Medical Center Area Neighborhood Guide
Researching Medical Center Area neighborhood in Houston Texas? Here is a complete guide with the most up to date information about Medical Center Area neighborhood!
Overview
ABOUT Medical Center Area
The Medical Center is a neighborhood located within south-central Houston and is among the world’s power houses when it comes to healthcare.
The neighborhood is the world’s largest life sciences destination – featuring over 61 leading institutions and thousands of pioneering physicians, researchers, technicians, and healthcare providers.
The Medical Center has grown into so much more than just a medical destination – it’s strategic and accessible location and elegant home choices make it one of Houston’s most desirable places to live in.
The neighborhood showcases a wide variety of housing styles and sizes – from traditional vintage and patio homes that date back to the 1940s to upscale and newly constructed two-story homes, luxury townhomes, and condominiums.
Home to nearly 4,000 people, the Medical Center gives its residents the suburban feel and the convenience of living near premier shopping, dining, and entertainment centers. The neighborhood’s streets feature unique restaurants, trendy shops, and chic boutiques.
The area is also well-known for its award-winning schools that are under the Houston Independent School District.
As the largest medical center in the world, the TMC employs about 106,000 people. 98% of the neighborhood’s employees work in white-collar jobs.
About 60% work in private companies while about 9% work in government.
The neighborhood is home to a growing number of young professionals and has a median age of 31.
About 43% of adults in the area have a bachelor’s degree, while about 38% have a master’s degree or higher. The median household income in the area is $86,247.
White residents make up about 55% of the area’s total population. This is followed by Asian residents accounting for 17%, and African American residents accounting for about 14%.
TOP Medical Center Area HIGHLIGHTS
Natural Disasters
Medical Center, home of the world’s largest medical research complex, has had its share of major damage from a spate of hurricanes that tore through Houston.
The neighborhood was among those badly-hit when tropical storm Allison swept through the southern U.S. in 2001. The tropical storm dumped anywhere between two to 36 inches of rain and caused extensive flooding that damaged homes, properties, equipment, and public utilities.
High levels of flood waters also caused multiple electrical feeds to fail and power outages were reported in most parts of the neighborhood.
Medical Center has been beefing up its disaster response mechanisms by improving its infrastructure and drainage systems.
Commute
The majority of residents in the Medical Center drive their own cars to get to their offices. Others take the bus, ride a train, ride a bicycle, or walk to work.
The neighborhood is conveniently located near three major roadways: the South Freeway, the Southwest Freeway, and Loop 610.
Medical Center is just about five minutes away from Downtown Houston, Rice University, Museum District, and West University. Bus rides for these routes may take about 12 minutes.
Residents also have easy access to the METRORail Red Line which has three stations in and around the Medical Center.
Crime Rate
Medical Center is among the neighborhoods in Houston with crime rates that are significantly lower than the state and national averages.
Overall, the crime rate in the area is about 1,200 per 100,000 residents. This rate is about 44% lower than the national average. Medical Center is safer than about 67% of communities in the U.S.
Violent crime rate in the area is about 120 per 100,000 residents. This rate is about 68% lower than the national average.
Property crime rate, meanwhile, is about 1,180 per 100,000 residents. This rate is about 40% lower than the national average.
One’s chances of becoming a victim of crime in Medical Center is 1 in 69.
Education
SCHOOLS IN Medical Center Area
The Medical Center is home to multi-award winning and National Blue Ribbon Schools that are under the jurisdiction of the Houston Independent School District.
The largest school district in Texas manages 283 schools serving about 213,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
The HISD is well-known for prioritizing equitable opportunities and personalized learning approaches to help students hone their academic and athletic skills while also striving to gain a deeper understanding of global contexts.
The district is home to a diverse student population, with over 100 languages spoken. Hispanic students make up about 62% of the total student body. African American students account for about 24%, while White Students account for about 9%.
The HISD has received a Met Standard Rating from the Texas Education Agency. It is also a two-time winner of the Broad Prize – an award that recognizes public school systems with significant gains in student achievement and success. In 2018, the district had a graduation rate of 80.9%.
Schools
- ELEMENTARY
- MIDDLE
- HIGH
- PRIVATE
Real Estate
Medical Center Area Housing 2020
The real estate market in the Medical Center enjoys steady growth as the neighborhood features a wide variety of affordable and high-end housing options that are conveniently located near major employment hubs.
The median home value in the neighborhood is $447,995. This represents an increase of 22.4% from the median home value of $366,000 recorded in 2016. Between 2015 and 2016, the median home value in the area grew by 7.7%, from $392,000 to $422,000.
In 2019, the median sales price of homes in Medical Center was $268,500. This was a growth of 28% from the median sales price of $209,622 recorded in 2012. Between 2018 and 2019, the median sales price of homes in the area rose by 12.8%, from $238,000 to $268,500.
In 2019, the median sales price per square foot in the area was $170. This represented an increase of 38% from the median sales price per square foot of $123 recorded in 2010.
Medical Center Area Homes for Sale
Medical Center is a residential, suburban neighborhood that showcases a wide variety of housing types, styles and sizes.
The neighborhood is home to nearly 4,000 homes and apartments. About 70% of the properties in the area are renter-occupied.
The majority of housing units in the neighborhood were built between 1990 and 1999. There are also significant numbers of properties that were built from 2000 to 2009 and 2010 to the present.
The most sought after housing options in the neighborhood are newly constructed townhomes within gated communities and mid and high-rise condominiums.
Single-family homes remain a popular option, with a wide range of architectural styles and designs that range from traditional and vintage homes that date back to the 1940s to custom-built two-story homes.
Luxurious features include rooftop patios, hardwood flooring, high ceilings, spacious master suites, gathering room and cafe, and 2-car garages.
These properties are strategically located near premier shopping, dining, and entertainment centers.
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