During the oil boom years of the 1920s, developers began to sell properties around the Clear Lake estuary as waterfront recreational retreats. The new development was named "Clear Lake Shores". Though the development was initially successful, the Great Depression halted most of the area's growth.[4]
After World War II the area began to redevelop with increasing numbers of permanent residents (as opposed to simply weekend residents). The town was incorporated in 1962 and has since continued to be primarily residential with a small, tourism-focused business community.
In September 2008, the eye of Hurricane Ike hit and destroyed many homes.[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), of which 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), or 27.69%, is water.
All Clear Lake Shores addresses share the 77565 zip code with the city of Kemah.
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,258 people, 632 households, and 341 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 1,205 people, 590 households, and 338 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,581.9 inhabitants per square mile (996.9/km2). There were 661 housing units at an average density of 1,416.3 per square mile (546.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 1143 (94.85%) White, 4 (0.33%) African American, 4 (0.33%) Native American, 9 (0.75%) Asian, 12 (1.00%) from other races, and 33 (2.74%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 40 (3.32%) of the population.
There were 590 households, out of which 20.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.60.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 16.7% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 40.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $67,500, and the median income for a family was $86,450. Males had a median income of $65,375 versus $41,563 for females. The per capita income for the city was $41,347. About 3.0% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.5% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
Clear Lake Shores has a police department.[10] The Kemah Volunteer Fire Department, with its facility in Kemah, serves Clear Lake Shores.[11]
Parks and recreation
The Jennie Marie Park is tiny and showcases a mobile sculpture made of colorful birdhouses.[12]
Another park is Deep Hole Park, and though small, it is a place where people fish since it is next to the water.
Pupils are zoned to Stewart Elementary School (formerly Kemah Elementary School) in Kemah,[15] Bayside Intermediate School in League City,[16] and Clear Falls High School in League City.[17] Previously residents were zoned to League City Intermediate School in League City,[18] and Clear Creek High School in League City.[19]
^Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[9]
