Webster, Texas

{{Further|History of the Galveston Bay Area}}

File:Hauling rice in South Texas.jpg

The community was founded in 1879 by James W. Webster under the name "Gardentown". It was established initially as a colony for settlers from England. It began as a stopover for travelers between Houston/Harrisburg, Galveston, Kemah, and Seabrook. Eventually, railroads, such as the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, were built through the area. Farmers in the area raised pears and other produce.{{Handbook of Texas | name=Webster, Texas| id=hjw04 | author=Kleiner, Diana J. | retrieved=26 January 2010}} Texas State Historical Association.

In 1903, the Houston Chamber of Commerce invited Seito Saibara, a former Japanese member of parliament and a Christian theologian, to come to Texas to teach rice farming. Rice at that time was emerging as an important cash crop. Saibara settled in Webster and established a small farming community of Japanese Christians. Saibara and his son Kiyoaki established the foundations of what became the rice industry of the U.S. Gulf Coast.{{cite web | url=http://www.cityofwebster.com/index.asp?NID=2#chpt2 | title=History of Webster, Texas | publisher=City of Webster | access-date=26 January 2010}}{{Handbook of Texas | name=Saibara, Seito | id=fsagp | retrieved=26 January 2010}} Texas State Historical Association.

Dairies and livestock ranches developed in the town, as well, in the early 1900s. Petroleum was discovered at the Webster (Friendswood) Oil Field in 1937,{{cite book |last1=Olien |first1=Diana |last2=Olien |first2=Roger |title=Oil in Texas, The Gusher Age, 1895-1945 |date=2002 |publisher=University of Texas Press |location=Austin |isbn=0292760566 |pages=214}}{{cite book |last1=Patrick |first1=H. |editor1-last=Nettleton |editor1-first=L.L. |title=Case History of the Friendswood (Webster) Oil Field, Harris County, Texas, in Geophysical Case Histories, Volume 1=1948 |date=1949 |publisher=Society of Exploration Geophysicists |pages=74–84}} but the population remained small. The community was incorporated in 1958.

In 1961, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that it was building the Manned Spacecraft Center (now known as the Johnson Space Center) nearby along the shores of Clear Lake. Growth and development quickly swept over the Clear Lake area, and Webster's population blossomed. Webster today has become a thriving bedroom community closely tied to the Clear Lake area and its high-tech industry.

{{Clear}}

File:Texas Avenue Park -- Webster,Texas.jpg

File:WebsterTXMap.gif

Webster is located in southeastern Harris County at {{Coord|29.538581|-95.119354|type:city_region:US|format=dms|display=inline}} (29.538581, –95.119354).{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}} It is bordered to the north by the city of Houston and to the northeast by Nassau Bay. Clear Creek forms the southeastern border of Webster and is the Harris County / Galveston County line. League City borders Webster to the south and southwest, in both counties.

Interstate 45 runs through the western side of Webster, with access from exits 23 through 25. Downtown Houston is {{convert|22|mi}} to the northwest, and Galveston is {{convert|28|mi}} to the southeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|17.0|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.6|km2|order=flip}}, or 3.24%, is covered by water.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, Webster has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=85237&cityname=Webster,%20Texas,%20United%20States%20of%20America&units=|title=Webster, Texas Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)}}

{{US Census population

|1960= 329

|1970= 2231

|1980= 2405

|1990= 4678

|2000= 9083

|2010= 10684

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

|2020=12499}}

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,499 people, 5,334 households, and 2,530 families residing in the city.

The 2019 American Community Survey determined 11,451 people lived within the city limits. The racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 70.6% non-Hispanic white, 19.4% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4.2% Asian, 3.7% multiracial, and 33.1% Hispanic or Latin American of any race.

In 2019, the 4,994 households had an owner-occupied housing rate of 13.1%, and the median value of an owner-occupied housing unit was $186,400. Webster had a median gross rent of $1,131 from 2015–2019. The city of Webster had a median household income of $55,497 and per capita income of $29,242. Roughly 18.7% of persons lived at or below the poverty line according to the 2019 survey.

At the census of 2000, 9,083 people, 4,114 households, and 1,970 families were residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,372.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 4,733 housing units had an average density of 715.4/sq mi (276.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 64.85% White, 9.03% African American, 0.55% Native American, 5.72% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 15.78% from other races, and 3.92% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 27.24% of the population.

Of the 4,114 households, 24.6% had children under 18 living with them, 32.7% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.1% were not families. About 40.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.14, and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the age distribution was 20.9% under 18, 15.0% from 18 to 24, 43.5% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.1% who were 65 or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 107.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,385, and for a family was $43,495. Males had a median income of $35,346 versus $29,808 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,964. About 12.5% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under 18 and 5.6% of those 65 or over.

File:City of Webster, Texas Fire Department.jpg

File:Webster TX PO 77598.jpg

The city of Webster has fire stations #1 and #2, with the fire department offices in the second station."[http://www.cityofwebster.com/index.aspx?nid=503 Public Information Phone Numbers]." City of Webster. Retrieved on May 16, 2010. The city has its own police department.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityofwebster.com/index.aspx?nid=310|title = Police | City of Webster - Gateway to the future}}

Harris County Housing Authority operates Baybrook Park, a public-housing complex for seniors, in the Webster city limits. It has 100 units."[http://hchatexas.org/about-us/our-properties/ Our Properties]." Harris County Housing Authority. Retrieved on January 1, 2019. "Baybrook Park Address: 500 W. Texas Avenue, Webster, TX 77598"

The Texas Department of Public Safety operates its Webster Field Investigator Office and Driver's License Office in a nearby area in Houston."[http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb/docs/psb_fld_invest_ofcs.htm Field Investigator Offices]." Texas Department of Public Safety. Retrieved on May 16, 2010."[http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administration/driver_licensing_control/rolodex/search.asp Texas Driver License Office Map]." Texas Department of Public Safety. Retrieved on May 16, 2010.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Webster District Parole Office in a nearby area in Houston."[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff3.htm Parole Division Region III] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725203948/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff3.htm |date=2010-07-25 }}." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 15, 2010.

The United States Postal Service Webster Post Office is located at 17077 North Texas Avenue."[https://tools.usps.com/go/POLocatorDetailsAction!input.action?locationTypeQ=all&address=Webster%2C+TX&radius=20&locationType=po&locationID=1386791&locationName=WEBSTER&address2=&address1=17077+N+TEXAS+AVE&city=WEBSTER&state=TX&zip5=77598&zip4=9998&tollFree=800-ASK-USPS%26reg%3B%26nbsp%3B%28800-275-8777%29&fax=281-338-9739&tAddress=&tAddress1Ams=&tAddress2Ams=&tCityAms=&tStateAms=&tZipAms=&tCarrierRouteAms=&latitude=29.5413753&longitude=-95.131736&sWithin=20&&&&&&&&& WEBSTER]." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on April 24, 2018. "17077 N TEXAS AVE WEBSTER, TX 77598-9998" Some locations in the City of Houston have Webster mailing addresses.{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.houston.tx.us:80/annexation/annexation_FAQ.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961031170034/http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/annexation/annexation_FAQ.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1996-10-31|title=City of Houston Annexation FAQ|publisher=City of Houston|date=1996-10-31|access-date=2018-04-24|quote=Numerous residents of the City of Houston have Missouri City, Webster, Friendswood, Stafford, Humble and even Kingwood addresses.}}

Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) designated Strawberry Health Center in Pasadena for ZIP code 77598. The nearest public hospital is Ben Taub General Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.{{cite web|url=http://www.tmc.edu/hchd/LOCATE.HTM|title=Clinic/Emergency/Registration Center Directory By ZIP Code|publisher=Harris County Hospital District|date=2001-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011119141023/http://www.tmc.edu/hchd/LOCATE.HTM|accessdate=2021-04-08|archive-date=2001-11-19}} - See ZIP code 77598. [https://www.harrishealth.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/community-assessment/pregnancy-birth-data/2012/infant-mortality-rate-2012.pdf See this map for relevant ZIP code].

File:Edgewater Estates Webster, Texas.jpg

The Baybrook Mall is located in the City of Houston,"[http://www.houstontx.gov/superneighborhoods/SN_LU_Maps/SN_81.pdf SN_81.pdf]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140331095944/http://www.houstontx.gov/superneighborhoods/SN_LU_Maps/SN_81.pdf Archive]). Retrieved on March 31, 2014. near Webster.Kaplan, David. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/retail/article/Major-expansion-set-for-Baybrook-Mall-5345696.php Major expansion set for Baybrook Mall]." Houston Chronicle. March 24, 2014. Retrieved on March 31, 2014. "The company that owns the indoor shopping complex off the Gulf Freeway in suburban Webster will add 555,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space and create a community lawn the length of a football field."

Pupils in Webster attend schools in Clear Creek Independent School District.[https://web.archive.org/web/20161231120014/http://www1.cityofwebster.com/MapsStatic/11x17_Zoning_Portrait_1.pdf Zoning Map]. City of Webster. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. The community is divided between the Board of Trustees District 2 and the Board of Trustees District 4.[http://www.ccisd.net/board_05/pdf/District2map.pdf District 2 Map]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.[http://www.ccisd.net/board_05/pdf/District4map.pdf District 4 Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227011022/http://www.ccisd.net/board_05/pdf/District4map.pdf |date=February 27, 2009 }}. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 6, 2008. They are represented by Win Weber and Stuart J. Stromeyer, respectively, as of 2008."[http://www.ccisd.net/board_05/board_members.html School Board Members: Bios and Contact Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205151459/http://www.ccisd.net/board_05/board_members.html |date=December 5, 2008 }}." Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 6, 2008. CCISD was established in 1948, partly from the former Webster school district, which served up to high school and took high-school students from Kemah and Seabrook.{{Cite news|url = http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/bay_area/living/ccisd-boasts-long-proud-history/article_4027ee93-c4f9-55e3-a833-14e4f795afd4.html|title = CCISD boasts long, proud history|date = 10 June 2011|access-date = 11 Aug 2015|newspaper = Chron|publisher = Your Houston News|last = Cherry|first = Mary}} - [https://www.chron.com/life/health/article/CCISD-boasts-long-proud-history-9370269.php New URL] on the Houston Chronicle site

Most residents within the city limits are zoned to Margaret S. McWhirter Elementary School in Webster.[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858267 McWhirter Elementary zone map]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. The school occupies a {{convert|125000|sqft|sqm|adj=on}} building. The current McWhirter campus held its groundbreaking in 2014,{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Clear-Creek-ISD-breaks-ground-on-McWhirter-9951485.php|title=Clear Creek ISD breaks ground on McWhirter Elementary|agency=Bay Area Citizen|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=2014-06-09|access-date=2016-12-31}} and opened in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.ccisd.net/news/what_s_new/new_mc_whirter_elementary_school_opens_in_webster_/|title=New McWhirter Elementary School Opens in Webster Rededication Ceremony Set for March 3|publisher=Clear Creek Independent School District|date=2016-02-08|access-date=2016-12-31}} The re-dedication was held in March of that year.{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/New-look-McWhirter-Elementary-opens-its-doors-9701946.php|title=New look McWhirter Elementary opens its doors|publisher=Bay Area Citizen at the Houston Chronicle|date=2016-03-04|access-date=2016-12-31}} That year the Texas Education Agency gave the school a grant allowing it to re-establish a full day Prekindergarten program.{{cite web|author=Hill, Glynn A.|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/article/McWhirter-revives-full-day-pre-K-program-8329850.php|title=McWhirter revives full-day pre-K program|publisher=The Bay Area Citizen|date=2016-06-28|access-date=2016-12-31}}

Some residential sections of the city are served by Armand Bayou (Houston),[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858238 Armand Bayou Elementary zone map]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. See the bottom part of the map, which indicates an exclave of Armand Bayou's attendance boundary. Falcon Pass (Houston),"[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858248 Falcon Pass Elementary zone map]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. League City (League City),[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858265 League City Elementary zone map]." Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. and Whitcomb (Houston) elementary schools."[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858288 Whitcomb Elementary zone map]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. Most residents are zoned to Clear Creek Intermediate School (League City).[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858304 Clear Creek Intermediate zone]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. Some residents are zoned to Clear Lake,[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858306 Clear Lake Intermediate zone]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. and Space Center intermediate schools, both in Clear Lake City and in Houston.[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858314 Space Center Intermediate zone]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. Most residents are zoned to Clear Creek High School in League City,[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=15629523 Clear Creek High zone]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016. while Clear Lake High School in Clear Lake City, Houston, serves a small section.[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=15629517 Clear Lake High zone]. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016.

P.H. Greene Elementary School, in an unincorporated area, serves areas outside of the city with Webster addresses."[https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858257 P.H. Greene zone map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231111210/https://www.ccisd.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=12858257 |date=December 31, 2016 }}. Clear Creek Independent School District. Retrieved on December 31, 2016.

Webster Intermediate School formerly served the city, but moved to an unincorporated area near Friendswood and was renamed Westbrook Intermediate School in spring 2005;Hunter, Rachel. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20080315162552/http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=20e57640c33ea50d Changes to attendance zones approved]." Galveston County Daily News. February 26, 2005. Retrieved on March 31, 2014. "The district is closing Webster Intermediate at the end of the school year and a replacement campus, Westbrook Intermediate, is scheduled to open in August, Taylor said. Although Westbrook is a new campus, she said, it is simply replacing Webster, which will become an alternative school for students at risk of failing or dropping out. Taylor said the replacement campus would not provide the district with additional space for intermediate school students, but attendance zones needed to be changed to include the new campus." {{As of|2016}} Westbrook does not serve Webster.

Iman Academy Southeast Secondary School is in southeast Houston, northeast of Webster, off of Highway 3."[http://www.imanacademy.org/index.php?action=pages&uniq_identifier=contactus&sub_page_ident=ContactInformation Contact Us]." Iman Academy. Retrieved on November 14, 2010. "825 Jetstream Ct, Webster TX 77598" - [https://web.archive.org/web/19961031170034/http://www.ci.houston.tx.us/annexation/annexation_FAQ.html The City of Houston states]: "Numerous residents of the City of Houston have [...]Webster, [...] addresses."

The portion of Clear Creek ISD in Harris County (and therefore Webster) is assigned to San Jacinto College.{{cite web|url=https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm|title=Sec. 130.174. COLLEGE OF THE MAINLAND DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. Sec. 130.197. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.}}

The Edgar A. Smith Family YMCA is located in Houston; it has a Webster mailing address.

• Stephanie Beatriz, actress
• Josh Huestis, basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder
• Dennis Paul, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 129, formerly resided in Webster.
• Steve Stockman, Republican former member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas's 36th congressional district
• Ryan Trecartin, multimedia artist

{{Portal|Texas}}

• Seito Saibara

{{Reflist}}

{{notelist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.cityofwebster.com/ City of Webster official website]
• [https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hjw04 Handbook of Texas Online article on Webster]
• [http://mcwhirter.ccisd.net/ McWhirter Elementary School]

{{Galveston Bay Area}}

{{Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA}}

{{Texas}}

{{Harris County, Texas}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Cities in Harris County, Texas

Category:Cities in Texas

Category:Galveston Bay Area

Category:Greater Houston

Category:Populated places established in 1879

Category:1879 establishments in Texas