Channelview Property Management

Here's What You Should Know About Channelview, Texas

Channelview is a census-designated place (CDP) in the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown region. It’s 15 miles east of downtown Houston and occupies an area of about 18 square miles.

It’s named for its location along the Houston Ship Channel, which runs from the Gulf of Mexico past Baytown. It’s also where the San Jacinto River forms the Old River. The waterfront area and proximity to Houston make for excellent real estate.

Facts About Channelview

Channelview was officially incorporated as a CDP in the middle of World War II. It was given the name because it overlooks the northeastern curve of the Houston Ship Channel. Channelview was a key port and depot for the U.S. Army during the war.

The city acquired an unfortunate claim to fame following a murder plot in 1991. Channelview resident Wanda Holloway requested a hit on one of her daughter’s classmates and the mother after Holloway’s daughter failed to make the cheerleading squad two seasons in a row.

Holloway asked Terry Harper, her former brother-in-law, to help her find a hit man to do the job. Harper informed the police instead, and Holloway’s murder attempt was fortunately unsuccessful. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted murder.

This incident became a 1993 movie called “The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom.” Holly Hunter played Wanda Holloway and Beau Bridges appeared as Terry Harper.

Both actors won Emmy awards, and the show brought much attention to Channelview. For a short while, it was a popular tourist attraction for locals who wanted to see where the story had taken place.

Channelview has also been home to a few famous people. Lorenzo de Zavala, who was a founding father of the Republic of Texas, made his home along the waterfront until his death in 1836.

Houston Astros pitcher Chris Sampson and former outfielder Glenn Wilson also lived here. Johnny Knox, wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, graduated from Channelview High School before joining the big leagues.

Channelview Demographics

Not a city or town, Channelview is instead a census-designated place, or CDP. That’s essentially a concentration of population defined for statistical purposes only. It also helps to locate the exact area within a metropolis where a person lives.

The July 2016 census tallied a population of 41,261 within city limits. Compared to other Texas cities, towns, and CDPs, Channelview is one of the larger population centers, in the upper quartile for density and diversity.

The area is considered extremely diverse, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The population includes 53 percent White, 37 percent Hispanic or Latino people, 18 percent Pacific Islander, 13 percent African American, 2 percent Asian, and .55 percent Native American. It’s a great place to experience a true melting pot.

The median income for the typical Channelview household is about $46,000. That’s lower than average, but so is the cost of living. Compared to the rest of the country, the cost of living is 16 percent lower in Channelview.

Plus, only 11 percent of households were below the poverty line, according to the latest census count. That’s also several points below the national average.

However, the unemployment rate is at 5.5, which is nearly a full point higher than the national average. Nevertheless, job growth is positive at nearly one percent.

Job Outlook

Most people who live in Channelview work in Houston and the surrounding area. Hundreds of major corporations are headquartered in the region, including H.E.B, Dell, Tauber Oil Company, Shell Oil Company, Sysco, and many more.

These support hundreds of thousands of jobs in the Houston metropolitan area. The job growth is positive, and unemployment low. Since it’s a short commute from Channelview to Houston, work in the big city is an obvious choice.

There are jobs in Channelview CDP as well, but they’re typically lower paying. The biggest employer in the area is Channelview ISD.

Channelview Educational Information

The vast majority of Channelview residents attend the Channelview Independent School District, although a few are served by the Galena Park ISD, also located in Channelview CDP.

The Channelview ISD is an average school district, with a 5 out of 10 rating on Greatschools.org. Many low-income schools operate within the school district, and funding makes it difficult to provide some of the top activities and instruction you might find in a school district closer to central Houston.

Galena Park ISD is slightly better, with a 6 out of 10 rating on Greatschools.org. Many charter schools also surround this district, which might be considered preferable for a quality education.

One of the biggest benefits of Channelview-area schools is the small class size. Despite lower spending, the average student-teacher ratio is about 16:1, which means more individualized attention for students.

Students are not limited to attending Channelview or Galena Park schools because of residency. Many private schools in the area offer a better education for residents.

In addition, under the No Child Left Behind act, low-income students are eligible for scholarships to a private institution if they meet certain requirements. Students who are designated as “in need of improvement” are also granted the right to attend a better school in the Houston area if arrangements can be made for transportation.

Channelview Real Estate

Despite its location on the water, housing prices are surprisingly low in Channelview. The median home price is just $114,900, which is well below the median home price of $260,000 throughout Texas. Home appreciation over the last decade has been about 2.67 percent, which is a good rate of valuation for investors.

Rent prices are also pretty low for the area at $964, according to City-Data.com. Residents who live in Houston proper and the nearby suburbs can expect to pay about $1,250 a month.

The population of Channelview is growing rapidly, at a rate of about 30 percent, largely because of the great real estate. The city is located right on the water, and housing prices are rock bottom.

Average commute into Houston is only about 26 minutes, which is pretty good for this major area. It’s a great place to save money on living expenses and escape the hubbub of hectic urban life.

What to Do in Channelview

There’s not a lot to do in the center of Channelview, though there are several beautiful parks and recreation areas, including Channelwood Park, River Terrace Park, Channelview Sports Complex, and Moncrief Park. You can also fish and boat on the Houston Ship Channel.

But remember, Houston is just 20 minutes away. There, you can enjoy a variety of restaurants, live entertainment, museums, art galleries, shopping, parks, and so much more. People love living in Channelview because of the small-town feel, but also proximity to everything they could ever want in terms of food, shopping, and entertainment.

Purchase Channelview Real Estate with Green Residential

If Channelview sounds like a great place either to live or to invest in property, Green Residential’s realty team can help. We have decades of experience in Houston and all the surrounding areas, and we can offer you the best advice and guidance on home and commercial property sales in the area.

For more information about Channelview or the top-quality realty services we provide, contact us today!