The Hills is a village in Travis County, Texas, located about 16 miles west of downtown Austin in the Lake Travis area of the Texas Hill Country. With a population of 2,613 at the 2020 census, it is the largest village in Texas, a distinction that reflects its unusual status as a substantial, upscale planned community incorporated as a village rather than a city. The community's roots trace to the Lake Travis region's growth as a recreational and residential destination west of Austin. The Hills Country Club traces its own origins to 1964, and by the 1990s a master-planned gated community had taken shape around Hurst Creek and the club. The development became known for golf in particular: The Hills course was the first in Austin designed exclusively by Jack Nicklaus, and the club later added a second Nicklaus Design course. Golf remains central to the community's identity. Residentially, The Hills is defined by gated neighborhoods, substantial homes on wooded and fairway lots, and a carefully maintained, landscaped environment. The village has little commercial development of its own, relying on the adjacent Lakeway area for shopping and services, which keeps its residential character intact. The broader Lake Travis corridor provides marinas, lakeside parks, dining, and outdoor recreation. The village is served by the Lake Travis Independent School District, one of the region's recognized systems, and students attend its campuses, including Lake Travis High School. For residents, The Hills offers an amenity-rich, gated Hill Country lifestyle with strong schools, golf at the doorstep, and Austin's employment and cultural opportunities within commuting distance.