77076 — North Houston / Acres Homes

North Houston / Acres Homes (ZIP 77076) is a densely settled Houston neighborhood, home to about 32,641 people across 5.5 square miles — roughly 5,935 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 $39,895, roughly 53% under Houston's $84,833 median. Affordability of everyday goods and housing-cost pressure are central facts of life for many households in 77076.

The population skews young (median age 30.6) and family-oriented, with an average household of 3.32 people. With a diversity index of 7.8/100, 77076 is somewhat less diverse than the typical Houston ZIP. The largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (85.9%) and White (42.4%).

Put in context, 77076's median home value of $147,700 sits 51% 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 — 5.6% 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 3.7, buying here remains realistic for local earners. The $147,700 median home is about 3.7 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 $49,233 to buy at the local median under conventional guidelines.

Renters here feel real pressure — median rent of $1,151/month works out to about 35% of median income, just over the 30% cost-burden line. Ownership and renting are roughly balanced here (51.3% owner-occupied), giving the area a mix of long-term owners and a steady renter population. Annualized, the typical renter pays about $13,812 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. Like most of the metro, this is a driving neighborhood: 74% of workers commute by car alone and transit use sits at just 3%.

Day to day, residents have roughly 112 restaurants, 9 grocery stores, 15 parks, and 2 gyms within or near the ZIP. Health care is close at hand with 1 hospital and 6 pharmacies in the area. Notable nearby draws include Acres Homes Community, Little Thicket Nature Sanctuary.

Who does 77076 suit best? On the data, it fits first-time buyers watching their budget. The main caution is flood exposure — this is a FEMA AE zone with 10 declared flood events since 2000, so insurance and elevation deserve a hard look before committing.