Converse sits in northeast Bexar County, roughly 15 miles from downtown San Antonio and directly adjacent to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The city covers about 7.5 square miles with a population near 30,000 residents as of 2025. That population has grown over 25% since 2010, driven largely by affordable housing stock compared to San Antonio proper and quick base access
Most of the recent residential development has pushed north and east toward Loop 1604 and FM 1516. Subdivisions like Horizon Pointe and Northampton filled out over the last decade, while newer builds continue along the 78109 ZIP code’s outer edges. Judson ISD serves the majority of Converse, with a few pockets falling into Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD near the northern boundary. Median home prices in Converse run between $230,000 and $280,000, well below the San Antonio metro median of roughly $310,000.
What makes Converse stand out
Converse sits in northeast Bexar County, roughly 15 miles from downtown San Antonio and directly adjacent to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The city covers about 7.5 square miles with a population near 30,000 residents as of 2025. That population has grown over 25% since 2010, driven largely by affordable housing stock compared to San Antonio proper and quick base access
- County: Bexar County, within the San Antonio-New Braunfels metro area (population 2.6 million)
- Major corridors: FM 78 runs east-west through the city center; Loop 1604 borders the north side with access to I-35 and I-10
- Military proximity: JBSA-Randolph’s main gate is less than 3 miles from most Converse neighborhoods, making it one of the closest off-base housing options
- Growth trend: Population grew from roughly 18,000 in 2010 to over 28,000 by the 2020 census, with continued infill development since
Converse at a glance
What you can buy in Converse
Converse rents run below the San Antonio metro average by roughly 5% to 10%, depending on unit size and location within the city. A one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,050 to $1,150 per month, while a three-bedroom single-family rental typically falls between $1,500 and $1,800. That pricing gap draws renters who want northeast Bexar County proximity without paying Live Oak or Schertz premiums.
Most rental inventory falls into two categories: older apartment complexes along FM 1516 and newer single-family rentals in subdivisions like Copperfield and Willow View. Newer construction commands higher rents but often includes updated kitchens, two-car garages, and HOA-maintained common areas. The older apartment stock tends to offer lower deposits and month-to-month flexibility after the initial lease term, which appeals to Military families on shorter assignment rotations at Randolph. Vacancy rates across both categories hover around 5% to 7%, keeping supply steady without creating bidding pressure.
- One-bedroom apartments: $1,050 to $1,150 per month, concentrated along FM 1516 and near Kitty Hawk Middle School
- Two-bedroom apartments: $1,200 to $1,350, with newer units in the Converse North corridor pushing toward the higher end
- Three-bedroom single-family rentals: $1,500 to $1,800 in established subdivisions like Northampton, Copperfield, and Horizon Pointe
- Four-bedroom single-family rentals: $1,750 to $2,100, limited inventory with most listings leasing within two weeks of hitting the market
Where to focus inside Converse
Converse’s population reflects the blended demographics typical of a Military-adjacent San Antonio suburb. No single ethnic group holds a majority, and the city’s median age of roughly 32 sits below the statewide figure of 35. That mix runs through most neighborhoods, though newer developments like Horizon Pointe and Retama Springs tend to attract younger families while established areas like Northampton and Meadowbrook pull a broader age range.
The Military footprint at nearby JBSA-Randolph shapes community makeup more than most buyers expect. Roughly 14% of Converse’s adult population identifies as Veterans, compared to about 9% across the San Antonio metro. Active-duty families rotate through on three- to four-year PCS cycles, which keeps the rental market active and brings cultural variety from every branch. Long-term residents, many of them former Military who settled after separating, anchor the civic groups, school booster clubs, and neighborhood HOAs that keep the community connected.
- Multiple subdivisions: Converse includes several distinct communities with different price points and experiences.
- Verify by address: Two homes in Converse can offer very different daily experiences depending on the specific subdivision.
- School zoning varies: Confirm the exact campus assignment for any address, since boundaries may not follow subdivision lines.
- Pick the section first: The sub-community drives your HOA cost, daily feel, and resale audience more than the floor plan.
Judson ISD campuses serving Converse
Converse is served primarily by Judson ISD, which covers most residential addresses in the area. School quality drives buyer demand and supports resale values across the local market. For more on Military family resources in the area, see our guide.
Verify the exact campus assignment for your specific address before making an offer. Attendance zones can shift, and two homes on the same street may feed into different campuses.
- Verify assignment by address: Attendance zones do not always follow subdivision boundaries. Confirm the exact elementary, middle, and high school for your lot.
- School quality supports resale: Homes zoned to higher-rated campuses typically sell faster and at a premium.
- Kitty Hawk Middle School: One of the notable campuses serving the area. Check current TEA ratings and enrollment capacity.
- Compare districts honestly: If school quality is not a priority, similarly priced homes in other districts may offer more space or lower taxes.
Getting to and from Converse
Converse connects to the broader San Antonio area via major highways. Most daily errands stay within the immediate area, and downtown is reachable in ~15 mi.
Rush-hour traffic adds time to any commute estimate. Test your actual route at your departure time before committing.
- Test the real drive: Off-peak estimates and rush-hour reality can differ by 15 to 20 minutes on the same route.
- Daily errands stay local: Grocery, dining, and basic services are generally accessible within the immediate area.
- Airport access: San Antonio International is reachable within 15 to 25 minutes from most addresses.
- Highway access matters: Proximity to major highways determines whether your commute works. Check your specific route.
Who Converse fits
How to buy well in Converse
Buying in Converse requires comparing specific subdivisions rather than treating the area as a single market. Use this checklist to cover the variables that matter most.
- Ignoring school zone boundaries. Converse feeds into both Judson ISD and East Central ISD. Two houses on the same street can land in different districts with different ratings. Verify the assigned school before making an offer.
- Skipping the flood zone check. Parts of Converse near Martinez Creek and Salado Creek carry FEMA flood designations. Flood insurance adds $1,200 to $3,000 per year to your carrying costs.
- Overlooking HOA transfer fees. Several Converse subdivisions charge $200 to $500 in HOA transfer fees at closing. These don’t appear on initial listing sheets and surprise buyers at the title table.
- Assuming JBSA-Randolph commute times are uniform. The north end of Converse to Randolph’s main gate runs 8 to 12 minutes. From the south side near FM 1516, expect 18 to 22 minutes during morning gate traffic.
- Waiving inspections on newer builds. Homes built after 2018 in Converse still show foundation settling, drainage grading issues, and HVAC undersizing. A $400 inspection catches problems that cost $5,000 or more to fix later.
- Verify school zoning by address: Attendance boundaries can split a street. Confirm the exact campus assignment before writing an offer.
The bottom line on Converse
The best neighborhoods in Converse come down to three factors: proximity to parks, newer construction, and access to higher-rated school feeders. Those three signals separate the strongest subdivisions from the rest of the city. With a median household income in the $58,000 to $63,000 range and a cost of living that runs below the San Antonio metro average, buyers get more house per dollar here than in most surrounding areas.
Converse’s location 15 miles from downtown San Antonio and directly adjacent to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph adds commute flexibility for both civilian and Military buyers. Rents running 5% to 10% below metro averages and a median age around 32 reflect a younger, cost-conscious community still in its growth phase. Focus your search on the subdivisions that check all three neighborhood quality markers, and skip the ones that only check one.
