OST-South Union
Black-owned businesses along Martin Luther King Boulevard
A range of popular Black-owned businesses settles along Cullen Boulevard, Martin Luther King Boulevard and Old Spanish Trail. Best Soul Food In Town is the spot for Southern classics like pork chops with a side of mac and cheese. A mile from there, The Stuffed Baked Potato Factory serves spuds loaded with toppings. In the evenings, The Liv'n Room and The Local Seat are go-to's for affordable drinks and creative ways to let loose. "On Monday nights The Local Seat has open mics with people rapping and singing and reading spoken word poems," Green says. "You really get to see the culture." The Liv'n Room hosts The Tiny Room experience every Wednesday with live soul music and a happy hour. One of the most popular venues, however, is Shrine of The Black Madonna. The shrine houses Houston's only Buy Black Marketplace on the first Saturday of every month supporting Black-owned businesses. For everyday shopping Aldi's, Walgreens and Dollar Tree are at the intersection of Old Spanish Trail and Scott Street.
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Accessible housing options through Agape Development
OST-South Union's streets have character. The tall trees and the cracks in the roads speak to the area’s history as shiny new developments move in. Established traditional-style homes might range from the mid-$100,000s to the high $200,000s depending on the extent of their renovation. Completely remodeled homes and new construction generally range from the low $300,000s to $400,000s. Some of the most affordable housing in the area is spearheaded by nonprofits like Agape Development. "Community convenings were held to see what the residents wanted, and they didn't want anything starkly different from what already existed in the neighborhood," says Peter Freedman, Agape's director of housing. "Every home has a front porch so you can sit and talk to your neighbors and a back patio so you can still have privacy while relaxing outdoors." Agape homes are secured on an application basis with pricing that's adjusted for income. OST-South Union's proximity below the Brays Bayou, and within Houston, makes it at risk for flooding.
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Parks that celebrate Houston's civil rights activists
A few of OST-South Union's parks are named for prominent activists, including George T. Nelson Park off LaSallette Street. Originally called "Yellowstone," a yearlong effort spearheaded by neighbors who knew and loved him led to a name change honoring the prominent Houston civil rights leader. Today, the park has a community pool for cool swims on hot Texas days, a playground with swings and a green for dogs to run. Park at Palm Center, the re-imagined abandoned mall on Griggs Road, now has a splash park for the kids, trails and a community garden with vegetables and fruit locals can pick fresh off the trees. OST-South Union's has been a GO Neighborhood since 2013. GO Neighborhoods participate in multiyear efforts to create stronger communities in Houston. Beautification projects that promote connection, like the community garden, are just one way to create healing in areas where crime is higher than average. Currently, OST-South Union's CAP Score Crime Index is 6 out of 10, which is above the national average of 4
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Inside the 610 Loop
Being within the 610 Loop makes commutes throughout Houston quicker though essentials are all close at hand. Neighbors who don't have a car can take advantage of the Houston METRO, which stops throughout the area, or take the light rail. Corner churches, stores and restaurants also create a semi-walkable lifestyle here.Yates High School's magnet program
Students in this neighborhood are served by the Houston Independent School District (HISD). They may attend Hartsfield Elementary School, Cullen Middle School and Yates High School, home to HISD's magnet program for communications and media. The elementary school earns a C-plus from Niche, the middle school maintains a C minus and the high school scores a C rating. On Griggs Road, the Alice McKean Young Neighborhood Library provides a quiet place to study. Several higher education options, including the historically Black college Texas Southern University, just over 2 miles south, are a short drive away.
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Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Photography Contributed By
Aylin Reyna
Video By
Matt Ferguson
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Henrry Pu
Henrry Pu
Responds QuicklyNan & Company Properties
(888) 262-3573
49 Total Sales
1 in OST-South Union
$225,500 Price
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Donnya Antoine
Donnya Antoine
Get Realty Co.
(844) 965-1574
10 Total Sales
1 in OST-South Union
$385,000 Price
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DeAnna Green
DeAnna Green
Nydan LLC dba Nydan Real Estate Group
(346) 706-7243
25 Total Sales
1 in OST-South Union
$215,000 Price
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Nelson Senegal
Nelson Senegal
Responds QuicklyS&P Interests
(346) 220-5887
26 Total Sales
1 in OST-South Union
$320,000 Price
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Chawannia O'Conner
Chawannia O'Conner
7 Pillars Realty, LLC
(832) 240-2551
55 Total Sales
2 in OST-South Union
$85K - $135K Price Range
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Diana Nickell
Diana Nickell
Texas Palladium Properties
(979) 426-7388
45 Total Sales
1 in OST-South Union
$161,000 Price
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Beekman Street Park
Parkwood Park
- Trails
- Multi-Purpose Field
Southcrest Park
- Trails
- Playground
MacGregor Park
- Picnic Area
- Pool
- Tennis
George T. Nelson Park (Yellowstone Park)
- Baseball/Softball
- Pool
- Soccer
Zollie Scales Park
- Basketball
- Playground
- Multi-Purpose Field
Madison Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | OST-South Union | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 9 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 7 | 4 |
| Robbery | 7 | 4 |
| Burglary | 7 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
OST-South Union Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in OST-South Union, Houston sell after 78 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in OST-South Union, Houston over the last 12 months is $295,000, down 17% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$356,000
Median Sale Price
$295,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$370,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$640,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$295,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
87
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-17%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$244
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
5,972
Number of Homes for Sale
10
Median Year Built
1950
Months of Supply
1.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,362
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,810
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,188
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
440
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534
Open Houses
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Wednesday, Jul 302 - 6pm
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Wednesday, Jul 302 - 6pm
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Saturday, Aug 212 - 4pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
23,202
Median Age
35
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$30,539
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$47,679
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
81.8%
College Graduates
17.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.2%
% Population in Labor Force
54.6%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
51
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
54
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
49
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
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Museum Park
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