
The median commute is under 28 miles. Since 2013, Canyon Lake has added 1,606 jobs, to 3,615 in 2023. Most people who work leave Canyon Lake to do it: just 8% work in town. Among workers here, 24% work from home.
8%work in town
| Canyon Lake | Texas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 39 minutes | 25 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Work from home | 24% | 9.6% | 11% |
| Median household income | $97,000 | $69,000 | $80,000 |
| Below the poverty line | 7.3% | 12% | 9.6% |
Where working residents work
In Canyon Lake8%
San Antonio25%
New Braunfels14%
Austin9%
Houston4%
28 mi
median commute distance
3,615
jobs based in Canyon Lake
A commuter town
jobs vs. working residents
C
Walkability grade: more walkable than 27% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
HousingCost of living grade C−
Canyon Lake’s grade for cost of living is a C−
The typical value, about $392K, is 13% below its July 2022 peak.
The share of households in Canyon Lake who are owner-occupiers: 87%. The typical Canyon Lake home is worth about $392,000, down 1.8% in a year, 32% above the Texas typical home. A home in Canyon Lake typically sold within 103 days of listing.
$392KZillow home value
| Canyon Lake | Texas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 87% | 69% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,327 a month | $1,206 a month | $1,185 a month |
Typical home value
Canyon Lake$392K
Texas$296K
Market temperature
103
days on market
97.2%
sale-to-list price
−1.8%
value change, 1 year
76
homes sold in September
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C−
Natural hazards: high risk in Canyon Lake, mostly inland flooding
Flood insurance has paid out on 22 claims in Canyon Lake since 1997. Expected damage from storms and floods is higher here than in 73% of U.S. communities. Of the losses FEMA expects locally, 80% come from inland flooding and 8% from tornadoes. Federal aid has come to Canyon Lake households in 2 declared disasters; the latest was in 2021.
73risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingTornadoes
22
paid flood claims since 1997
2
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA disaster declarations and aid · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Who lives here
Fewer adults under 35 in Canyon Lake than across Texas
The bachelor’s-degree share among adults 25 and older is 36%, against 34% across Texas. Adults 18 to 34 are 14% of residents (24% statewide); people 65 and older are 24% of residents (13% statewide). Canyon Lake’s median age comes in at 48.2 years.
48.2median age · TX 35.6
| Canyon Lake | Texas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.2 years | 35.8 years | 40.5 years |
| Aged 65 or older | 24% | 14% | 18% |
| Under 18 | 20% | 26% | 22% |
| Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+ | 36% | 23% | 29% |
Canyon LakeTexasUnited States
Ages · share of residents
18%
Education · adults 25 and older
No diploma5%
High school26%
Some college23%
Associate’s9%
Bachelor’s24%
Graduate13%
Women and men · all residents
49% women, 51% men
That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±1.8 points. Across Texas, 50.1% of residents are women. Median age: women 48.6, men 47.8.
| Canyon Lake | TX | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | 11.3% | 13.3% | 11.6% |
| 10 to 17 | 8.2% | 11.7% | 10.3% |
| 18 to 24 | 4% | 9.7% | 9.1% |
| 25 to 34 | 9.7% | 14.5% | 13.7% |
| 35 to 44 | 13.1% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 12.3% | 12.3% | 12.2% |
| 55 to 64 | 17.8% | 11.1% | 12.7% |
| 65 to 74 | 15.6% | 8.2% | 10.2% |
| 75 and older | 7.9% | 5.2% | 7% |
| No diploma | 5.2% | 14% | 10.4% |
| High school | 25.9% | 24.3% | 26% |
| Some college | 23.3% | 20.1% | 19.1% |
| Associate’s | 9.2% | 7.7% | 8.8% |
| Bachelor’s | 23.6% | 21.5% | 21.6% |
| Graduate | 12.8% | 12.3% | 14.1% |
U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Climate
Expect mild winters and hot summers in Canyon Lake
July afternoons average 95.1°, hotter than in 96% of U.S. towns; January nights average 38.7°.
The July high for Canyon Lake comes to 95°F. Snow almost never falls.
96°summer high
| Canyon Lake | Texas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July high | 95°F | 95°F | 85°F |
| January low | 39°F | 37°F | 22°F |
Typical low → high °F
Winter40–64°
Spring57–80°
Summer72–94°
Fall57–81°
Dec 1
typical first frost
Mar 1
typical last frost
+1.1°
vs. the 20th-century average
96°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
OutdoorsB+
Conservation land takes up 14% of Canyon Lake
Count the trails in 9 parks and preserves and they come to 32 miles. Canyon Lake’s density of trails is 0.2 miles per square mile.
#314for trails in TX
| Canyon Lake | Texas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conserved land | 14% | 1.9% | 4.3% |
| Miles of trail per square mile | 0.2 miles per square mile | 0.3 | 0.4 |
14%
conserved · 13,993 of 99,619 acres
32 mi
of trails · 0.2 per sq mi
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Canyon Park | 10.5 mi | 461 |
| 2. Hidden Valley Sports Park | 0.9 mi | 85 |
| 3. Cranes Mill Park | 0.4 mi | 228 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
HealthB−
Residents of Canyon Lake are healthier than 54% of U.S. towns
Against the 8,960 U.S. towns with household incomes like Canyon Lake’s, it is less healthy than 65%: its national edge comes with its incomes.
13% of adults worry about having enough food in Canyon Lake. On the CDC’s 31 measures, Canyon Lake is ahead of Texas on 10 and behind on 6. Two figures for adults locally: 15% report frequent mental distress, 80% had a checkup this year.
55%healthier than U.S. townsB−Health Grade
| Canyon Lake | Texas towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (CDC PLACES) | 41% | 35% | 35% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 15% | 18% | 17% |
| Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES) | 80% | 74% | 79% |
| No health insurance, 18–64 (CDC PLACES) | 12% | 18% | 8.1% |
31 measures vs. Texas
10 better15 too close to call6 worse
| What stands out | Canyon Lake | TX |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer uninsured adults | 11.5% | 19.1% |
| Fewer adults facing housing insecurity | 10.8% | 16.4% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 10.3% | 6.1% |
Resolute Health Hospital
15.6 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
66th
percentile among TX towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Nearby attractions
All 84 attractions →Jacob's Well (Texas) and 49 more within 40 miles
Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Canyon Lake. Close and well known come first.
14 mi CaveJacob's Well (Texas)
Big draw34 mi Stadium & arenaAlamodome
34 mi LandmarkAlamo Mission
33 mi Stadium & arenaFrost Bank Center
28 mi Theme parkSix Flags Fiesta Texas
29 mi National Historical ParkLyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park38K visitors a yearSources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits
Jacob's Well (Texas): Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0 · Alamodome: Billy Hathorn, CC BY 3.0 · Alamo Mission: Zygmunt Put Zetpe0202, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Frost Bank Center: Atristan 77, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Six Flags Fiesta Texas: Chris Hagerman, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park: National Park Service, Public domain
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Canyon Lake
17pages on Canyon Lake
The big questions
Out and about
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Canyon Lake; the nearest are
Texas State UniversityUniversity or college · Public · San Marcos19.1 mi$11,450 in-state tuitionNortheast Lakeview CollegeCommunity college · Public · Universal City23.1 mi$3,412 in-state tuition
About 2 of every 100 Canyon Lake residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Texas.
A commuter town
92% of working residents leave Canyon Lake for work
Where Canyon Lake’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.
3,615jobs based in Canyon Lake
8%of working residents work in town
28 mimedian commute distance
Census LEHD 2023
About Canyon Lake
CDP in Texas, United States
Canyon Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) in Comal County, Texas, United States. The population was 31,124 at the 2020 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Canyon Lake CDP includes a number of small, unincorporated communities surrounding Canyon Lake, including Sattler, Startzville, Canyon City, Cranes Mill, and Hancock. Communities located on the fringes of the CDP are Fischer, Spring Branch, and Smithson Valley.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 157 sq mi
- Elevation
- 965 ft
- ZIP code
- 78133
- Area code
- 830
Canyon Lake’s neighbors
One town shares a border with Canyon Lake.
Spring BranchCanyon Lake
How the neighbors grade
| Town | TX rank | Overall | Cost | Safety | Schools | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Lake | #213 | B− | C− | — | A | B− |
| Spring Branch | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Canyon Lake reports no FBI crime data of its own. Spring Branch isn’t graded (fewer than 1,000 residents, or not enough data). Compare Canyon Lake with a neighbor →
Questions about Canyon Lake
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Canyon Lake, TX a good place to live?
Canyon Lake grades B− overall, better than 45% of U.S. towns and #213 of 640 in Texas. It grades B− for health and A for schools. Hazard risk is its weak spot, with a C−.
Is Canyon Lake, TX expensive?
Yes. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades C−.