Atascocita, Texas

Atascocita, Texas
Census-designated place
The "Big A", with Lake Houston in the background
The "Big A", with Lake Houston in the background
Location in Harris County and the state of Texas
Location in Harris County and the state of Texas
Coordinates: 29°59′36″N 95°10′55″W / 29.99333°N 95.18194°W / 29.99333; -95.18194
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyHarris
Area
 • Total25.4 sq mi (65.8 km2)
 • Land25.3 sq mi (65.4 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Elevation
72 ft (22 m)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total88,174
 • Density2,599/sq mi (1,003.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
77346
Area code281
FIPS code48-04462[2]
GNIS feature ID1877179[3]
Websitewww.atascocita.com

Atascocita is a census-designated place (CDP) in Harris County, Texas, United States, within the Houston metropolitan area.[4] As of the 2020 census it had a population of 88,174.[1] It is located north and south of Farm to Market Road 1960 about 6 miles (10 km) east of Humble and 18 miles (29 km) northeast of downtown Houston in northeastern Harris County.[5]

Description

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Bordered on its eastern shore by the 12,000-acre (4,900 ha) Lake Houston, the community contains several parks, country clubs, and golf courses, including Atascocita Country Club, Walden on Lake Houston Golf and Country Club, and Tour 18, a recreation of some of the United States' most celebrated golf holes.

Atascocita was named one of the "Best Places to Retire" by U.S. News & World Report, citing Lake Houston's boating and fishing opportunities and Atascocita's numerous golf courses.[6]

History

[edit]

Atascocita's name derives from the Atascocito military outpost and subsequent road constructed by the Spanish in 1756.[7] The Atascocito Road stretched from Spanish Louisiana in the east to San Antonio in the west, connecting eastern Texas to the rest of New Spain. The Atascocito Road was a major route for American migrants moving to Texas in the 1820s and 1830s. It is unclear exactly when Atascocito shifted to Atascocita.[8]

The City of Houston annexed portions of what would become Atascocita in the 1960s, but it was de-annexed in the late 1970s.[9]

Construction in the area began in the 1970s. In the 1990s Atascocita included fifteen neighborhoods and was one of the fastest-growing developments in the Greater Houston area.[10]

The U.S. Census Bureau first established the Atascocita CDP for the 2000 U.S. Census.[11] The City of Houston did limited purpose annexation in Atascocita after the year 2000,[12] therefore reducing the CDP's territory.[11]

In 2009 the Gadberry Group named Atascocita as one of "9 from 2009" most notable high growth areas in the United States. The 2010 census listed Atascocita's population as 65,844,[1] up from 35,757 at the 2000 census.

Atascocita has two community newspapers, The Tribune Newspaper[13] and The Atascocita Observer.

Geography

[edit]
Map of the Atascocita CDP as of 2000

Atascocita is located at 29°59′36″N 95°10′55″W / 29.99333°N 95.18194°W / 29.99333; -95.18194 (29.993365, -95.182054).[14]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 25.4 square miles (65.8 km2), of which 25.3 square miles (65.4 km2) is land and 0.19 square miles (0.5 km2), or 0.74%, is water.[15]

Syd Kearney, author of A Marmac Guide to Houston and Galveston, "There are fine resort homes in sections such as Atascocita Shores."[16]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
200035,757—
201065,84484.1%
202088,17433.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1850–1900[18] 1910[19]
1920[20] 1930[21] 1940[22]
1950[23] 1960[24] 1970[25]
1980[26] 1990[27] 2000[28]
2010[29] 2020[30]

Atascocita was listed as a census designated place in the 2000 U.S. Census.[28]

2020 census

[edit]
Atascocita CDP, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[31] Pop 2010[32] Pop 2020[30] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 25,377 35,188 34,319 70.97% 53.44% 38.92%
Black or African American alone (NH) 4,611 12,300 20,153 12.90% 18.68% 22.86%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 81 169 218 0.23% 0.26% 0.25%
Asian alone (NH) 861 1,826 2,915 2.41% 2.77% 3.31%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 14 150 174 0.04% 0.23% 0.20%
Other Race alone (NH) 31 113 435 0.09% 0.17% 0.49%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 485 1,071 3,184 1.36% 1.63% 3.61%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4,297 15,027 26,776 12.02% 22.82% 30.37%
Total 35,757 65,844 88,174 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%


As of the 2020 United States census, there were 88,174 people, 26,022 households, and 20,636 families residing in the CDP. As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 65,844 people, 11,006 households, and 9,432 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,296.3 inhabitants per square mile (500.5/km2). There were 11,342 housing units at an average density of 411.2 per square mile (158.8/km2).

The racial makeup of the CDP in 2010 was 67.8% White, 19.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 22.08% of the population. In 2020, its racial and ethnic makeup was 38.92% non-Hispanic white, 22.86% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 3.31% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.49% some other race, 3.61% multiracial, and 30.37% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In the CDP as of 2010, the population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 35.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 3.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $83,314.[33] The per capita income for the CDP was $31,496[33] About 2.2% of families and 3.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over. In 2020, the American Community Survey estimated its median household income increased to $103,676.[34]

Atascocita's median home price was $153,100 as of 2017; there are many subdivisions in Atascocita, ranging from small, intimate neighborhoods to large, master-planned communities like Eagle Springs, Walden on Lake Houston, The Groves, The Bridges on Lake Houston, Balmoral, Lakeshore, Waters Edge, Summerwood, Pinehurst and Atascocita Shores. New home prices range from under $200,000 to over $20 million.[6]

Government and infrastructure

[edit]

Local and county government

[edit]

The Atascocita Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services.[35] The Harris County Sheriff's Office provides police services.

The Atascocita CDP is divided between Harris County Precinct 1 and Harris County Precinct 4.[36][37] As of 2022, Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Lesley Briones head the precincts, respectively.[38][39]

The CDP is served by the Harris County Sheriff's Office District II Patrol,[40] headquartered from the Humble Substation at 7900 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble.[41] The Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy is in Atascocita.[42]

The Harris County Fire Marshall's offices are in Atascocita.[43]

The Sheriff's Office opened the Atascocita boot camp, a correctional facility for county inmates, in 1991. It closed in September 2004 as the county decided that its rehabilitation value was questionable.[44] The vocational programs, once at the camp, were transferred to the Downtown area.[45]

The nearest public clinic of the Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) is the E.A. "Squatty" Lyons clinic in Humble. The nearest public hospital is Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital in northeast Houston.[46]

State representation

[edit]

Pam Lychner Unit, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice state jail for men, is located in the Atascocita CDP.[47] The state jail, which has beds for 2,200 residents and a residential probation program with 450 beds, was named after Pam Lychner.[10][48][49]

Education

[edit]

Primary and secondary schools

[edit]
Public schools
Atascocita High School

Atascocita students attend school in the Humble Independent School District.[50]

Elementary schools within Atascocita CDP include:[11] Atascocita Springs, Eagle Springs, Oaks, Pine Forest, Timbers, and Whispering Pines.[51] Maplebrook Elementary School is in the limited purpose city limits of Houston and surrounded by Atascocita CDP.[51][52] Other elementary schools serving portions of Atascocita include Deerwood (Kingwood), Greentree (Kingwood), Lakeshore (Houston), Park Lakes (unincorporated), River Pines (unincorporated), and Summerwood (Houston).[51]

Most of Atascocita CDP is served by Atascocita Middle School in the limited purpose city limits of Houston,[52] and Humble Middle School, Timberwood Middle School, and Wood Creek Middle School in Atascocita.[53] Some portions are zoned to Sterling Middle School in Humble, Creekwood Middle School in Kingwood, and Riverwood Middle School in Kingwood.[53]

Most of Atascocita CDP is served by Atascocita High School in Atascocita, while portions are served by Humble High School in Humble, Kingwood High School in Kingwood, and Summer Creek High School in an unincorporated area outside of Atascocita.[54]

Previously Humble High School served the Atascocita area until rapid growth in the community forced the construction of Atascocita High School in 2006. With an exterior modeled after Thomas Jefferson's iconic Monticello estate, the 435,000-square-foot (40,400 m2), $46.9 million school was built on a 100-acre (40 ha) heavily wooded parcel of land in the center of Atascocita. Since its opening, Atascocita High School has garnered an impressive list of academic accolades including being labeled a "Recognized" campus by the Texas State Board of Education in 2010.[55] All students attending the Humble Independent School District have the option to apply for admission to Quest Early College High School, a magnet high school in Atascocita.

Private schools

The PK-5 Holy Trinity Episcopal School is in proximity to Atascocita.[56]

Colleges and Universities

[edit]
Lone Star College - Atascocita Center

Lone Star College opened its Atascocita Center in August, 2011. The center offers access to adult basic education/GED, English as a Second Language, college classes to meet degree requirements and Academy for Lifelong Learning (ALL) for seniors. The University of Houston–Downtown also offers a bachelor's degree in business administration in the evenings at the center.

Public libraries

[edit]

Atascocita is served by the Atascocita Branch Library of the Harris County Public Library (HCPL), located inside the CDP. In 1986 the Atascocita Hi Neighbor group began to campaign for a library in Atascocita. The 12,000-square-foot (1,100 m2) branch was built from 1994 to 1996 with the help of Janette Dennis, an Atascocita resident and philanthropist, and opened on May 5, 1996. Janette Dennis helped spearhead "The Friends of the Atascocita Library" (FOAL) donates around $20,000 United States dollars per year to the library.[57][58]

Parks and recreation

[edit]

Atascocita Park, a 20-acre (8.1 ha) area of space, on Lake House Parkway,[59] opened on June 24, 2020. A part of Harris County Precinct 2, it had a cost of $11,500,000. It has a dog park with 1 acre (0.40 ha) of space, a boardwalk with a 2-acre (0.81 ha) pond, and a playground with skywalks.[60]

Lake Houston is in the Atascocita area. Syd Kearney, author of A Marmac Guide to Houston and Galveston, said that Atascocita was "synonymous with golf, tennis, and other great recreational features on Lake Houston."[16]

Harris County Precinct 4 operates the 136 acres (55 ha) Lindsay/Lyons Park and Sports Complex. The complex has barbecue grills, one barbecue pavilion, 10 lighted baseball fields, two lighted American football fields, picnic tables, two playgrounds (one is an all-inclusive playground and toilet facility for children of all physical abilities), four lighted softball fields, 18 unlighted soccer (football) fields, and toilet facilities. Additions added later in the park's life include a donor pavers garden, sensory garden for children with impaired sight, three 30-seat picnic pavilions, a paved walking trail around the playground, and additional trees.[61][62]

See also

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Notes

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Atascocita CDP, Texas (Revision of 11-26-2012)". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ "Atascocita Community Guide". Atascocita.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  5. ^ Jasinski, Laurie E. "Atascocita". Texas Almanac. Texas State Historical Association.
  6. ^ a b "Atascocita, Texas: Best Places to Retire - USNews.com". Archived from the original on 2011-02-09. Retrieved 2017-08-24.
  7. ^ Kemp, L.W. "Atascosito Road". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association.
  8. ^ "[1]"
  9. ^ "Annexations in Houston Or How we grew to 667 square miles in 175 years." City of Houston Planning and Development Department. p. 40 and 41 of 62. Retrieved on February 21, 2017.
  10. ^ a b Atascocita, Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
  11. ^ a b c "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Atascocita CDP, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
    "2010 Census Block Map Atascocita, TX." (Archive). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on October 21, 2012.
    See also the 2000 U.S. Census maps: Index and pages 1, 2, 3, and 4.
  12. ^ "Annexations in Houston" (PDF). City of Houston. p. 53/62. Retrieved 2024-03-10. - See the northeastern part of the map.
  13. ^ "Home". Ourtribune.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  14. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  15. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Atascocita CDP, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2012.
  16. ^ a b Kearney, Syd. A Marmac Guide to Houston and Galveston. Pelican Publishing, March 1, 2009. p. 222. Retrieved from Google Books on October 21, 2012. ISBN 1589805488, 9781589805484.
  17. ^ "Decennial Census by Decade". US Census Bureau.
  18. ^ "1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  19. ^ "1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  20. ^ "1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  21. ^ "1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  22. ^ "1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  23. ^ "1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  24. ^ "1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  25. ^ "1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  26. ^ "1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  27. ^ "1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  28. ^ a b "2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  29. ^ "2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas" (PDF). United States Census Bureau.
  30. ^ a b "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Atascocita CDP, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  31. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Atascocita CDP, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  32. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Atascocita CDP, Texas". United States Census Bureau.
  33. ^ a b "Atascocita CDP QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau". Archived from the original on 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  34. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  35. ^ "Atascocita Fire Department". Avfd.com. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  36. ^ "Parks Map Archived 2008-07-23 at the Wayback Machine." Harris County Precinct 4. Retrieved on November 22, 2008.
  37. ^ "Precinct Maps : All Maps Archived January 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine." Harris County, Texas. Retrieved on November 15, 2008.
  38. ^ "Welcome to the Harris County Precinct One Website! Archived 2008-12-16 at the Wayback Machine." Harris County, Texas. Retrieved on December 13, 2008.
  39. ^ "Welcome to Precinct 4 Archived 2008-05-09 at the Wayback Machine." Harris County Precinct 4. Retrieved on November 22, 2008.
  40. ^ District II Map Archived February 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Harris County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved on November 23, 2008.
  41. ^ "District II Patrol Archived June 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine." Harris County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved on November 23, 2008.
  42. ^ "Sheriff's Academy General Information Archived 2010-03-28 at the Wayback Machine." Harris County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved on May 29, 2010. "2316 Atascocita Road Humble, Texas 77396."
  43. ^ "Home Archived 2010-04-08 at the Wayback Machine." Harris County Fire Marshall. Retrieved on May 29, 2010. "2318 Atascocita Rd. Humble, TX 77396."
  44. ^ Tilghman, Andrew (2004-08-29). "Harris County turns away from boot camps". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-08-11.
  45. ^ Blakinger, Keri (2019-08-08). "Changing times: Harris County jail expands vocational classes to include women". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-08-11.
  46. ^ "Clinic/Emergency/Registration Center Directory By ZIP Code". Harris County Hospital District. 2001-11-19. Archived from the original on 2001-11-19. Retrieved 2021-04-08. - See ZIP code 77346. See this map for relevant ZIP codes.
  47. ^ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Atascocita CDP, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 1 (PDF p. 2/4). Retrieved 2024-09-13. Pam Lychner State Jail
  48. ^ "Saluting Employees January/February 2003 Archived June 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Accessed September 12, 2008.
  49. ^ "Lychner (AJ) Archived 2008-09-26 at the Wayback Machine." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Accessed September 12, 2008.
  50. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Harris County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 3 (PDF p. 4/6). Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  51. ^ a b c "Elementary Attendance Zones 2011-12." () Humble Independent School District. Retrieved on October 21, 2012.
  52. ^ a b "City of Houston City limits" (PDF). City of Houston. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-05-23. Retrieved 2019-05-23. - The school is in the limited purpose city limits, but not in the full purpose city limits.
  53. ^ a b "Middle School Attendance Zones 2011-12." (Archive) Humble Independent School District. Retrieved on October 21, 2012.
  54. ^ "High School Attendance Zones 2011-12." (Archive) Humble Independent School District. Retrieved on October 21, 2012.
  55. ^ [2] [permanent dead link]
  56. ^ "FAQs". Holy Trinity Episcopal School. Retrieved 2020-04-20. We are located at 11810 Lockwood Road [...] We are conveniently positioned to serve families in areas such as [...]Atascocita [...]
  57. ^ "Atascocita Branch Library." Harris County Public Library. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.
  58. ^ "[3] [permanent dead link]
  59. ^ Gutierrez, Marcus (2020-05-29). "County hopes to open $11 million Atascocita Park in June". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
  60. ^ Mehrtens, Savannah (2020-06-24). "Highly anticipated $11.5 million Atascocita Park opened today despite gloomy weather". Houston Chronicle. The Atascocita Observer. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
  61. ^ "Lindsay/Lyons Park and Sports Complex Archived 2011-06-20 at the Wayback Machine." Harris County Precinct 4. Retrieved on December 2, 2009.
  62. ^ "Lindsay/Lyons Sports Center Location and Facilities Map Archived 2011-06-20 at the Wayback Machine. " Harris County Precinct 4. Retrieved on December 2, 2009.
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