Brief History

The city of Cedar Park begins with the Bell, Cluck and Crumley families. While taking a drive through this once rural city, you will see evidence of these families throughout the city. George and Harriet Cluck purchased what is now known as Cedar Park, in 1873. The land was rich in Limestone and flooded with Cedar trees. The family settled in near the spring/creek which is now known today as Buttercup Creek and Bell Boulevard. This rural city was a product of the end of the Mercantile period and beginning of the Early Industrial Expansion period in the US Urban System development periods. Only being 16 miles out from the heart of Austin, Cedar Park began to flourish.

The Cluck’s sold a plot of land to the Austin North-West Railroad, which established the area within the Early industrial expansion period. The city became filled with “Blue Collar” workers, as the trees became a hot commodity for cutting and selling posts, these men were known as “Cedar Choppers”. Cedar Park was very much rural compared to Austin, residents were either working on the Railroad, in the nearby quarry, chopping cedar or local farmers/ranchers. Cedar Park slowly started becoming more populated, especially after the Bell family establish the Cedar Park Water company, bringing many jobs to the area. These towers are seen today in the city, now with the city's logo for all to see. The city officially became incorporated and established in 1973. This still left the city as a more rural area, meaning suburbanization was not yet occurring within this city as it was more of a lower-class area because of its working class population. By the time of the 1980 US Census, the city grew from 125 residents in 1970 to over 3,000 by 1980. The quiet cattle town was slowly reaching its boom, but the city wouldn’t reach the beginning of its peak until the late 90’s and early 2000’s, which lays down the foundation of why this city is still in its early developing stages. The city today is measuring close to 80,000 residents and counting.

Demographic and Economic Data

The city first incorporated in 1973, by 1990 the city had reported 206 rated businesses and a population of roughly 5,150. By 2000 the population was at 26,000 with 862 businesses operating out of the city. This was the beginning of a soon to be long peak of growth for this city. Now as of 2020 the city itself has roughly 85,000 residents, with an average median household income of $101,845. The city was ranked the 7th fastest growing city in the United States, alongside its neighboring city, Round Rock which is ranked at 13th fastest growing city.

The city is predominantly white as seen in the population chart. 71% of the population which is labeled as “Not Hispanic or Latino”, 94% of which is white, 5.7% is Black or African. The market within the city is populated by mostly middle age families with children. With 95.9% of the population over 25 being high school educated or more, and 49.2% of the over 25 age group holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Cedar Park has shown exponential growth since the city’s original establishment in 1973. The economy in the city is one that has not seen disparity, even during the recession. With an unemployment rate of only 3.1%, one can only assume the city is doing very well. Beginning its peak of urbanization, the city development has only just begun.

As previously discussed, the city began its first boom in the early 2000’s. Referencing the population table above, according to census data, the Annual Growth Rate went from 4.04% in 1990 to 17.57% in 2000. This is when the city began to see a huge jump in revenue, businesses and it’s population. The main attraction to this city was its accessibility to Austin, being only 15 miles away, young families began to establish life in this city. This is seen through the school district that covers almost all of Williamson County, and some of Travis County, Leander Independent School District (LISD). Being ranked the 7th fastest growing school district in the state, the growth of this city is very evident, making it a clear reason as to why there are many families that reside in the city. The district itself in the next five years has plans to open: five elementary schools, two middle schools and one more high school. This means the projected growth for this city has not been reached and seems to be jumping to incredible heights.

Politics and Processes

The city of Cedar Park established early on that it would be a “hometown” type of city, a few of the goals for the city listed through the 1998 comprehensive plan:

“Build a community where residents can do more than just live in their houses, where they can interact socially, economically and politically. Create the mechanisms that help foster a hometown Sense of Place, Sense of Character and Sense of Quality which identifies it as a regional destination. Create or develop a viable community/town center that will help foster a sense of place and create an identity for Cedar Park.”

Cedar Park officials have continued to keep the family aspect within the city itself. With that being said, the city has gained a “small town” feel, where everyone kind of knows everyone. Thus, creating a very distinctive way the urban governance is handled in this city. The theoretical approaches that are prominent in the city’s growth are pluralist mixed with managerialist and the corporatists models. The city council board has that small town feel, many have previously been civil servants (managerialist) which helps with proper policy implementation. The city has also become very privatized, many of the residential developments are privately ran by community associations. With the city having a zoning commission, planning board, community development board, and much more. The focus is placed on the development within this community as it begins to reach its peak growth. As these groups and boards change and adapt (pluralist model) so does the city. The city makers in this city are now land developers, as they own most of the properties which are being developed currently. There are a few areas still owned by the original families but have been listed as historical markers in the city. The growth in the city is very interesting, as they have gentrified most of the older sections into a new city, which falls under their comprehensive plan by revamping certain areas. These areas had been previously seen as less favored in terms of new growth but are now getting the attention necessary to create the city’s identity.

With the LISD school district covering the entire Williamson County and Cedar Park areas, education is not lacking nor is one school receiving better education than another. The city does a great job at trying to maintain a specific balance within this community, ensuring their goals and plans are properly implemented. Since this community is in its early development stages, you are not seeing much change in the neighborhood, more so it is massive growth. One area that has seen the most change is the “old 183” roadway and North Bell Blvd. Being one of the oldest areas in the city, this is where much of the growth began. The areas between this section, and 1431 are still often remembered by the original residents as a dirt road. The expansion in the city is the key aspect that has changed the city, from the HEB center, The Parke, and 1890 Ranch all being in the 1431 and 183 corridors. The multi-billion-dollar development of FM 1431 has shown the massive changes this city has seen over the years. The sustainability of the city is very clear, the growth has been very extreme, and the city has been very open about their plans to ensure that no one gets left behind in this path.