The city of Alvin has the unique advantage of being 31 miles south of downtown Houston and 30 miles from the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston. This midway point between the urban and the seafront retains its small-town character in a fast-growing area. The first settlers arrived in 1845, and soon after, the Sante Fe Railroad built a water tank and cattle holding pens for the livestock being shipped through the region. In 1879, Alvin Morgan was hired to maintain the cattle yard, and over time, he opened a general store and saloon. Named for him, the town was incorporated in 1893 as the first city in Brazoria County. It was an agricultural area for years before oil was discovered in the 1930s. Rice is still a staple crop in the area, and the oil industry remains a strong presence as well. There were over 27,000 residents in the 2020 Census, most of whom work in retail, healthcare and manufacturing. Actually, Memorial Hermann Medical Group-Alvin serves the area as a significant employer and comprehensive family medicine provider.
Murals line several of the downtown building walls in historic Alvin, Texas.
Medium to large sized lots line many of the properties found in the Alvin neighborhood.
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Antiques and the Alvin Foodie Trail
The city has unique but limited shopping options. The Alvin Antique Center and Marketplace is a massive 55,000-square-foot showplace for everything from vintage accessories to waiting-to-be-restored furniture. Locals frequent H-E-B, Aldi and Kroger when they need groceries, along with Stanton’s Shopping Center, a 1922 business specializing in fresh meats. The city doesn’t have a varied dining scene, either. However, there is a selection of fast-casual and sit-down restaurants along Interstate 45 in nearby League City. Also, the Alvin Foodie Trail lets diners earn points each time they eat at a participating restaurant. After two stamps, patrons can win prizes from the town’s tourism board, Visit Alvin.
Joes BBQ, in Alvin, is a bustling restaurant that has been serving the area for years.
Alvin Antique Center is open every day except Monday, and offers something for everyone.
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Coastal birdwatching in any of a dozen parks
Alvin has over a dozen parks and green spaces, including a pool and a senior center. The Alvin Senior Center is a 10,000-square-foot facility with craft rooms and exercise classes. Briscoe Park is home to one of the nation's only night-lit disc golf courses. The space covers 42 acres and features a 1.7-acre dog park, a fishing pond and various athletic fields. Children enjoy the playground while adults wander along the walking path. The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail winds through the entire Texas Coastal region. Completed in 2000, the trail has over 300 wildlife viewing sites with informational signage about local birds and their habitats.
A mother and daughter enjoy the swing set at one of Alvin's many parks.
National Oak Park features several skate-friendly amenities, attracting skaters of all ages.
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Exotic animals, fall festivals and baseball hall-of-famers
While only a short drive from Houston's arts and culture scene, Alvin has local offerings all its own. The Alvin Historical Museum was once the town’s post office. Today, the remodeled building houses more than 20 permanent displays on the town’s history, NASA and locally raised baseball great Nolan Ryan. The Bayou Wildlife Zoo spreads over 80 acres and offers guests the chance to feed exotic animals or take a tram ride. At the same time, the Alvin Art Trail guides people to murals and sculptures spread throughout the city. There are also plenty of annual events to look forward to. Froberg’s Farm’s Fall Festival lets guests wander through rows of pumpkins to pick the perfect one between taking hayrides and trying to solve the corn maze. National Oak Park hosts a Trick-or-Treat Trail every October 30th. Kids can dress in their favorite costumes and stop at various booths along the park’s illuminated pathways. At the end, trick-or-treaters have the chance to enter the Alvin Future Farmers of America Haunted House for a few extra scares.
Take a ride through the wildlife at the immersive Bayou Wildlife Zoo, a drive through style zoo.
There are miles of walking trails available to the public at Resoft Park, in Alvin.
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Contemporary housing in a neutral market
Alvin has over 11,000 total housing units, including detached single-family dwellings, condos, apartments and townhouses. Most were built between 1970 and 2000, and 57% are owner-occupied. Overall, 57% of all housing is detached single-family homes, while 22% is apartment complexes. As of January 2024, Alvin’s housing is a neutral market with reasonable prices, non-excessive days for sale and a median price of $350,000. Further, homes here have appreciated at an annual average rate of 7% for the past ten years. From March 2023 to March 2024, 500 homes were sold at an average price of $295,000 after 52 days on the market. During the same period, prices ranged from $60,000 for a two-bedroom mobile home to $1.3 million for a six-bedroom custom-built estate house on two acres.
A row of new build homes in the town of Alvin, located southeast of Houston.
The town of Alvin offers residents quiet streets and plenty of greenery amongst yards.
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State highways and limited public transportation options
Commuters in Alvin typically travel 30 minutes one-way daily, and almost 88% drove to work alone, while 5.5% carpooled. This drive time is partly due to the city’s lack of major roadways. State Highway 35 passes through the city's southern portion, and State Highway 6 passes just above town. Interstate 45 and State Highway 288 are a short distance away. The city has no fixed-route buses, and the nearest regional bus service is a few towns away. However, the Gulf Coast Transit District provides paratransit services for registered riders in Galveston and Brazoria counties. For even farther journeys, William P. Hobby Airport sees dozens of domestic and international flights take off daily, 18 miles from Alvin. Back in town, the city is working to improve and increase pedestrian travel options. The Alvin Comprehensive Plan 2035 was adopted in 2023 and has set goals for constructing new sidewalks to improve pedestrian’s walking experience and making all sidewalks more accessible. There are also plans to build a network of off-street trails for cyclists and school children to travel between neighborhoods more easily.
Century-old school districts and dual enrollment courses
Two independent school districts serve the city. The Alvin ISD earned an overall A from Niche, with an A for college prep and an A-plus for diversity. Created in 1925, although the first school in Alvin opened in 1881, the district now covers 252 square miles. It enrolls around 29,000 students annually across more than 30 campuses, including a discipline alternative school and a flexible-schedule center. The district’s fleet of over 350 buses transports more than 12,000 students daily to and from campus, and upper-level students choose four-year graduation plans that emphasize career and technology courses. The Santa Fe ISD received an overall C ranking from Niche, with a B-minus in academics. It covers 72 square miles in Galveston County and educates 4,400 students across five schools. The district features a variety of learning options for all grade levels, like STEM labs and robotics clubs. Alvin Community College works with the Alvin ISD to offer dual enrollment courses to high school students. Regularly enrolled students have distance learning opportunities like Internet or hybrid classes, but every scholar has the chance to earn an associate degree or technical certificate.
Alvin High School is home to the Yellowjackets football team, a 6A powerhouse.
Alvin Junior High serves grades 6-8, for the communities of Alvin and Hillcrest.
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Environmental factors and crime
Many Alvin properties have a significant risk of severe flooding, and the community is also at risk of wildfires. The city has a humid subtropical climate, thanks to its position near the Gulf of Mexico. This makes the area prone to hurricanes and tropical storms.
According to FBI data, Alvin's reported violent and property crime rates are lower than the national figures, and that trend continues when comparing Alvin to the rest of Texas.
With 20 years of experience in negotiating contracts and a dual license in both Texas and California, Cameron is a highly skilled realtor specialized in real estate investments. known for a unmatched ability to secure favorable deals, Cameron works with a large network of investors looking to grow their portfolios, Whether you're buying, selling, or seeking investment opportunities, Cameron brings a wealth of knowledge, professionalism, and a strategic approach to ensure your real estate goals are achieved in these dynamic markets.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
