League City, Texas
City
South Shore Harbor
South Shore Harbor
Location in Galveston County and in the state of Texas
Location in Galveston County and in the state of Texas
Coordinates: 29°29′59″N 95°5′23″W / 29.49972°N 95.08972°W / 29.49972; -95.08972
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountiesGalveston, Harris
Incorporated1961[1]
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorNick Long
 • City CouncilAndy Mann
Hank Dugie
Larry Millican
John Bowen
Justin Hicks
Chad Tressler
Nick Long[2]
 • City ManagerJohn Baumgartner[3]
 • City AttorneyNghiem Doan
Area
[4]
 • Total53.06 sq mi (137.43 km2)
 • Land51.26 sq mi (132.77 km2)
 • Water1.80 sq mi (4.66 km2)
Elevation
20 ft (6 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total112,129
 • Density2,100/sq mi (820/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
77573–77574
Area code(s)281/346/713/832
FIPS code48-41980[5]
GNIS feature ID1339753[6]
Websitehttp://www.leaguecitytx.gov

League City is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, in Galveston County, within the Greater Houston metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 112,129.

The city of League City has a small portion north of Clear Creek within Harris County zoned for residential and commercial uses.[7] It is home to several waterside resorts, such as South Shore Harbor Resort and Conference Center and Waterford Harbor and Yacht Club Marina, popular with residents of nearby Houston. Between 2000 and 2005, League City surpassed Galveston as Galveston County's largest city.[8]

History

League City was settled at the former site of a Karankawa Indian village.[9] Three families, the Butlers, the Cowarts, and the Perkinses, are considered to be founding families of the city. The Winfield Family has also recently been acknowledged as a founding family by the City Government.[10] The Cowart family settled on a creek now called Cowart's Creek after them (now often called "Coward's Creek"). The Perkins family built on a creek notably lined with magnolia trees and named it Magnolia Bayou. The Butler family settled inland. The Winfield Family purchased land in League City from the great nephew of Stephen F. Austin and moved there, to a place near what is now Hobbs Road.[11]

The first resident of the town proper, George W. Butler, arrived from Louisiana in 1854 and settled at the junction of Clear Creek and Chigger Bayou. The area was known as Butler's Ranch or Clear Creek until J. C. League acquired the land from a man named Muldoon on his entering the priesthood.[9] League laid out his townsite along the Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad, already established in the area. This began a small feud over the name, as Butler was the postmaster. The name was changed several times, alternating between Clear Creek and the new League City. In the end, League City was chosen.

In 1907, League had two railroad flatcars of live oak trees left by the railroad tracks. These were for the residents to plant on their property. Butler and his son Milby supervised the planting of these trees, now known as the Butler Oaks. Many of them line Main Street to this day.[12]

Starting in the early 1970s, the bodies of 30 murdered women were discovered in League City, and more have gone missing from the same area.[13] This location has become known as the Texas Killing Fields.

In the 2000s, rising real estate costs in Galveston forced many families to move to other areas, including League City. This meant an influx of children out of Galveston ISD and into other school districts like Clear Creek ISD and Dickinson ISD.[14]

Geography

League City is located 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Houston, and the same distance northwest of Galveston.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 53.0 square miles (137.3 km2), of which 51.3 square miles (132.8 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), or 3.22%, is water.[15]

Climate

As with the rest of the Houston area, League City features a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters (corresponding to Cfa in Köppen Climate Classification).

Climate data for League City, Texas (Houston NWSO), 1991-2020 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 64
(18)		 67
(19)		 73
(23)		 78
(26)		 85
(29)		 90
(32)		 92
(33)		 92
(33)		 88
(31)		 82
(28)		 73
(23)		 66
(19)		 79
(26)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 46
(8)		 50
(10)		 56
(13)		 61
(16)		 69
(21)		 74
(23)		 76
(24)		 76
(24)		 72
(22)		 63
(17)		 53
(12)		 47
(8)		 62
(17)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 4.80
(122)		 3.02
(77)		 3.30
(84)		 4.22
(107)		 5.12
(130)		 6.54
(166)		 4.36
(111)		 6.64
(169)		 7.34
(186)		 5.79
(147)		 4.54
(115)		 4.53
(115)		 60.20
(1,529)
Source: NOAA[16]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
197010,818—
198016,57853.2%
199030,15981.9%
200045,44450.7%
201083,56083.9%
2020112,12934.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
League City racial composition as of 2020[18]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 69,425 60.69%
Black or African American (NH) 8,317 7.27%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 286 0.25%
Asian (NH) 7,122 6.23%
Pacific Islander (NH) 65 0.06%
Some Other Race (NH) 602 0.53%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 4,691 4.1%
Hispanic or Latino 23,884 20.88%
Total 114,392

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 114,392 people, 37,662 households, and 27,546 families residing in the city.

As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 83,560 people, 30,192 households, and 22,544 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,596 inhabitants per square mile (616/km2). There were 32,119 housing units at an average density of 627.3 per square mile (242.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 79.5% White, 7.1% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 5.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.7% some other race, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.3% of the population.[21]

There were 30,192 households, out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.3% were headed by married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.20.[21]

In the city, the population was distributed with 28.5% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.[21]

According to the 2019 American Community Survey estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $115,650, and the median income for a family was $130,293.[22] The per capita income for the city was $46,539. About 1.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.[23]

Arts and culture

Public library

Helen Hall Library in League City

The Helen Hall Library, a member of the Galveston County Library System, is operated by the city and located at 100 West Walker Street.[24][25] The League City Public Library was renamed after Hall in 1985. During that year a $2.5 million bond to expand the 7,000-square-foot (650 m2) library passed. The library received a two-story adult services wing and a renovation of the original structure, which housed the children's and audio-visual services sections; the projects were completed by 1988. As of 2008 Hall, with 29,000 square feet (2,700 m2) of space, is the largest and busiest unit of the Galveston County Library System.[26]

Circa 2019 the library's history club began operations. It meets once per month. As of 2021, according to the librarian specializing in history, Caris Brown, the history club had a number of people going to meetings despite the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas.[27]

In 2022 two League City city council members created a resolution which would have a board of 15 people decide whether content is obscene, and if so, prevent the library from having tax dollars to house said material ruled obscene.[28]

Parks and recreation

The 38,000-square-foot (3,500 m2) Perry Family YMCA is located at 1701 League City Parkway. The branch, which cost US$10.7 million to build was named after Bob Perry, a homebuilder who donated $1 million. The North Galveston County YMCA began in 1993 and later moved into the Perry YMCA. John P. McGovern and his wife, Katherine, donated the 17-acre (69,000 m2) site used for the Perry YMCA.[29]

Hometown Heroes Park is a public community park covering 28.71 acres that includes a recreation center, basketball/volleyball courts, competition size swimming pool, and sports fields.[30]

Government

League City, Texas Police Department

League City became an incorporated city in 1962. League City's government consists of seven council members and the mayor. The mayor is a full voting member of the council.[31] The City's charter is purported to be a strong mayor form of government, but this issue has been debated for years. By ordinance, a city administrator position was created under Mayor Leonard Cruse. The ordinance was amended in May 2010 to create a council-manager government. According to the ordinance, "...shall consist of a mayor and council members, elected by the people and responsible to the people, and a city manager, appointed by and responsible to the council for proper administration of the affairs of the city."[32]

In 2011 an officer accused the police chief, Michael Jez, of giving officers ticket quotas, which are illegal in the state of Texas. In November city council voted to place Chief Jez on administrative leave. The council did not give a reason and Jez cited philosophical differences for the separation. Much speculation was made that the decision was a reaction to the allegation made, but neither side ever admitted to any wrongdoing.[33][34]

In 2014, the police department moved to a new joint Public Safety Building that is shared with Police and Fire administration as well as housing the police department, dispatch, and the city jail. The building is across the street from the old police department that now houses other city offices that were previously in leased space. The city held an open house in January 2015 to serve as a grand opening to the public, allowing citizens to come see the inner workings of the police department.

League City's City Hall

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Clear Creek Independent School District headquarters

Clear Creek Independent School District is based in League City, and serves pupils in the Harris County portion and most of the Galveston County portion.[35][36][37] Most pupils in League City attend schools in the Clear Creek Independent School District.

CCISD was established in 1948, partly from the former League City school district.[38] League City Elementary School, Ferguson Elementary School, and Hyde Elementary School are primary schools located in League City. League City Intermediate, Clear Creek Intermediate, and Creekside Intermediate are middle schools located in the city.

Clear Creek High School is located in League City. In 2007, Clear Springs High School opened in western League City.[39] In 2010, Clear Falls High School opened in southeastern League City.

School districts serving other portions of League City in Galveston County include Dickinson Independent School District and Santa Fe Independent School District.[35] Within League City Dickinson ISD operates Bay Colony Elementary School, Calder Road Elementary School, Louis G. Lobit Elementary School, and Eva C. Lobit Middle School.[37] The respective comprehensive high schools of the two school districts are Dickinson High School and Santa Fe High School.

Private schools

Bay Area Christian School started in 1973 and currently has an enrollment of over 800 students from grades K to 12.[40]

St. Mary School, a Roman Catholic K–8 school operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, is in League City.

Colleges and universities

The Galveston County portion of Clear Creek ISD and Dickinson ISD (and therefore all parts of League City in Galveston County) are served by the College of the Mainland. The Harris County portion of Clear Creek ISD (and therefore the Harris County portion of League City) is served by San Jacinto College.[41]

It is also located within a few miles of the University of Houston Clear Lake.[42]

Infrastructure

Transportation

Houston Gulf Airport was located in eastern League City. The airport's land was sold and the land became a string of houses along Texas State Highway 96.[43] The airport was once partially owned by the Bin Laden family with Salem Bin Laden holding interest[44] in the airport at least until his death in 1988.

Commercial airline service for the area is operated from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, which are located in Houston. League City in conjunction with Island Transit, Connect Transit, and UTMB, there is now a Park and Ride in the Victory Lakes subdivision.[45]

Health care

In 2008 the University of Texas Medical Branch board of regents approved the creation of the 110,000-square-foot (10,000 m2) Specialty Care Center facility, located on 35 acres (140,000 m2) of land near Interstate 45, Farm to Market Road 646, and the Victory Lakes community.[46]

Weather

The National Weather Service Houston/Galveston Office and the Galveston Office of Emergency Management offices share a facility in League City; the facility has a Dickinson postal address.[47]

Notable people

See also

Explanatory notes

  1. ↑ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[19][20]

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 30, 2016. Retrieved May 20, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ↑ "The League City Official Website! - City Council". Leaguecity.com. February 14, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  3. ↑ "The League City Official Website! - City Manager". Leaguecity.com. February 14, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
  4. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  5. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ↑ Schladen, Marty. "Forces drive people off island." Galveston County Daily News. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  9. 1 2 J., KLEINER, DIANA. "LEAGUE CITY, TX". tshaonline.org. Retrieved January 8, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ↑ News, JOHN WAYNE FERGUSON The Daily (June 8, 2021). "League City to name street after Black founding family". The Daily News. Retrieved June 11, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ↑ News, MATT DEGROOD The Daily (February 5, 2021). "Alex Winfield, Buffalo Soldier and Civil War veteran, leaves mark on League City". The Daily News. Retrieved June 11, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  12. ↑ "League City Historical Society - League City, Texas". leaguecityhistory.org. Archived from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  13. ↑ FBI Website""
  14. ↑ "Forces drive people off island". Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
  15. ↑ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): League City city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  17. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  19. ↑ https://www.census.gov/
  20. ↑ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  21. 1 2 3 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): League City city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  22. ↑ "S1901|Income in the past 12 months". data.census.gov. 2019. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Galveston County Library System"
  25. ↑ "Map & Directions." Helen Hall Library. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  26. ↑ "History." Helen Hall Library. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  27. ↑ DeLapp, John (June 14, 2021). "Library's wide-ranging history club explores ghosts, vanished landmarks". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  28. ↑ Rayford, Sabirah (December 7, 2022). "Some residents concerned about new book policy for public libraries in League City". KPRC-TV. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  29. ↑ Evans, Thayer. "CONSTRUCTION UPDATE / YMCA begins taking shape / Facility slated to open later this year in League City." Houston Chronicle. Thursday May 31, 2007. ThisWeek 1.
  30. ↑ Condon, Clark (November 2017). "League City Texas - Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan". City of League City. Archived from the original on October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Municode Library". library.municode.com. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Municode Library". library.municode.com. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Golden Parachute." The Bay Area Citizen. Wednesday December 7, 2011.
  34. ↑ "Police Chief Accused Of Issuing Ticket Quota Archived 2011-11-01 at the Wayback Machine." KRPC. Monday October 31, 2011. Retrieved on November 2, 2011.
  35. 1 2 "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Galveston County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 29, 2022. - Text list
  36. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Harris County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 29, 2022. - Text list
  37. 1 2 "School Districts". City of League City. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  38. ↑ Cherry, Mary (June 10, 2011). "CCISD boasts long, proud history". Chron. Your Houston News. Retrieved August 11, 2015. - New URL on the Houston Chronicle site
  39. ↑ . May 28, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060528052032/http://www.ccisd.net/community_05/district_committees/listing/springs.JPG. Archived from the original on May 28, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2019. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  40. ↑ "Bay Area Christian School". Bacschool.org. August 24, 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
  41. ↑ Texas Education Code Sec. 130.174. COLLEGE OF THE MAINLAND DISTRICT SERVICE AREA. Sec. 130.197. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  42. ↑ "University of Houston-Clear Lake". www.uhcl.edu. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  43. ↑ Rendon, Ruth. "Fees could slow growth / Developers expected to balk at League City plan." Houston Chronicle. Sunday November 2, 2003. A29 MetFront.
  44. ↑ KHOU 11 Television station ""
  45. ↑ "Park and Ride". www.utmb.edu. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  46. ↑ Elder, Laura. "UTMB gets OK for Victory Lakes project Archived 2012-02-24 at the Wayback Machine." The Galveston Daily News. May 16, 2008. Retrieved on February 12, 2009.
  47. ↑ Craft, Chita (September 22, 2023). "Behind-the-scenes look at how the National Weather Service works to keep you safe". KHOU. Retrieved October 28, 2023. - The postal address states "1353 FM 646 Suite 202 Dickinson, TX 77539" but the facility is actually in the League City city limits. Note that the city of Houston stated in 1996 that: "The U.S. Postal Service establishes ZIP codes and mailing addresses in order to maximize the efficiency of their system, not to recognize jurisdictional boundaries."
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