Jacinto City, Texas

City of Jacinto City
—  City  —
Jacinto City entrance sign
Location of Jacinto city in Texas
Coordinates:
Country United States
State Texas
County Harris
Incorporated 1947
Government
 • Mayor
Area
 • Total 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km2)
 • Land 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 30 ft (9.1 m)
Population (2000)[1]
 • Total 10,302
 • Density 5,540.8/sq mi (2,138.5/km2)
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 77029
Area code(s) 713
FIPS code 48-37156[2]
GNIS feature ID 1374254[3]
Website http://www.jacintocity-tx.gov/

Jacinto City is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States, east of the intersection of Interstate 10 and the East Loop of Interstate 610. Jacinto City is part of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area and is bordered by the cities of Houston and Galena Park. The population was 10,302 at the 2000 census.

Contents

History

In 1941 Frank Sharp established a subdivision which filled with shipyard workers and workers at nearby steel mills and war plants. Jacinto City incorporated in 1947 with nearly 3,800 residents; its first mayor was Inch Handler.[4] Because of the 1947 incorporation, Houston did not incorporate Jacinto City's territory into its city limits, while Houston annexed surrounding areas that were unincorporated.[5] The town still serves as a bedroom community for local industry. In the 1950s the city opened a city hall and recreational facilities. By 1960 the city had 9,500 people and by 1964 the city had 11,500 people. In 1966 the city had seventeen churches, two schools, one hospital, one bank, and one library. A waste-water facility funded by the Environmental Protection Agency opened in 1972; the Handbook of Texas stated that this may be due to complaints from residents about chemical vapors in 1969. In 1990 the city had 9,343 people.[4]

Jacinto City was known for the murder of Louis "Buddy" Musso by Susan (or Suzanne) "Sue" Basso in 1998. Basso lived in Jacinto City and held Musso against his will there; Musso died in an apartment unit used by an accomplice in Houston.[6][7] Musso's corpse was dumped in neighboring Galena Park.[8]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2), all of it land.

It is in Central Harris County, along the Missouri Pacific Railroad and at the intersection of U.S. Highway 90, Interstate 610, and Interstate 10. It is in close proximity to the San Jacinto battleground. Jacinto City derives its name from the battleground.[4]

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 10,302 people, 2,947 households, and 2,392 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,540.8 people per square mile (2,138.5/km²). There were 3,124 housing units at an average density of 1,680.2/sq mi (648.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 68.18% White, 1.23% African American, 0.89% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 25.66% from other races, and 3.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 75.39% of the population.

There were 2,947 households out of which 48.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.3% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.8% were non-families. 16.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.45 and the average family size was 3.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 33.3% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,672, and the median income for a family was $36,755. Males had a median income of $30,323 versus $22,224 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,292. About 16.1% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.

Infrastructure and government

Jacinto City practices a city manager form of government with an elected Mayor who presides over the Jacinto City City Council.

The City Council meets at the City Council Annex.[9]

The Jacinto City Fire Department and EMS and the Jacinto City Police Department serve the city.

A city hall facility had been built in the 1950s.[4]

Jacinto City is located within Harris County Precinct 2; as of 2008 Sylvia Garcia heads Precinct 2.[10]

Jacinto City is located in District 143 of the Texas House of Representatives. As of 2008 Ana E. Hernandez represents the district.[11] Jacinto City is within District 6 of the Texas Senate; as of 2008 Mario Gallegos is the representative.[12]

Jacinto City is within Texas's 29th congressional district; as of 2008 Gene Green represents the district.[13]

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Jacinto City is served by two school districts and a municipal preschool, Jacinto City Preschool.[14] Areas south of Market Street are zoned to Galena Park Independent School District while areas north of Market Street are zoned to Houston Independent School District. This HISD section is within Trustee District VIII, represented by Diana Dávila as of 2008.[15]

Galena Park Independent School District

Students who are in the GPISD section of Jacinto City are zoned to the following elementary schools:[16]

Students who are in the GPISD section of Jacinto City are zoned to the following middle schools[17]:

All students who are in the GPISD section of Jacinto City are zoned to:

Houston Independent School District

Students who are in the HISD area are zoned to:

Whittier, named after the New England poet John Greenleaf Whittier, opened in 1948, Furr opened in 1961, and Holland opened in 1979.[22]

Preschool

Jacinto City operates a municipal preschool as part of its Parks and Recreation Department. Children of the ages of 3 and 4 are eligible to attend.[23] As of 2011, 3 year olds attend on Tuesday and Thursday and 4 year olds attend on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.[24] Usually about 50 or 60 students enroll in the preschool. In the northern hemisphere fall of 2011, 80 students were enrolled.[25]

In addition, Jacinto City residents within the Houston Independent School District may apply to HISD early childhood programs. Only economically disadvantaged students, homeless students, students who are not proficient in English, or children of active-duty members of the U.S. military or whose parent has been killed, injured, or missing in action while on active duty may be enrolled in tuition-free HISD preschools. Students who are eligible for HISD's preschools may attend any Early Childhood Center in Houston ISD for free. Students not eligible may enroll in tuition-based HISD preschool programs.[26] The Galena Park Independent School District operates the William F. "Bill" Becker Early Childhood Development Center, a preschool program for low income families, in Galena Park.[27]

Colleges and universities

The pupils zoned to GPISD are served by San Jacinto College, while the students zoned HISD are served by the Houston Community College System.

Public libraries

The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) system operates the A. J. "Bert" Holder Memorial Library at 921 Akron Street across from Akron Park in Jacinto City. The first Jacinto City Public Library opened in 1958 on Mercury Drive; the building at one time functioned as Jacinto City's city hall. The current Jacinto City branch, named A. J. "Bert" Holder, opened in 1992. The branch is a partnership between HCPL and the city; the city built and maintains the 3,883-square-foot (360.7 m2) building, while the county supplies materials and staff. The city and county held this agreement since 1957.[28] The branch was named after Albert J. "Bert" Holder, who served as the Mayor of Jacinto City.[29]

Gallery of schools

Parks and recreation

The Jacinto City Department of Parks and Recreation maintains four parks, a swimming pool, a recreation center, and four ball fields.[30] One of its facilities is the Milton Lusk Youth Activity Center.[31]

The Jacinto City Town Center has several facilities, including a community center that may be rented by Jacinto City residents. Jacinto City operates the Heritage Hall, a recreational center for senior citizens of age 60 or older located in the same complex. It provides meals and activities. The center provides transportation to and from Jacinto City, Galena Park, and the Songwood community in Houston.[23] Heritage Hall first opened in 1979.[32]

A group of recreational facilities opened in the 1950s.[4]

Gallery

See also


References

  1. ^ "US Census Bureau Population Finder: Jacinto City city, TX". factfinder.census.gov. http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US4835348&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US48%7C16000US4835348&_street=&_county=jacinto+city&_cityTown=jacinto+city&_state=04000US48&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=DEC_2000_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry=. Retrieved 2007-09-23. 
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  4. ^ a b c d e Jacinto City, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
  5. ^ Lee, Renée C. "Annexed Kingwood split on effects." Houston Chronicle. Sunday October 8, 2006. A21. Retrieved on July 6, 2011. "Some of the area communities that incorporated as cities and escaped annexation by Houston:" Print version exclusively has the information cited; the information is not included in the online edition.
  6. ^ "Sue Basso traps mentally handicapped man so she can use him as slave and kill him for insurance." Crime Library. 3.
  7. ^ "Court of Criminal Appeals Opinion #73,672," Texas Judiciary
  8. ^ "Sue Basso traps mentally handicapped man so she can use him as slave and kill him for insurance." Crime Library. 2.
  9. ^ "Mayor Rachel Nunez." City of Jacinto City. Retrieved on November 11, 2011. "The City Council meets at the City Hall Annex located at 10301 Market Street."
  10. ^ Precinct 2 Map." Harris County. Accessed October 13, 2008.
  11. ^ "House District 143." Texas House of Representatives. Accessed October 11, 2008.
  12. ^ "Senate District 6" Map. Senate of Texas. Accessed September 28, 2008.
  13. ^ "Congressional District 29." National Atlas of the United States.
  14. ^ http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19728395&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=640133&rfi=6
  15. ^ "Trustee Districts Map." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on November 11, 2008.
  16. ^ "Elementary Schools - South," Galena Park Independent School District
  17. ^ "Woodland Acres Middle School," Galena Park Independent School District
  18. ^ "Galena Park High School," Galena Park Independent School District
  19. ^ "Whittier Elementary Attendance Zone," Houston Independent School District
  20. ^ "Holland Middle Attendance Zone," Houston Independent School District
  21. ^ "Furr High School Attendance Zone," Houston Independent School District
  22. ^ "School Histories: the Stories Behind the Names." Houston Independent School District. Accessed September 24, 2008.
  23. ^ a b "FAQ." City of Jacinto City. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  24. ^ "THE CITY OF JACINTO CITY PRESCHOOL 2011-12 REGISTERATION." [sic] City of Jacinto City. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  25. ^ "SPECIAL SESSION, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011, 5:30 P.M." City of Jacinto City. Page 3. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  26. ^ "APPLICATION FOR PREKINDERGARTEN, 2011-2012." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  27. ^ "Early Head Start." Galena Park Independent School District. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  28. ^ "Jacinto City Branch Library." Harris County Public Library. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  29. ^ Jacinto City Branch Library." City of Jacinto City. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  30. ^ "Parks and Recreation." City of Jacinto City. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  31. ^ "Preschool Director." City of Jacinto City. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.
  32. ^ "Heritage Hall (Senior Center)." City of Jacinto City. Retrieved on November 11, 2011.

External links