Travis County Voting Location Equity Analysis
Geographic and demographic disparities in extended hours voting access
Executive Summary: Analysis reveals a geographic disparity in Travis County's extended hours voting locations, with wealthy, low-density areas receiving disproportionate access compared to dense, lower-income neighborhoods.
The 7 Extended Hours Locations
| Location | ZIP | Density | Avg Income* | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeway Activity Center | 78734 | 934/sq mi | $715,310 | West/Affluent |
| UT Texas Union | 78712 | 368/sq mi | N/A | West Campus |
| Southpark Meadows | 78748 | 3,784/sq mi | $416,830 | South |
| PfISD Rock Gym | 78660 | Pflugerville | $348,310 | Northeast |
| Carver Branch Library | 78702 | 4,949/sq mi | $609,250 | East |
| Ben Hur Shrine Center | 78757 | 5,080/sq mi | $494,050 | Central/North |
| Austin Permitting Center | 78752 | 6,764/sq mi | $377,950 | North |
*Source: IRS Adjusted Gross Income (2021) via Zip Atlas
Key Finding: Inverse Relationship
Core Disparity: Wealthy, low-density areas have extended hours; dense, lower-income areas do not.
Highest-Density ZIPs WITHOUT Extended Hours
| ZIP | Density | Avg Income | Extended Hours? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78705 (West Campus) | 15,752/sq mi | $643,600 | NO |
| 78741 | 5,713/sq mi | $649,220 | NO |
| 78753 | 5,278/sq mi | $382,630 | NO |
Lowest-Income ZIPs WITHOUT Extended Hours
| ZIP | Avg Income | Density | Extended Hours? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78719 (Airport/Southeast) | $159,600 | 76/sq mi | NO |
| 78742 (Southeast) | $207,170 | 202/sq mi | NO |
| 78724 (Northeast) | $260,130 | 2,178/sq mi | NO |
West vs. East Austin Divide
3
Extended Hours Sites (Wealthy West)
1
Extended Hours Sites (Poorer East)
16.8x
Population Density Ratio
16.8%
East Income as % of West
Wealthy Western Areas
- 78746 (West Lake Hills): $1.9M avg income
- 78735 (West Austin): $1.2M avg income
- 78734 (Lakeway): $715K income, extended hours at Lakeway Activity Center
Characteristics: Low density (368-1,200/sq mi), high car ownership, suburban/exurban
Poorer Eastern Areas
- 78719 (Airport/Southeast): $159K avg income, no extended hours
- 78742 (Southeast): $207K avg income, no extended hours
- 78724 (Northeast): $260K avg income, no extended hours
Characteristics: Mixed density, transit-dependent populations, urban/underserved
The Core Disparity
| Metric | Wealthy West | Poorer East |
|---|---|---|
| Extended Hours Sites | 3 sites | 1 site (Carver only) |
| Residents per Voting Location | Very low | High |
| Transit Access | Car-dependent | Transit-dependent |
| Hours Access | Extended hours (Lakeway) | Standard hours only |
Critical Finding: Lakeway Activity Center serves 934 people/sq mi in a community averaging $715,000 income while dense, lower-income East Austin (5-15x the population density) lacks equivalent extended hours access.
Data Methodology
- Voting Locations: Travis County Clerk — 2024 Early Voting Locations (43 total sites, 7 extended hours)
- Demographics: Zip Atlas — Austin Metro ZIP code population density and income data (IRS AGI, 2021)
- Geographic Classification: West vs. East Austin ZIP code classification based on I-35 divide
Policy Implications
- Carver Library (78702) is the only extended hours site in Eastern Travis County
- 78705 (West Campus/UT) has highest density (15,752/sq mi) but no dedicated extended hours site
- Consider transit access times to extended hours locations for equity assessment
- Analysis suggests need for equity-focused voting access policy review