Whether it’s from around Williamson County, the Austin area, out-of-state or from abroad, more millennials are deciding to put down roots in Round Rock, a recent study shows.

Two-minute impact: An estimated 32% of the city’s roughly 135,600 residents in Round Rock are ages 25-44, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data. However, the city of Round Rock, which bases population figures on housing units, occupancy and household size, estimates the city has reached over 142,500 residents as of April.

Financial technology company SmartAsset recently ranked Round Rock 17th out of 254 cities in the U.S. in a study based on relative popularity among millennials—a byproduct, officials say, of work the city and developers have done to make Round Rock more attractive.

Residents, business leaders and city officials point to several factors driving the recent wave of newcomers, including the city’s proximity to Austin, school system, job opportunities, park amenities and affordability.

Learn more about actions taken by the Round Rock City Council in an April 23 meeting 

Increases to fees for city facility rentals, water park admission

What you need to know: City officials approved a measure to increase some usage fees for sports and recreation facilities. 

Annexation of property at corner of Chandler Road and SH 130

The details: The property is occupied by a QuickTrip gas station and convenience store. In addition to its annexation into city limits, Council approved a zoning for the property of C1-a for commercial use, with some limitations.

Trail-focused update to mixed-use development plan approved

The details: The property includes a portion of Brushy Creek at its southern border, and the proposal would relocate a portion of the regional trail along the creek farther from its banks, to connect with commercial, residential and private outdoor recreational opportunities, the amendment states.

A Pflugerville restaurant owner is bringing both physical and spiritual nourishment with his "northern" take on soul food. 

About the business: Burnett's Food for the Soul is owned by Darius Burnett, who said the restaurant was intended to be run as a family venture, but became a solo operation after a loss in the family. 

Although Burnett did not have experience as a cook, he said he loves food and took the risk of moving from Chicago to Texas to open the restaurant. 

"The plan was to open a restaurant coming to Texas," he said. "I just said, I'm just going to go on ahead and shoot for the stars. Only thing you can do is either succeed or fail."

What's on the menu: He brought with him the flavors of Chicago, he said, introducing dishes and flavors that were not locally available. His "northern" take on food draws from recipes, seasonings and other ingredients, such as homemade coconut flour, that he sources from vendors in the Chicago area. 

Check out the latest Austin metro transportation project updates.

Upcoming projects
Lakeline Boulevard shared-use path
Project: A 10-foot paved shared-use path is planned along Lakeline Boulevard in Cedar Park between New Hope Drive and Little Elm Trail to improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity.
Update: According to city officials, design is 90% complete. Plans have been revised to modify an existing roadway bridge rather than construct a new pedestrian bridge, with final design and permitting ongoing.

• Timeline: 2024-26
• Cost: $10.5 million
• Funding source: Texas Department of Transportation

• Timeline: 2026-29
• Cost: $68.4 million
• Funding source: Austin 2016 mobility bond, TxDOT

Texas retailers can keep various smokable hemp products on their shelves through late July, a Travis County judge ruled May 1.

The overiew: Judge Daniella DeSeta Lyttle’s ruling prohibits the Texas Department of State Health Services, which regulates and licenses consumable hemp businesses, from enforcing new THC testing requirements and sharply increasing licensing fees.

The hemp industry previously argued that the DSHS was overstepping its regulatory authority by changing how Texas classifies THC content. State officials have defended the reclassification and other rules as in line with a September executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott.

What it means: DeSeta Lyttle’s temporary injunction extends an earlier pause on the DSHS rules, which was issued April 10.

The pause applies to all consumable hemp businesses in Texas, allowing them to continue producing, manufacturing and selling smokable products until at least July 27, when a final court trial is scheduled. That could change if the state appeals the ruling to a higher court.