Houston, Texas
City Overview
As of 2007, Houston's population is 2,144,491 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 9.77 percent.
The median home cost in Houston is $209,300. Home appreciation the last year has been 0.15 percent.
Compared to the rest of the country, Houston's cost of living is 14.25% Lower than the U.S. average.
Houston public schools spend $5,511 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 18 students per teacher in Houston.
The unemployment rate in Houston is 3.80 percent(U.S. avg. is 4.60%). Recent job growth is Positive. Houston jobs have Increased by 2.26 percent.
Houston SperlingFile
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People
The 2007 Houston, TX, population is 2,144,491. There are 3,699 people per square mile (population density).
Family in Houston, TX
The median age is 32.2. The US median is 37.6. 52.05% of people in Houston, TX, are married. 10.01% are divorced.
The average household size is 2.66 people. 21.64% of people are married, with children. 10.85% have children, but are single.
Race in Houston, TX
47.63% of people are white, 24.33% are black, 5.53% are asian, 0.49% are native american, and 21.93% claim 'Other'.
41.78% of the people in Houston, TX, claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 58.22% are non-hispanic).
Houston People SperlingViews
re: Please someone give me a straight honest answe: I lived in Houston for over 9 years and grew up in Texas. There is absolutely nothing I miss about Houston. I would move to any other large city in Texas before... (read more)Please someone give me a straight honest answer ab: I've visited Houston and do not understand the comparison between Dallas and Houston. I looked everywhere in Houston and was not impressed. From overrated Sugarland to... (read more)Please someone give me a straight honest answer ab: I've visited Houston and do not understand the comparison between Dallas and Houston. I looked everywhere in Houston and was not impressed. From overrated Sugarland to... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
Economy
The unemployment rate in Houston, TX, is 3.80%, with job growth of 2.26%. Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 26.62%.
Houston, TX Taxes
Houston, TX,sales tax rate is 8.25%. Income tax is 0.00%.
Houston, TX Income and Salaries
The income per capita is $22,794, which includes all adults and children. The median household income is $41,513.
Houston Economy SperlingViews
One of the Worst Places in America to Live: The people are unfriendly, big, creepy, con artist, and full of crap. Gangs and crime are on the increase and the immigrant population is now the majority. The cost of... (read more)Reply to David: David you sound bitter. The surbs are not 2 hours away. I have lived all over the country and Houston is by far the cheapest nice place to live. I own a 5 bdrm 3 1/2 bth... (read more)Response To Michael's Post: Seems to me Michael, maybe you might be the problem. If you have lived here for over Forty God Forsaken Years, why are you still here? Maybe because of the great adn... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
| Unemployment Rate | 3.80% | 4.60% |
| Recent Job Growth | 2.26% | 1.40% |
| Future Job Growth | 26.62% | 11.90% |
| Sales Taxes | 8.25% | 6.00% |
| Income Taxes | 0.00% | 5.02% |
| Income per Cap. | $22,794 | $24,020 |
| Household Income | $41,513 | $44,684 |
| ESTIMATED HOUSEHOLDS BY HOUSEHOLD INCOME | | |
| Income Less Than 15K | 16.58% | 13.64% |
| Income between 15K and 25K | 13.07% | 11.21% |
| Income between 25K and 35K | 13.44% | 11.46% |
| Income between 35K and 50K | 16.83% | 15.84% |
| Income between 50K and 75K | 16.61% | 19.28% |
| Income between 75K and 100K | 8.85% | 11.53% |
| Income between 100K and 150K | 8.47% | 10.70% |
| Income between 150K and 250K | 4.07% | 4.43% |
| Income between 250K and 500K | 1.36% | 1.31% |
| Income greater than 500K | 0.72% | 0.61% |
| POPULATION BY OCCUPATION | | |
| Management, Business, and Financial Operations | 13.33% | 13.61% |
| Professional and Related Occupations | 20.68% | 20.24% |
| Service | 15.62% | 14.75% |
| Sales and Office | 26.48% | 26.74% |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | 0.14% | 0.74% |
| Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance | 10.91% | 9.48% |
| Production, Transportation, and Material Moving | 12.84% | 14.44% |
Housing
The median home value in Houston, TX, is $209,300. Home appreciation is 0.15% over the last year. The median age of Houston, TX, real estate is 30 years.
Houston, TX Apartments and Rentals
Renters make up 50.09% of the Houston, TX, population. 8.30% of houses and apartments in Houston, TX, are unoccupied (vacancy rate).
Houston Housing SperlingViews
Affordable Housing: Houston has not seen the dramatic downtturn in housing prices that other parts of th eUS has seen in the last 12 - 18 months. Housing remains reasonably priced for most... (read more)Job Growth: No.1 in selleing houses this year according to HomeVestors company
America's Top 10 Cities with Ugly Homes
Texas cities top list with the most homes in need of... (read more)Relocating to Houston: I've lived in Chicago all my life and after, many years of battling the cold weather I think it's time for a change. Houston is a place that at the top of my list for... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
| Median Home Age | 30 | 27 |
| Median Home Cost | $209,300 | $217,200 |
| Home Appreciation | 0.15% | 9.80% |
| Homes Owned | 41.53% | 64.07% |
| Housing Vacant | 8.30% | 14.48% |
| Homes Rented | 50.09% | 21.45% |
| Property Tax Rate | $20.63 | $13.28 |
| OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING UNITS BY VALUE | | |
| Less Than $20,000 | 2.43% | 3.01% |
| $20,000 to $39,999 | 7.97% | 4.37% |
| $40,000 to $59,999 | 14.05% | 5.74% |
| $60,000 to $79,999 | 15.28% | 7.07% |
| $80,000 to $99,999 | 14.63% | 8.41% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 18.75% | 19.74% |
| $150,000 to $199,999 | 8.84% | 14.06% |
| $200,000 to $299,999 | 8.46% | 16.59% |
| $300,000 to $399,999 | 4.03% | 8.21% |
| $400,000 to $499,999 | 2.16% | 4.53% |
| $500,000 to $749,999 | 1.78% | 4.75% |
| $1,000,000 or more | 0.84% | 1.86% |
| HOUSING UNITS BY YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT | | |
| 1999 to October 2005 | 8.86% | 10.15% |
| 1995 to 1998 | 4.30% | 6.69% |
| 1990 to 1994 | 3.74% | 6.70% |
| 1980 to 1989 | 16.81% | 14.75% |
| 1970 to 1979 | 26.06% | 17.11% |
| 1960 to 1969 | 17.50% | 12.78% |
| 1950 to 1959 | 12.41% | 11.64% |
| 1940 to 1949 | 5.57% | 6.64% |
| 1939 or Earlier | 4.76% | 13.55% |
Health
There are 270 physicians per capita in Houston, TX. The US average is 170.
Houston, TX Health Index
Air quality in Houston, TX is 1 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is based on ozone alert days and number of pollutants in the air, as reported by the EPA.
Water quality in Houston, TX is 37 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators.
Superfund index is 11 on a scale to 100 (higher is better). This is upon the number and impact of EPA Superfund pollution sites in the county, including spending on the cleanup efforts.
Houston Health SperlingViews
If you've ever lived on the East or West coasts an: I'm a well educated, good looking hetero male and I've lived in Washington state for the better half of my life, went to college in Boston, lived in California, North... (read more)people: The people here are so friendly and warming you will always feel at home. Great place to raise a... (read more)re: Do not raise your children here - 1/9/2008: Absolutely agree. Crime in Houston is now worse than in New York City. It's all about money and greed. Corrupt government and high... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
Crime
Houston, TX, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 6. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.
Houston, TX, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 7. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.
Houston Crime SperlingViews
re: In response to Mrs. Henry - 10/30/2007: Well, Chloe, being from anywhere other than Houston, Texas before and after the hurricane hit does not qualify you to make that assessment or any assesment of Houston. I... (read more)In response to Mrs. Henry: If you(Mrs.Henry and anyone asking for advice from complete strangers) have to ask if you should move to a certain place b/c of certain characteristics than you shouldnt... (read more)Crime rate in Houston: The crime rate in Houston is above the national average. It is definitely not someplace I want to stay and raise my family. There is an active night life and plenty of... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
Climate
Houston, TX, gets 51 inches of rain per year. The US average is 37. Snowfall is 0 inches. The average US city gets 25 inches of snow per year. The number of days with any measurable precipitation is 80.
On average, there are 204 sunny days per year in Houston, TX. The July high is around 93 degrees. The January low is 46. Our comfort index, which is based on humidity during the hot months, is a 24 out of 100, where higher is more comfortable. The US average on the comfort index is 44.
Houston Climate SperlingViews
Way to hot here: Houston is not a very attractive city. The crime is pretty high, the architecture uninspiring and the temperatures and rain, well just forget... (read more)Houston Climate is a Big Negative: Pay attention to the low "comfort rating" Houston gets on this site: 44 is average, Houston is 24. The temperature is usually hot, and the humidity is almost always... (read more)Houston Weather: Houston is a good city. Spring and Early Fall are quite nice. Summers can be hot and humid. Lots of construction going on to upgrade the highways at the moment, but... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
Educate
Houston, TX, schools spend $5,511 per student. There are 18 pupils per teacher, 966 students per librarian, and 580 children per counselor in Houston, TX schools.
Houston Education SperlingViews
people: The people here are so friendly and warming you will always feel at home. Great place to raise a... (read more)re: Do not raise your children here - 1/9/2008: Absolutely agree. Crime in Houston is now worse than in New York City. It's all about money and greed. Corrupt government and high... (read more)Rapidly becoming a third world city: Having lived in Houston since 1971 I can report that the quality of life has deteriorated to unacceptable. If you love dirty air, high crime rate, terrible schools,... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
Transportation
The average one-way commute in Houston, TX, takes 30 minutes. 71% of commuters drive their own car alone. 16% carpool with others. 6% take mass transit and 2% work from home.
Houston Transportation SperlingViews
aggressive drivers: The road way system is very easy to learn and navigate but the drivers are very aggresive. The people in Texas are friendly except behind the wheel of their trucks and... (read more)If you're not careful, you'll be trampled in a cat: Mass transit is almost nonexistent. Many of the most popular and populous suburbs are unincorporated and thus must rely on undersized county sheriff and constable... (read more)Metro rail: I live in the texas medical center area of Houston. Yes the houses are a bit on the expensive side, but one can get decent looking apartments at reasonable prices.... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
Cost of Living
Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Houston, TX is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Houston, TX is more expensive.
Overall, Houston, TX cost of living is 85.75.
Houston Cost of Living SperlingViews
re: Houston is a very pleasant surprise - 11/6/200: Im from Nebraska and want to move to a coastal area. How far exactly is houston from the beach? Do you know what a two bedroom apartment in southern houston go for? ... (read more)Houston.: It is very cheap to... (read more)Houston is a very pleasant surprise: Overnight visitors are often underwhelmed by Houston. But behind our ubiquitous
strip malls and freeways are gorgeous neighborhoods, attractive and affordable custom... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
Religion
50.38% of the people in Houston, TX are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion. 18.19% are Catholic; 26.05% are Protestant; 0.74% are LDS; 2.90% are another Christian faith; 1.06% in Houston, TX are Jewish; 0.05% are an eastern faith; 1.40% affilite with Islam.
Houston Religion SperlingViews
people: The people here are so friendly and warming you will always feel at home. Great place to raise a... (read more)re: Do not raise your children here - 1/9/2008: Absolutely agree. Crime in Houston is now worse than in New York City. It's all about money and greed. Corrupt government and high... (read more)Rapidly becoming a third world city: Having lived in Houston since 1971 I can report that the quality of life has deteriorated to unacceptable. If you love dirty air, high crime rate, terrible schools,... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here
| Percent Religious | 50.38% | 50.03% |
| Catholic | 18.19% | 21.92% |
| Protestant | 26.05% | 19.12% |
| LDS | 0.74% | 1.57% |
| Baptist | 14.65% | 8.16% |
| Episcopalian | 1.18% | 8.12% |
| Pentecostal | 2.45% | 1.89% |
| Lutheran | 1.52% | 2.81% |
| Methodist | 5.02% | 3.84% |
| Presbyterian | 1.24% | 1.33% |
| Other Christian | 2.90% | 4.66% |
| Jewish | 1.06% | 2.16% |
| Eastern | 0.05% | 0.05% |
| Islam | 1.40% | 0.54% |
Voting
44.56% of the people in Houston, TX are registered as Democrats. 54.75% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 0.69%.
Houston Voting SperlingViews
re: In response to Mrs. Henry - 10/30/2007: Well, Chloe, being from anywhere other than Houston, Texas before and after the hurricane hit does not qualify you to make that assessment or any assesment of Houston. I... (read more)In response to Mrs. Henry: If you(Mrs.Henry and anyone asking for advice from complete strangers) have to ask if you should move to a certain place b/c of certain characteristics than you shouldnt... (read more)Crime rate in Houston: The crime rate in Houston is above the national average. It is definitely not someplace I want to stay and raise my family. There is an active night life and plenty of... (read more)Have an opinion about Houston? Leave a commentTo See All SperlingViews for Houston Click Here