property
Hewitt Suburb Surges as I-35 Widening Attracts New Builders and Buyers
I-35 widening and local road upgrades are channeling buyers and builders into this southern Waco suburb.
How we reported this
Hewitt issued 184 new residential building permits through the first half of 2026, a 22 percent jump from the same period last year, as crews finished the latest phase of I-35 frontage road improvements between Spring Valley Road and Hewitt Drive.
The timing lines up with broader Waco market pressure, where city-core listings now average under 18 days on market and buyers priced out of Baylor-adjacent neighborhoods are moving south along the interstate corridor for larger lots and newer stock.
Construction clusters along South Hewitt Drive near the Central Texas Marketplace retail center and stretches west toward the McLennan County Precinct 1 maintenance yard on Highway 6, where a new 1.8-mile connector road opened to traffic in March.
Price trends and buyer profile
Median sale prices in Hewitt reached $312,000 in June 2026, according to the Waco Association of Realtors multiple listing service, up from $265,000 twelve months earlier. Three-bedroom homes on half-acre lots near the new frontage lanes accounted for 61 percent of those sales.
Local builders report steady demand from Waco commuters who work at the nearby GE Aerospace plant on University Parks Drive and from families relocating for Waco ISD boundary adjustments that took effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Next steps for buyers and investors
City planning documents show two additional commercial pads at the Marketplace interchange scheduled for permitting review by September, which could add another 40,000 square feet of retail space. Prospective buyers should check current flood maps along the South Bosque River tributaries and confirm sewer tap availability through the City of Hewitt public works office before signing contracts.
Watch for zoning updates tied to the ongoing I-35 corridor study, due for final city council vote in October, which will determine whether additional multifamily density is allowed within 500 feet of the frontage roads.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.