Galveston

Galveston is known as the ‘Port and Playground of the South’, offering a rich history. Historically as a port during the Texas Revolution, Galveston served as the main port city for the Texas Navy, and was second only to Ellis Island as an immigration station. Today, the Port of Galveston continues as one of the city’s economic bases, providing an estimated $2.3 billion economic impact for the state of Texas – more than 13,000 jobs and $869.6 million in income in 2018.

As a ‘playground’, Galveston Island has always been considered one of the ‘it’ destinations in Texas. A barrier reef island that averages two miles in width, it sports 32 miles of Gulf Coast beaches. Touting temperate weather year-round, averaging 57°F in the winter months and 81°F in summer months, the island continues to experience record visitation and tourism-related revenue. Vacation goers flock to resort-style accommodations, plentiful shopping and dining opportunities, world-class attractions and highly anticipated special events throughout the year.

Housing on Galveston Island is an eclectic blending of styles from many eras. From stately mansions, to charming cottages, to the conversions of downtown buildings into residential lofts, Galveston’s older neighborhoods have options to fit any budget. West End neighborhoods offer modern homes and raised houses that overlook the beach or bay. For more traditional homebuyers, ranch-style homes built from the 1950s to 1980s can be found in neighborhoods throughout much of the Island.

The Galveston community places a high regard on education, boasting a strong public and private school system that gives parents and students several options. The Island also offers three institutions of higher learning — Galveston College, Texas A&M University at Galveston and the University of Texas Medical Branch, which is the island’s number one economic driver, followed next by tourism and the Port of Galveston. These institutions play a vital role in educating and training future workers. These schools, along with Galveston Independent School District, provide thousands of jobs to residents of the island and surrounding areas.

Health care on Galveston Island has become world-class with global impact. Vaccine development, burn care research, Ebola vaccine and treatment research, epilepsy care and tropical disease research are just a few of the areas where the University of Texas Medical Branch has garnered acclaim on a world stage. In addition, 24-Hour Access for everything from minor sprains to major health emergencies has never been easier with West Isle Urgent Care and Hospitality Health ER.

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