Webster, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Webster, Texas
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Webster City Hall and Police Department
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Location in Harris County and the state of Texas
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Harris |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.62 sq mi (17.15 km2) |
| • Land | 6.39 sq mi (16.56 km2) |
| • Water | 0.23 sq mi (0.59 km2) |
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 12,499 |
| • Density | 1,791.46/sq mi (691.64/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
77598
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| Area code(s) | 281 |
| FIPS code | 48-76948 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1349594 |
Webster is a city in the state of Texas, located in Harris County. It's part of the larger Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land area. In 2020, about 12,499 people lived there.
Contents
History of Webster
The community of Webster started in 1879. A man named James W. Webster founded it and first called it "Gardentown." It was set up as a place for settlers from England to live.
At first, Webster was a stop for people traveling between big cities like Houston and Galveston, and smaller towns like Kemah and Seabrook. Over time, railroads, like the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, were built through the area, making travel easier. Farmers in the area grew crops like pears.
In 1903, a group called the Houston Chamber of Commerce invited Seito Saibara to Texas. He was a former Japanese politician and a Christian leader. He came to teach people how to grow rice, which was becoming a very important crop. Saibara settled in Webster and started a small farming community with other Japanese Christians. He and his son, Kiyoaki, helped create the rice farming industry along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
In the early 1900s, dairy farms and livestock ranches also grew in Webster. In 1937, oil was found nearby at the Webster (Friendswood) Oil Field. Even with the oil discovery, the town stayed small for a while. Webster officially became a city in 1958.
A big change happened in 1961 when the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced they would build the Manned Spacecraft Center (now called the Johnson Space Center) close by, near Clear Lake. This led to a lot of growth in the Clear Lake area, and Webster's population quickly grew. Today, Webster is a busy community where many people live, especially those who work in the high-tech industries around Clear Lake.
Geography and Climate
Webster is located in the southeastern part of Harris County. To its north is the city of Houston, and to the northeast is Nassau Bay. A waterway called Clear Creek forms Webster's southeastern border, which is also the line between Harris County and Galveston County. The city of League City borders Webster to the south and southwest.
Interstate 45, a major highway, runs through the western side of Webster. From Webster, downtown Houston is about 22 miles (35 km) to the northwest, and Galveston is about 28 miles (45 km) to the southeast.
The city covers a total area of about 6.6 square miles (17.0 square kilometers). A small part of this area, about 0.23 square miles (0.6 square kilometers), is covered by water.
Webster's Climate
Webster has a climate with hot, humid summers and winters that are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
People of Webster
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1960 | 329 | — | |
| 1970 | 2,231 | 578.1% | |
| 1980 | 2,405 | 7.8% | |
| 1990 | 4,678 | 94.5% | |
| 2000 | 9,083 | 94.2% | |
| 2010 | 10,684 | 17.6% | |
| 2020 | 12,499 | 17.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Webster has grown quite a bit over the years. In 1960, only 329 people lived there, but by 2020, the population had reached 12,499.
Who Lives in Webster (2020)
In 2020, there were 12,499 people living in Webster. There were 5,334 households (groups of people living together) and 2,530 families.
Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Webster in 2020:
- About 40% of the people were White (not Hispanic).
- About 15.5% were Black or African American (not Hispanic).
- About 7% were Asian (not Hispanic).
- About 33% of the people were Hispanic or Latino (who can be of any race).
- Smaller numbers of people were Native American, Pacific Islander, or from other racial backgrounds. Some people identified as being of mixed races.
In 2019, the average household income in Webster was about $55,497 per year. The average income per person was about $29,242. About 18.7% of the people in Webster lived at or below the poverty line in 2019.
Economy
A large shopping center called the Baybrook Mall is located very close to Webster, in the city of Houston. This mall provides many jobs and shopping options for people in the Webster area.
Education in Webster
Public Schools
Students in Webster attend schools that are part of the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD). This school district was created in 1948.
Most students living in Webster go to Margaret S. McWhirter Elementary School, which is located in Webster. This school has a large building and even offers a full-day Prekindergarten program. Some students in Webster might attend other elementary schools like Armand Bayou, Falcon Pass, League City, or Whitcomb, depending on where they live.
For middle school, most students go to Clear Creek Intermediate School in League City. Some might go to Clear Lake or Space Center intermediate schools in Houston. For high school, most Webster students attend Clear Creek High School in League City, while a small part of Webster is zoned to Clear Lake High School in Houston.
Colleges and Universities
The part of Clear Creek ISD that is in Harris County (which includes Webster) is served by San Jacinto College. This means students from Webster can attend this college.
Parks and Recreation
The Edgar A. Smith Family YMCA is a place where people can go for sports and activities. It is located in Houston but has a Webster mailing address.
Notable People from Webster
- Stephanie Beatriz: An actress.
- Josh Huestis: A basketball player who played for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Dennis Paul: A Republican politician who served in the Texas House of Representatives. He used to live in Webster.
- Steve Stockman: A Republican politician who was a member of the United States House of Representatives.
- Ryan Trecartin: A multimedia artist.
See also
In Spanish: Webster (Texas) para niños
