Round Rock is located in Williamson County and is 17 miles north of Austin, Texas. It is part of the Austin – San Marcos metropolitan area and has a population of 105,412 residents. The city has seen major improvements since the last decade and has become an increasingly prominent residential town and economic hub for the region. The city is a family oriented community and has a lot of recreational facilities focused accordingly. Thousands of people are moving to Round Rock every year. Over the last decade moving companies in Williamson County have had a roaring business.
Economy:
Over the last decade, the city of Round Rock has seen tremendous economic growth. From an average town of 60,000 it has become a thriving city with enormous economic activity. Major companies like technology giant Dell, furniture giant IKEA and other companies like Toppan Photomasks, Sears, KoMiCo Inc and TECO – Westinghouse have brought enormous growth to Round Rock. Dell was originally based in Austin, but then decided on moving to Round Rock because of a very profitable offer from the city government. Today it is a major hub for industry clusters in energy, advanced manufacturing, computer and software technology, and life sciences. The median household income is $68,983 per annum which is way higher than the state average. Other major employers include healthcare, education and retail companies.
History:
The town originates from a settlement known as Brushy which was established in 1851. It was located on the banks of Brushy Creek at a natural fording spot. In 1854 a round shaped rock was discovered at the bottom of the creek where the water was shallow. The rock had old wagon marks as the location was used as a frequent crossing. When the postal office asked the town to be renamed, the name was changed to Round Rock in tribute to the rock. In 1876, the railroad arrived in the region. This caused most of the commercial activity to be centred on the railroad and left the original settlement toward the city boundary. The older area is now referred to as Old Town. Over time the Old Town area developed historical importance. Many speciality shops relocated to Old Town for an elitist touch to their marketing. The area has been restored and is now a prime tourist location.
Tourism:
Round Rock is visited by many people for sightseeing. The Old Town area is famous for shopping and the Travis Lake is popular for water sports, fishing and camping. There are several resorts and vacation homes along the lake. The area is also famous for its mineral outcroppings and fossils. Another boating location is the nearby Austin Lake. The lake is particularly favoured by water skiing enthusiasts. The presence of major companies also means that the city has numerous promotional public events like concerts, carnivals and festivals.