Dessau

Dessau is an unincorporated community located in northeastern Travis County, approximately eleven miles northeast of Austin and two miles southwest of Pflugerville. Named after a town in Germany, Dessau sits at the intersection of two rapidly developing areas—Pflugerville to the east and Tech Ridge to the south—creating a unique suburban enclave that benefits from both established residential character and explosive commercial growth. Although technically under Austin's jurisdiction, Dessau uses Pflugerville addresses and is served by Pflugerville ISD, making it feel more aligned with Pflugerville than central Austin. The neighborhood is centered around the historic Fort Dessau, established in 1873 as a Texas Landmark, which has been restored and incorporated into modern development. The area is accessible via Interstate 35 to Howard Lane heading east, then south on Dessau Road, positioning it conveniently between major employment centers and established suburban amenities.

Dessau is a diverse, middle-income suburban neighborhood characterized by significant demographic diversity and high residential mobility. The community is notably multicultural, with 36.9% of residents identifying as Mexican, 16.0% as Asian, and 30.1% of residents born in another country. English is spoken by 41.4% of households, with Spanish and Vietnamese also commonly spoken. The neighborhood attracts a unique demographic profile, including a notably high concentration of same-sex couples—more than 98.2% of U.S. neighborhoods—making it an inclusive community. Residents enjoy access to community parks, dog parks, trails, a community pool, and garden spaces, with the restored Fort Dessau serving as a distinctive community gathering point. The typical commute for residents ranges from 15 to 30 minutes one-way to work for 53.7% of commuters, which is shorter than the national average, reflecting the area's proximity to Tech Ridge employment centers and reasonable access to central Austin.

Dessau is served by Pflugerville Independent School District (Pflugerville ISD). Students in the Fort Dessau neighborhood typically attend Barron Elementary (rated 5/10), Dessau Middle School (rated 3/10), and John B. Connally High School (rated 2/10) according to Great Schools ratings as of June 2025. These ratings reflect the district's performance metrics, though families should verify current boundaries and ratings directly with Pflugerville ISD, as ratings are subject to change.

Specific dining and entertainment venues within Dessau itself are limited due to its primarily residential character. However, the neighborhood's location between Pflugerville and Tech Ridge provides convenient access to commercial development in both areas. Residents benefit from proximity to shopping centers and dining options in nearby Pflugerville and along the Tech Ridge corridor. The restored Fort Dessau historic site serves as a unique community landmark and gathering space, offering residents a distinctive local point of interest that combines historical significance with modern amenities.

Dessau's housing market is characterized by newer construction and diverse housing types. The median real estate price is $408,036, which is more expensive than 72.3% of Texas neighborhoods and 54.9% of U.S. neighborhoods. Approximately 80.9% of residential real estate is classified as newer, with most homes built between 2000 and today, completely dominating the neighborhood's landscape. The area contains a notably high concentration of mobile homes—33.0% of occupied housing—making it one of the top 3.9% of American neighborhoods for mobile home prevalence. Housing stock primarily consists of medium-sized three to four-bedroom single-family homes alongside smaller studio to two-bedroom units. New construction developments like Fort Dessau by DR Horton offer floor plans ranging from 1,300 to 3,000 square feet with features including open floor plans, granite counters, tile floors, and walk-in showers, with some units featuring three-car garages. The average rental price is $1,998, higher than 64.1% of Texas neighborhoods. The property tax rate in the area is 2.1382% as of the 2024 tax year. Most residential real estate is occupied by a mixture of owners and renters, with the neighborhood experiencing exceptionally high residential mobility—more residents moved in within the past five years than 97.1% of U.S. neighborhoods—indicating a dynamic, transient community attractive to newcomers and those seeking affordable new construction in the greater Austin metropolitan area.