“We absolutely love being here, and all of the businesses are so supportive of each other,” said Kari Sneed, owner of Sage & Co. and KC Outfitter.
Bastrop officials said local shops are flourishing—in part due to the rapid population growth.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports a nearly 60% increase in the city’s population over the past decade, with the total population estimated at 12,306 people as of 2024. Bastrop City Manager Sylvia Carrillo said that number could nearly double by 2029.
Michaela Joyce, Main Street Bastrop director, said more people means more sales tax revenue—a portion of which is recirculated back into the local economy for residents and business owners alike.
Despite a slight dip in sales tax revenue over the past two months—which city officials attribute to the election season—local shop owners are poised to thrive this holiday season.
Some context
Local real estate broker Jennifer Long said she’s never seen so many local businesses downtown, noting that the vacancy rate has decreased from about 50% to under 10% in the past 10 years.
“It’s really the strongest tenant mix in decades, maybe even ever,” Long said. “For the first time, you can pretty much get anything you need here without having to go into Austin.”
Visit Bastrop Marketing Director Ashton LaFuente agreed, adding that she is excited to see Bastrop’s future.
“The evolution of Bastrop’s retail scene and what’s to come with new developments is a testament to the city’s growth and appeal,” LaFuente said.
Based on data from the Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, there is a strong correlation between the surge in local businesses and increased sales tax revenue—which grew by nearly 150% in the past decade.
Staying local
Angela Ryan, director for the Bastrop EDC, said Bastrop’s sales tax is 8.25%, with the revenue split between the city, county and state.
Officials with the Small Business Association, an independent government agency that supports local businesses, explained that about $68 of every $100 locally spent is recirculated into the city’s economy.
“There’s a huge chunk of local sales tax that generates roads and all the things that we need to have in the community,” said Adena Lewis, Bastrop County Tourism and Economic director. “When you shop locally, you’re giving the money back to your community as well.”
Through services like street maintenance, residents and visitors benefit from shopping locally.
Who it effects
Becki Womble, Bastrop Chamber of Commerce executive director, said she believes Bastrop maintains its small-town charm despite a growing population because of thriving local shops. That small-town charm is still evident when shoppers buy from local stores, Lewis said.
“We know the people, we live next to the people, our kids go to school with their kids,” Lewis said. “In big cities, it’s not always obvious to you that you’re actually helping a neighbor or a friend when you shop at a small business.”
- 4,943 individuals, or 10.89% of the estimated workforce is in the retail industry
- 21.96% increase in the number of people employed in the retail industry from 2013 to 2023
- 524 total businesses
- 15,632 daytime population
To continue that momentum, Joyce said she recently started a campaign to encourage downtown shops to stay open later through the end of the year. Joyce also said that work on a Downtown Master Plan will soon begin to tackle issues such as parking—improving accessibility for shoppers and business owners in the area.
“We sometimes get creative to galvanize and inspire more people to shop locally,” said Bastrop Public Information Officer Colin Guerra. “It’s all connected, and it all has a synergistic effect. The more you shop locally, the more business owners thrive, and the more city services we can fund.”
