Midtown is a central neighborhood of Houston, located west-southwest of Downtown. Separated from Downtown by an elevated section of Interstate 45 (the Pierce Elevated), Midtown is characterized by a continuation of Downtown's square grid street plan, anchored by Main Street and the METRORail Red Line. Midtown is bordered by Neartown (Montrose) to the west, the Museum District to the south, and Interstate 69 to the east. Midtown's 325 blocks cover and contained an estimated population of nearly 8,600 in 2015.

Originally populated as a Victorian-style residential neighborhood in the 19th century, Midtown experienced an economic depression during the latter half of the 20th century, resulting in the departure of residents and businesses and a proliferation of vacant land. The formation of the Midtown Redevelopment Authority in the early 1990s and a renewed interest in Houston's urban core resulted in the gentrification of the district throughout the 2000s, fueled by an influx of young residents and the development of a vibrant nightlife. Like many other gentrified areas of Houston, Midtown's street signs are themed, specific to the area's logo, and there are many parks, sculptures, and businesses that include “Midtown” in their name, as a form of economic unity and to further attract more visitors and residents. Midtown has continued its rapid development through the 2010s, but the district continues to face issues of crime, inadequate infrastructure, chronic homelessness, and geographic disparities in public investment.

History

Around 1906 what is now Midtown was divided between the Third Ward and Fourth Ward."Where the wards are ." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday September 7, 2004. E1. Before the 1950s what is now Midtown was a popular residential district. Increasingly, commercial development led homeowners to leave for neighborhoods they considered less busy. The area became a group of small apartment complexes, low-rise commercial buildings, and older houses. According to a City of Houston report, the remaining churches and the Houston Community College System Central campuses provided the neighborhood's "only stability.""Study Area 11 ." City of Houston. Accessed October 21, 2008.

In the 1970s, Midtown became home to Little Saigon, a neighborhood of Vietnamese and Vietnamese Americans, who pioneered the redevelopment of Midtown Houston. During the 1980s, Travis and Milam Streets were viewed as a mirror image of 1970s era Saigon.Sarnoff, Nancy. "Little Saigon tries to carry on / City pushing for ways to give area new life" (). Houston Chronicle. Sunday November 28, 2004. Business, 3. The Vietnamese areas were established around Milam Street, Webster Street, Fannin Street, and San Jacinto Street. By 1991 this Little Saigon had Vietnamese restaurants, hair salons, car shops, and travel agencies. Mimi Swartz of Texas Monthly stated in 1991 that "Little Saigon is a place to begin easing into a new country".

On June 24, 1994 Isabella Court at 3909-3917 South Main Street received listing in the National Register of Historic Places.

The City of Houston established the Midtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) in 1995."Frequently Asked Questions ." Midtown Management District. Retrieved on April 5, 2009. The establishment of the TIRZ led to the opening of upper income townhomes and apartment complexes in western Midtown and the area along Elizabeth Baldwin Park. Between 1990 and 2000 the area within the Midtown Superneighborhood saw the population increase from 3,070 to 5,311. The increase by 2,241 people was 73% of the 1990 population. During that period about 2,200 multi-family units opened, particularly along Louisiana Street and West Gray Street. Since the total multi-family acreage remained at a small number, the population increase also increased the density of the area. During the 1990s commercial uses increased, particularly along Main Street and Louisiana Street. In 1999 the 76th Texas Legislature created the Midtown Management District.

By 2004, higher rents and street construction have reduced the number of Vietnamese American businesses, many of which have relocated to the outer Houston Chinatown in the Bellaire Boulevard corridor west of Sharpstown. On May 1 of that year, during the 6th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Festival, the section of Midtown along Milam Street and Travis Street near Tuam Street received the designation "Little Saigon.""Building New Saigon." Houston Institute for Culture. Retrieved on April 30, 2009.

In 2009 Houston City Council approved the expansion of the Midtown TIRZ by . The new territory includes the Asia House, the Buffalo Soldiers Museum and the Museum of African-American culture.Snyder, Mike. "Council adds 3 museums to tax zone in Midtown." Houston Chronicle. December 29, 2009. Retrieved on January 2, 2010.

In 2014 the ranking website Niche stated that Midtown was the favorite neighborhood for millennial people.Taylor, Carrie. "Houston's Midtown among best places in country for millennials." Houston Chronicle. April 16, 2014. Retrieved on April 19, 2014.

Cityscape In 2010 Denny Lee of The New York Times said that Midtown, a "mixed-use" district, was "dotted with" bánh mì restaurants.Lee, Denny. "36 Hours in Houston." The New York Times. May 9, 2010. By 2012 many new bars, retail operations, and restaurants had opened in Midtown. Ed Page, a retail broker, said in 2012 that Midtown has not yet seen any significant new retail; he was referring to big box stores.Sarnoff, Nancy. "Development in Midtown on an upswing." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday October 30, 2012. Retrieved on November 1, 2012.

As of 2010 five flower shops are located along Fannin in a section of Midtown. One decade before 2010 there were over one dozen flower shops in that area.Sarnoff, Nancy. "A Valentine's Day reminder of an unrealized vision." Houston Chronicle. February 13, 2010. Retrieved on February 15, 2010. In 2003 the flower shop owners were mostly Asian. The shops, along four city blocks, were centered on Rosedale Street.Davis, Rod. "Houston's really good idea Bus tour celebrates communities that forged a city." San Antonio Express-News. Sunday August 3, 2003. Travel 1M. Retrieved on February 11, 2012. The number declined after the establishment of the METRORail Red Line. Nancy Sarnoff of the Houston Chronicle said in 2010 that the remaining flower shops told her that the establishment of the line helped cause several of their competitors to go out of business.

Midtown has no traditional hotels. As of 2025, Midtown's largest accommodation provider is Lodgeur, operating 64 furnished apartments at Mid Main Lofts.Midtown Houston District Map The area also has one bed and breakfast and other rental units available.

Little Saigon

Midtown was known for a concentration of Vietnamese businesses, termed "Little Saigon". Vietnamese in Houston, in the 1970s, had settled Allen Parkway Village. Midtown was in proximity and was relatively inexpensive. - Previews of book pages CITED: p. 770. Midtown became a center of business and religion for ethnic Vietnamese across the Houston area even though very few ethnic Vietnamese actually resided in Midtown.

By 1991 this Little Saigon had Vietnamese restaurants, hair salons, car shops, and travel agencies,Swartz, Mimi. "Murder in the Melting Pot." Texas Monthly. Emmis Communications, December 1991. Vol. 19, No. 12. ISSN 0148-7736. START: p. 142. CITED: p. 174. and as of 2000 businesses there included grocery stores, medical and legal offices, restaurants, music and video stores, hair styling shops, business service offices, and jewelry stores.41. Mimi Swartz of Texas Monthly stated in 1991 that in what is now Midtown, "Little Saigon is a place to begin easing into a new country." Due to the actions of a group of Vietnamese-American leaders led by My Michael Cao, who served as the President of the Vietnamese Community of Houston and Vicinity (VNCH), a resolution that installed Vietnamese street signs along Milam Street in Midtown was passed.Vu, p. 29 Vietnamese street signs have denoted the area since 1998. In 2004, this area was officially named "Little Saigon" by the city of Houston.

The redevelopment of Midtown Houston from run-down to upscale increased property values and property taxes, forcing many Vietnamese-American businesses out of the neighborhood into other areas. (). By 2003 the number of Vietnamese business declined, with many of them moving to the Southwest Houston Little Saigon, despite the beautification projects occurring. Hope Roth stated that pressure from other new developments and increase in costs related to land and space caused a decline in Little Saigon. Roth stated that many of the area restaurants still remain, - Previews of book pages CITED: p. 771. but increasingly cater more to mainstream American tastes. - Previews of book pages CITED: p. 772. In 2010 Denny Lee of The New York Times wrote that "traces" of the Vietnamese community remained.

Demographics

+Midtown Houston – Racial and ethnic composition. Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010White alone (NH)2,0103,9995,11742.68%53.74%47.29%Black or African American alone (NH)9091,5771,84119.30%21.19%17.01%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)720300.15%0.27%0.28%Asian alone (NH)3004941,1386.37%6.64%10.52%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)03970.00%0.04%0.90%Other race alone (NH)3024990.64%0.32%0.91%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)511354211.08%1.81%3.89%Hispanic or Latino (any race)1,4031,1892,07729.79%15.98%19.20%Total4,7107,44110,820100.00%100.00%100.00%

As of 2012 Midtown has about 8,600 people. Midtown had a 65% population increase in a ten-year period.

According to the 2000 Census, the Super Neighborhood #62 Midtown (which mostly corresponds to the boundaries of the Midtown District) contained a total of 5,311 residents. The racial makeup of the area was 45% (2,439 people) White, 18% (949 people) Black or African American, 6% (320 people) Asian, less than 1% (8 people) Native American, less than 1% (35 people) from other races, 1% (70 people) from two or more races and 28% (1,490 people) of the population were Hispanic or Latino The super neighborhood contained a total of 4,559 people above the age of 18. The super neighborhood contained a total of 3,219 people who were male and 2,092 people who were female. 18 people were in nursing homes. Nobody was in a correctional institution, a university or college dormitory, or a military quarter. There were 2,326 households, with a population of 4,142 in those households. The average household size is 1.78 people."Census 2000: Demographic Data by Super Neighborhood Midtown #62." City of Houston. Retrieved on April 11, 2009.

Some parts of the Midtown TIRZ are within Super Neighborhood #66 Binz."Census 2000: Demographic Data by Super Neighborhood Binz Area #66." City of Houston. Retrieved on April 11, 2009.

Transportation

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, is the area transit authority. The METRORail Red Line runs directly through Midtown along Main Street. Three stops (Wheeler, Ensemble/HCC, and McGowen) are located in Midtown. Bus routes 1, 8, 25, 60, 65, and 182 stop at Wheeler Station. Routes stopping at the Downtown Transit Center, adjacent to Midtown and located in Downtown, include 11, 15, 24, 30, 35, 52, 60, 70, and 77. Other routes serving Midtown include 3, 5, 33, 42, 44, 53, 56, 82, 85, 102, 108, 131, 261, 262, 265, 269, 274, and 283."Downtown/Midtown Area ." Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas. Retrieved on April 4, 2009."SERVICE AND IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND ASSESSMENT PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 2015-2024 ." Midtown Houston. Retrieved on April 4, 2009. page 25/25 of the PDF