View our list of neighborhoods in Baytown, Texas
Baytown is a city within Harris County and partially in Chambers County in the Gulf Coast region of the U.S. state of Texas. Located within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, it lies along both State Highway 146 and Interstate 10. As of the 2005 U.S. Census, Baytown had a total population of 68,371. It is the fourth-largest city within the metropolitan area.
DemographicsAs of the census[2] of 2000, there were 66,430 people, 23,483 households, and 17,025 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,034.4 people per square mile (785.6/km2). There were 26,203 housing units at an average density of 802.4/sq mi (309.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 67.87% White, 13.38% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 14.42% from other races, and 2.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 35% of the population.
There were 23,483 households out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.32.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,559, and the median income for a family was $45,346. Males had a median income of $38,039 versus $25,012 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,641. About 13.0% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Regional CityBecause of Baytown's industry, it serves as a central city for several communities in the Eastern region of Greater Houston including the eastern portion of Harris County, western Chambers County, and south-western Liberty County. Also, the city is a primary city of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area.
San Jacinto Mall is a regional shopping mall that opened in 1982 and is one of the largest shopping malls in the region. However, economic changes in the area have left the mall largely vacant. The city is also home to major retail establishments such as Kroger, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy.
The Baytown Sun serves as the region's newspaper.
The Baytown Little Theater is a community theater in Baytown run entirely by volunteers. The theater has been in operation for 46 years (as of 2008) and is one of the longest continuously running community theaters in the state of Texas. The theater typically produces six shows each year from September to August, with each show giving seven performances.
On Friday the 13th, July 2007 the theater was destroyed when a woman driving a Ford Taurus passed out at the wheel and drove into the side of the building and came to rest in the middle of the arena theatre stage. The theater is currently operating out of a donated space across the street from Ross S. Sterling High School at 4328 Hugh Echols Blvd. The theater also has plans to perform at Lee College's new Performing Arts Center.
EducationPrimary and secondary schoolsPublic schools
Baytown is served by the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District. Based in Baytown, the district has 14 elementary schools (grades K-5), 5 junior highs (grades 6-8), 3 high schools (grades 9-12), a career center, and two alternative centers for education. The district serves all of Baytown, Highlands, outlying areas of East Harris County, and a small portion of western Chambers County. The three local high schools are Robert E. Lee (opened in 1928) and Ross S. Sterling (opened in 1966) and Goose Creek Memorial High School (opened in 2008). There is also a friendly rivalry between the two long-standing high schools, Robert E. Lee and Ross S. Sterling. Although with the opening of Goose Creek Memorial, Robert E. Lee is expected to drop to conference 4A in 2010 and it not known at this time if the two schools will continue to play each other.
Following several years of research and debate, voters passed a $120 million bond referendum in 2005 to improve present facilities and replace several existing schools and build new ones. Included in this package is a new elementary school, and plans for a sixteenthth elementary to be drawn. One junior high school and one elementary school are due to be replaced. Lee High School will be reformatted to a smaller campus and the auxiliary campus will be converted to its original purpose as an alternative educational center. Additionally, the district will add new classrooms and improve its football stadium.
Stallworth Stadium is the home for varsity football and soccer for GCCISD as well as for the annual Bayou Bowl. The stadium seats approximately 16,000 fans, making it one of the largest high school sports venues in the nation. It is currently undergoing a renovation of its press box and has newly installed turf and scoreboard. On a campaign stop for the 1976 Presidential election, President Gerald Ford attended a Robert E Lee high school Fall football game.
Private schools
The area is also served by Baytown Christian Academy, Lighthouse Baptist Academy, and St. Joseph Catholic School[7]. The Catholic school is a part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
Colleges and universitiesEast Harris County and West Chambers County are served by Lee College, a two-year junior college.
Public librariesThe City of Baytown operates the Sterling Municipal Library [1]. In addition Baytown residents are served by the Harris County Public Library system.
References
Baytown, Texas on Wikipedia