Leander sits northwest of Austin in Williamson County, a fast growing city that keeps an Old Town core of historic buildings, local shops, and community gatherings. The South Fork of the San Gabriel River runs through the area, offering parks and trails that give residents room to walk, fish, and gather outdoors. Leander is also known for the Leanderthal Lady, an ancient skeleton discovered here that gave the city a distinctive place in Texas archaeology and local identity.