Alvin Texas – Brazoria (Houston-Woodlands-Sugar)

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If you’re headed to Alvin Texas, then you’re in luck. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the city. We’ll also go into detail about some of the major attractions and what you can do there.

Alvin Texas started out its journey as a small, quaint farming town. Then, the city grew into a modern suburb. It gets its name from one of the original settlers, Alvin Morgan. You can find the location in the middle of Brazoria County.

Texas Longhorn in Alvin Texas. - Texas View
Texas Longhorn in Alvin, Texas – Image by Jim Evans

About Alvin Texas

Alvin is one of the major cities in the Houston-Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area. In the heart of Brazoria, you can find the town nestled between Friendswood and Hillcrest.

The first settlers came to the area in the mid-19th century. People were looking for new land to expand their farms and homes. So, the area quickly became a hub for bull ranches.

At first, the name of the settlement was Morgan, in honor of the original resident Alvin Morgan. However, the locals soon found out that they share the name with another location. For that reason, they came to an agreement to switch to the founder’s first name.

In 1893, Alvin was the first settlement in Brazoria to become incorporated.

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Facts About Alvin Texas

  • Location: Near Friendswood and Hillcrest, with Highway 35 through the center
  • County: Brazoria County
  • Land area: 24.27 square miles
  • Zip codes: 77511, 77512
  • Population: As per the 2020 census, around 27,098
  • Crime rate: Low crime rate of crimes 30.15 per 1,000 residents
  • Average temperature in June: 89.6℉
  • Average temperature in January: 62.6℉
  • Universities: Alvin Community College, Center for Advanced Legal Studies
  • Airports: El Tejano Farms and Airport, Pearland Regional Airport, Songbird Ranch Airport
  • Best hotels: Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta, SureStay Plus, America’s Best Value Inn
  • Best restaurants: Kelley’s Country Cookin, Diana’s Grill, Martinez Restaurant and Bar

What’s Alvin Texas Known For?

Alvin started out as a simple farming town, mostly raising cattle and crops. Then, it quickly developed into a bustling city.  

One of the most notable structures there is the Nolan Ryan Museum. It commemorates the famed baseball player and exhibits some of his gear. Other than that, the city also houses the Nolan Ryan Foundation.

People From Alvin Texas

Alvin has produced its fair share of celebrities. From authors and artists all the way to athletes and politicians. Here are some of the most noteworthy names:

  • Nolan Ryan: Hall of Fame Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Gunner Olszewski: Wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Randy Weber: Current member of the United States Congress
  • Gary Keithley: Former NFL player for the St. Louis Cardinals
  • Joe Ferguson: Former NFL player for the Buffalo Bills team
  • Bill Crider: Author
  • Douglas Duncan: Professional bull rider
  • Austin Miller: Broadway and TV actor
  • Larry Wade Carrell: Actor

Where Is Alvin Texas

The exact coordinates for Alvin Texas are 29°23’37’’N 95°16’18’’W. That means the city is in the middle of Brazoria County. On the town’s southeast border, we can find Hillcrest. Moving on to the northeast, you’ll see Friendswood. In addition, Texas Highway 35 runs through the city and leads to Houston.

Nearby Locations

There are plenty of small towns and cities all around Alvin Texas. Here are some of these locations:

  • Santa Fe, TX
  • Friendswood, TX
  • Hillcrest, TX
  • League City, TX
  • Pearland, TX
  • Seabrook, TX
  • Webster, TX
  • Dickinson, TX
  • South Houston, TX
  • Deer Park, TX
  • Texas City, TX
  • Pasadena, TX
  • La Marque, TX
  • Angleton, TX
  • La Porte, TX
  • Galena Park, TX

Layout of Alvin Texas

Alvin has a total area of 25.14 square miles. Only about 0.87 square miles are water, while the rest is land.

The city of Alvin offers its citizens a dense suburban feel. It does that by including many parks and other amenities in the infrastructure of the town. Other than that, the city can boast some of the best school districts in the area.

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Areas in Alvin Texas

Now that you’re aware of where Alvin is, we can take a look at the neighborhoods inside the city.

  • Willow Bend
  • West Winds
  • Callaway Crossing
  • Jack
  • Heights Ridge
  • Kendall Lakes
  • Foxwood Sub
  • Fairway Lake
  • Forest Heights
  • Martha’s Vineyard
  • Outlots & Townsite
  • Oak Manor Estates
  • Midtown Park
  • New Algoa
  • Mustang Ridge
  • Morgan’s Landing

Getting About Alvin Texas

Transportation in Alvin Texas is pretty easy to come by. Many services are running through the city that can take you anywhere you want to go.

The average commute time in Alvin is around 31.7 minutes. This is significantly lower than the national average of 55 minutes. Thankfully, that means traffic jams aren’t all that common.

Mode of TransportationPercentage of PopulationProsCons
On Foot5%Easy and convenientWeather may pose an issue
Public Transportation10%Affordable and availableOvercrowding is an issue
Driving85%Private and comfortableMay be expensive
Getting about Alvin

On Foot

A few of Alvin’s residents like to walk to work in the morning. About 5% of the population makes use of the city’s many sidewalks. The only problem with this method of transportation is the weather. Temperatures in Alvin can be too high in the summer to go anywhere on foot.

Public Transport

Public transportation is one of the best ways to get around Alvin. The city boasts countless modes of travel that can take you anywhere you want to go. On top of that, most buses and shuttle services are affordable and easy to find.

Driving

The main method of transportation in Alvin is driving. More than half the population prefer to make their way around using personal cars.

What to Do in Alvin Texas

There’s plenty for you to do once you get to Alvin. Let’s dive into some of the best attractions the city has to offer:

  • Taking a trip through time in a museum
  • Going for a stroll on a farm
  • Shopping at marketplaces and antique centers

Visit Slover-Rogers Cottage

If you enjoy architectural history, then the Slover-Rogers Cottage is the place to be. The building dates back to 1909, making it one of the city’s oldest structures. In addition, the location is the home of the Alvin Museum Society.

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Stop by the Bayou Wildlife Zoo

When traveling with the family, there’s no better place to visit than the Bayou Wildlife Zoo. This conservatory houses thousands of animals from all over the world. On top of that, it has a hall for celebrations like birthdays and weddings.

Where to Eat in Alvin Texas

No trip to Alvin is complete without a visit to the local eateries. Let’s take a look at some of the area’s best restaurants and cafes.

  • Kelley’s Country Cookin
  • Martinez Restaurant and Bar
  • Diana’s Grill
  • Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse
  • MyFitFoods
  • La Costa Seafood Grill

Where to Stay in Alvin Texas

There are many accommodation possibilities in Alvin. Let’s dive into some of the best options.

  • Holiday Inn Express
  • SureStay Plus Hotel
  • La Quinta Inn & Suites
  • Scottish Inns & Suites
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
  • Courtyard by Marriott

Alvin Texas FAQs

Is Alvin Texas a Good Place to Raise a Family?

With a low crime rate, Alvin is one of the best cities to raise a family in Texas. It offers many services to its citizens, like great schools and other amenities.

How Far Is Alvin Texas From the Beach?

The closest shore to Alvin is Surfside Beach, which is about 33 miles away. Sadly, that means you’ll need to drive non-stop for about an hour before you reach the location.

Is Alvin Texas a Safe City?

The crime rate in Alvin is around 30 crimes per 1,000 residents. This makes the city one of the safest in Texas.

Visit Alvin, Texas

References

Author Profile

Christian Linden is a seasoned writer and contributor at Texas View, specializing in topics that resonate with the Texan community. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in local politics, culture, and lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Texas. When he's not writing, Christian enjoys spending weekends traveling across Texas with his family, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes.

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