Midtown Houston | |
|---|---|
 The intersection of Bagby and McGowen streets in western Midtown | |
 Seal | |
 | |
| Country |  USA |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Harris County |
| City |  Houston |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.24 sq mi (3.2 km2) |
| Population (2015) | |
• Total | 8,597 |
| • Density | 6,900/sq mi (2,700/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes | 77002, 77004, 77006 |
| Area code(s) | 713, 281, 346, and 832 |
| Website | midtownhouston.com |
Midtown is a central neighborhood of Houston, located west-southwest of Downtown. Separated from Downtown by an elevated section of Interstate 45 (the Pierce Elevated), Midtown is characterized by a continuation of Downtown's square grid street plan, anchored by Main Street and the METRORail Red Line. Midtown is bordered by Neartown (Montrose) to the west, the Museum District to the south, and Interstate 69 to the east. Midtown's 325 blocks cover 1.24 square miles (3.2 km2) and contained an estimated population of nearly 8,600 in 2015.[1][2]
Originally populated as a Victorian-style residential neighborhood in the 19th century, Midtown experienced an economic depression during the latter half of the 20th century, resulting in the departure of residents and businesses and a proliferation of vacant land.[3] The formation of the Midtown Redevelopment Authority in the early 1990s and a renewed interest in Houston's urban core resulted in the gentrification of the district throughout the 2000s, fueled by an influx of young residents and the development of a vibrant nightlife. Like many other gentrified areas of Houston, Midtown's street signs are themed, specific to the area's logo, and there are many parks, sculptures, and businesses that include “Midtown” in their name, as a form of economic unity and to further attract more visitors and residents.[3][4] Midtown has continued its rapid development through the 2010s, but the district continues to face issues of crime, inadequate infrastructure, chronic homelessness, and geographic disparities in public investment.[5]
- ^ "Super Neighborhood Resource Assessment: Midtown" (PDF). City of Houston. November 2017. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- ^ "The hidden history of Midtown and what it means for an ambitious area's future". CultureMap Houston. 2012-05-28. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- ^ a b "History". Midtown Houston. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
- ^ Hagerty, Kyle (2016-06-01). "Millennials Love Midtown And It's Easy To See Why". Bisnow Houston. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
- ^ Mulvaney, Erin (2016-06-07). "East-west divide becomes an issue in Midtown". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-03-16.