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Gulfton

Gulfton

3.1
$360,912 Average Value
$193 Average Price per Sq Ft
17 Homes For Sale

Gulfton at a glance: A centrally located Houston neighborhood

About 10 miles west of Downtown Houston, Gulfton is one of the city's most densely populated neighborhoods, with apartments housing about 95% of its roughly 45,000 residents. Many complexes were built during Houston's 1970s oil boom to accommodate workers seeking a relatively affordable, centrally located place to call home. Those reasons still bring homebuyers to Gulfton today, as does the neighborhood’s authentic international food scene and easy access to public transportation.

Renting apartments and buying homes in Gulfton

Apartment complexes make up most of Gulfton’s housing, mostly built in the 1960s and ‘70s. Single-family, ranch-style homes from the 1950s are concentrated in the Shenandoah subdivision near the community’s center. They typically range in price from the low $200,000s to the mid-$400,000s. Condos can cost from the high $60,000s to the low $200,000s, depending on size, age and condition, while Gulfton’s few townhouses typically range from the low $400,000s to the high $500,000s.

Gulfton is known as a budget-friendly alternative to Uptown-Galleria District, Bellaire or Greenway-Upper Kirby, neighborhoods where median sale prices range from mid-$900,000 to $1.2 million. Homes in Gulfton cost less, and the neighborhood offers proximity to the attractions and amenities nearby.

International dining and everyday shopping in Gulfton

Shops, restaurants and services are spread throughout Gulfton. The neighborhood is known for its authentic international food scene, with an especially large concentration of Mexican and Central American options. “People usually call it the Ellis Island of Houston,” says Sandra Rodriguez, President of the Gulfton Neighborhood Council, referencing the diverse cultural influences seen throughout the community. Here’s where to go for what you need:

  • Bellaire Avenue, the community’s primary commercial artery, offers a dense stretch of restaurants, bakeries, flea markets, discount retailers and small grocers.
  • Bissonnet Street, a busy corridor that connects Gulfton to nearby neighborhoods, is lined with shopping centers, international eateries, supermarkets and services, with more options as you get closer to Uptown.
  • Chimney Rock Road, a north-south route in the neighborhood’s center, features taquerias, bakeries, barber shops, informal restaurants and local markets.
Residents typically handle everyday shopping close to home, then drive a few minutes to Uptown, the Galleria or Greenway Plaza for big-box retail, malls and white-tablecloth dining options.

Burnett Bayland Park anchors local recreation

Burnett Bayland Park sits along Chimney Rock Road, and locals often play soccer on its athletic fields. The park also has a playground, community garden, splash pad, basketball courts and the Gulfton Skatepark, which draws visitors from across southwest Houston. The Burnett Bayland Community Center, located in the park, hosts youth programs, fitness activities and events throughout the year. Plus, in a neighborhood long affected by extreme heat and a limited tree canopy, Burnett Bayland Park has helped cool things down.

Gulfton also shares a community center, called BakerRipley, with nearby Sharpstown. Just west, it offers services like English as a second language classes and summer camps for kids.

Gulfton is an urban heat island, but things are improving

Gulfton is one of Houston’s hottest neighborhoods. During summer months, temperatures can be 10 to 17 degrees higher than in greener areas, placing it at the high end of the city’s urban heat island range. “If you sit at a bus stop, it’s like an Easy-Bake oven,” Rodriguez jokes. This is largely due to the neighborhood’s very limited tree cover, dense development and large amount of pavement and concrete. But things are changing for the better, and here’s how:

  • Burnett Bayland Park is the centerpiece of Gulfton’s cooling strategy, with long-term revitalization projects that will lower surface temperatures by planting more trees and expanding green space and shaded areas.
  • Harris County and partner organizations have launched tree-planting efforts across southwest Houston, including in Gulfton, focusing on pedestrian rights-of-way, bus stops and other service areas.
  • Greener Gulfton, an initiative spearheaded by community leaders and The Nature Conservatory, targets sidewalks, school and commuter routes and other key transit corridors, adding more greenery and shaded public areas.

Students attend schools in the Houston ISD

The highly rated Houston Independent School District serves Gulfton. Through a centralized application, its open enrollment program allows students to apply to citywide magnet and specialty programs in STEM, fine arts, IB and career and technical education. Some programs have specific academic criteria or require auditions, while placements in others are determined by available seats and lotteries. Out-of-district transfers depend on space and district policy. A densely populated neighborhood, Gulfton has more than 10 public schools within a 5-mile radius.

Gulfton offers easy access to public transit and major roads

Gulfton is walkable and centrally located in Houston. “The community has intentionally made it that way — we want to make sure people have safe pathways to get where they need to go,” Rodriguez says. There’s frequent, reliable bus service in the neighborhood, and Loop 610, Interstate 69 and Westpark Tollway are nearby. METRORail stations are accessible by bus or car, and the closest is Wheeler Station in Midtown, with Red Line service. For air travel, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is about 30 miles north.

Adreanna DeMarino
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
Michael Forbes
Photography Contributed By
Michael Forbes
Timothy Cerva
Video By
Timothy Cerva

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

William P Hobby

32 min drive

Bus

Bissonnet St & Hillcroft Ave

Bus

Chimney Rock Rd & Glenmont Dr

Bus

Renwick Dr & Clarewood Dr

Bus

Gulfton Dr & Westward St

Bus

Hillcroft Ave & Clarewood Dr

Bus

Bellaire Blvd & Renwick Dr

Bus

Bellaire Blvd & Hillcroft Ave

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.1 38 Reviews
3.0 Niche User
7/31/2014 Niche Review
we have guards that canvas the streets routinely but there not professionals more like a mall cop or street cop.
2.0 Niche User
8/8/2016 Niche 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.
3.0 Niche User
5/2/2016 Niche Review
It feels safe most of the time.
3.0 Niche User
8/19/2016 Niche Review
Police can be quite unfair.
Are you familiar with the Gulfton neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

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

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,123
Number of Homes for Sale
17
Median Year Built
1967
Months of Supply
8.50
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,265
Above the national average
1,932
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,288
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,047
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
664
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276

Open Houses

  • Friday, May 29
    3 - 5pm

    7714 Renwick Dr Unit C36, Houston, TX 77081

    $119,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 936 Sq Ft
    • 7714 Renwick Dr
    • Unit C36

    Discover a convenient lifestyle at Unit 36 in Palm Gardens. This 2-bedroom, 1-1/2 bath condo boasts stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and fresh paint. Enjoy a covered patio, community pool, and assigned covered parking. A remote-controlled gate provides added privacy. Zoned for Bellaire High School, this property offers the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Don't miss out

    Aaron Cruz Coldwell Banker Realty - Bellaire-Metropolitan

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
6
Median Rent
$1,350
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,100
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,500
Median Condo Rent
$1,270
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,350

Demographics

Total Population
45,578
Median Age
32
Population Density
25 ppl/acre
Population under 18
32.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
6.7%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$35,520
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$46,878

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
56.8%
Significantly below the national average
89%
College Graduates
17.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.3%
% Population in Labor Force
75%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Moderately friendly

Bikeability®

70 / 100

Very friendly

Walkability®

80 / 100

Fairly friendly

Transit®

40 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Gulfton
Jamie Poirier
Red Pear Realty
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