City of La Porte | |
|---|---|
 Welcome to La Porte | |
| Nickname: "L.P." | |
 Location inHarris County and the state ofTexas | |
| Coordinates:29°39′53″N95°2′27″W / 29.66472°N 95.04083°W /29.66472; -95.04083 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Harris |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| • Mayor | Rick Helton |
| • City Council | List
|
| • City Manager | Corby Alexander |
| Area | |
• Total | 19.90 sq mi (51.55 km2) |
| • Land | 18.60 sq mi (48.18 km2) |
| • Water | 1.30 sq mi (3.36 km2) |
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 35,124 |
| • Density | 1,880.03/sq mi (725.90/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 77571-77572 |
| Area codes | 713, 281, 832, 346, 621 |
| FIPS code | 48-41440[2] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2411580[3] |
| Website | Official website |
La Porte (/ləˈpɔːrt/ləPORT) is a city inHarris County, Texas, United States, within theBay Area of theHouston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the2020 census, the city population was 35,124.[4] La Porte is the fourth-largest incorporated city in Harris County.
When La Porte celebrated its centennial in 1992, it was the home ofBarbours Cut Terminal, operated by thePort of Houston Authority since 1977. Fifteen years later, the Port of Houston's newest addition,Bayport Terminal, was established just south of La Porte. The area around La Porte has served an increasingly important role in international trade since the 1970s.
The area around modern La Porte gained fame early in Texas history as the location of theBattle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, which ended theTexas Revolution, establishing the independence of theRepublic of Texas fromMexico. TheSan Jacinto Monument, in the unincorporated area of La Porte, commemorates the battle. During the early 20th century, particularly the 1920s and 1930s, La Porte's Sylvan Beach became a nationally known tourist destination attracting some of the nation's most well-known entertainers. As a result of changing economics in the Houston area andbeach erosion, the tourist business declined while industrial development in the area grew. During World War II and afterward, La Porte's economy rapidly shifted toward petroleum/petrochemicals and shipping, which developed as the dominant industries in thePasadena-Baytown area.
The community of La Porte was founded in 1892 as a speculativereal estate venture by an investment group.[5] A 22-acre (0.089 km2) public space known as Sylvan Grove was reserved by the waterfront.[6] The area around Sylvan Grove soon was developed with amenities including bathhouses, boating piers, and a Victorian hotel with a dance pavilion. La Porte quickly became the most popular tourist destination in the Houston area.[5][6][7] Sylvan Grove Park was acquired in 1896 by a company known as Adoue and Lobit and renamed Sylvan Beach.[6] Cottage retreats were built around the waterfront.[6][7]
In 1900, the devastatingGalveston Hurricane hit the shoreline, seriously damaging the community's attractions.[7] As theTexas Oil Boom took hold beginning in 1901, and neighboring Houston became home to many wealthy businessmen, La Porte quickly rebuilt and re-established itself as a tourist center. It was, however, damaged again by a major fire and another hurricane in 1915.[5][6] The community rebuilt again.
During the 1920s and 1930s Sylvan Beach Amusement Park became a nationally recognized destination, featuring beauty contests and regular performances by famous bands, in addition to a growing gallery of amenities.[6] Some of the most well-known performers of the era, includingGuy Lombardo, theDorsey Brothers,Phil Harris, andBenny Goodman, appeared at the park.[5][6] In the 1930s the park was completely revamped, with additions of a large boardwalk, amusement rides, and many other attractions.[6] The residential community remained small, supported exclusively by Sylvan Beach tourism and the nearby Bay Ridge community, an area of beachfront summer homes in neighboringMorgan's Point built by wealthy Houstonians.[5]
The beachfront began to physically shrink beginning around 1928 because of erosion from the wakes of shipping traffic, andland subsidence resulting from the extraction of groundwater in the area due to development.[8]Gas rationing in World War II slowed tourism. A hurricane in 1943 destroyed most of the tourist attractions. Most of the damaged structures at Sylvan Beach were never rebuilt after this time, as the area was changing, and La Porte's tourist industry rapidly declined.[6] By the later 20th century, erosion had completely eliminated the beach.[8]
As shipyards and industrial plants in World War II were developed in nearby communities such as Pasadena, Baytown, andDeer Park, the community's residents became more dependent on these businesses. The opening of the La Porte-Baytown tunnel in 1954 further spurred development.[5] The later establishment of theJohnson Space Center in the nearbyClear Lake Area, the Barbours Cut shipping terminal in neighboring Morgan's Point, and theBayport Industrial District within La Porte's jurisdiction have gradually made the community successful as part of theHouston area's industrial heartland.[5][9]
Much of the history of La Porte's glory years as a tourist haven has been preserved by the La Porte Bay Area Heritage Society.[8] Plans have been discussed for many years to restore La Porte's status as a tourist destination.[5] A project to restore the beachfront at Sylvan Beach Park began in 2009 and finished in 2013, with sand brought in from other areas and dredging operations.[8][10] Other plans, including building a large hotel on the shoreline, have been discussed as well.[5]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.0 sq mi (51.8 km2), of which 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km2), or 6.91%, is covered by water.[11]
La Porte has many small, 1940s, frame houses.[12]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to theKöppen climate classification, La Porte has ahumid subtropical climate,Cfa on climate maps.[13]
La Porte contains many communities.Lomax was once a separate jurisdiction, but was annexed by La Porte.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 537 | — | |
| 1910 | 678 | 26.3% | |
| 1920 | 889 | 31.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,280 | 44.0% | |
| 1940 | 3,072 | 140.0% | |
| 1950 | 4,429 | 44.2% | |
| 1960 | 4,512 | 1.9% | |
| 1970 | 7,149 | 58.4% | |
| 1980 | 14,062 | 96.7% | |
| 1990 | 27,910 | 98.5% | |
| 2000 | 31,880 | 14.2% | |
| 2010 | 33,800 | 6.0% | |
| 2020 | 35,124 | 3.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] | |||
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 18,233 | 51.91% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,991 | 5.67% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 128 | 0.36% |
| Asian (NH) | 364 | 1.04% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 15 | 0.04% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 171 | 0.49% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 1,177 | 3.35% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 13,045 | 37.14% |
| Total | 35,124 |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 35,124 people, 12,342 households, and 9,148 families residing in the city.
As of thecensus[2] of 2000, 31,880 people, 10,928 households, and 8,578 families were residing in the city. Thepopulation density was 1,683.3 people/sq mi (649.9/km2). The 11,720 housing units averaged 618.8/sq mi (238.9/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 81.39% White, 6.25% African American, 0.48% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 8.52% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races. About 20.45% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 10,928 households, 43.2% had children under 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.5% were not families. About 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90, and the average family size was 3.28.
In the city, the age distribution was 29.7% under 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $55,810, and for a family was $60,034. Males had a median income of $46,118 versus $29,514 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $21,178. About 6.2% of families and 7.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
The city is located adjacent to three major economic hubs of theBay Area andGreater Houston: the Bayport Industrial District, the Battleground Industrial District, and the Barbours Cut shipping terminal.[18]
As with the majority of home-rule cities in Texas, La Porte has a charter for acouncil-manager form of government. The elected council members serve as a legislative body to make policy; they hire the city manager, who is the operating officer for the city. Since 2012, the city manager has been Corby Alexander, fromHenderson, Texas. Elections for city council members are held at the same time as for the school board of the city's school district.
TheUnited States Postal Service operates the La Porte Post Office at 801 West Fairmont Parkway.[19]
Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) designated Strawberry Health Center inPasadena for ZIP code 77571. The nearest public hospital isBen Taub General Hospital in theTexas Medical Center.[20]
The area is zoned to theLa Porte Independent School District, includingLa Porte High School.
Primary and secondary schools include: Jennie Reid Elementary, Rizzuto Elementary, Lomax Elementary, La Porte Elementary, Bayshore Elementary, College Park Elementary, and Heritage Elementary. The secondary schools include Baker Sixth Grade Campus, La Porte Junior High, Lomax Junior High and La Porte High School.
Residents of La Porte ISD (and therefore La Porte) are zoned toSan Jacinto College.[21]
The city is served by the 23,357-square-foot (2,169.9 m2) La Porte Branch Library ofHarris County Public Library (HCPL), located at 600 South Broadway. The library first opened in 1929. The City of La Porte maintains the buildings and furnishings while HCPL staffs and operates the library.[22]
Old Sylvan Beach Depot Museum and Library, operated by archivist Ann Malone and docent Georgia Malone, the former's daughter, includes various archival materials related to La Porte. The former Southern Pacific Railroad depot is the main building and the grounds also include the original La Porte Library building and a caboose.[23]
Harris County Transit provides public transportation in La Porte.[24]
La Porte Municipal Airport is located in the La Porte city limits.
The closest major airports with commercial airline service areWilliam P. Hobby Airport andGeorge Bush Intercontinental Airport inHouston.[25]
La Porte is linked to Interstate 10 (see map) byState Highway 146, crossing theFred Hartman Bridge into the nearby city ofBaytown; the bridge was built in 1995, replacing theBaytown Tunnel, to allow deepening of theHouston Ship Channel.
La Porte is located on the northwest end ofGalveston Bay at the mouth ofBuffalo Bayou and theSan Jacinto River.
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