League City, Texas
Encyclopedia
League City is a city in Galveston County
and Harris County
in the U.S. state
of Texas
, within the metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 45,444; in the 2006 census estimate, the population was listed as 67,200. The 2010 Census places the population of League City at 83,560. The City has experienced an 83% percent population growth since 2000. The city has a small portion north of Clear Creek within Harris County, Texas
zoned for residential and commercial uses.
League City is home to several water-side resorts used by people from nearby Houston
.
League City surpassed Galveston
as Galveston County's largest city between 2000 and 2005.
Indian
village. Three families, the Butlers, Cowarts, and Perkinses, are considered to be founding families of the city. 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 first resident of the town proper, George W. Butler, arrived from Louisiana
in 1873 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. League laid out his town site on 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.
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.
League City is located at 29.499797°N 95.089784°W (29.499797, -95.089784). This is 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 52.3 square miles (135.6 km2), of which, 51.2 square miles (132.7 km2) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.9 km2) of it (2.12%) is water.
of 2007, there were 68,178 people, 16,189 households, and 12,465 families residing in the city. The population density
was 886.9 people per square mile (342.4/km2). There were 17,280 housing units at an average density of 337.2 per square mile (130.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.99% White, 5.09% African American, 0.37% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 5.29% from other races
, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.49% of the population.
There were 16,189 households out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.4% were married couples
living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $78,250, and the median income for a family was $88,338.http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US4813024&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US48%7C16000US4813024&_street=&_county=league+city&_cityTown=league+city&_state=04000US48&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2006_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Males had a median income of $52,366 versus $34,301 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $27,170. About 3.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
League City Post Office is located at 240 West Galveston Street.
In 2011 an officer accused the police chief of League City of giving officers ticket quota
s, which are illegal in the state of Texas.
board of regents approved the creation of the 110000 square feet (10,219.3 m²) Specialty Care Center facility, located on 35 acres (141,640.1 m²) of land near Interstate 45
, Farm to Market Road 646
, and the Victory Lakes community.
is based in League City, and serves pupils in the Harris County portion and most of the Galveston County portion. Most pupils in League City attend schools in Clear Creek ISD. Some in Galveston County attend school in Dickinson ISD
and Santa Fe ISD
.
The CCISD portion of the city is divided between board of trustee districts 1, 4, and 5. They are represented by Robert Allan Davee, Stuart J. Stromeyer, and Dee Scott, respectively, as of 2008.
Clear Creek High School, of Clear Creek ISD, is located in League City.
In fall 2007 Clear Springs High School
opened in western League City. In the fall of 2010 Clear Falls High School opened in the CCISD Education Village in southeastern League City.
Ed White Memorial High School is a state charter school in League City.
St. Mary School, a Roman Catholic K-8 school operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
, is in League City.
.
The Galveston County portion is served by the College of the Mainland
.
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.
Commercial airline service for the area is operated from George Bush Intercontinental Airport
and William P. Hobby Airport
, which are located in Houston.
is located at 1701 League City Parkway. The branch, which cost $10.7 million U.S. dollars 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 acres (68,796.6 m²) site used for the Perry YMCA.
Galveston County, Texas
Galveston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population was 291,309. Its county seat is Galveston. League City is the largest city in Galveston County in terms of population; between...
and Harris County
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
, within the metropolitan area. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 45,444; in the 2006 census estimate, the population was listed as 67,200. The 2010 Census places the population of League City at 83,560. The City has experienced an 83% percent population growth since 2000. The city has a small portion north of Clear Creek within Harris County, Texas
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
zoned for residential and commercial uses.
League City is home to several water-side resorts used by people from nearby Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
.
League City surpassed Galveston
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
as Galveston County's largest city between 2000 and 2005.
History
League City was settled at the former site of a KarankawaKarankawa
Karankawa were a group of Native American peoples, now extinct as a tribal group, who played a pivotal part in early Texas history....
Indian
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
village. Three families, the Butlers, Cowarts, and Perkinses, are considered to be founding families of the city. 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
Magnolia
Magnolia is a large genus of about 210 flowering plant species in the subfamily Magnolioideae of the family Magnoliaceae. It is named after French botanist Pierre Magnol....
trees, and named it Magnolia Bayou. The Butler family settled inland.
The first resident of the town proper, George W. Butler, arrived from Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
in 1873 and settled at the junction of Clear Creek
Clear Creek
-Hydronyms:*Clear Creek , a tributary of the Nenana River*Clear Creek , a creek in the Grand Canyon*Clear Creek , a tributary of the South Platte River and the cradle of the Colorado Gold Rush...
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. League laid out his town site on 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
Live oak
Live oak , also known as the southern live oak, is a normally evergreen oak tree native to the southeastern United States...
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.
In the 2000s, rising real estate costs in Galveston
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
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.
Geography
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
.
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 52.3 square miles (135.6 km2), of which, 51.2 square miles (132.7 km2) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (2.9 km2) of it (2.12%) is 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 2007, there were 68,178 people, 16,189 households, and 12,465 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 886.9 people per square mile (342.4/km2). There were 17,280 housing units at an average density of 337.2 per square mile (130.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 83.99% White, 5.09% African American, 0.37% Native American, 3.17% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 5.29% 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 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.49% of the population.
There were 16,189 households out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.4% 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, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.4% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 99.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $78,250, and the median income for a family was $88,338.http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=16000US4813024&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US48%7C16000US4813024&_street=&_county=league+city&_cityTown=league+city&_state=04000US48&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2006_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= Males had a median income of $52,366 versus $34,301 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 $27,170. About 3.6% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
League City Post Office is located at 240 West Galveston Street.
City Government
League City became an incorporated city in 1962. League City’s government consists of seven council members and the mayor. The mayor only votes in the event of a tie vote of city council. 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 administrator’s position does not carry the authority of a city manager under a council manager form of government. This administrator position does not have authority to conduct the city’s business without the constant approval of council and mayor. This ordinance has created a form of government recently referred to "Hybrid" of strong mayor and council manager forms of government.In 2011 an officer accused the police chief of League City of giving officers ticket quota
Ticket quota
Ticket quotas are the minimal number of tickets to be issued by a law enforcement officer for issuing parking tickets, stopping people for moving violations, issuing quality of life summonses and even for making arrests...
s, which are illegal in the state of Texas.
Health care
In 2008 the University of Texas Medical BranchUniversity of Texas Medical Branch
The University of Texas Medical Branch is a component of the University of Texas System located in Galveston, Texas, United States, about 50 miles southeast of Downtown Houston...
board of regents approved the creation of the 110000 square feet (10,219.3 m²) Specialty Care Center facility, located on 35 acres (141,640.1 m²) of land near Interstate 45
Interstate 45
Interstate 45 is an intrastate Interstate Highway located entirely within the U.S. state of Texas. It connects the cities of Dallas and Houston, continuing southeast from Houston to Galveston over the Galveston Causeway to the Gulf of Mexico...
, Farm to Market Road 646
Farm to Market Road 646
Farm-to-Market Road 646 known as FM-646 is a north-south and east-west state highway that runs entirely within Galveston County, Texas. It is 22.5 miles long and runs between Hitchcock, Texas and San Leon, Texas.-History:...
, and the Victory Lakes community.
Public schools
Clear Creek Independent School DistrictClear Creek Independent School District
Clear Creek Independent School District is a school district based in League City, Texas . The district serves most of the Clear Lake Area and some other neighboring parts of the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metro area....
is based in League City, and serves pupils in the Harris County portion and most of the Galveston County portion. Most pupils in League City attend schools in Clear Creek ISD. Some in Galveston County attend school in Dickinson ISD
Dickinson Independent School District
Dickinson Independent School District is a school district based in Dickinson, Texas, United States.DISD serves most of the city of Dickinson as well as portions of the cities of La Marque, League City, and Texas City and some houses in unincorporated Galveston County .All of the DISD catchment...
and Santa Fe ISD
Santa Fe Independent School District
Santa Fe Independent School District is a public school district based in Santa Fe, Texas . In addition to Santa Fe, the district serves parts of League City, La Marque, Hitchcock, and Dickinson....
.
The CCISD portion of the city is divided between board of trustee districts 1, 4, and 5. They are represented by Robert Allan Davee, Stuart J. Stromeyer, and Dee Scott, respectively, as of 2008.
Clear Creek High School, of Clear Creek ISD, is located in League City.
In fall 2007 Clear Springs High School
Clear Springs High School
Clear Springs High School is located in League City, Texas on Palomino Lane, next to Creekside Intermediate School. It is a part of the Clear Creek Independent School District ....
opened in western League City. In the fall of 2010 Clear Falls High School opened in the CCISD Education Village in southeastern League City.
Ed White Memorial High School is a state charter school in League City.
Private schools
Bay Area Christian School started in 1973 and currently has an enrollment of 674 students from grades K–12.St. Mary School, a Roman Catholic K-8 school operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston encompasses of ten counties in the southeastern area of Texas: Galveston; Harris; Austin; Brazoria; Fort Bend; Grimes; Montgomery; San Jacinto; Walker; and Waller.The chancery of the diocese is located in Downtown Houston. The Archdiocese's...
, is in League City.
Colleges and universities
The Harris County portion of League City is served by the San Jacinto CollegeSan Jacinto College
San Jacinto College is a community college in the Greater Houston area in the U.S. state of Texas. Established in 1961, San Jacinto College originally consisted of the areas of Channelview ISD, Deer Park ISD, Galena Park ISD, La Porte ISD, and Pasadena ISD. The College now also serves Sheldon ISD,...
.
The Galveston County portion is served by the College of the Mainland
College of the Mainland
College of the Mainland is a community college located in Texas City, Texas, United States. Its name comes from its location on the "mainland" portion of Galveston County, Texas .-History:...
.
Public library
The Helen Hall Library, a member of the Galveston County Library System, is operated by the city and located at 100 West Walker Street. The League City Public Library was renamed after Hall in 1985. During that year a $2.5 million bond to expand the 7000 square feet (650.3 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 29000 square feet (2,694.2 m²) of space, is the largest and busiest unit of the Galveston County Library System.Transportation
Houston Gulf AirportHouston Gulf Airport
Houston Gulf Airport was a single-runway airport located in eastern League City, Texas, United States. Its FAA code was SPX and its IATA code was also SPX.- History :...
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.
Commercial airline service for the area is operated from George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59...
and William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport is a public airport in Houston, Texas, located from Downtown Houston. The airport covers and has four runways. Hobby Airport is Houston's oldest commercial airport and was the city's primary air terminal until the opening of Houston Intercontinental Airport in 1969...
, which are located in Houston.
Parks and recreation
The 38000 square feet (3,530.3 m²) Perry Family YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
is located at 1701 League City Parkway. The branch, which cost $10.7 million U.S. dollars to build was named after Bob Perry
Bob J. Perry
Bobby Jack Perry , is a Houston, Texas homebuilder, owner of Perry Homes, and major contributor to a number of 527 groups, such as the Swift Vets and POWs for Truth and the Economic Freedom Fund....
, 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 acres (68,796.6 m²) site used for the Perry YMCA.