Starting a new job in Lufkin and want a short, easy commute? You’re not alone. Many newcomers look for housing close to hospitals, schools, plants, and office corridors so daily life stays simple. In this guide, you’ll find where to live near each major employment hub, current prices and rents, commute tips, and a quick move-in checklist. Let’s dive in.
Lufkin at a glance
Lufkin is the largest city in Angelina County and a regional center for healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. It sits along the US 59 and US 69 corridors, about 115 miles from Houston, with local mobility shaped by Loop 287 and state highways. The city’s role and location are outlined on the Lufkin page on Wikipedia, which also notes key routes and regional context (Lufkin overview).
Economic development coverage highlights short average local commutes and a workforce tied to hospitals, schools, and industrial employers. Site Selection’s profile touches on workforce and access that support those short drive times (EDC context).
Housing near key job hubs
Medical campuses: CHI St. Luke’s Memorial and Woodland Heights
- Where to look: Central and near-downtown areas, including Brookhollow and neighborhoods along S. 1st, Raguet, and Timberland corridors. Medical services and activity at CHI St. Luke’s help anchor this area (hospital context).
- What you’ll find: Older single-family homes, some newer infill, duplexes, and small apartment communities.
- Commute feel: Often 5 to 12 minutes by car, depending on the exact address and shift time.
Schools and Angelina College
- Where to look: Neighborhoods inside the city limits near Lufkin ISD campuses, including parts of North and East Lufkin and Brookhollow. Angelina College employees often choose addresses in Lufkin or nearby communities like Hudson or Diboll depending on lot size and lifestyle preferences (Angelina College).
- What you’ll find: A mix of single-family homes, apartments, and duplexes within short drives of campuses. Always confirm attendance zones with the district before you buy or sign a lease.
Manufacturing and industrial corridors
- Where to look: South and southeast Lufkin near plants and industrial parks, with convenient options in nearby towns such as Diboll, Homer, and Hudson. Industrial employers include Pilgrim’s and Lufkin Industries, among others.
- What you’ll find: Starter single-family homes, mobile-home communities, and subdivisions geared to working households. Short commutes can be important for early or late shift patterns.
Newer subdivisions and larger homes
- Where to look: Crown Colony, Sunset, Castlewood, and newer developments in Shirey Forest, Saddle Brook, and Pine Branch. Local listings often show newer construction and larger floor plans in these areas.
- What you’ll find: Primarily single-family homes with yards, HOA features in some communities, and a 10 to 20 minute drive to downtown and the medical centers depending on location.
Nearby towns and rural options
- Where to look: Hudson, Diboll, Zavalla, and other smaller communities within about 10 to 20 miles of Lufkin.
- What you’ll find: Lower price points on average, more rural lots, and simpler commutes for day shifts into Lufkin. Evening or overnight shifts may benefit from living closer to the worksite.
Current prices and rents
Market snapshot, August 2025:
- Zillow’s Zillow Home Value Index for Lufkin shows a typical value around the high $190,000s, with movement close to flat in recent months. This is a broad index of typical values and not the same as a median of recent sales.
- Redfin’s median sale price for August 2025 was around $255,000, based on closed MLS sales. This can differ from a typical value index because it reflects the mix of homes that actually sold in that month.
- Redfin also reported median days on market around 70 to 80-plus days in mid 2025, though timing can vary by price range and neighborhood.
Rents: Apartments.com reports average advertised rents in Lufkin well below national averages, with recent snapshots showing a one-bedroom near $900 on average and examples around $919. One-bedrooms often range from about $700 to $1,000, and two-bedrooms often fall between $1,000 and $1,400 depending on size and location (Lufkin rent trends).
When you compare data, check the date and the metric. A typical-value index and a median of closed sales can send different signals in the same month.
Commute and daily logistics
- Core corridors: US 59, US 69, State Highways 94 and 103, and Loop 287 move most traffic within and around Lufkin (route overview).
- Typical drives: Local economic coverage has cited short average commutes for many workers, though your time depends on your exact address and shift (EDC context).
- Transit and travel: Brazos Transit District provides local bus service, and Coach USA offers long-distance options. General aviation service is available at Angelina County Airport for private travel planning.
For night or early-morning shifts, living within 10 to 15 minutes of your worksite can make schedules easier and reduce fatigue.
Budget, taxes, schools, and utilities
- Property taxes: Use the Angelina County Appraisal District to research tax records, rates, and exemptions like the homestead exemption. Always confirm the taxing units for the specific address you are considering (Angelina County Appraisal District).
- Schools: Lufkin ISD serves most city addresses. If school assignments matter to you, confirm attendance zones directly with the district for the specific property.
- Utilities: Inside city limits, the City of Lufkin provides municipal services like water and sewer. For rural or new subdivision addresses, verify utility providers during your due diligence.
- Insurance and flood risk: Order a flood-risk check before you buy near creeks or low-lying areas and get insurance quotes, including wind and hail coverage, early in your process.
Quick move-in checklist
- Get a mortgage pre-approval so you can act fast when you find the right place.
- Choose a local agent who knows neighborhoods near your employer hub.
- Verify your property taxes and possible exemptions through the Angelina County Appraisal District.
- Confirm school attendance zones with the district if applicable.
- Check utility providers for your target address, especially outside city limits.
- Review flood maps and obtain insurance quotes before you commit.
- For renters, confirm lease length, parking, and proximity to your shift start time.
Ready to zero in on the right neighborhood near your workplace? Reach out to Norton Property Group for local guidance, on-the-ground insight, and a smooth move to Lufkin.
FAQs
Where should night-shift hospital staff live in Lufkin?
- Aim for central neighborhoods like Brookhollow or areas near S. 1st, Raguet, and Timberland to keep drives around 10 to 15 minutes or less to the medical campuses, which include CHI St. Luke’s Memorial (hospital context).
Are Lufkin home prices rising or flat right now?
- As of August 2025, Zillow’s typical value index in Lufkin was near the high $190,000s with relatively flat recent movement, while Redfin’s median sale price for the month was about $255,000; these metrics differ, so always note the source and date.
What are typical apartment rents in Lufkin?
- Recent rent snapshots show one-bedrooms often between about $700 and $1,000 and two-bedrooms between about $1,000 and $1,400, with central locations trending higher within those ranges (Lufkin rent trends).
Which Lufkin neighborhoods have newer construction and larger homes?
- Subdivisions such as Crown Colony, Sunset, Castlewood, and newer sections of Shirey Forest, Saddle Brook, and Pine Branch often feature newer builds, larger floor plans, and HOA features in some communities; verify commute times and amenities for each.
How can I estimate property taxes on a Lufkin home?
- Use the Angelina County Appraisal District’s site to look up a property and review exemptions that may apply, then confirm the taxing units for that address before you finalize a purchase (Angelina County Appraisal District).
