$365,157Average Value$203Average Price per Sq Ft14Homes For Sale
The “Ellis Island” of Houston
Houston is known for its diverse population, and Gulfton is a particularly varied melting pot. In the 1970s, the area was booming with young families working in the oil industry. After this influx of residents left a decade later, a new population moved into the neighborhood’s empty apartment complexes. Today, Gulfton is one of the most densely populated parts of Houston and has residents who represent more than 80 different countries and speak more than 50 languages. “People usually call it the Ellis Island of Houston,” says Sandra Rodriguez, President of the Gulfton Neighborhood Council. “Newcomers and immigrants to Houston come here because it’s familiar to their culture or they know someone here.” The neighborhood has faced some challenges, including increased violent crime in the 1980s and environmental factors like extreme heat. Many of these issues are now being addressed by community organizations that want to fill Gulfton with local art, trees and walkable routes to work, school and shopping.
Greener Gulfton creates shaded sidewalks and bus stops
Gulfton is only 3 miles from the Uptown district and 10 miles from Downtown, and Interstates 69 and 610 run next to the neighborhood. Many Gulfton residents cannot rely on a car for transportation, leading them to walk and take the bus. Multiple community projects have been dedicated to cleaning up the sidewalks and making them more comfortable for locals who walk to work, school or local stores. “It is a walkable community because the community has made it that way,” Rodriguez says. “We want to make sure people have safe pathways to get where they need to go.” There are Ride METRO stops on every street in Gulfton, and the area’s bus stops have also been a point of focus. In 2023, a county-wide heat mapping project determined that Guflton was “the hottest neighborhood in Houston,” and was up to 17 degrees hotter than other parts of the city. “If you sit at a bus stop, it’s like an easy bake oven,” Rodriguez says. “If you ride the bus on a hot summer day, you’ll want to sit near a tree or sign or near shade.” The Greener Gulfton Plan is now working to plant 800 trees around the neighborhood and create “green” bus stops that include built-in planters and extra shade.
Apartment complexes dominate Gulfton’s landscape
Gulfton has over 60 apartment buildings, which house over 95% of Gulfton’s residents and often take up entire blocks of the neighborhood. Local artists have painted brick walls, utility boxes and bus stops to add some color to these apartment-heavy streets. Single-family homes are clustered in the Shenandoah section within Gulfton and in private communities on the border of Gulfton and Bellaire. In these areas, condos, townhomes and ranch-style homes are all common. Condos and townhomes typically start at under $100,000 and increase to $300,000 in luxury complexes near Bellaire. Single-family homes range between $200,000 and $300,000.
Mexican, Ethiopian and Afghani cuisine showcase Gulfton’s diversity
Gulfton’s diversity is reflected in the selection of eateries that dot the neighborhood. There are two locations of Tacos La Bala off of Dashwood Drive, which both have counter service and a menu of hearty sandwiches, tacos and burritos. Bahel on Chimney Rock Road is an Ethiopian restaurant and market that is known for its coffee and hearty entrees cooked in Ethiopian butter. The Afghan Village on Hillcroft Street doubles as a halal grocery store and a sit-down restaurant serving Afghani meat and vegetable entrees. The area's diversity extends to its churches. San Mateo Episcopal Church on Alder Drive holds services in Spanish, while Iglesia Universal off the Southwest Freeway offers programs in English, Spanish and Portuguese. There is a large grocery shop in every corner of Gulfton, with a Walmart and Sam’s Club to the north on Rice Avenue, an H-E-B to the east on Bissonnet Street, and a Fiesta Mart to the west on Bellaire Boulevard. Gulfton also neighbors the uptown district, known for The Galleria, Houston’s largest shopping mall.
“Mothers of the Park” give Burnett Bayland Park a makeover
Burnett Bayland Park on Chimney Rock Road has received new life thanks to the community group Madres del Parque, or Mothers of the Park. Since 2016, the group has added trash cans and recycling bins, built a butterfly garden and planted a community garden. Gulfton also shares a community center with the nearby neighborhood of Sharpstown. The BakerRipley Neighborhood Center on Rookin Street serves both areas and offers community services like English as a second language classes and a kids’ summer camp.
Open-enrollment options through the Houston Independent School District
Gulfton is part of the Houston Independent School District, which is an open-enrollment district. Families can choose to enroll their children in locally zoned schools like Rodriguez Elementary School and Benavidez Elementary School, which both receive a C grade on Niche, or can enroll outside of these schools. Pin Oak Middle School is A-rated, while Wisdom High School has a C grade. Liberty High School, which has a D-plus grade, is also in the area and specifically serves immigrant students between 17 and 25 years old. Liberty High shares a complex with the Gulfton branch of Houston Community College. In addition to the local Houston Community College location, Gulfton is 4 miles from Houston Christian University, formerly Houston Baptist University.
Crime
Gulfton saw a surge in crime in the 1980s after an economic crash caused many people to move out. A decade later, the area received federal resources for crime prevention, which included establishing recreation and education programs for at-risk youth. Today, Gulfton has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 6 and some high individual scores. The CAP Index Crime Score for robbery is a 9, and the score for car theft is a 7.
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.
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we have guards that canvas the streets routinely but there not professionals more like a mall cop or street cop.
2.0Niche User
8/8/2016Niche Review
Every night gets worst, people die due to gang violence. Even going out on daylight isn't safe. I really want my family and I to move out of here, I don't want us getting hurt.
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Gulfton
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
7
4
Crime Score
6
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Gulfton Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Gulfton, Houston sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Gulfton, Houston over the last 12 months is $330,000, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful Mediterranean patio home,a gem in high end gated community built by award winning builders won 3 construction awards for these homes! Located just next to Bellaire, zoned to Bellaire High School. Entering, you'll be greeted by a spacious floor plan! Open living, dining, and chef's kitchen. All luxury finishes, beautiful hardwood flooring throughout and 8-inch baseboards granite
Absolutely STUNNING 3 story home ZONED to Bellaire HS! The fully gated Community of Edison Park has quick access to major roadways for an easy commute plus you are less than 10 miles from Downtown & The Texas Medical Center & less than 3 miles from The Galleria! You are super close to trendy bites, breweries and nightlife! Your home has a handsome stone and stucco elevation with a 2 car garage,
Location, Location, A 2 bedroom condominium located with access close to 610 and Westpark. Minutes to the Galleria. 5056 Glenmont is located with a pool view and the pool is accessible by the back private patio. The interior design was previously updated with an open staircase and glass brick wall at the 2nd floor hallway. Sliding Wall Mirrors give access to the full length primary closet.
Super cute, 1/1 condo on second story, located near the pool, washer & dryer connections in unit. Gated and assigned covered parking. Occupied, please schedule showing 24hr notice required, do not disturb tenant. All measurements are approximate, please measure for accuracy. AC unit replaced in 2024 both inside and outside units.
With a minimum 2 year lease, call home this fantastic townhome hidden amongst the trees nestled right in the middle of Bellaire and Gulfton. A part of a close-knit community of 10 unique homes, this one features a private driveway up to your fenced-in backyard, or you can enter through your front door from a private walkway under a covered patio. This unique two-story townhome features slate
With a minimum 2-year lease, perfect for single occupancy, this gorgeous home feels like a secluded vacation rental. Part of a close-knit community of condos and townhomes enjoy immediate proximity right in the heart of the Gulfton/Bellaire area. This first-floor apartment with 1 assigned, front door parking features hardwood flooring across an open floor plan. The granite peninsula kitchen with
Located in a well-established community in one of Houston’s most desirable areas, 5401 Chimney Rock has the apartments you’ve been dreaming of. Located by the Galleria and Greenway Plaza and only a short ten minutes away from downtown, you will have no problem finding great shopping, dining and entertainment. We offer one and two-bedroom floorplans that are all beautifully appointed. Each kitchen
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