The City of Houston Planning and Development Department reminds Houstonians that “Independence Heights is a historical community located north of Loop 610 and west of I-45. After World War I, Independence Heights was the first town incorporated in Texas by African-Americans. It was consolidated with Houston in 1929 and remains a predominantly African-American neighborhood. Population growth after World War II led to the expansion of the community to the north. The Burlington Northern railroad tracks run through the southern section of the community.”

With just over 14,000 residents, this neighborhood is declining in population. Over 35 percent (35.67%) of the children in the neighborhood live below the poverty level and per capita median income is $10,447 or about a third of the U. S. per capita income. Almost 60 percent (59.88%) of the population is African American. The next largest population group is Hispanic at 32 percent (32.47%). One hundred percent of the proposed targeted subsection of Independence Heights is in the 100 year flood plain. High School students in the neighborhood attend HISD’s B.T. Washington High School. There are approximately 370 properties in the proposed targeted subsection that are undeveloped are have tax liens. Almost 200 of those have long term tax liens. Almost 45 percent (44.53%) of the 5,420 housing units in Independence Heights are renter occupied. 

For City of Houston land use map of Independence Heights go to http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/suprnbhds/landuse/sn13lu.html