The city is nicknamed “The Neighborhood City.” In 2011, West University Place was named the 5th wealthiest area in Texas (by per capita income). Most of the street names in the area are universities, colleges, and poets known throughout the United States and the world. They got named this by a Rice University English major, Lillian Nicholson, whose father was a city planner and left it in her charge to name the streets. Some of these names include Rice Blvd, Duke St, Pittsburgh St, Shakespeare St, and Georgetown St.

West University Place was incorporated in 1924. In 2000, the recorded population was 14,211 at 7,068/sq mi. The area has many parks and recreational facilities that are great for the active family. The city is within the Houston Independent School District. Students attend West University Elementary School, Pershing Middle School, and Lamar High School.

Notable residents include Ken Hoffman, Rafael Espada, and Craig Biggio.