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Study: Downtown San Antonio parking is better than you think

There is more than enough parking even for major events during peak times.

News

Parking in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downtown San Antonio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/02/24/new-apartments-san-antonio-downtown-continental" data-vars-content-id="0128b54f-59b8-4d6b-a6d2-02eb4df19096" data-vars-headline="Study: Downtown San Antonio parking is better than you think" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/02/24/new-apartments-san-antonio-downtown-continental" target="_self">downtown San Antonio</a> is available even during peak busy periods like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fiesta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/04/18/fiesta-san-antonio-food-niosa-chicken-stick" data-vars-content-id="0128b54f-59b8-4d6b-a6d2-02eb4df19096" data-vars-headline="Study: Downtown San Antonio parking is better than you think" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/04/18/fiesta-san-antonio-food-niosa-chicken-stick" target="_self">Fiesta</a>, a new study finds.Why it matters: People love to complain about downtown parking. But it&#x27;s largely just perception, the study commissioned by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Centro San Antonio" data-vars-click-url="https://centrosanantonio.org/about-landing/" data-vars-content-id="0128b54f-59b8-4d6b-a6d2-02eb4df19096" data-vars-headline="Study: Downtown San Antonio parking is better than you think" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://centrosanantonio.org/about-landing/" target="_blank">Centro San Antonio</a> and the city says.

San Antonio's forgotten role in Hollywood's rise

San Antonio played a pivotal — but often forgotten — role in helping set the stage for Hollywood.

History

Before Hollywood became a film mecca, the industry briefly ran through San Antonio&#x27;s South Side.Why it matters: San Antonio played a pivotal — but often forgotten — role in shifting filmmaking from New York to helping set the stage for Hollywood.

What San Antonio's bus stop spacing means

Bunching bus stops can make public transit slower.

Local Brief

San Antonio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bus stops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/12/13/via-bus-transit-ridership-covid" data-vars-content-id="725eab29-a6fd-4e25-bfe1-79752cd78e2b" data-vars-headline="What San Antonio&#x27;s bus stop spacing means" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/12/13/via-bus-transit-ridership-covid" target="_self">bus stops</a> tend to be more than two football fields apart, per data compiled by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Works in Progress" data-vars-click-url="https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-united-states-needs-fewer-bus-stops/" data-vars-content-id="725eab29-a6fd-4e25-bfe1-79752cd78e2b" data-vars-headline="What San Antonio&#x27;s bus stop spacing means" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://worksinprogress.co/issue/the-united-states-needs-fewer-bus-stops/" target="_blank">Works in Progress</a> transit blog.Why it matters: Bunching bus stops can make public transit slower, less reliable and more expensive to operate, per the blog.

San Antonio traffic really has gotten worse

Traffic feels different since before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transit

Drive time in the San Antonio area is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="creeping up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" data-vars-content-id="b308eb74-3019-4432-818f-14de5ca5afa9" data-vars-headline="San Antonio traffic really has gotten worse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" target="_self">creeping up</a> — even as it remains below pre-pandemic levels, per data from Texas A&amp;M.Why it matters: The findings put hard data behind a common feeling among many drivers: Traffic has been getting worse — or at least different — since the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="COVID-19 pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/11/looking-back-at-the-covid-times" data-vars-content-id="b308eb74-3019-4432-818f-14de5ca5afa9" data-vars-headline="San Antonio traffic really has gotten worse" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/11/looking-back-at-the-covid-times" target="_self">COVID-19 pandemic</a>.

Texas kids' flu vaccination rates are lagging

Texas' childhood flu vaccination rate is down compared to 2024-2025.

Health

Texas kids&#x27; flu vaccination rates are lagging compared to last year, even amid what&#x27;s shaping up to be a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historically nasty influenza season" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43613976.114/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMTIvMzAvc3VwZXJmbHUtc3ltcHRvbXMtMjAyNS1mbHUtaDNuMj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B780c6b17" data-vars-content-id="81e404bf-83fc-4e8b-9752-2a0e133716a8" data-vars-headline="Texas kids&#x27; flu vaccination rates are lagging" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43613976.114/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMTIvMzAvc3VwZXJmbHUtc3ltcHRvbXMtMjAyNS1mbHUtaDNuMj91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B780c6b17" target="_self">historically nasty influenza season</a> tied to the so-called super flu.Why it matters: Childhood flu vaccination has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trending downward" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43613976.114/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMTIvMTIvY2hpbGRob29kLWZsdS12YWNjaW5lLXJhdGU_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B3b3e062b" data-vars-content-id="81e404bf-83fc-4e8b-9752-2a0e133716a8" data-vars-headline="Texas kids&#x27; flu vaccination rates are lagging" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43613976.114/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMTIvMTIvY2hpbGRob29kLWZsdS12YWNjaW5lLXJhdGU_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B3b3e062b" target="_self">trending downward</a> for the past several seasons.

Population share of young children drops in San Antonio

San Antonio's share of residents under age 5 fell by about 2 percentage points between 2005 and 2024.

The percentage of San Antonians who are young children <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has fallen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/07/15/retirement-population-65-seniors-texas-growing" data-vars-content-id="eae37c47-6fde-41f8-a097-4a7fa21ca7b7" data-vars-headline="Population share of young children drops in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/07/15/retirement-population-65-seniors-texas-growing" target="_self">has fallen</a> over the past two decades, reflecting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national trends" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/43369457.88/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMTIvMTYvY2hpbGRyZW4tcG9wdWxhdGlvbi1jaXRpZXM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B5cfad023" data-vars-content-id="eae37c47-6fde-41f8-a097-4a7fa21ca7b7" data-vars-headline="Population share of young children drops in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/43369457.88/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjUvMTIvMTYvY2hpbGRyZW4tcG9wdWxhdGlvbi1jaXRpZXM_dXRtX3NvdXJjZT1uZXdzbGV0dGVyJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPXNlbmR0b19sb2NhbG5ld3NsZXR0ZXJ0ZXN0JnN0cmVhbT10b3A/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B5cfad023" target="_self">national trends</a>, census data shows.Why it matters: Kids&#x27; population trends can reflect cities&#x27; ability to attract, retain and support families, but larger nationwide factors like immigration and declining birth rates are also at play.

91% of San Antonio students learning in urban heat zones

The zones could have outsized effects on kids' health and learning in already vulnerable communities.

Education

More than 90% of San Antonio students attend school in areas considered extreme urban heat zones, well above the national average of 76%, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Climate Central analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/schools-and-urban-heat-2025" data-vars-content-id="7937c499-1eaf-48cd-a7ea-099d6041db49" data-vars-headline="91% of San Antonio students learning in urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/schools-and-urban-heat-2025" target="_blank">Climate Central analysis</a>. Why it matters: These &quot;heat islands&quot; can push temperatures dangerously high — with outsized effects on kids&#x27; health and learning in already vulnerable neighborhoods, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="researchers have found" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/26/heat-islands-cities-heat-wave-climate?" data-vars-content-id="7937c499-1eaf-48cd-a7ea-099d6041db49" data-vars-headline="91% of San Antonio students learning in urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/26/heat-islands-cities-heat-wave-climate?" target="_self">researchers have found</a>.

Texas bans phone use in classrooms

Lawmakers say the crackdown will cut distractions and boost mental health, but students are pushing back.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state law" data-vars-click-url="https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/implementation-of-texas-house-bill-1481-student-use-of-personal-communication-devices-on-school-property#:~:text=Prohibiting%20students%20from%20bringing%20devices,the%20school%20system&#x27;s%20safety%20protocols." data-vars-content-id="dc4291de-be78-4fc9-8800-919c5fdd1920" data-vars-headline="Texas bans phone use in classrooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/news-and-multimedia/correspondence/taa-letters/implementation-of-texas-house-bill-1481-student-use-of-personal-communication-devices-on-school-property#:~:text=Prohibiting%20students%20from%20bringing%20devices,the%20school%20system&#x27;s%20safety%20protocols." target="_blank">new state law</a> mandates that districts ban students from using personal communication devices — like cellphones and smartwatches — during school hours, with some exceptions for disabilities, medical needs or safety protocols.Why it matters: Lawmakers say the crackdown will cut distractions and boost <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mental health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/social-media-threatens-teen-mental-health" data-vars-content-id="dc4291de-be78-4fc9-8800-919c5fdd1920" data-vars-headline="Texas bans phone use in classrooms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/27/social-media-threatens-teen-mental-health" target="_self">mental health</a>, but students are pushing back.

Kids run the show at Pearl's Child Entrepreneur Market

The events give kids a hands-on chance to run a business, build skills, spark creativity — and make friends along the way.

Parenting

Young entrepreneurs ages 5-17 will sell handmade goods and original creations Wednesday at Pearl&#x27;s Children&#x27;s Entrepreneur Market.Why it matters: The event gives kids a hands-on chance to run a business, build skills, spark creativity — and make friends along the way.

Texas' most popular baby names in 2024

Get ready to hear "Liam!" and "Olivia!" at playgrounds near you.

Lots of little Liams, Olivias, Noahs, Emmas and Mateos will be toddling to a park near you.The latest: The Social Security Administration recently dropped its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/namesbystate.cgi" data-vars-content-id="5882f905-77c3-409e-b162-8235796edc37" data-vars-headline="Texas&#x27; most popular baby names in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/namesbystate.cgi" target="_blank">list</a> of the most popular baby names in 2024.

Mijas and motherhood: How Latinas carry the weight of generations

Latina caregivers are rethinking what it means to mother across generations — and when to finally put themselves first.

In San Antonio, where <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Latino culture" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/02/26/san-antonio-affordable-housing-casitas" data-vars-content-id="0e7a854d-f5c6-4837-9bc7-698e6a512cde" data-vars-headline="Mijas and motherhood: How Latinas carry the weight of generations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/02/26/san-antonio-affordable-housing-casitas" target="_self">Latino culture</a> shapes much of daily life, many women are mothering in two directions — raising children while carrying the weight of aging parents.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Multigenerational" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/07/united-states-census-latino-family-household-size" data-vars-content-id="0e7a854d-f5c6-4837-9bc7-698e6a512cde" data-vars-headline="Mijas and motherhood: How Latinas carry the weight of generations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/12/07/united-states-census-latino-family-household-size" target="_self">Multigenerational</a> motherhood is a quiet force in many families, but the personal toll on matriarchs often goes unseen, even by the caregivers themselves.

Study: San Antonio babysitters cheapest in the U.S.

Is this a win for parents — or a red flag for fair pay?

Business

San Antonio is the cheapest city in the U.S. to hire a babysitter, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://blog.urbansitter.com/babysitting-rates/#Infographic-map" data-vars-content-id="205fdf2f-9a0f-4411-afdc-2c689ebd7c01" data-vars-headline="Study: San Antonio babysitters cheapest in the U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://blog.urbansitter.com/babysitting-rates/#Infographic-map" target="_blank">new ranking</a>.Why it matters: That could be great news for parents looking to have a night to themselves, but not so great news for babysitters looking to earn some cash.

Axios What's Next

A choropleth map of U.S. states showing the change in flu vaccination rate among children from the 2024-25 flu season to the 2025-26 flu season. As of Jan. 3, 2026, 31 states had lower vaccination rates, 14 states had higher rates, and 6 states had missing data. Nationally, the vaccination rate declined by 1.5 percentage points.

Change in flu vaccination rate among children, 2024-25 to 2025-26

Data: CDC; Note: States in gray had no data available in the most recent reporting period; Map: Kavya Beheraj/Axios

An arrow chart showing the decrease in the share of the population under age five, 2005 to 2024. Nationally, the share of the population under five decreased 1.6 percentage points, from 7.0% in 2005 to 5.4% in 2024. In San Antonio, the share decreased 1.9pp, from 8% to 6.1%.

Decrease in the share of the population under age five, 2005 to 2024

Data: American Community Survey; Chart: Axios Visuals

A bar chart showing which U.S. cities have the largest and smallest shares of public K-12 students in heat zones. The average is 76% of students and in San Antonio it's 91%.

Share of students attending schools in extreme urban heat zones

Data: Climate Central; Chart: Alex Fitzpatrick/Axios