The City of Houston Planning and Development Department describes Sunnyside as follows:

“Sunnyside is the oldest African American community in south central Houston. Originally developed to provide homes outside the city, Sunnyside is now inside the city limits and close enough for residents to commute. It now includes a number of tract home subdivisions on typical suburban streets, as well as the original frame homes interspersed with small churches of the original neighborhood. It has endured a number of detrimental land uses, including a major landfill that dominates the center of the community, a now closed garbage incinerator next to the landfill and a number of salvage yards. Recently, new developments have revived parts of the community, especially along Cullen.”

Sunnyside is designated City of Houston Super Neighborhood No. 71. It is located in Houston City Council District D southeast of the intersection of Loop 610 South and State Highway 288. Seven HISD schools are located in the neighborhood including Worthing High School and Attucks Middle School. The land area is over 4000 acres or 6.3 square miles.