West University Place, often called West University or West U in short, is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown Metropolitan Area and Harris County. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 14,211.
West University Place is completely surrounded by the cities of Houston, Bellaire, and Southside Place. The city is nicknamed "The Neighborhood City" as the city is mainly a bedroom community for middle and upper middle class families.
As of 2000, West University Place is the 9th wealthiest location in Texas by per capita income.
West University Place is located at 29°42'57" North, 95°25'59" West (29.715929, -95.432992).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.2 km2 (2.0 mi2). 5.2 km2 (2.0 mi2) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
The city's boundaries are: Kirby Drive to the East, Community Drive to the West, Bellaire Boulevard to the South, and Bissonnet and Law Street to the North.
As of the census of 2000, there are 14,211 people, 5,286 households, and 4,059 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,729.8/km2 (7,068.6/mi2). There are 5,543 housing units at an average density of 1,064.8/km2 (2,757.1/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 92.37% White, 0.50% African American, 0.07% Native American, 4.74% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 4.72% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 5,286 households out of which 43.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.0% are married couples living together, 6.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% are non-families. 19.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.69 and the average family size is 3.11.
In the city the population is spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 29.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $130,721, and the median income for a family is $157,312. Males have a median income of $100,000 versus $65,739 for females. The per capita income for the city is $69,674. 1.7% of the population and 0.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 1.2% of those under the age of 18 and 2.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
West University Place is dominated by middle and upper-middle class families living in single-family housing. Originally West University Place had small cottages. Many of these cottages were torn down and replaced with large two story houses.
The city was developed in 1917 by Ben Hooper, a former Tennessee governor. The name "West University Place" originated from its proximity to Rice Institute (now Rice University). The city incorporated in 1924 because Houston was reluctant to extend power lines that far from the city center. West University Place, unlike Houston Heights, did not consolidate into the City of Houston. In 1939, the municipality refused to consolidate, later adopting a formal city charter the following year.
On December 17, 1998, a child psychologist named Claudia Benton was murdered in her West University Place house by ngel Maturino Resndiz, a serial killer.
Source:
WestUniversityPlaceTexas.com
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