Manchaca, pronounced MAN-shak, is a designated census area in Travis County, Texas, situated 10 miles southwest of Austin’s city center.

Manchaca can be found at a latitude of 30 degrees, 8 minutes, and 7 seconds north and a longitude of 97 degrees, 50 minutes, and 11 seconds west. It encompasses an area of 1.9 square miles, comprising entirely of land.

Manchaca is a part of the Austin Independent School District, where residents are assigned to attend Menchaca Elementary School, Paredes Middle School, and Akins High School, all located in Austin.

Texas Farm-to-Market Road 1626 stretches east and west, while Texas Farm-to-Market Road 2304, also known as Manchaca Road or Menchaca Road in certain areas, runs south through the community of Manchaca before connecting to Austin city limits. In 2019, the northern part of the road was renamed Menchaca Road to honor Jose Antonio Menchaca, a Texas Revolution army officer. The community’s name, Manchaca, remains unchanged. Additionally, Twin Creeks Road heads south from FM 1626, just east of a railroad crossing, while Old San Antonio Road runs south from Austin to Buda, parallel to Interstate 35.

Manchaca and its surrounding areas receive essential emergency services from Travis County Emergency Services District 5, including fire protection and medical first response, all operated from a single station. Meanwhile, Austin/ Travis County EMS supplies the community with ambulance services, while police protection is provided by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, the community falls under the jurisdiction of Travis County Precinct 3.

By the start of 1903, Manchaca had grown to a population of 100 and boasted four thriving businesses: The Blackwell General Store, A. G. Matthews’ blacksmithing operation, R. E. Summerrow’s General Store, and the Summerrow & Carpenter Cotton Gin. The community experienced steady growth, reaching a population of 200 by the 1960s. However, the 1970s saw a decline in residents, with the number dropping to 36. But by the mid-1980s, local development began to pick up steam, and continued to accelerate through the early 2000s.

The weather in this region is marked by warm, humid summers and usually moderate to chilly winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Manchaca has a humid subtropical climate, designated as “Cfa” on climate charts.

Population count in 2020 census reaches 2,266 people.