South Houston, Texas

South Houston is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, within Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area and Harris County. The population was 16,153 at the 2020 census.[4] It is bordered by the cities of Houston and Pasadena, and geographically located southeast of Houston.

For the southern part of Houston, see Houston.

South Houston, Texas
City
Marker for the city of South Houston
Marker for the city of South Houston
Location in Harris County and the state of Texas
Location in Harris County and the state of Texas
Coordinates: 29°39′40″N 95°13′47″W
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
StateTexasTexas
CountyHarris
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor Joe Soto
Claudia V. Melendez
Eddie Torres
Willie Rios
Robert Garcia
Amy Leal
Area
[1]
 • Total3.05 sq mi (7.89 km2)
 • Land3.05 sq mi (7.89 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
30 ft (9 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,153
 • Density5,724.89/sq mi (2,210.20/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
77587
Area codes713, 281, 832, 346
FIPS code48-69020[2]
GNIS feature ID1347476[3]
Websitewww.southhoustontx.gov

History

C.S. Woods of the Western Land Company founded the settlement of Dumont in 1907. A post office appeared in 1910. In 1913 Dumont was incorporated as the city of South Houston.[5] Because of the 1913 incorporation, Houston did not incorporate South Houston's territory into its city limits, while Houston annexed surrounding areas that were unincorporated.[6] South Houston's initial industrial activity consisted of shipping produce along the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad. The hurricane of 1915 destroyed many of the local industries. The establishment of the Houston Ship Channel resulted in the establishment of manufacturing industries inland, including in South Houston. Between the 1940s and the early 1960s South Houston found rapid population growth. The city had 7,523 inhabitants in 1960. In 1980, South Houston had 11,782 inhabitants and 303 businesses. In 1990, 14,207 inhabitants lived in South Houston.[5]

Elephants belonging to former South Houston mayor George Christy, a circus owner, assisted the construction of the Spencer Highway.[6]

From the 1980 census to the 1990 census, Hispanics began to move into South Houston by an amount between 1,000 and 3,500 per square mile. Most Hispanics in South Houston were of Mexican descent.[7]

Geography
Map of South Houston

South Houston is located at 29°39′40″N 95°13′47″W (29.660980, –95.229787).[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.8 km2, none of which is covered with water.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1930612—
194098260.5%
19504,126320.2%
19607,53282.5%
197011,52753.0%
198013,29315.3%
199014,2076.9%
200015,83311.4%
201016,9837.3%
202016,153−4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
South Houston police station/Robert A. Anderson Police Administration Building (rear entrance)
South Houston fire station
South Houston racial composition as of 2020[10]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 1,128 6.98%
Black or African American (NH) 330 2.04%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 18 0.11%
Asian (NH) 99 0.61%
Pacific Islander (NH) 2 0.01%
Some Other Race (NH) 32 0.2%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 93 0.58%
Hispanic or Latino 14,451 89.46%
Total 16,153

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,153 people, 5,221 households, and 4,107 families residing in the city.

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 16,983 people from 4,617 households residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 1.1% White, 1.2% African American, 0.80% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.74% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 89.4% of the population.

There were 4,593 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.5% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.45 and the average family size was 3.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 16.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,607 [in 2017 dollars]. The per capita income for the city was $15,611. About 24% of the population was below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

Local government
South Houston City Hall

The South Houston City Council establishes city policies, considering resolutions and ordinances, appointing South Houston residents to positions on municipal committees and boards, and establishing the annual budgets. City council meets during the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the South Houston Municipal Court; meetings begin at 7:30 PM; it is open to members of the public. As of 2008 the mayor is Joe Soto. The council members are Irene Tamayo, Bill Kelly, Albert Hernandez, Robert Garcia, and Amy Burnett.[13]

The South Houston Fire Department serves the city. The South Houston Police Department is headquartered at 1023 West Dallas Street. As of 2008 Herbert Gilbert is the chief of police.[14]

County, state, and federal representation

South Houston is located within Harris County Commissioner Precinct 2; as of 2020 Adrian Garcia heads Precinct 2.[15]

South Houston is located in District 145 of the Texas House of Representatives. As of 2008 Rick Noriega represents the district.[16] South Houston is within District 6 of the Texas Senate; as of 2008 Mario Gallegos is the representative.[17]

South Houston is within Texas's 29th congressional district; as of 2019. Sylvia Garcia is the representative.[18] The United States Postal Service operates the South Houston Post Office at 315 North Allen Genoa Road.[19]

The nearest public health center of the Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Health System) is Strawberry Health Clinic in Pasadena. The nearest public hospital is Ben Taub General Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, Houston.[20]

Economy

The Lewis Food Town grocery store chain is based in South Houston.[21]

In 2006 H-E-B opened the "Mi Tienda" ("My Store") Hispanic-themed store in South Houston.[22] As of 2007 all of its employees spoke Spanish.[23]

Education

Public schools
South Houston High School

South Houston is served by the Pasadena Independent School District.

The following elementary schools serve sections of South Houston:[24]

As of 2000 South Houston Elementary had computers and computer equipment in all of its classrooms as well as a broadcasting studio operated by students. In the period 1999–2000 South Houston Elementary, despite the low socio-economic backgrounds of its students, received "recognized" scores from the Texas Education Agency.[26]

Sections of South Houston west of Old Galveston Road are served by Rick Schneider Middle School (Houston, Grades 5–6). Parts of South Houston are zoned to Carter Lomax Middle School (Pasadena, Grades 5–6). Parts of South Houston are not served by any "middle school" and instead are served by elementary schools, intermediate schools, and high schools.[27]

Sections of South Houston west of Old Galveston Road are served by South Houston Intermediate School (South Houston, Grades 7–8). Parts east of Old Galveston Road are served by Queens Intermediate School (Pasadena, Grades 6–8).[28] South Houston Intermediate opened on property acquired by PISD in 1947; it previously housed the Asgard College for Girls, a prison for delinquent boys, a psychiatric hospital, a transit house for the federal government, and a National Youth Association Camp.[29]

All of South Houston is served by South Houston High School.[30]

Public libraries
South Houston Library

South Houston is served by the South Houston Branch of Harris County Public Library at 607 Avenue A. The first South Houston library opened in 1927. In 1937 money was raised to build a structure to house the library; this structure stands in a park next to the current library. In the 1950s the library moved into a building with a welfare office and a clinic. In 1967 the city purchased land and a barracks building from Ellington Field; the city then moved the library there, where it remained until 1991. The current 5,800 square feet (540 m2) branch opened in May 1991.[31]

Colleges and universities

Residents of Pasadena ISD (and therefore South Houston) are zoned to San Jacinto College.[32]

  • South Houston Elementary School
    South Houston Elementary School
  • Walter Matthys Elementary School
    Walter Matthys Elementary School
  • L. F. Smith Elementary School
    L. F. Smith Elementary School
  • Pearl Hall Elementary School
    Pearl Hall Elementary School
  • South Houston Intermediate School
    South Houston Intermediate School

Transportation

Harris County Transit doesn't serve South Houston.[33]

  • South Houston Police Department front entrance
    South Houston Police Department front entrance
  • South Houston Municipal Court
    South Houston Municipal Court

Notes
  1. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[11][12]

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): South Houston city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  5. South Houston, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
  6. Lee, Renée C. "Annexed Kingwood split on effects." Houston Chronicle. Sunday October 8, 2006. A21. Retrieved on July 6, 2011. "Some of the area communities that incorporated as cities and escaped annexation by Houston:" Print version exclusively has the information cited; the information is not included in the online edition.
  7. Rodriguez, Lori. "Census tracks rapid growth of suburbia." Houston Chronicle. Sunday March 10, 1991. Section A, Page 1.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  11. https://www.census.gov/
  12. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  13. "Mayor and City Council." City of South Houston. Accessed June 17, 2008.
  14. "Foreword by Chief of Police - Herbert Gilbert Archived 2007-06-08 at the Wayback Machine." South Houston Police Department. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  15. Precinct 2 Map Archived 2008-10-11 at the Wayback Machine." Harris County. Accessed October 13, 2008.
  16. "House District 145." Texas House of Representatives. Accessed October 11, 2008.
  17. "Senate District 6 Archived 2008-08-22 at the Wayback Machine" Map. Senate of Texas. Accessed September 28, 2008.
  18. "Congressional District 29 Archived 2008-10-09 at the Wayback Machine." National Atlas of the United States. Retrieved June 17, 2008.
  19. "Post Office Location - SOUTH HOUSTON." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  20. "Clinic/Emergency/Registration Center Directory By ZIP Code". Harris County Hospital District. November 19, 2001. Archived from the original on November 19, 2001. Retrieved April 8, 2021. - See ZIP code 77587. See this map for relevant ZIP codes.
  21. "Lewis Food Town, Inc." Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Retrieved on January 13, 2011. "CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 3316 South Shaver Street South Houston, Texas 77587"
  22. Moreno, Jenalia (April 30, 2009). "Wal-Mart gives Supermercado concept a local tryout". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  23. Walsh, Robb (November 15, 2007). "The Carnicería Connoisseur: HEB's Mi Tienda in Pasadena". Houston Press. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  24. "Elementary Schools." Pasadena Independent School District. July 7, 2014. Retrieved on July 15, 2017.
  25. Home. Matthys Elementary School. February 13, 1998. Retrieved on September 20, 2018.
  26. Hollis, Matt (November 8, 2000). "Principals from other Texas districts to visit SoHo Elementary during TEPSA conference". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
  27. "5th Grade Centers & Middle Schools." Pasadena Independent School District. July 7, 2014. Retrieved on July 15, 2017.
  28. "Intermediate Schools." Pasadena Independent School District. February 27, 2009. Retrieved on July 15, 2017.
  29. "The History of South Houston Intermediate." South Houston Intermediate School. February 13, 1998. Retrieved on September 20, 2018.
  30. "High Schools." Pasadena Independent School District. July 7, 2014. Retrieved on July 15, 2017.
  31. "South Houston Branch Library." Harris County Public Library. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  32. Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.197. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA..
  33. "Routes / Maps." Harris County Transit. Retrieved on January 15, 2010.

Further reading
  • A Short History of South Houston (South Houston Chamber of Commerce, 1982).
  • News Citizen (Pasadena, Texas), April 9, 1970.
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