Sam Houston's hometown is the 'Mount Vernon of Texas'
Founded in 1835, Huntsville, the seat of Walker County, is a college town more than anything else. Once the home of famous historical figures like Sam Houston, the colloquial "Mount Vernon of Texas" was a major cultural center for Texas in 1849. Now outshined by a sprawling metropolis 60 miles south, the verdant city continues to gradually develop with new homes, school expansions and downtown revitalization, primarily driven by stalwart employers that help sustain a population of around 48,500 residents. "It's a college town, so you've got your investors that are buying to rent, but it's also a hometown, so you've got people who go to college end up staying and finding jobs there. Some are also living in Huntsville and maybe driving into Houston, or working remotely," says Realtor Renee Barrett-Gonzales of All City Real Estate. "It's just really a beautiful small town to live in. It's full of very nice people who are welcoming."
Huntsville was once home to the Texas history legend Sam Houston.
Residents of the "Mount Vernon of Texas" can visit Huntsville's many historical sites.
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Downtown rentals and remote land for custom designs
Huntsville's diverse housing stock is fitting for a college town with job opportunities. "Just about every facet of real estate exists there – tract homes, custom homes, historical homes, acreage," Barrett-Gonzales says. "You find a lot more rental opportunities closer to the college." Rentals range widely in price – some houses start as low as $500 a month, and some modern apartments begin as high as $1,500 a month. The core of Huntsville sees many restorations of historic and established homes from across the decades. Further out, newer builds bespeckle outer areas in dense suburban subdivisions and isolated communities where buyers purchase land to build a custom home. The median price of a single-family home in Huntsville is around $270,000, and those buying land typically pay between $70,000 and $200,000 per acre.
Newer custom homes are blooming in the dense suburban subdivisions further out in Huntsville.
Huntsville experiences many restorations of historic homes from across the decades.
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Correctional and healthcare facilities mitigate commutes on Interstate 45
Interstate 45 connects Huntsville with major cities like Houston, and as motorists drive in from the south, they pass by the nation's ninth-tallest statue, “A Tribute to Courage," a 67-foot-depiction of Sam Houston. U.S. Highway 90 connects with smaller cities to the east, including Livingston and Jasper. Some residents commute as far away as Houston. However, most locals commute in and around Huntsville, as the State Department of Criminal Justice employs more than 4,300 people across Huntsville's seven prison units, which range from low-to-maximum security. "There are no incidents, and it's a huge part of the community. You see the prisons as you drive through, but it's not a scary place," Barrett-Gonzales says. "It definitely is a big part of the economy." Huntsville Memorial Hospital is also a major employer for the city, employing more than 500 people.
Huntsville Memorial Hospital is a major employer that provides an array of healthcare services.
Visit the Texas Prison Museum to view how critical the criminal justice system has been to Huntsville.
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A bookish city anchored by Sam Houston State University
In addition to correctional facilities, schools are another cornerstone of Huntsville's economy. Sam Houston State University, a public research institution with roughly 22,000 students enrolled, employs thousands of Huntsville residents. Meanwhile, Huntsville Independent School District employs just under 1,000 people. Rated B by Niche, Huntsville ISD is also Texas' 5th most diverse school district. Projecting enrollment increases over the years to come, in 2021, Huntsville voters approved bonds to fund $127 million in upgrades to existing school campuses and athletic facilities.
Huntsville is home to Sam Houston State University which is a public research institution.
Huntsville High School is part of the highly rated and diverse Huntsville ISD.
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City golf courses and hikes through Sam Houston National Forest
Just beyond the Texas Piney Woods region, protected wildlife areas full of fragrant loblolly and longleaf pines sit directly outside of Huntsville, like Sam Houston National Forest, a popular hiking and camping site. Within Huntsville, 23 parks span 240 acres of public sports complexes, pocket parks, plazas and playgrounds. Several golf courses, museums and indoor rec centers are also scattered throughout Huntsville.
Huntsville residents can visit the Sam Houston National Forest and enjoy nature of the Little Pond Trail.
Huntsville's Eastham Thomas Park is one of the many outdoor epicenters of activity.
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Student activity keeps downtown active and thriving
College students, remote workers and day trippers from Houston help keep a revitalizing downtown alive at most hours of the day. Sam Houston Avenue is the spine of Huntsville's old-timey downtown, home to cafes, antique stores and donut shops. Anchoring all of this is a central square and courthouse adorned with Texas stars. "Huntsville has chain restaurants, but it also has your mom-and-pop restaurants, which is nice because you can go into the local steakhouse versus going into a chain steak house, but you still have your Sonic's, your Dairy Queen's and whatnot," Barrett-Gonzales says. Regarding errands, residents usually shop at the numerous big box retailers on the west side of I-45.
Old Town Theater is one hot spot for the beehive of activity found in downtown Huntsville.
Downtown Huntsville offers many tasty mom-and-pop restaurant options like Sandra's Kitchen.
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Cajun cook-offs and 2nd Saturdays
Most major events occur downtown, and many contribute to revitalization projects, like a weekly farmers market. The Downtown Business Alliance hosts a monthly 2nd Saturday Sip & Shop, where locals go to check out vendor booths and listen to live music while sipping wine from local shops. Each month, the theme changes, but a distinct Cajun influence comes through in March when the Mardi Gras Sip and Shop occurs alongside the Crawfish, Beer and Music Festival.
A hazardous environment with declining crime rates
Huntsville's temperate climate makes it prone to several natural hazards, most notably tornados. Droughts can also be a recurring problem, which subsequently increases the risk of coinciding hazards like wildfires and flash flooding.
Huntsville's crime trends remain on par with those of the state and nation. According to FBI data, the rates of violent and property crime have both been declining since 2021, and the rate of property crime now even remains slightly below state and national figures.
Written By
Tom Jakob
Photography Contributed By
Mitchell Hester
Video By
Mark Barakat
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