Atascocita, Texas
Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates
Atascocita is a census-designated place (CDP) in Harris County, Texas, United States, within the Houston metropolitan area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of the 2020 census it had a population of 88,174.<ref name="Census 2010"/> It is located north and south of Farm to Market Road 1960 about Template:Convert east of Humble and Template:Convert northeast of downtown Houston in northeastern Harris County.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Description
Bordered on its eastern shore by the Template:Convert 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.<ref name="usnews.com">Template:Cite web</ref>
History
Atascocita's name derives from the Atascocito military outpost and subsequent road constructed by the Spanish in 1756.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>"[1]"</ref>
The City of Houston annexed portions of what would become Atascocita in the 1960s, but it was de-annexed in the late 1970s.<ref>"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.</ref>
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.<ref name="AtaHistory">Template:Handbook of Texas</ref>
The U.S. Census Bureau first established the Atascocita CDP for the 2000 U.S. census.<ref name=AtascoitaCDPmaps>Template:Cite web
"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.</ref> The City of Houston did limited purpose annexation in Atascocita after the year 2000,<ref>Template:Cite web - See the northeastern part of the map.</ref> therefore reducing the CDP's territory.<ref name=AtascoitaCDPmaps/>
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,<ref name="Census 2010"/> up from 35,757 at the 2000 census.
Atascocita has two community newspapers, The Tribune Newspaper<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and The Atascocita Observer.
Geography
Atascocita is located at Template:Coord (29.993365, -95.182054).<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert, or 0.74%, is water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Syd Kearney, author of A Marmac Guide to Houston and Galveston, "There are fine resort homes in sections such as Atascocita Shores."<ref name=Kearney222>Kearney, Syd. A Marmac Guide to Houston and Galveston. Pelican Publishing, March 1, 2009. p. 222. Retrieved from Google Books on October 21, 2012. Template:ISBN, 9781589805484.</ref>Template:Clear left
Demographics
Atascocita was listed as a census designated place in the 2000 U.S. census.<ref name=2000CensusTX/>
2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref> | Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> | Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref> | % 2000 | % 2010 | Template:Partial |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 65,844 people, 11,006 households, and 9,432 families residing in the CDP. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 11,342 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.
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.<ref name="census.gov">Template:Cite web</ref> The per capita income for the CDP was $31,496<ref name="census.gov" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="usnews.com" />
Government and infrastructure
Local and county government
The Atascocita Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Harris County Sheriff's Office provides police services.
The Atascocita CDP is divided between Harris County Precinct 1 and Harris County Precinct 4.<ref>"Parks Map Template:Webarchive." Harris County Precinct 4. Retrieved on November 22, 2008.</ref><ref>"Precinct Maps : All Maps Template:Webarchive." Harris County, Texas. Retrieved on November 15, 2008.</ref> As of 2022, Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Lesley Briones head the precincts, respectively.<ref>"Welcome to the Harris County Precinct One Website! Template:Webarchive." Harris County, Texas. Retrieved on December 13, 2008.</ref><ref>"Welcome to Precinct 4 Template:Webarchive." Harris County Precinct 4. Retrieved on November 22, 2008.</ref>
The CDP is served by the Harris County Sheriff's Office District II Patrol,<ref>District II Map Template:Webarchive. Harris County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved on November 23, 2008.</ref> headquartered from the Humble Substation at 7900 Will Clayton Parkway in Humble.<ref>"District II Patrol Template:Webarchive." Harris County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved on November 23, 2008.</ref> The Harris County Sheriff's Office Academy is in Atascocita.<ref>"Sheriff's Academy General Information Template:Webarchive." Harris County Sheriff's Office. Retrieved on May 29, 2010. "2316 Atascocita Road Humble, Texas 77396."</ref>
The Harris County Fire Marshall's offices are in Atascocita.<ref>"Home Template:Webarchive." Harris County Fire Marshall. Retrieved on May 29, 2010. "2318 Atascocita Rd. Humble, TX 77396."</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The vocational programs, once at the camp, were transferred to the Downtown area.<ref name=Blakingerjobs>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web - See ZIP code 77346. See this map for relevant ZIP codes.</ref>
State representation
Pam Lychner Unit, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice state jail for men, is located in the Atascocita CDP.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The state jail, which has beds for 2,200 residents and a residential probation program with 450 beds, was named after Pam Lychner.<ref name="AtaHistory"/><ref>"Saluting Employees January/February 2003 Template:Webarchive." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Accessed September 12, 2008.</ref><ref>"Lychner (AJ) Template:Webarchive." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Accessed September 12, 2008.</ref>
Education
Primary and secondary schools
- Public schools
Atascocita students attend school in the Humble Independent School District.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Elementary schools within Atascocita CDP include:<ref name=AtascoitaCDPmaps/> Atascocita Springs, Eagle Springs, Oaks, Pine Forest, Timbers, and Whispering Pines.<ref name=HumbleES>"Elementary Attendance Zones 2011-12." () Humble Independent School District. Retrieved on October 21, 2012.</ref> Maplebrook Elementary School is in the limited purpose city limits of Houston and surrounded by Atascocita CDP.<ref name=HumbleES/><ref name=HTownlimitedpurpose>Template:Cite web - The school is in the limited purpose city limits, but not in the full purpose city limits.</ref> Other elementary schools serving portions of Atascocita include Deerwood (Kingwood), Greentree (Kingwood), Lakeshore (Houston), Park Lakes (unincorporated), River Pines (unincorporated), and Summerwood (Houston).<ref name=HumbleES/>
Most of Atascocita CDP is served by Atascocita Middle School in the limited purpose city limits of Houston,<ref name=HTownlimitedpurpose/> and Humble Middle School, Timberwood Middle School, and Wood Creek Middle School in Atascocita.<ref name=Midmaps>"Middle School Attendance Zones 2011-12." (Archive) Humble Independent School District. Retrieved on October 21, 2012.</ref> Some portions are zoned to Sterling Middle School in Humble, Creekwood Middle School in Kingwood, and Riverwood Middle School in Kingwood.<ref name=Midmaps/>
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.<ref>"High School Attendance Zones 2011-12." (Archive) Humble Independent School District. Retrieved on October 21, 2012.</ref>
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 Template:Convert, $46.9 million school was built on a Template:Convert 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.<ref>[2] Template:Dead link</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Colleges and Universities
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
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 Template:Convert 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.<ref>"Atascocita Branch Library." Harris County Public Library. Retrieved on November 29, 2008.</ref><ref>"[3] Template:Dead link</ref>
Parks and recreation
Atascocita Park, a Template:Convert area of space on Lake Houston Parkway,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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 Template:Convert of space, a boardwalk with a Template:Convert pond, and a playground with skywalks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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."<ref name=Kearney222/>
Harris County Precinct 4 operates the Template:Convert 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.<ref>"Lindsay/Lyons Park and Sports Complex Template:Webarchive." Harris County Precinct 4. Retrieved on December 2, 2009.</ref><ref>"Lindsay/Lyons Sports Center Location and Facilities Map Template:Webarchive. " Harris County Precinct 4. Retrieved on December 2, 2009.</ref>
See also
Notes
References
External links
Template:Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA Template:Harris County, Texas