Paloma Lake is a master-planned community in north Round Rock with a swim center, multiple parks, and Round Rock ISD schools. Homes range from $350K to $550K across established resale and newer construction sections. The community sits along SH 45 with easy access to I-35, Samsung in Taylor, and The Domain.
Round Rock’s Paloma Lake corridor
Paloma Lake stands out in Round Rock for one reason most master-planned communities can’t match: a 30-acre stocked lake that anchors the entire neighborhood. Residents fish, kayak, and walk the shoreline trail without leaving the subdivision. Two resort-style pools, a splash pad, and a fitness center round out the amenity package.
Location is the other differentiator. Sitting just west of the 130 toll road, Paloma Lake gives residents a straight shot to the tech corridor along 45 and I-35 while staying far enough east to avoid the congestion that bogs down central Round Rock. Homes here tend to run larger than comparable Round Rock subdivisions, with most built between 2,000 and 4,000 square feet.
Round Rock ISD schools serve the community, and the neighborhood’s maintained landscaping and walking trails keep property values steady. For a broader look at how Paloma Lake compares, check the Austin neighborhood directory.
- 30-acre stocked lake anchors the community and allows catch-and-release fishing
- Master-planned layout includes pools, parks, and connected walking trails
- Located in east Round Rock just west of the 130 toll road
- Zoned to Round Rock ISD schools with large single-family homes
Paloma Lake at a glance
What Paloma Lake offers buyers
Paloma Lake homes sit in the $320K to $480K range, with most resales landing between $350K and $430K. The community is largely built out, so inventory is almost entirely resale single-family homes on standard suburban lots. You will find a handful of newer construction phases on the north end, but expect to compete with other buyers for those limited options.
Floor plans run from three-bedroom starter homes around 1,600 square feet up to five-bedroom layouts pushing 3,500 square feet. Builders like Meritage and Taylor Morrison developed much of the community, so construction quality is consistent across sections. Browse Paloma Lake homes for sale to see what is currently available and how quickly listings move in this pocket of Round Rock.
- Resale prices cluster between $350K and $430K for most listings
- Community is largely built out with limited new construction available
- Located in east Round Rock just west of the 130 toll road
- Large homes with nearby trails, landscaping and convenient highway access
Where to focus inside Paloma Lake
Paloma Lake is one large master-planned community rather than a collection of named subdivisions, but the layout creates distinct pockets that feel different depending on where you land. Homes closest to the 30-acre lake and the connected trail system carry a premium and tend to be the larger floor plans from Meritage and Taylor Morrison. The sections along the northern edge sit closer to Wyoming Springs Drive and offer quicker access to the 130 Toll, which matters for commuters heading to the Domain or downtown Austin.
The southern portions of the neighborhood back up to open green space and tend to be quieter, drawing more families with younger kids. Street layout throughout Paloma Lake is curvilinear with cul-de-sacs, so through traffic stays minimal regardless of which section you’re in. There’s no gated entry, but the HOA maintains a consistent look across all areas.
- Single master-planned community with no named subdivisions or sub-neighborhoods
- Distinct pockets form naturally around parks, trails, and cul-de-sac clusters
- Homes range from single-story starter layouts to larger two-story family plans
- Connected trail network and greenbelts tie all sections of the community together
Campuses that serve Paloma Lake
Paloma Lake feeds into Round Rock ISD, one of the highest-rated districts in Central Texas. The feeder pattern runs Elsa England Elementary to Walsh Middle School to Stony Point High School. All three campuses are well-regarded, and Stony Point’s size means a wide range of athletics, AP courses, and extracurriculars that smaller high schools can’t offer.
RRISD boundaries do shift occasionally, so confirm the current feeder pattern through the district’s boundary lookup tool before making a decision based on schools alone. TEA accountability ratings for all three campuses are published annually at tea.texas.gov.
The school tax component is the largest piece of that estimated 2.1% combined property tax rate. Families moving from Austin ISD or Pflugerville ISD typically see comparable or slightly lower school taxes in RRISD, with campuses that consistently perform at or above state averages.
- Round Rock ISD is one of the highest-rated districts in Central Texas
- Feeder pattern runs Elsa England Elementary to Walsh Middle School
- District offers magnet and dual-language programs at multiple campuses
- High school students feed into Round Rock or Stony Point High School
Getting around from Paloma Lake
Paloma Lake sits right off SH-45 with direct access to SH-130, which makes southbound commutes to Austin surprisingly manageable. During morning rush, the 130 toll gets you to the Domain in about 20 minutes and downtown Austin in 30 to 35. That speed costs roughly $3 to $5 in tolls each way, so budget $150 or more monthly if you’re a daily toll commuter.
I-35 is the free alternative, but morning southbound backups between SH-45 and Parmer Lane regularly add 15 to 20 minutes. SH-79 runs west into Round Rock proper, putting you at La Frontera or the Dell campus in under 10 minutes with minimal traffic.
Residents comparing commute options across Round Rock should also look at the Teravista Neighborhood Guide for a community with similar highway positioning but different I-35 access points.
- SH-130 tollway provides a direct southbound route into Austin
- SH-45 and I-35 access points sit minutes from the neighborhood
- SH-79 connects residents to Round Rock shops and offices
- East Round Rock location keeps most errands within a short drive
Who Paloma Lake fits
What to verify before you buy in Paloma Lake
Start with the tax bill. Paloma Lake lots fall under Williamson County, Round Rock ISD, and a Municipal Utility District, pushing the effective property tax rate to roughly 2.1%. On a $400K home, that’s around $8,400 a year before any homestead exemption. File your homestead exemption immediately after closing to knock that down.
Request the Paloma Lake HOA resale certificate early in your option period. Monthly dues run $50 to $150 depending on your lot and any supplemental assessments. Check the reserve fund balance and whether any special assessments are pending for lake maintenance or amenity repairs. The HOA manages the lake, trails, and common areas, so underfunded reserves show up fast.
Confirm your exact feeder pattern with Round Rock ISD’s boundary tool before making an offer. Paloma Lake feeds Elsa England Elementary, Walsh Middle School, and Stony Point High School, but boundary adjustments happen, and a street-level check protects you from surprises at enrollment.
- Williamson County taxes plus MUD assessments push effective rates above 2.5 percent
- Round Rock ISD schools serve the subdivision with strong academic ratings
- Resale homes mostly large single-family built between 2007 and 2015
- Toll 130 access puts downtown Austin roughly 30 minutes north by car
The verdict on Paloma Lake
Paloma Lake is one of the stronger buys in Round Rock if you want a master-planned community without paying master-planned prices. The $350K to $430K sweet spot gets you a well-built home with access to a 30-acre stocked lake, miles of trails, and a feeder pattern into Round Rock ISD. That combination is hard to match elsewhere in the corridor.
The main trade-off is the tax load. Between Williamson County, Round Rock ISD, and the MUD, you’re looking at an effective rate around 2.1%, plus $50 to $150 per month in HOA dues. Budget for both before you fall in love with a listing.
Commute access via SH-45 and SH-130 keeps Austin jobs within reach, and the community is largely built out, which means fewer construction trucks and a more settled feel. For buyers who want lake-community living without a lake-community price tag, Paloma Lake delivers.
