Jacinto City is a city in Harris County, Texas, United States, east of the intersection of Interstate 10 and the East Loop of Interstate 610. Jacinto City is part of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area and is bordered by the cities of Houston and Galena Park. The population was 9,613 at the 2020 census.
History
In 1941 Frank Sharp established a subdivision which filled with shipyard workers and workers at nearby steel mills and war plants. Jacinto City incorporated in 1947 with nearly 3,800 residents; its first mayor was Inch Handler. Because of the 1947 incorporation, Houston did not incorporate Jacinto City's territory into its city limits, while Houston annexed surrounding areas that were unincorporated. The town still serves as a bedroom community for local industry. In the 1950s the city opened a city hall and recreational facilities. By 1960 the city had 9,500 people and by 1964 the city had 11,500 people. In 1966 the city had seventeen churches, two schools, one hospital, one bank, and one library. A waste-water facility funded by the Environmental Protection Agency opened in 1972; the Handbook of Texas stated that this may be due to complaints from residents about chemical vapors in 1969. In 1990 the city had 9,343 people.
Jacinto City was known for the murder of Louis "Buddy" Musso by Susan (or Suzanne) "Sue" Basso in 1998. Basso lived in Jacinto City and held Musso against his will there; Musso died in an apartment unit used by an accomplice in Houston. Musso's corpse was dumped in neighboring Galena Park.
From 1996 to 2006 the median price per square foot of the Jacinto City houses increased from approximately $35 to approximately $70.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Jacinto City is in central Harris County, along the Missouri Pacific Railroad and at the intersection of U.S. Highway 90, Interstate 610, and Interstate 10. It is in close proximity to the San Jacinto battleground. Jacinto City derives its name from the battleground. It is next to Galena Park.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 9,613 people, 3,213 households, and 2,361 families residing in the city.
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,302 people, 2,947 households, and 2,392 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,124 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 18.18% White, 38.23% African American, 0.89% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 25.66% from other races, and 3.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 75.39% of the population.
There were 2,947 households, out of which 48.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.3% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.8% were non-families. 16.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.45 and the average family size was 3.88.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 33.3% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,672, and the median income for a family was $36,755. Males had a median income of $30,323 versus $22,224 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,292. About 16.1% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.9% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.
Infrastructure and government
Jacinto City practices a city manager form of government with an elected Mayor who presides over the Jacinto City City Council. Mayor: Anna Diaz City Manager: Lon Squyres City Attorney: Jim DeFoyd City Secretary: Joyce Raines Council Position #1: Jimmy Rivas Council Position #2: Gregg Robinson Council Position #3: Allen Lee Council Position #4: Carmella Garcia Council Position #5: Mario Gonzales
The City Council meets at the City Council Annex.
The Jacinto City Fire Department and EMS and the Jacinto City Police Department serve the city.
A city hall facility had been built in the 1950s.
Jacinto City is located within Harris County Precinct 2; as of 2018 Adrian Garcia heads Precinct 2.