Windcrest, Texas

Windcrest, Texas
—  City  —
Nickname(s): City of Lights
Location of Windcrest, Texas
Coordinates: 29°30′57″N 98°22′47″W
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Bexar
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
• City Council	Mayor Alan Baxter Gerd E. Jacobi Jim Shelton Pam Dodson Rita Davis John Gretz
• City Manager	Rafael Castillo
Area
• Total	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)
• Land	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	787 ft (240 m)
Population (2000)
• Total	5,105
• Density	2,808.9/sq mi (1,084.5/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	78239
Area code(s)	210
FIPS code	48-79672
GNIS feature ID	1350289
Website	www.ci.windcrest.tx.us

Windcrest is a city in Bexar County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,105 at the 2000 census. It is part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Windcrest is located at 29°30′57″N 98°22′47″W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,105 people, 2,232 households, and 1,618 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,808.9 people per square mile (1,083.0/km²). There were 2,297 housing units at an average density of 1,263.9 per square mile (487.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.00% White, 8.23% African American, 0.31% Native American, 2.10% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 3.80% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.93% of the population.

There were 2,232 households out of which 16.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.5% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.59.

In the city the population was spread out with 14.6% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 28.0% from 45 to 64, and 36.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56 years. For every 100 females there were 84.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $60,596, and the median income for a family was $69,156. Males had a median income of $38,545 versus $32,457 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,120. About 4.6% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and 0.4% of those age 65 or over.

The median home price in Windcrest has steadily increased over the past 6 years. In 2000, the median home cost $115,900, but by 2005 this number has risen to $132,740. The median size of homes in this area is 2,250 square feet (209 m²).

Education

The city is served by North East Independent School District. Windcrest Elementary School in Windcrest, Ed White Middle School in San Antonio, and Roosevelt High School in San Antonio serve the city.

City of Lights

Windcrest residents are strongly encouraged every year to participate in decorating their yards for the annual "City of Lights" attraction during the Christmas holiday season. Traffic increases heavily in the city at night due to people driving through to view the lights. The City of Lights attraction draws in viewers from all over San Antonio and surrounding towns. Various prizes are awarded in different categories for creative displays. The event has changed quite a bit in the last 20 years. In the late 1970s it was decided that every house would use plastic 1 gallon milk jugs filled with sand and a candle to line their curbside. Thousands upon thousands of these luminares lined the many blocks of Windcrest. Entire blocks participated and the entire neighborhood was basked in the glow of holiday spirit. At one time there was an architect living in Windcrest who crafted moveable life-size dinosaurs for the event. Residents spend months making decorations and hanging lights to make their houses visually stunning. They are encouraged to decorate mailboxes and entry ways as well (categories in the event). Sometimes an entire block of houses will come together and create a theme. They will then create similar decorations. - - For several years band members from Theodore Roosevelt High School would play Christmas music on the front lawn of one of the member's house. - - The cities main water tower is lit like a giant white candle with a red and orange flame on top. - - The Windcrest Volunteer Fire Department also uses this time to ask for donations. Firemen stand outside the fire department with a red boot (santa's boot) and collect donations. Santa also makes a visit by riding on a fire engine and tossing down candy to all of the wide eyed children. - - Even though it is impossible to get in or out of your house during the evening hours, it is certainly a joyous time of year and one residents are proud to sponsor or host. It is well worth stopping by or driving by if you are in the neighborhood at Christmas time.

External links

• Windcrest official website
• Martinez, Melissa. "Windcrest Neighborhood Profile." About.com.