South Houston falls within the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area and Harris County, Texas. It shares borders with Houston and Pasadena, lying southeast of the former.

Between the years of 1980 and 1990, South Houston experienced an influx of Hispanic residents ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 individuals per square mile. The majority of these Hispanic residents in South Houston were of Mexican origin.

South Houston can be found at the coordinates 29°39′40″N 95°13′47″W, which translate to 29.660980, –95.229787.

The United States Census Bureau reports that the city encompasses an area of 7.8 square kilometers, consisting entirely of land.

According to the 2020 US census, the city was home to 16,153 individuals, 5,221 households, and 4,107 families.

The South Houston City Council is responsible for setting policies and making important decisions for the city. They consider resolutions and ordinances, select residents to serve on various committees and boards, and approve the annual budget. The council meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays, at 7:30 PM in the South Houston Municipal Court. These meetings are open to the public, providing an opportunity for citizens to stay informed and engaged in their community’s governance.

The city is served by the fire department of South Houston. The headquarters of the police department of South Houston is located at 1023 West Dallas Street.

Harris County Commissioner Precinct encompasses South Houston.

District 145 of the Texas House of Representatives encompasses South Houston.

District 6 of the Texas Senate encompasses South Houston.

The 29th congressional district of Texas encompasses South Houston.

The South Houston Post Office, located at 315 North Allen Genoa Road, is managed and operated by the United States Postal Service.

Pasadena’s Strawberry Health Clinic is the closest public health center affiliated with the Harris Health System (previously known as Harris County Health System). In the Texas Medical Center of Houston, the nearest public hospital is Ben Taub General Hospital.

South Houston is where the Lewis Food Town grocery store chain.

H-E-B unveiled the “Mi Tienda” store, which showcased Hispanic influences, in South Houston in 2006.

The Pasadena Independent School District provides education to South Houston.

Sections of South Houston are served by several elementary schools including Pearl Hall Elementary School, Walter Matthys Elementary School, L.F. Smith Elementary School, and South Houston Elementary School. Pearl Hall Elementary School opened in August 1992 and had a student population of 775 by 1998.

South Houston High School caters to the educational needs of the entire South Houston community.

The South Houston community can access library services at the South Houston Branch of Harris County Public Library, which is located on 607 Avenue A.

South Houston is serviced by Harris County Transit.

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