Sunnyside, Houston facts for kids
Sunnyside is a lively community located in the southern part of Houston, Texas, in the United States. It's found south of Downtown Houston, between the 610 Loop and Beltway 8, right off State Highway 288. Sunnyside is well-known for its strong African American heritage, and its community slogan is "Sunnyside Pride." The area has a mix of housing styles, often described as "suburban-style."
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A Look Back: Sunnyside's History
Before the Civil War, many enslaved African Americans lived near Houston. They worked on farms or in the city. In 1860, almost half of Houston's population was enslaved.
Sunnyside was founded by H. H. Holmes and was first planned out in 1912. It is the oldest African-American community in southern Houston. When it opened, Holmes named the area "Sunny Side." By the 1940s, people living there had set up their own water system and a volunteer fire department. The City of Houston officially added Sunnyside to the city in 1956.
In the 1980s, many African Americans moved from older neighborhoods like Sunnyside to other parts of Houston. This caused Sunnyside's population to decrease by about 30% by 1992. Between 1990 and 2000, the number of Hispanic residents in Sunnyside grew a little.
Sunnyside has faced some challenges over the years. In 2013, a study looked at crime data and noted that Sunnyside was an area with a higher chance of crime. The community continues to work on making the area safer for everyone.
Who Lives in Sunnyside?
In 1980, about 64% of people in Sunnyside owned their homes. By 2010, this number was around 46%.
According to the 1990 Census, Sunnyside had 3,484 residents. Most of them (93.8%) were African-American. A smaller number were Hispanic (4.2%), and 2% were White, Asian, or other groups. The average household income was lower than the rest of Houston, and many residents lived below the poverty line.
By 2000, the Sunnyside area had 18,629 residents. About 93% were non-Hispanic black, and 4% were Hispanic. In 2016, about 22,000 people lived in the area, with 97% being black and 10% being Hispanic.
The unemployment rate in Sunnyside was 12% in 2006. By 2016, it had risen to 29%, which was the highest in Houston at that time. Many households in Sunnyside also had lower incomes, with about 30% living below the poverty line in 2016.
Sunnyside's Look and Feel
Experts have described Sunnyside as "rurban," meaning it has a mix of city and country features. By 2007, new houses started to appear in the area. However, in 2008, Sunnyside still had many small churches, older homes, and open spaces, which are common in more rural areas. A large landfill and incinerator in the area were even turned into a park.
As of 2010, Sunnyside had only two grocery stores for about 22,000 people. This meant it was a "food desert," where it's hard for residents to find fresh fruits and vegetables. Many local stores offered more processed and fatty foods instead of healthy options.
Sunnyside also has several low-income housing developments. These include Villa Americana, Wesley Square, Sunflower Terrace, Scott Plaza, King's Row, Royal Palms East, Southlawn, and Missionary Village.
Fun and Games: Parks and Recreation
The City of Houston runs the Sunnyside Park and the Sunnyside Community Center. You can find them at 3502 Bellfort Boulevard. The park has a playground, an outdoor basketball court, and a trail for walking and biking that is about 0.48 kilometers long. There are also lighted tennis courts, an indoor gym, weight rooms, meeting rooms, a lighted sports field, and a swimming pool.
The community celebrates the "Chocolate Bayou" festival every year. Sunnyside is also part of the W.L. Davis District of the Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts.
Community Help and Services
The American Red Cross has an office in Sunnyside. It's called the Southeast (Sunnyside) Houston-Harris County Branch Office and is located at 4605 Wilmington Street. They help people in the community.
Gallery
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Fire Station 55 Sunnyside
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Sunnyside Park
Sunnyside's Economy
In the 1970s and 1980s, Sunnyside was known for its many businesses. People even called it "Black Wall Street" or "Baby River Oaks" because of all the businesses there. However, the oil crisis in the 1980s hurt Sunnyside's economy.
In 2006, there were 800 businesses in Sunnyside. The Great Recession of the 2000s and 2010s caused more problems for businesses, especially those that didn't have much money saved. Many African-American businesses were hit hard. By 2016, the number of businesses in Sunnyside had dropped to 600, a 25% decrease from 2006.
Learning in Sunnyside: Education
Public Schools
Students in Sunnyside attend schools in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). The schools that serve the Sunnyside community include Young Elementary School, Attucks Middle School, and Worthing High School. Worthing High School is located right in Sunnyside.
Young Elementary opened in 1918 as Sunny Side Elementary School. HISD changed its name in 1999 after residents asked for it. Worthing High School was built in 1958. Before Worthing opened, students went to Miller Junior High School and Yates High School. After Worthing got a new campus in 1962, Attucks Middle School opened in Worthing's old building.
Carnegie Vanguard High School, a special HISD magnet school for advanced students, used to be near Sunnyside. It was recognized as a top school in 2008.
Charter Schools
Sunnyside also has several state charter schools, which are public schools that operate independently.
- KIPP Houston Public Schools runs three schools on one site: KIPP Zenith Academy (for younger students), KIPP Spirit College Prep (for middle schoolers), and KIPP Sunnyside High School. KIPP Sunnyside High serves students from Sunnyside and nearby areas.
- YES Prep Public Schools operates YES Prep Southside in Sunnyside. This school is open to children from Sunnyside and surrounding neighborhoods. It started with 6th grade in 2015 and adds a new grade each year.
- Pro-Vision Academy moved to Sunnyside in 2008. It started as the first all-male middle charter school in Texas in 1995. Since 2014, Pro-Vision also welcomes female students and focuses on athletics.
- Crossroads Charter is another school located in the area.
Private Schools
There used to be a Roman Catholic school called St. Philip Neri School in Sunnyside, which taught Kindergarten through 5th grade. It closed in Spring 2009.
Gallery of public schools
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Young Elementary School
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Attucks Middle School
Public Libraries
The W. L. D. Johnson Neighborhood Library is part of the Houston Public Library system. It's located at 3517 Reed Road. The library is named after W.L.D. Johnson, Sr., who helped raise money for an earlier library and served on its board. This branch opened on June 16, 1964.
Famous People from Sunnyside
- Alma Allen - A member of the Texas House of Representatives.
- Rodney Ellis - A member of the Texas Senate.
- Travis Scott - A well-known musician.
Images for kids
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Fire Station 55 Sunnyside
