$192,694Average Value$183Average Price per Sq Ft29Homes For Sale
Rich cultural community built by Houston’s earliest Louisiana transplants
Today, Frenchtown is just another four-square-block section of Houston’s Greater Fifth Ward. But anyone who visits Frenchtown on the right day will hear the zydeco music that once defined this unique historic community. In the 1920s, Frenchtown became home to 500 people of French, Spanish and African descent who moved from Louisiana to Houston to work in the Southern Pacific Railroad, oil industry and Houston Ship Channel. These Louisiana transplants soon built their own community, which became known as Frenchtown after the area’s predominant language. Much of the area’s unique culture was lost when U.S. Highway 59 was built through the neighborhood, causing many of the community’s original residents to move out. Fifth Ward’s historians are working to conserve Frenchtown’s unique language, music and culture. “I want our community to be proud, and to preserve and acknowledge what our ancestors did in this city,” says Debra Blacklock-Sloan, a Fifth Ward historian and a Harris County Historical Commission.
Frenchtown is located about ten minutes from downtown Houston.
Frenchtown has several art installations placed in the neighborhood.
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Zydeco music, Frenchtown’s greatest legacy
Frenchtown’s greatest claim to fame is its musical legacy. The neighborhood is known for “zydeco” music, a blend of Creole music and Houston’s blues and R&B mainly performed with washboards and accordions. Originally known as “La-La music” – a nod to its origins in Louisiana—this music is still performed in many venues across the Fifth Ward.
The DeLuxe Theater on Lyons Avenue has been a culture cultural attraction in Fifth Ward since 1941 and now serves as a frequent gathering place for zydeco concerts. Another local music venue is Our Mother of Mercy Roman Catholic Church, a century-old church on Main Street founded by Frenchtown’s original residents. The community’s love of music culminates in the Houston Zydeco Festival, which has been held each spring for a decade.
Catch a comedy show or a musical at The DeLuxe Theater, located in the heart of Frenchtown.
Our Mother of Mercy church is over a century old, and still standing tall in Frenchtown.
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Fifth Ward’s “cancer cluster” concerns
In 2019, Fifth Ward was identified as a state-designated cancer cluster. Over time, the long-retired Union Pacific railyard has leached creosote into the soil and formed a contaminated groundwater plume. While city representatives have set aside $5 million to help longtime residents who want to move out of the area, many residents have criticized the lack of transparency about the cluster. “I’ve had cancer twice, and I’ve seen many people get sick,” says Joetta Stevenson, the president of the Greater Fifth Ward Super Neighborhood. “But this has always been my home, and there’s a lot of pain but also a lot of beauty here.” The neighborhood is also part of The Fifth Ward Neighborhood Resilience Plan, a city-operated program that addresses other concerns in the neighborhood like flooding, freezing and excessive heat.
The Union Pacific railway leads from Frenchtown to multiple locations throughout America.
Union Pacific operates a fleet of trains in the Frenchtown area.
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The Nickel Sandwich Grill pays homage to the “Barbeque Ward”
Fifth Ward is removed from many of Houston’s large shopping centers, so most locals shop at small markets like Village Food Market on Roland Street and Fiesta Mart on Lyons Avenue. Sing-On Supermarket on Cavalcade Street sells groceries and fresh-made fried boudin sausage balls.
The Fifth Ward was known as the “Barbeque Ward” in the 1940s, but many of the neighborhood’s once-iconic locations closed between the 1970s and 1990s. However, many local eateries still honor the area’s legacy, like The Nickle Sandwich Grill. This eatery on Lyons Avenue, named after Fifth Ward’s long-time nickname, has served classic barbeque dinners and hot sandwiches since opening its doors in 2001.
The Nickle Grill, in Frenchtown, is a neighborhood staple serving up BBQ plates daily.
Residents can shop for fresh meat and produce at Sing-On Market in Frenchtown.
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Divided by Interstate 69
I-69, which was initially built as U.S. Highway 59, cuts through the middle of Frenchtown. This large highway connects to Interstates 10 and 610, giving Frenchtown quick access to three of Houston’s four major interstates. The interstates provide residents with a fast trip to downtown, 3 miles away from the Fifth Ward, and to the area’s two major airports. William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport are both less than 20 miles away from Frenchtown. Ride METRO bus routes also run daily on major streets like Eastex Freeway Road, Collingsworth Street and Liberty Road.
Interstate 69 provides residents of Frenchtown convenient access to downtown Houston.
Residents of Frenchtown hop on the METRO bus system to access all areas of Houston.
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Modern bungalows resemble Frenchtown’s original “boxcar” homes
Most new life coming to Frenchtown is credited to a burst of development on the left side of I-69. This new development mainly consists of modern townhomes selling for between $200,000 and $400,000. The rest of the neighborhood mainly offers bungalows and townhome-style properties from the 1940s. These homes are reminiscent of the neighborhood’s original shotgun homes that were built from retired boxcars. Even the oldest homes on the market in Frenchtown have been remodeled with modern fixtures and fresh coats of bright paint. These properties now sell for between $100,000 and $300,000. Frenchtown has a CAP Index Crime Score of 8, which is double the national average score of 4.
Single story bungalows are a common home style in the Frenchtown area of Houston.
A row of single story homes on a neighborhood cul-de-sac in Frenchtown.
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New shade has arrived in Tuffly Park
Tuffly Park on Russell Street is Frenchtown’s main park. This large space has a field for baseball and softball, play areas and even an indoor swimming pool decorated with a colorful mural inspired by the Galapagos Islands. In 2023, the park went under a series of renovations, including planting several young trees.
A resident enjoys an early morning stroll with his two dogs at Tuffy Park in Frenchtown.
Families in Frenchtown can head over to Tuffly Park for a picnic.
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History-making alums hail from Wheatley High
Frenchtown, like the rest of the Fifth Ward, is zoned within the Houston Independent School District. Students might attend Dogan Elementary School, Fleming Middle School and Phyllis Wheatley High School, which all earn C grades on Niche. Wheatley High has some notable alumni, including Barbara Jordan, the first African American congresswoman from the South. Frenchtown is 6 miles away from the University of Houston, near East downtown and South Central Houston.
Dogan Elementary School in Houston is building a future one lesson at a time.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Christopher Phan,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Brewster Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Playground
Hennessy Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Playground
Castillo Park
Picnic Area
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Burnett Street Park
Basketball
Picnic Area
Playground
Irvington Park
Baseball/Softball
Basketball
Picnic Area
Avenue Place Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Transit
Airport
William P Hobby
26 min drive
Bus
Eastex Freeway & Evella
Bus
Jensen Dr & Florida
Bus
Quitman St & Stevens St
Bus
Quitman St & West Rd
Bus
Jensen Dr & Bay St
Bus
Liberty Rd & Pannell St
Bus
Jensen Dr & Cavalcade St
Frenchtown Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Frenchtown, Houston sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Frenchtown, Houston over the last 12 months is $276,750, down 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Vecino Homes brings one of its last communities in the mid $ 300 price points designed by none other than Viarq Designers, who have been recognized for their stunning architecture. Fully gated modern farmhouse community with automatic driveway gates front and backyard located in Fifth Ward. Conveniently located in Downtown minutes away for East River project and all the city has to offer. These
Vecino Homes brings a rare freestanding duplex with total of 6 bedrooms and 4 full bath with 2 half baths designed by Drafthouse with stunning interiors by Viarq. Each unit is 1679 SF 3 bdrm 2.5 bath. Fully gated modern farmhouse community with automatic driveway gates. Conveniently located in Downtown minutes away from East River and all the city has to offer. These homes feature an open floor
Showcasing a mindfully composed blend of timeless design and modern materials, 2631 Stevens delivers the hallmark contemporary bungalow. Built in 2021 with 1,621 sqft, this 4-bedroom, 2-bath home features an open layout that promotes seamless flow between the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Wood-look vinyl flooring extends through the common spaces. The kitchen pairs form and function with
Opportunity awaits with this cleared and ready-to-build vacant lot located at 3311 Kentucky Street in the heart of Houston. Nestled in a rapidly developing area just minutes from Downtown Houston, this residential lot offers convenient access to major highways, schools, and public transportation.Perfect for builders, investors, or future homeowners looking to create a custom home or hold
Discover an exceptional investment opportunity with these 3 VACANT LOTS in the vibrant 77026 zip code. This prime piece of real estate offers a unique chance for developers and investors to create a desirable residential project in a highly sought-after area. The lot boasts a convenient location with easy access to MAJOR HIGHWAYS (I-10, 610, 69 and I-45), ensuring a smooth commute to various
MOVE IN READY - 10 Minutes from Downtown Houston! Welcome to this beautifully rehabbed one-bedroom, one-bathroom home, where modern updates meet cozy charm. Freshly painted in soft, neutral tones, the interior features brand-new luxury vinyl plank flooring and stylish, updated fixtures throughout. The kitchen shines with quartz countertops and appliances, offering both beauty and function. The
Welcome to your new home! 2605 Quitman is a pet friendly, fully fenced home, ready for its next temporary tenants! This 3 bedroom 1 bath has all wood floors throughout, absolutely no carpet! Each bedroom has amazing natural light with full size closets. With a formal dining room area as well as a living room, this home has all the space for you to cater to your guests. Easy access to highway, 8
Nestled in the heart of 77026, this beautifully rehabbed 2-bed, 1-bath home offers modern living in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. Just minutes from Downtown Houston, Hardy Yards, and The Heights, with quick access to Hwy 59/69, it’s perfectly located for convenience. The home features quartz countertops, stylish vinyl flooring, and a well-designed layout with a living room, dining room,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Christopher Phan,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
3,799
Median Age
37
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$31,835
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$36,694
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
49.5%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
5.8%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.4%
% Population in Labor Force
53.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
43/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
48/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
46/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
