Manchester, Houston
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manchester is a community in southeastern Houston, Texas, United States.
Manchester has 6 square miles (16 km2) of area.[1] It is located in close proximity to the Houston Ship Channel,[2] and many chemical plants, refineries, and sewage facilities.
History
Manchester began in the 1860s as a railroad switch. By the 1970s the area became predominantly industrial and by the 1980s the area became predominantly Hispanic.[3]
The State of Texas concluded that, since 2000, the area had the highest annual averages of 1,3-Butadiene of any area in Texas.[4] On May 27, 2005, the State opened a pollution monitor in Manchester.[5]
In 2019 Mayor of Houston Sylvester Turner added Manchester to the Complete Communities program.[6]
Cityscape
About 455 houses combined are in Harrisburg and Manchester. Area features include chemical plants, refineries, sewage facilities,[7] car crushing facilities, and hazardous cargo areas. Nearby plants are owned by Goodyear, LyondellBasell, Texas Petro-Chemicals, and Valero.[8] These facilities, including the Valero Houston Refinery, are located alongside the Houston Ship Channel.[9]
It is near Magnolia Park.[2]
Government and infrastructure
Manchester is in Houston City Council District I.[10]
The Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) designated the Ripley Health Center for the ZIP code 77012.[11] In 2000 Ripley was replaced by the Gulfgate Health Center.[12] The designated public hospital is Ben Taub General Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.[11]
Demographics
As of 2017[update] about 4,000 people lived around Manchester.[1] As of 2018[update] almost 2,000 people live in the Harrisburg/Manchester area, with 98% being Hispanic or Latino.[7]
In the city of Houston-defined Harrisburg/Manchester Super Neighborhood, which also includes Harrisburg, there were 2,926 residents in 2015. 82% were Hispanics, 14% were non-Hispanic blacks, and 3% were non-Hispanic whites. The percentages of non-Hispanic Asians and others were both zero. In 2000 the super neighborhood had 3,768 residents. 88% were Hispanics, 6% were non-Hispanic blacks, and 5% were non-Hispanic whites. The percentages of non-Hispanic Asians and others were both zero.[13]
Crime, poverty, and illness
Kristin Moe of Yes! stated that occasional bouts of illness occur due to the chemical plants, and that "Drugs, unemployment, and gangs are a problem."[8] Dina Capello of the Houston Chronicle stated in 2005 that drug dealers and prostitutes reside in the area.[14]
Education
Manchester is within the Houston Independent School District.[15] Zoned schools include:
- J. R. Harris Elementary School[16]
- Deady Middle School[17]
- Milby High School[18]
Parks and recreation
Hartman Park is located in Manchester.[19]
