Dates with Dogs

New dating app for people who love dogs debuts in Austin

Nuzzl is hosting a launch mixer at Central Machine Works.

Photo by Chris Lammert

Austin's always-growing dating app landscape is now catering specifically to dog owners — or parents, as many of them would say. Nuzzl, a "dating app built for people who love dogs," will debut in Austin first on February 21 at local brewery Central Machine Works.

Users don't need to have a dog to sign up, so this is a good way for people with roommates, people who don't want to take care of a pet alone, and seasoned dog owners no matter the stakes to mingle.

If it's important to a user that their dog approve their date first, Nuzzl even lets suitors send a real life gift: e-gift cards for treats. They don't have to large amounts; in fact, the first 500 users will get two $2.50 gift cards from PetSmart to get them started.

“Our belief is that dog lovers make for better dates and better relationships," said founder Ninis Samuel. "That shared interest means you instantly have something in common with people using Nuzzl. We wanted Austin to be the first to experience Nuzzl not only because it’s a social and tech savvy community, but it’s also one of the most dog-friendly cities in America.”

Outside of the dog-related features Nuzzl also live-verifies profiles (usually a selfie taken in the moment) and has a no-ghosting policy. Users who have just matched are expected to send a message or unmatch within three days, or the app disconnects them. If a user proactively disconnects in that time, the app does not consider it ghosting. They can also pause the app during busy times. Too many "strikes" may get a user removed from the app.

To start with a departure from app technicalities, dog lovers can join the Launch Party & Yappy Hour at Central Machine Works on February 21 from 11 am to 1 pm. Guests can spiff up their dating profiles at a photobooth or portrait station that also welcomes dogs, games, prize giveaways, and a pup cup-eating contest. They can also make a contribution to a supply drive for Austin Pets Alive! Tickets are free at nuzzl.com.

Austinites can sign up for the waitlist to use Nuzzl here. Although the launch party is February 21, the website says the app will go live as soon as enough users have joined.

dogs pets dating dating apps apps

high income households

Central Texas city has top-30 highest rate of wealthy newcomers in U.S.

Photo courtesy of Waco CVB

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A new income study has revealed the wealthiest Central Texas residents aren't settling down in Round Rock anymore — they've set their sights on Waco, instead.

Waco had one of the highest growth rates of new wealthy residents nationwide in SmartAsset's new analysis, "Cities Adding the Most High-Income Households – 2026 Study."

Based on U.S. Census income data, SmartAsset's experts ranked 357 U.S. cities with at least 100,000 residents based on the growth in high-income households as a percentage of total households between 2023 and 2024. The report defines high-income households as those earning an income of at least $200,000.

Waco had the sixth-highest growth in wealthy households in Texas from 2023-2024, and it ranked No. 28 nationwide.

The report's findings show Waco had 2,379 high-income households in 2023. By the following year, the suburb had a 53.3 percent growth rate in wealthy earners, bringing the total number of high-income households to 3,896.

A total 6.9 percent of all Waco households made at least $200,000 in income in 2024. For added context, the median income for a Waco household during that same year was $56,548.

According to the report, an influx of affluent households can have a significant impact on a city's local economy, most commonly through contributing "more dollars to the local and state tax bases, and to surrounding businesses."

"At the same time, this relative economic strength may sway entities to cater more to the preferences of these households to earn their patronage," the report said. "Quick growth in high income households may accelerate tax collection and business prosperity, just as their departure may cause some concern for local politicians, business owners, and neighbors."

Although the mention of catering to incoming "preferences" may hint at the possibility for gentrification, the report does not explicitly acknowledge the downsides of having wealthy neighbors for the 93 percent of homes making less.

In SmartAsset's 2025 report, Round Rock was the top Central Texas city that added the most wealthy new residents, but that figure has since plummeted. Round Rock ranked No. 195 in this year's rankings with an 8.8 percent increase in high-income households from 2023-2024.

Texas cities with the biggest growth in high-income households
The East Texas city of Beaumont, located about 90 miles from Houston, had the biggest growth rate of high-earners in Texas from 2023-2024, and it ranked No. 6 nationally.

Austin ranked 241st on the list and its wealthy population grew 3.7 percent from 2023-2024. According to SmartAsset, Austin had 89,428 high-income households in 2023, which grew to 94,487 households the following year.

Other Texas cities that ranked among the national top 100 include:

No. 8 – Odessa
No. 14 – Laredo
No. 18 – College Station
No. 20 – Conroe
No. 31 – Mesquite
No. 56 – Arlington
No. 59 – Amarillo
No. 66 – Atascocita
No. 69 – McKinney
No. 72 – McAllen
No. 77 – League City
No. 90 – Irving
No. 94 – Brownsville

suburbs smartasset wealthy suburbs affluent households waco central texas