Channelview is a
census-designated place
A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only.
CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counte ...
(CDP) in the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...
of
Texas
Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
on the east side of Houston in
Harris County. Its population was 45,688 at the
2020 U.S. census.
History
Channelview was given its name since it is located on the northeastern curve of the
Houston Ship Channel.
The site of Channelview was home to
Lorenzo de Zavala
Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Sánchez (October 3, 1788 – November 15, 1836), known simply as Lorenzo de Zavala, was a Mexican and later Tejano physician, politician, diplomat and author. Born in Yucatán (state), Yucatán under Vicero ...
, one of the founding fathers of the
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas (), or simply Texas, was a country in North America that existed for close to 10 years, from March 2, 1836, to February 19, 1846. Texas shared borders with Centralist Republic of Mexico, the Republic of the Rio Grande, an ...
. During
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, the area south of Market to the Ship Channel, and what is now DeZavala St. to the tollway, was part of the
U.S. Army San Jacinto Ordnance Depot.
In 1990,
an explosion occurred at the
ARCO petrochemical plant in Channelview that killed 17 people and injured five others.
In 1991, Channelview was the site of a notable murder plot.
Wanda Webb Holloway was convicted of attempting to hire a hitman to kill the mother of her daughter's junior high school cheerleading rival.
In 1997,
Coy Wayne Wesbrook committed mass murder in Channelview, killing five people.
Geography

Channelview, located at the point where the
San Jacinto River forms the Old River, is north of
Interstate 10
Interstate 10 (I-10) is the southernmost transcontinental highway in the Interstate Highway System of the United States. It is the fourth-longest Interstate in the country at , following I-90, I-80, and I-40. It was part of the origina ...
and the
Missouri Pacific Railroad
The Missouri Pacific Railroad , commonly abbreviated as MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers. In 1967, the railroad o ...
and east of
downtown Houston
Downtown is the largest central business district in the city of Houston and the largest in the state of Texas, located near the geographic center of the metropolitan area at the confluence of Interstate 10 in Texas, Interstate 10, Interstate 45 ...
.
According to the
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...
, Channelview has a total area of , of which , or 18.46%, are covered by water.
Demographics
Channelview first appeared as a
census designated place
A census-designated place (CDP) is a Place (United States Census Bureau), concentration of population defined by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes only.
CDPs have been used in each decennial census since 1980 as the counte ...
in the
1980 U.S. Census
The 1980 United States census, conducted by the United States Census Bureau, Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States to be 226,545,805, an increase of 11.4% over the 203,184,772 persons Enumeration, enumerated dur ...
.
[
]
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, 45,688 people, 11,893 households, and 9,752 families were residing in the CDP. As of the census
A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...
of 2000, 29,685 people, 9,189 households, and 7,369 families lived in the CDP. The population density was . The 9,874 housing units had an average density of 609.1/sq mi (235.2/km2).
In 2000, the racial makeup of the CDP was 63.15% White, 13.03% African American, 0.55% Native American, 2.03% Asian, 18.35% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. Hispanic
The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...
or Latino of any race were 37.11% of the population. In 2020, the racial and ethnic makeup grew to a predominant Hispanic or Latino population (71.45%); non-Hispanic whites declined to 13.4% of the population.
Of the 9,189 households in 2000, 48.6% had children under 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.8% were not families. About 15.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.22, and the average family size was 3.60.
In the CDP, the age distribution was 33.7% under 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $42,968, and for a family was $45,638 as of 2000. Males had a median income of $35,592 versus $26,423 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year.
In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the CDP was $15,115. About 11.5% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 17.3% of those under 18 and 15.4% of those 65 or over. By 2020, its median household income increased to $64,045.
Education
Most Channelview CDP residents are served by the Channelview Independent School District, which is headquartered in the CDP.[2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Channelview CDP, TX]
(index). U.S. Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The U.S. Census Bureau is part of the U ...
. Retrieved on January 5, 2017. Detail maps
1
2
3
4
A01
/ref> Some residents are served by the Galena Park Independent School District, which is also headquartered in the Channelview CDP.
Channelview ISD operates schools within the CDP. The district has one prekindergarten campus (Early Childhood Center), six elementary schools (Harvey Brown, Crenshaw, DeZavala, Hamblen, McMullan, and McGhee), two junior high schools (Alice Johnson Junior High School, and Anthony Aguirre Junior High School,), L.W. Kolarik 9th Grade Center, and Channelview High School. In addition, CISD operates the Endeavor High School of Choice, an alternative high school.
Sections of Channelview CDP in the Galena Park school district are zoned to schools outside of the Channelview CDP. The sections are divided between the attendance boundaries of Sam Houston Elementary School, and North Shore Elementary School, which are in the Cloverleaf CDP. All residents are zoned to Cobb Elementary School, North Shore Middle School in the Cloverleaf CDP, and North Shore Senior High School with two campuses in the Cloverleaf CDP.
Residents of both Channelview ISD and Galena Park ISD (and therefore all of Channelview CDP) are zoned to San Jacinto College.
Family Christian Academy and Foundation Christian School are located in Channelview.
Parks and recreation
Harris County Precinct 2 operates the V.V. Ramsey Community Center, the M.L. Flukinger Community Center at 16003 Lorenzo Street, and the Old River Terrace Park on Market St.
Infrastructure
The United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service (USPS), also known as the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or simply the Postal Service, is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the executive branch of the federal governmen ...
operates the Channelview Post Office at 531 Sheldon Road.
The Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) designated the Baytown Health Center in southeast Houston for the ZIP code 77530, and the Settegast Health Center for the ZIP code 77015. The designated public hospital is Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital in northeast Houston.[ - See ZIP codes 77015 and 77530]
See this map for relevant ZIP code
Notable people
2025 Super Bowl MVP NFL quarterback Jalen Hurts
Jalen Alexander Hurts (born August 7, 1998) is an American professional American football, football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL).
Hurts began his college football career with the Alabama Crims ...
is a graduate of Channelview High School.
Channelview is also home to former Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. They are one of two major leag ...
pitcher Chris Sampson (2006–2010), former Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They are one of two remaining ...
wide receiver Johnny Knox (2009–2011), and former outfielder Glenn Wilson (1982-1993).
References
External links
{{authority control
Census-designated places in Harris County, Texas
Census-designated places in Texas
Greater Houston
Populated coastal places in Texas