Webster is a city in the U.S. state of Texas located in Harris County, within the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. Its population was 12,499 at the 2020 U.S. census.
History
The community was founded in 1879 by James W. Webster under the name "Gardentown". It was established initially as a colony for settlers from England. It began as a stopover for travelers between Houston/Harrisburg, Galveston, Kemah, and Seabrook. Eventually, railroads, such as the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, were built through the area. Farmers in the area raised pears and other produce.
In 1903, the Houston Chamber of Commerce invited Seito Saibara, a former Japanese member of parliament and a Christian theologian, to come to Texas to teach rice farming. Rice at that time was emerging as an important cash crop. Saibara settled in Webster and established a small farming community of Japanese Christians. Saibara and his son Kiyoaki established the foundations of what became the rice industry of the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Dairies and livestock ranches developed in the town, as well, in the early 1900s. Petroleum was discovered at the Webster (Friendswood) Oil Field in 1937, but the population remained small. The community was incorporated in 1958.
In 1961, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that it was building the Manned Spacecraft Center (now known as the Johnson Space Center) nearby along the shores of Clear Lake. Growth and development quickly swept over the Clear Lake area, and Webster's population blossomed. Webster today has become a thriving bedroom community closely tied to the Clear Lake area and its high-tech industry.
Geography
Webster is located in southeastern Harris County at (29.538581, –95.119354). It is bordered to the north by the city of Houston and to the northeast by Nassau Bay. Clear Creek forms the southeastern border of Webster and is the Harris County / Galveston County line. League City borders Webster to the south and southwest, in both counties.
Interstate 45 runs through the western side of Webster, with access from exits 23 through 25. Downtown Houston is to the northwest, and Galveston is to the southeast.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which , or 3.24%, is covered by water.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification , Webster has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,499 people, 5,334 households, and 2,530 families residing in the city.
The 2019 American Community Survey determined 11,451 people lived within the city limits. The racial and ethnic makeup of the city was 70.6% non-Hispanic white, 19.4% Black or African American, 0.1% American Indian or Alaska Native, 4.2% Asian, 3.7% multiracial, and 33.1% Hispanic or Latin American of any race.
In 2019, the 4,994 households had an owner-occupied housing rate of 13.1%, and the median value of an owner-occupied housing unit was $186,400. Webster had a median gross rent of $1,131 from 2015–2019. The city of Webster had a median household income of $55,497 and per capita income of $29,242. Roughly 18.7% of persons lived at or below the poverty line according to the 2019 survey.
At the census of 2000, 9,083 people, 4,114 households, and 1,970 families were residing in the city. The population density was . The 4,733 housing units had an average density of 715.4/sq mi (276.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 64.85% White, 9.03% African American, 0.55% Native American, 5.72% Asian, 0.15% Pacific Islander, 15.78% from other races, and 3.92% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 27.24% of the population.
Of the 4,114 households, 24.6% had children under 18 living with them, 32.7% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.1% were not families. About 40.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.14, and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city, the age distribution was 20.9% under 18, 15.0% from 18 to 24, 43.5% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.1% who were 65 or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 107.3 males.