The Neighborhoods of East Houston

Baytown lies 30 miles east of downtown Houston on the northern shore of Galveston Bay between the San Jacinto River to the west, the Trinity River to the east, and seated along both Interstate 10 and State Highway 146. Residents enjoy family fun at Pirate’s Bay, and wildlife and birding enthusiasts fl ock to the Baytown Nature Center and Eddy Gray Wetlands Education & Recreation Center. The area’s major employers include ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery, Exxon Chemical, Chevron Phillips, Bayer, and Amoco. The city is also home to major regional warehouse and distribution centers for Home Depot and Walmart. Goose Creek ISD serves Baytown students.

Clear Lake
Known primarily as the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the Clear Lake area has grown into a robust and dynamic region. Nine distinct communities distinguish the area, which provides easy travel to Houston and Galveston. Residents enjoy an abundance of activities including shopping, dining, and boating on Clear Lake, a 2,000-acre inlet of Galveston Bay. Students attend Clear Creek ISD.

Deer Park is often referred to as the Birthplace of Texas. Here lies the site where initial treaty documents securing Texas’ independence from Mexico were drafted following the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. In 2010, Business Week named Deer Park Texas’ Best Affordable Suburb, and CNN named Deer Park among the 100 Best Places to Live. Deer Park provides easy access to the Houston region, the Clear Lake/Bay Area, and the sand and surf of Galveston Island. Students attend Deer Park ISD.

Friendswood is conveniently located about 30 miles from downtown, between central Houston and Galveston. It offers easy access to Hobby Airport, Bush Airport, Ellington Field, and Clover Field. Friendswood has been named one of the country’s Best, Most Affordable Suburbs by Business Week. Depending on location, students are served by Friendswood ISD or Clear Creek ISD.

Galena Park is located on the north bank of the Houston Ship Channel just east of the Houston city limits. With a population of 10,592, the city is home to an Olympic-size swimming pool, two recreational facilities, a public library, and numerous parks.

Galveston is a historic beach town just 50 miles southeast of Houston on the Gulf of Mexico. The island is the most-visited beach destination in Texas, with 32 miles of shoreline, one of the country’s largest collections of Victorian architecture, and the fourth-busiest cruise port in the nation. The island offers a variety of attractions, such as the historic Pleasure Pier, home to 16 rides, games, retail shops, and eateries, as well as Moody Gardens, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, historical sites, museums, and restaurants along the beachfront and within the historic downtown district. Students on Galveston Island and the neighboring Bolivar Peninsula attend Galveston ISD. Galveston is also home to the University of Texas Medical Branch, which is the island’s number-one economic driver.

Kemah is located on Galveston Bay, about 25 minutes south of Houston and 25 minutes north of Galveston. Commercial fishing has remained a large part of Kemah’s identity over the years, making it a long-standing destination for recreation and tourism. The Kemah Boardwalk offers an array of waterfront restaurants, shopping, attractions, and events throughout the year. Kemah is served by Clear Creek ISD (ccisd.net). Visit website.

La Marque—also known as the Gateway to the Gulf—is an incorporated residential community about 12 miles northwest of Galveston. La Marque ISD serves most of La Marque, however Dickinson ISD, Hitchcock ISD (hitchcockisd.org), and Santa Fe ISD (sfi sd.org) serve small portions of the area. Visit website.

La Porte means “the door” or “gateway” in reference to what is now the Houston Ship Channel. Founded in 1889 by French settlers, La Porte prides itself on small town atmosphere, strong industry and economy, and numerous parks and recreational activities. Sylvan Beach Park offers 2,000 feet of sandy beaches, as well as a fishing pier and a boat launch. City parks include a wave pool and a park alongside Galveston Bay. La Porte ISD serves students in the area.

League City has experienced tremendous growth through the years, and recently surpassed Galveston as Galveston County’s largest city. Approximately 23 miles equidistant between Houston and Galveston, League City boasts the third-largest pleasure boat anchorage in the United States, with four marinas that host more than 7,000 boats. The city has been designated as one of the 100 Best Small Cities in America by Money magazine, has more than 620 acres of public parks, three golf courses, and the Jonny Arolfo Civic Center. Depending on location, students are served by Clear Creek ISD or Dickinson ISD.

Nassau Bay is a small suburban community whose history is deeply rooted in the space program. Nassau Bay sits directly across from the Johnson Space Center and is surrounded on three sides by water. With two marinas, three hotels, and several popular retail and entertainment establishments, the city receives nearly 3,000 visitors every day. Students attend schools within Clear Creek ISD. 

Despite its small size, Webster is mighty in terms of commercial vibrancy. The city is home to more than 2,200 businesses that have come to be known as the retail, dining, and entertainment capital of Bay Area Houston. Since NASA built the Johnson Space Center, Webster has served as home to several aerospace companies, and both the aerospace and medical fields continue to be two of the city’s major growth industries. Webster’s location, key industry sectors, super-regional market, and business-friendly credo contribute to the city’s commercial vibrancy. Clear Creek ISD serves students in Webster.

Galena Park is located on the north bank of the Houston Ship Channel just east of the Houston city limits. With a population of 10,592, the city is home to an Olympic-size swimming pool, two recreational facilities, a public library, and numerous parks.