Balcones Heights, Texas
Encyclopedia
Balcones Heights is a city in Bexar County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 2,941 at the 2010 census. Balcones Heights is considered by locals to be a part of San Antonio
, despite the fact that the community was incorporated in 1948 to avoid annexation into the city. Truly, Balcones Heights is an enclave of San Antonio since San Antonio city limits now completely surround it. It is, however, part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
The first indoor shopping mall in the city of San Antonio, which opened up with the name "Wonderland Shopping City" and is known as Wonderland of the Americas, lies within the borders of Balcones Heights. Balcones Heights draws a small part of its income revenue from convention and meeting facilities located on mall property and draws a considerable amount of its coffers through its notorious red-light cameras located at four key street intersections within its city limits. Specifically, Balcones Heights drew local attention in late 2006 for being the first location in the San Antonio area to approve the installation of "red-light cameras"; angering many citizens. These cameras, designed to photograph violations of traffic light rules (particularly applying to red lights), were finally installed in March 2007.
Balcones Heights is a Type A General Law municipality. As of 2011, the City Council was Suzanne de Leon-Mayor, Charles W. Matthies-Mayor Pro-tem, Lamar Gillian-Councilman, Linda Pohl-Councilwoman, Charles White-Councilman, Miguel Valverde-Councilman. The City Administrator for Balcones Heights is Amy Buckert.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²).None of the area is covered with water.
of 2000, there were 3,016 people, 1,437 households, and 708 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,674.6 people per square mile (1,791.5/km²). There were 1,539 housing units at an average density of 2,385.4 per square mile (914.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.66% White, 5.37% African American, 1.56% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 17.41% from other races
, and 4.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 69.60% of the population.
There were 1,437 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.2% were married couples
living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.7% were non-families. 43.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 14.5% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,452, and the median income for a family was $27,074. Males had a median income of $21,209 versus $18,944 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $13,529. About 18.1% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
. Residents of the San Antonio ISD section are zoned to Baskin Academy, Longfellow Middle School, and Jefferson High School, all in San Antonio.
Some of the city is served by the North East Independent School District
. The portion is served by Dellview Elementary School, Jackson Middle School, and Lee High School, all in San Antonio.
Bexar County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,117 people per square mile . There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of 418 per square mile...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 2,941 at the 2010 census. Balcones Heights is considered by locals to be a part of San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, despite the fact that the community was incorporated in 1948 to avoid annexation into the city. Truly, Balcones Heights is an enclave of San Antonio since San Antonio city limits now completely surround it. It is, however, part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area
Greater San Antonio
Greater San Antonio is a 8-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located in the South Central region of Texas. The MSA of Greater San Antonio is colloquially referred to as the "San Antonio-New Braunfels" metropolitan area as of the 2010 census.The official...
.
The first indoor shopping mall in the city of San Antonio, which opened up with the name "Wonderland Shopping City" and is known as Wonderland of the Americas, lies within the borders of Balcones Heights. Balcones Heights draws a small part of its income revenue from convention and meeting facilities located on mall property and draws a considerable amount of its coffers through its notorious red-light cameras located at four key street intersections within its city limits. Specifically, Balcones Heights drew local attention in late 2006 for being the first location in the San Antonio area to approve the installation of "red-light cameras"; angering many citizens. These cameras, designed to photograph violations of traffic light rules (particularly applying to red lights), were finally installed in March 2007.
Balcones Heights is a Type A General Law municipality. As of 2011, the City Council was Suzanne de Leon-Mayor, Charles W. Matthies-Mayor Pro-tem, Lamar Gillian-Councilman, Linda Pohl-Councilwoman, Charles White-Councilman, Miguel Valverde-Councilman. The City Administrator for Balcones Heights is Amy Buckert.
Geography
Balcones Heights is located at 29°29′23"N 98°32′53"W (29.489729, -98.547927).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²).None of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,016 people, 1,437 households, and 708 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,674.6 people per square mile (1,791.5/km²). There were 1,539 housing units at an average density of 2,385.4 per square mile (914.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.66% White, 5.37% African American, 1.56% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 17.41% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 69.60% of the population.
There were 1,437 households out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.7% were non-families. 43.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 14.5% from 18 to 24, 33.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $21,452, and the median income for a family was $27,074. Males had a median income of $21,209 versus $18,944 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $13,529. About 18.1% of families and 21.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Most of the city is served by San Antonio Independent School DistrictSan Antonio Independent School District
San Antonio Independent School District is a school district based in Downtown San Antonio, Texas .San Antonio ISD is one of 15 school districts serving San Antonio. San Antonio ISD serves the downtown and inner city areas of San Antonio. San Antonio ISD also serves a small portion of the city of...
. Residents of the San Antonio ISD section are zoned to Baskin Academy, Longfellow Middle School, and Jefferson High School, all in San Antonio.
Some of the city is served by the North East Independent School District
North East Independent School District
North East Independent School District is a school district located in Bexar County, Texas, . North East ISD serves the north central and northeast areas of Bexar County, covering approximately . North East ISD serves the cities of San Antonio, Castle Hills, Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park,...
. The portion is served by Dellview Elementary School, Jackson Middle School, and Lee High School, all in San Antonio.
Private schools
St. Gregory the Great Catholic School opened in 1955 under the Sisters of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Congregation.External links
- Balcones Heights official website
- "Don't run red lights in Balcones Heights" -- article from the San Antonio Express-NewsSan Antonio Express-NewsThe San Antonio Express-News is the daily newspaper of San Antonio, Texas. It is ranked as the third-largest daily newspaper in the state of Texas in terms of circulation, and is one of the leading news sources of South Texas, with offices in Austin, Brownsville, Laredo, and Mexico City...
(accessed March 31, 2007)