77011 — Magnolia Park

Magnolia Park (ZIP 77011) is a densely settled Houston neighborhood, home to about 15,681 people across 4.2 square miles — roughly 3,734 residents per square mile. It has the texture of an established inner-ring community: a mix of older single-family stock and newer infill, with daily errands rarely more than a few minutes away. Incomes here sit well below the metro average — a median of $49,163, roughly 42% under Houston's $84,833 median. Affordability of everyday goods and housing-cost pressure are central facts of life for many households in 77011.

The population skews established (median age 40.3) and mixed, averaging 2.53 people per household. With a diversity index of 13.3/100, 77011 is somewhat less diverse than the typical Houston ZIP. The largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (88.1%) and White (29.8%).

Put in context, 77011's median home value of $187,100 sits 38% below the Houston-area median home value of $301,548. Both figures remain below the U.S. median home value (near $340,000 nationally), underscoring the relative affordability that continues to draw movers to the Houston metro. Educational attainment — 9.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, versus the 35% metro average — tracks the area's more working-class economic base.

With a price-to-income ratio of 3.8, buying here remains realistic for local earners. The $187,100 median home is about 3.8 times median income — modestly above the classic 3x rule but well within reach for households with steady dual incomes. As a rough yardstick, a household would want income near $62,367 to buy at the local median under conventional guidelines.

Renting is reasonably balanced: at $1,063/month, median rent absorbs about 26% of median income, inside the 30% comfort threshold. Ownership and renting are roughly balanced here (51.2% owner-occupied), giving the area a mix of long-term owners and a steady renter population. Annualized, the typical renter pays about $12,756 per year for housing.

Be ready for the drive — the average commute of 30 minutes runs longer than the 28-minute Houston average, a reflection of this area's distance from the major job centers. A meaningful 5.7% of workers use public transit — high for car-centric Houston — while 5.3% work from home.

Day to day, residents have roughly 72 restaurants, 4 grocery stores, 8 parks, and 2 gyms within or near the ZIP. Health care is close at hand with 2 hospitals and 5 pharmacies in the area. Notable nearby draws include Port of Houston, Magnolia Park, Ship Channel.

Who does 77011 suit best? On the data, it fits first-time buyers watching their budget. The main caution is flood exposure — this is a FEMA A zone with 8 declared flood events since 2000, so insurance and elevation deserve a hard look before committing.