Near Northside Neighborhood Guide
Rail access, historic cottages and new construction three miles from Downtown
Near Northside home sales, last 12 months: 218 homes sold, at a typical price around $330,000 (October 2025 through September 2026). Source: HAR MLS closed sales. Data as of October 2026.
Property taxes: A $330,000 home here pays about $7,050 a year at current rates, or about $4,470 with the homestead exemption. See how the homestead exemption works. Data as of October 2026.
921 reviews and ratings across five sites as of October 30, 2026: Google 216 (5.0), Zillow 153 (5.0), Yelp 147 (4.9), RateMyAgent 56 (5.0), HAR 349 surveys (4.99).
Light railNew constructionHistoric homesClose to DowntownLocal culture
Updated November 5, 2026
Living in Near Northside
Near Northside sits just north of Downtown, inside the 610 Loop. It grew up in the late 1800s around the Southern Pacific rail yards, where railroad workers settled, and for generations it has been a center of Houston's Mexican-American community, with family-owned taquerias, panaderias and markets. Today the METRORail Red Line runs up North Main and Fulton Street, and builders are adding new homes and townhomes between historic cottages and bungalows. Compean Group's office is here, at 802 W. Patton St.
Why buyers choose Near Northside
- Close to Downtown. About 3 miles to Downtown, with quick access to I-45, I-10 and I-610.
- Light rail. Red Line stations along North Main and Fulton Street, including Quitman/Near Northside and Moody Park, connect to Downtown, the Museum District and the Medical Center.
- New construction. New single-family homes and townhomes are going up across the neighborhood, including Compean Group's listing at 903 Quitman St.
- Parks and culture. Moody Park, open since 1925, has a pool, sports fields and Luis Jimenez's Vaquero sculpture.
- Neighborhood history. Early-1900s cottages and bungalows give many streets a character that newer suburbs can't match.
What's in and near Near Northside
- Moody Park and its METRORail station
- METRORail Red Line stations on North Main and Fulton Street
- Northside High School (Houston ISD; zoning varies by address)
- Family-owned restaurants, bakeries and markets
- Woodland Heights, the Heights and Downtown next door
Where to eat and shop in Near Northside
Near Northside and the Airline Drive edge of the neighborhood have become a destination for barbecue and Mexican cooking. Pinkerton's Barbecue, a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick on Airline Drive, is known for brisket, ribs and jambalaya, and across the street Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe has served family-run Tex-Mex and grilled parrillada platters since 2001. Khói Barbecue, a 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, smokes Texas barbecue with Vietnamese flavors in a weekend-only backyard setup on Patton Street. Casaema on North Main, also a Bib Gourmand, is a daytime Mexican bakery-cafe known for its horchata cream doughnut, and Cochinita & Co., from two-time James Beard semifinalist Victoria Elizondo, opened a Fulton Street location in 2026 for breakfast tacos, chilaquiles and cochinita pibil.
For local shopping, Airline Drive is the main stop. El Bolillo Bakery is a Houston-owned Mexican panaderia known for conchas, bolillos and tres leches cakes, and the Houston Farmers Market brings together independent produce stands, butchers and specialty food vendors.
Getting around
| Destination | Distance | Drive time (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Houston | 3.1 mi | about 7 min; 11–14 min at rush hour |
| Texas Medical Center | 9.3 mi | about 15 min; 23–30 min at rush hour |
| The Galleria | 10.0 mi | about 17 min; 26–34 min at rush hour |
| Hobby Airport | 15.6 mi | about 25 min; 38–50 min at rush hour |
| Bush Intercontinental Airport | 19.3 mi | about 30 min; 45–60 min at rush hour |
| Energy Corridor (I-10 at Eldridge) | 18.6 mi | about 28 min; 42–56 min at rush hour |
Drive times are estimates. Off-peak minutes come from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM) without traffic, checked November 2026; rush-hour ranges assume 1.5 to 2 times as long, which is common on Houston freeways. Actual times vary with traffic, weather and time of day.
Driving distances from central Near Northside.
Homes in Near Northside
Expect early-1900s cottages and bungalows, mid-century homes, and a growing number of new single-family homes and townhomes on subdivided lots. Ask about lot size, any deed restrictions and flood history before you buy, and compare new builds by finishes and lot position, not just price per square foot. For current prices, see the homes for sale and recent sales on this page.
Median household income by ZIP code: 77009, $83,148; 77026, $39,211 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates). ZIP code figures can include areas beyond the neighborhood.
Public schools serving Near Northside
Houston ISD. This is a short, hand-checked list of the zoned schools for most of the area; zoning can change from one block to the next.
| Elementary | Clemente Martinez Elementary School — Serves part of Near Northside (campus at 901 Hays St). Ketelsen Elementary School — Serves part of Near Northside. Looscan Elementary School — Serves part of Near Northside. Sherman Elementary School — Serves part of Near Northside. |
|---|---|
| Middle | Marshall Middle School — Serves Near Northside. |
| High | Northside High School — Serves Near Northside. Formerly Jefferson Davis High School (renamed 2016). |
Elementary zoning is split among several campuses. HISD closed Ross Elementary (77026) after 2025-26 and sent its students to Roosevelt and C. Martinez elementaries, so addresses near the 77026 edge should be rechecked in School Navigator. Confirm any address with HISD School Navigator. School ratings and how to read them are on our Houston school information page. Checked November 2026.
Flood risk in Near Northside at a glance
- Floodplain share: about 6% of the area outlined on this page's map is in FEMA's 1% annual chance (100-year) floodplain, and about 3% more is in the 0.2% annual chance (500-year) zone. Source: our calculation from FEMA's current effective National Flood Hazard Layer, November 2026.
- Hurricane Harvey (August 2017): flood insurance claims recorded by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, by ZIP code: ZIP 77009: 238; ZIP 77026: 410. ZIP codes include areas beyond the neighborhood, and many flooded homes had no flood insurance.
- Check a specific address: Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool. Floodplains follow bayous, creeks and low ground, so one street can differ from the next; ask for the seller's disclosure and an elevation certificate, and get a flood insurance quote during your option period.
Near Northside questions buyers ask
Is Near Northside a good place to live?
For buyers who want to be close to Downtown at a lower price than most Inner Loop neighborhoods, it's a strong option, with rail access and a strong neighborhood identity. Expect a mix of older homes, renovations and new townhomes, plus some commercial and industrial edges.
Is Near Northside safe?
Near Northside is served by the Houston Police Department. Review HPD's recent crime statistics for the streets you're considering, and visit at different times of day.
How much do homes cost in Near Northside?
In the 12 months through September 2026, 218 homes sold in Near Northside on the MLS at a typical (median) price around $330,000 and an average near $346,000. New construction generally sells above that median.
What ZIP code is Near Northside?
Most of Near Northside is in ZIP code 77009, with parts in 77026. Confirm the ZIP code for a specific address.
Is Near Northside gentrifying?
It's changing quickly. New townhomes and projects such as Hardy Yards have added housing and pushed prices higher, and longtime homes, renovations and new builds often share the same block.
How do you get to Downtown from Near Northside?
It's about 3 miles by car, and METRORail's Red Line runs along Fulton Street with several Near Northside stations, connecting to Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District and the Medical Center.
Does Near Northside flood?
Flood risk varies by street, with lower-lying areas and land near Little White Oak Bayou more exposed. Check the FEMA flood zone and Harris County Flood Control District maps, read the seller's disclosure, and get a flood insurance quote during your option period.
What school district serves Near Northside?
Near Northside is in Houston ISD. Zoned schools depend on the address, so confirm with HISD's school finder.
What is Near Northside known for?
Moody Park, historic churches, family-run taquerias, murals and the Fulton Street rail line. Compean Group's office is nearby on West Patton Street.
What kinds of homes are in Near Northside?
Early-1900s bungalows and cottages, renovated homes and a growing number of new townhomes and single-family builds, often on narrow lots. Compean Group has listed new construction here, including on Quitman Street.
Is Near Northside on the METRORail line?
Yes. The METRORail Red Line has run through Near Northside along North Main and Fulton streets since December 2013, with stations including Quitman/Near Northside, Moody Park, Fulton/North Central, Cavalcade and Burnett Transit Center. The line reaches Downtown in minutes and continues to the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center.
What are the boundaries of Near Northside?
Near Northside sits just north of Downtown. It is roughly bounded by I-45 on the west, Hardy Street on the east, Burnett Street on the south and the Cavalcade Street area on the north.
Is Near Northside a historic district?
Parts of the neighborhood were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Development began in the 1880s and 1890s around the Hardy rail yards, and many homes are early-1900s bungalows and cottages. National Register listing is honorary and does not by itself restrict remodeling the way a City of Houston historic district does.
What parks are in Near Northside?
Moody Park is the neighborhood's main park, with a community center and sports fields. Harris County is set to take over its operation, and plans announced in 2026 include four new soccer fields through a FIFA World Cup 2026 youth soccer program. The White Oak Bayou trail is a short ride west.
Where are the best places to eat in Near Northside?
Popular choices include Pinkerton's Barbecue (Michelin Bib Gourmand barbecue), Teotihuacan Mexican Cafe (family-run Tex-Mex), Khói Barbecue (Vietnamese-Texas barbecue), Casaema (Mexican bakery-cafe) and Cochinita & Co. (Mexican breakfast and lunch).
Where can I shop local in Near Northside?
Airline Drive is the main strip for local shopping, including El Bolillo Bakery (Mexican panaderia) and the Houston Farmers Market's independent vendors. Weekend mornings are the busiest and best-stocked time to go.
Are there freight train tracks in Near Northside?
Yes. Near Northside grew up around Houston's rail yards, and active freight lines still cross parts of the neighborhood, including several street-level crossings. Homes near the tracks can hear passing trains and horns, and crossings can briefly delay drives. Buyers can check a property's distance from the nearest line on a map and visit at different times of day.
Will the I-45 project affect Near Northside?
Near Northside's western edge borders I-45, part of TxDOT's North Houston Highway Improvement Project. TxDOT's 2025 materials list the stretch between Loop 610 and I-10 as Segment 2, with final design pending funding and construction anticipated around 2031. The project maps at txdot.gov/nhhip show planned changes and right-of-way near specific streets.
Who is a good realtor in Near Northside?
Compean Group ranks #1 on AgentPronto's list of top agents for Northside Village, AgentPronto's name for the Near Northside area (November 2026; AgentPronto compares agents on transaction data, specialties and client reviews). We work in Near Northside very often and understand its local market, from how homes are priced to what buyers look for. Based at 802 W. Patton St just north of Downtown, Evan Compean and the Compean Group have sold more than 1,000 Houston homes over 15 years, with 921 reviews and ratings across five sites. This guide includes much more information to help you get started with your search.
Sales figures are MLS closed sales for the 12 months from October 2025 through September 2026. Driving distances are approximate. The Average Sales Price and Total Listings box further down this page is calculated automatically from homes currently listed for sale in the area and updates daily, so it can differ from these closed-sale figures.
Client results nearby
- A 1910s bungalow: HVAC and foundation concerns (Near Northside, 77009)
- An appraisal $3,500 short, with a buyer who still had a home to sell (Near Northside, 77009)
Related Guides and Local News
- AI vs. an experienced agent: why you still need a human in a Houston home sale
- Houston home prices by neighborhood: 12 months of sales
- Houston property taxes and MUD taxes in 2026
- Houston flood zones and flood insurance: the maps to check
- Texas homestead exemption: how much you save and how to file
- Mortgage rates, seller credits and buydowns
- No state income tax: what moving to Houston saves
Local news
- Moody Park could get four new soccer fields under a Harris County partnership (Community Impact, Jan 2026)
- Cochinita & Co. opens a second location on Fulton Street in Northside (Houstonia, May 2026)
- Khói Barbecue among Houston's new 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmands (Axios Houston, Oct 2026)
- 32 Houston-area restaurants make the 2026 Michelin Guide, including Khói Barbecue on Patton Street (Community Impact, Oct 2026)
- Quitman Street Project adds sidewalks, bike lanes, lighting and 90+ trees (Greater Northside Management District, project page, 2026 completion)
Free guide
The Near Northside Neighborhood Guide (PDF)
A short buyer's guide with the average price and price range, months of inventory, distances to major attractions, dining, nightlife, and what sets Near Northside apart from nearby neighborhoods.
Request a copy or call (832) 777-3904.
Buying or selling in Near Northside? Our office is in the neighborhood, and Evan Compean and the Compean Group team have handled 1,000+ sales in 15 years.
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