Neighborhood Gentrification across Harris County: 1990 to 2016

Abstract

The purpose of this report is to document recent neighborhood changes indicative of gentrification and to inform the development of strategies to support the equitable revitalization of specific Houston neighborhoods instead. Overall, gentrification in Houston has accelerated since 2000 with increases in the most recent years studied (from 2010 to 2016). Three case studies selected, Fifth Ward, OST/South Union and Greenspoint, were found to have relatively high susceptibilities to gentrification according to our analysis.The purpose of this framing report is to document recent neighborhood changes indicative of gentrification and to inform the development of strategies to support equitable revitalization instead. This report uses data from the various sources including the U.S. Decennial Censuses, American Community Surveys, Neighborhood Change Database and other data to understand neighborhood change in Houston by defining gentrified neighborhoods and identifying its mechanisms across Harris County. Specifically, this report identifies which neighborhoods experienced gentrification between different time periods, showcasing a typology of gentrification across Harris County. The susceptibility index and case studies further illustrate neighborhoods at higher risk of gentrification pressures. We created a web-based data tool at www.datahouston.org/story/gentrification