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Chinatown

Chinatown

Neighborhood in Houston, Texas

Harris County 77036

$218,642 Average Value
$141 Average Price per Sq Ft
19 Homes For Sale

A vibrant multicultural community southwest of Downtown Houston

Houston’s Chinatown was originally just a few miles east of downtown, but today, the vibrant international district sits on the city’s southwest side, between the Sam Houston and Westpark Tollways. During the 1980s and 90s, Asian markets and authentic Cantonese restaurants began opening up along Bellaire Boulevard. Today, this central neighborhood corridor is bustling with small businesses, from small ramen shops to hopping karaoke bars. Besides the international dining options, Alan Berstein adds, “Chinatown is a history buff’s dream.” The City Mayor’s former Director of Communications and longtime Houstonian, Berstein, explains that the area’s cultural centers and other community organizations create unique opportunities for locals to explore their own heritage and learn about others. “The experience you get there is like nothing else. Chinatown residents love being Chinatown residents - that’s it.”

Welcome to Chinatown, located in Houston, Texas.
Welcome to Chinatown, located in Houston, Texas.
Amidst Chinatown's charm, a girl enjoys a photo op with her favorite anime characters.
Amidst Chinatown's charm, a girl enjoys a photo op with her favorite anime characters.
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Bellaire Boulvard offers a world of international cuisine

A world of international cuisine sits along Bellaire Boulevard. Locals can begin the day with a traditional Taiwanese breakfast at Tao Rice Roll and grab one of Gong Cha’s boba milk teas before driving to work. Around lunchtime, Mein is bustling with customers dining on Pad Thai and squid ink fried rice. Those looking for a quicker meal can walk right next door to Night Market Noddle or pick up a Hawaiian poke bowl from Okome Don. Sinh Sinh offers a unique dining experience where seafood lovers can pick their meals straight from the tank. After dinner, locals can head to Dun Huang Plaza for karaoke every night of the week. While the restaurant options are endless, grocery stores like H-Mart and Welcome Food Center make it easy for residents to cook Asian cuisine at home.

Chinatown residents have easy access to many retail and dining options.
Chinatown residents have easy access to many retail and dining options.
Diners indulge in Korean BBQ delights at a popular restaurant in Chinatown.
Diners indulge in Korean BBQ delights at a popular restaurant in Chinatown.
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Chinese Community Center offers activities for seniors of the Chinatown community to enjoy.
Chinese Community Center offers activities for seniors of the Chinatown community to enjoy.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with locals

At the end of January, people from all over Houston gather at the Chinese Community Center to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Throughout the festival, Chinatown residents teach and participate in different workshops showcasing Asian culture – with topics ranging from origami to tai kwon do.

Condos, rowhomes and L-shaped ranch-style homes

When Chinatown first moved to southwest Houston in the 1990s, hundreds of one-to-three-bedroom condos were built within walking distance of the cultural centers and restaurant corridor along Bellaire Boulevard. Across the street, the neighborhood transforms into primarily residential housing, with single-family homes dating back to the 1960s and 1970s. Many of these L-shaped ranch-style homes and vernacular rowhomes have been updated to feature new flooring and modern kitchens. Most attached homes have private carport spaces, while detached houses feature paved driveways leading to backyard garages. In Chinatown, a three-to-four-bedroom single-family home typically costs between $200,000 and $400,000. Still, some smaller condos can cost closer to $100,000.

Explore the cozy ranch-style homes of Chinatown.
Explore the cozy ranch-style homes of Chinatown.
Discover the character of Chinatown through its row homes.
Discover the character of Chinatown through its row homes.
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YoYo classes at the Chinese Community Center

The Chinese Community Center sits in the heart of Chinatown, inviting the whole community to come together for annual celebrations and daily recreational fun. Kids can get homework help through the after-school program or take weekend YoYo classes at the Center’s Chinese School. Parents can enroll in the school’s adult program and take Zumba classes or learn calligraphy. The tall slide towers and shaded basketball courts at Crain Park are just a few steps away for Ed White Elementary students. On weekends, locals can spend hours playing on the greenways at Westwood Golf Club or exploring the nature trails at Arthur Storey Park.

Discover tranquility at Arthur Storey Park, where a yin-yang Tai Chi court allows for practice.
Discover tranquility at Arthur Storey Park, where a yin-yang Tai Chi court allows for practice.
Nestled near Cypress Creek, it's easily accessible to locals.
Nestled near Cypress Creek, it's easily accessible to locals.
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Head downtown on the Southwest Freeway

Like most parts of Houston, Chinatown is not a very walkable area. Some fixed-route buses stop throughout the neighborhood, but most locals find driving to be an easier option. From Bellaire Boulevard, drivers can head east to the Southwest Freeway and access Downtown Houston in fewer than 15 miles. The William P. Hobby Airport sits 10 miles south of downtown, just off Interstate 45. This road takes locals all the way south to the Gulf Coast beaches in Galveston.

Chinatown residents enjoy convenient access to the METRO.
Chinatown residents enjoy convenient access to the METRO.
Same Houston Parkway and Westpark Tollway make traveling quick and convenient in Chinatown.
Same Houston Parkway and Westpark Tollway make traveling quick and convenient in Chinatown.
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Cultural diversity at Alief Independent Schools

Chinatown students may attend Alief Independent Schools or enroll at one of the nearby private schools. Kids can begin preschool at Bush Elementary, which scores an A on Niche. As one of the most diverse schools in Houston, Bush has an English as a Second Language teacher for each grade level. Sixth graders transition to Alief Middle and then move to Elsik High after eighth grade. While Alief receives a C-plus rating, Elsik scores a solid B on Niche.

Bush Elementary School fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere for academic growth.
Bush Elementary School fosters a positive and inclusive atmosphere for academic growth.
Step into excellence at  Alief Middle School's front enterance.
Step into excellence at Alief Middle School's front enterance.
Elsik High School offers a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.
Elsik High School offers a nurturing and inclusive learning environment.
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Ryan Horton
Written By
Ryan Horton
Francesco Basti
Video By
Francesco Basti

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Faye Gee, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

William P Hobby

38 min drive

Bus

Ranchester Dr & Harwin Dr

Bus

S Gessner Rd & Clarewood Dr

Bus

Bellaire Blvd & Sam Houston Pkwy

Bus

S Gessner Rd & Triola Ln

Bus

Corporate Dr & Stroud Dr

Bus

Clarewood Dr & Ranchester Dr

Bus

Beechnut St & Corporate Dr

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Chinatown US
Homicide 6 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 7 4
Robbery 9 4
Burglary 7 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 8 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$256,500
Median Single Family Price
$291,000
Median Townhouse Price
$152,450
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$126,500
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$144,400
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$141
Number of Homes for Sale
19
Last 12 months Home Sales
70
Months of Supply
3.30
Median List Price
$265,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
4%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
13%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
3,086
Median Year Built
1973
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,939
On par with the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,632
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,053
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
678
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Faye Gee, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
27,327
Median Age
34
Population Density
20 ppl/acre
Population under 18
28.9%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$34,644
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$47,675

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
56.1%
Significantly below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
16.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.5%
% Population in Labor Force
78.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

59 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

79 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

45 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Chinatown
Faye Gee
Texas Legacy Properties
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