About West University

 

West University Place, often called West University or West U for short, is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown Metropolitan Area and Harris County. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the population of the city was 14,211. West University Place is completely surrounded by the cities of Houston, Bellaire, and Southside Place.

The street boundaries of West University Place are Bissonnet, Kirby, Holcombe/Bellaire and the Union Pacific St. Louis Southwestern Railway. The city is nicknamed "The Neighborhood City" as the city is mainly a bedroom community for upper-middle class families.

As of 2000, West University Place is the 9th wealthiest location in Texas by per capita income. West University continues to develop as one of the most desirable and affluent parts of the Houston area.

The United States Postal Service uses "Houston" for all West University Place addresses; "West University Place" is also acceptable for any West University Place address.

Many streets in West University Place are allusions to universities and colleges throughout the United States.

 

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,211 people, 5,286 households, and 4,059 families residing in the city. There were 5,543 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 92.37% White, 0.50% African American, 0.07% Native American, 4.74% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.72% of the population.
There were 5,286 households out of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.11.

The median income for a household in the city was $130,721, and the median income for a family was $157,312. The per capita income for the city was $69,674. About 0.9% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 2.0% of those age 65 or over.

West University Place is dominated by middle and upper-middle class families living in single-family housing. Originally West University Place had small cottages. Many of these cottages were torn down and replaced with large two story houses.


Areas within West University Place

The "West U Downtown" is a small strip of businesses in the heart of West University Place. The strip has a small town feel since the area is not flooded with cars.


There are about 26 subdivisions in West University Place. One is called "Rice Court", which is located north of University and east of Buffalo Speedway. Rice Court once was distinguished by blue tile markers; the markers began to disappear around the 1990s. "Pemberton" is an area south of University and east of Wakeforest. People living in the area were fond of restoration of older houses, and is home to some of West U's most expensive homes. There is another section called "Colonial Terrace" that is west of Weslayan and is near the railroad tracks. Originally it was the least developed part of West University Place. By 2000 this area was as built up and popular as other areas within West University Place.

Subdivisions inside West University Place include Rice Court, Pemberton, Colonial Terrace, Sunset Terrace, Cunningham Terrace, Evanston, Matthews Place, Kent Place, Monticello, Virgina Court, Belle Court, College Court Place, Collegeview, Preston Place, Pershing Place, Academy, Quenby Court, Bissonnet Place, Fairhaven, College Park, and Krenzler Courts. Some sections are simply known as West University Place.


Parks

West University Place has the following parks:

  • Colonial Park
  • Huffington Park
  • Whitt Johnson Park
  • Judson Park
  • Rice Pocket Park
  • Wier Park

Primary and secondary schools

Public school

The city's sole public school, West University Elementary School, is a part of Houston Independent School District. The school has a Houston address but is within the city limits of West University Place. West University Place is also served by Houston Community College System.

Pupils who live in West University Place are zoned to West University Elementary, Pershing Middle School in the Braeswood Place neighborhood of Houston, and Lamar High School, in the Upper Kirby district of Houston. All pupils zoned to Pershing may attend Pin Oak Middle School (in the city of Bellaire) instead.

West University Place is in close proximity to The Rice School, a kindergarten through 8th grade magnet school in Houston.

Gabriela Mistral Early Childhood Center is the closest public early childhood center to the city of West University Place. Since only poor students, homeless students, or students who are not proficient in English may be enrolled in HISD preschools tuition-free, most West University Place residents rely on private preschools. Beehive, a preschool located on the grounds of West University Elementary, serves many pupils from West University Place, Southside Place, and other communities. Students who are eligible for HISD's preschools may attend any Early Childhood Center in Houston ISD.


Private schools

St. Mark's Episcopal School (K-8) is the sole private school located within West University Place. Other nearby parochial schools and private schools include the School of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church in Braeswood Place in Houston, St. John's School in Houston, Episcopal High School in Bellaire, and Post Oak Montessori School in Bellaire.



Sister cities

West University Place is twinned with Flag of France - Saintes, France.