Houston, TX

Census Place

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2021 Population

2.29M

0.862% 1-year decline

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

33.7

1.2% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

19.5%

0.65% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$56,019

4.51% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$200,700

7.44% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

1.12M

0.741% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Houston, TX had a population of 2.29M people with a median age of 33.7 and a median household income of $56,019. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Houston, TX declined from 2.31M to 2.29M, a −0.862% decrease and its median household income grew from $53,600 to $56,019, a 4.51% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Houston, TX are White (Non-Hispanic) (24.1%), White (Hispanic) (22.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (22.1%), Other (Hispanic) (12.1%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (8.78%).

None of the households in Houston, TX reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

80.6% of the residents in Houston, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Houston, TX are University of Houston (11,581 degrees awarded in 2021), Houston Community College (225423) (6,693 degrees), and University of Houston-Downtown (3,764 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Houston, TX was $200,700, and the homeownership rate was 42.5%.

Most people in Houston, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Houston, TX was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Katie Haugland Bowen

United States Texas Fort Bend County, TX Harris County, TX Montgomery County, TX Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX

Population & Diversity

Houston, TX is home to a population of 2.29M people, from which 80.6% are citizens. As of 2021, 28.9% of Houston, TX residents were born outside of the country (662k people).

In 2021, there were 1.06 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (552k people) in Houston, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 522k White (Hispanic) and 508k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

80.6%

2021 Citizenship

80.6%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 80.6% of Houston, TX residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Houston, TX was 80.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Houston, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Houston, TX

White (Non-Hispanic)
552k ± 7.32k
White (Hispanic)
522k ± 9.37k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
508k ± 8.33k

44.5%

Hispanic Population

1.02M people

44.5% of the people in Houston, TX are hispanic (1.02M people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Houston, TX as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Texas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,459,913 ± 36,829 people
India
290,669 ± 13,170 people
El Salvador
220,934 ± 11,496 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,459,913 Texas residents, followed by India with 290,669 and El Salvador with 220,934.

Foreign-Born Population

28.9%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

662k people

28.9%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

668k people

As of 2021, 28.9% of Houston, TX residents (662k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Houston, TX was 28.9%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Houston, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
19,660 ± 1,062
Gulf War (2001-)
16,120 ± 1,317
Gulf War (1990s)
10,170 ± 1,071

Houston, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.22 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Houston, TX employs 1.12M people. The largest industries in Houston, TX are Health Care & Social Assistance (125,886 people), Construction (125,863 people), and Retail Trade (110,863 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($111,555), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($108,553), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($107,414).

Males in Texas have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,604. The income inequality in Texas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.476, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

1.12M

2021 Value

± 10,629

−0.741%

1 Year decline

± 1.33%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Houston, TX declined at a rate of −0.741%, from 1.13M employees to 1.12M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Houston, TX, are Sales & Related Occupations (109,564 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (108,819 people), and Management Occupations (107,868 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Houston, TX.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Texas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

1.12M

2021 Value

± 10,629

−0.741%

1 Year decline

± 1.33%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Houston, TX declined at a rate of −0.741%, from 1.13M employees to 1.12M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Houston, TX, are Health Care & Social Assistance (125,886 people), Construction (125,863 people), and Retail Trade (110,863 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Houston, TX, though some of these residents may live in Houston, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$41,190

Median earning men ± $581

$32,579

Median earning women ± $481

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($111,831), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($73,699), and Public Administration ($66,276).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($99,110), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,813), and Manufacturing ($43,858).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Texas. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Texas.

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Electronics
$255B
Gasoline
$212B
Fuel oils
$180B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas product (by dollars) was Electronics with $255B, followed by Gasoline ($212B) and Fuel oils ($180B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Texas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Texas.

$2.26T

2020 Value in Texas

$4.54T

Projected 2050 Value in Texas

101% growth

In 2020, total outbound Texas trade was $2.26T. This is expected to increase 101% to $4.54T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Texas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Louisiana
$77.7B
California
$68.4B
Michigan
$58.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Louisiana with $77.7B, followed by California with $68.4B and Michigan and $58.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Texas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Texas went to Donald J. Trump with 52.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (46.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.12%).

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing the state of Texas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Houston, TX. Showing the available data for Texas.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (46.5%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.12%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Texas went to Donald J. Trump with 52.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (46.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.12%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Texas for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Texas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

John Cornyn

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on December 2, 2002
Phil Gramm resigned (effective November 30, 2002) a few weeks before the expiration of his term in hopes that his successor, fellow Republican John Cornyn, could gain seniority over other newly elected senators. However, Cornyn did not gain additional seniority due to a 1980 Rules Committee policy.

Ted Cruz

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing Texas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Texas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Texas

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Texas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Houston, TX awarded 39,260 degrees. The student population of Houston, TX in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 66,251 male students and 93,047 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Houston, TX are Hispanic or Latino (12,493 and 34.7%), followed by White (8,411 and 23.4%), Black or African American (7,766 and 21.6%), and Asian (4,926 and 13.7%).

The largest universities in Houston, TX by number of degrees awarded are University of Houston (11,581 and 29.5%), Houston Community College (225423) (6,693 and 17%), and University of Houston-Downtown (3,764 and 9.59%).

The most popular majors in Houston, TX are General Business Administration & Management (2,560 and 6.52%), General Studies (2,415 and 6.15%), and Medical Assistant (1,957 and 4.98%).

The median tuition costs in Houston, TX are $30,800 for private four year colleges, and $6,941 and $20,877 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Houston, TX, the percentage of applicants admitted was 50.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 24%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 159,298 (41.6% men and 58.4% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 159,298 students enrolled in Houston, TX, 41.6% men and 58.4% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 52,881 records, of which 61.1% were women and 38.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
1,192 degree-majors awarded
Other Multidisciplinary Studies
1,053 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
1,036 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Houston, TX was General Psychology with 1,192 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Houston, TX according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Houston
11,581 degrees awarded
Houston Community College (225423)
6,693 degrees awarded
University of Houston-Downtown
3,764 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Houston with 11,581 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 15,897 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Houston, TX, which is 0.68 times less than the 23,363 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 12,493 degrees mean that there were 1.49 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 8,411 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($30,800) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,480) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($2,250) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Measure

In 2021, 1.46% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.43% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (5.58M), Some college (4.95M), and Bachelors Degree (4.04M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Houston, TX was $200,700 in 2021, which is 0.82 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $186,800 to $200,700, a 7.44% increase. The homeownership rate in Houston, TX is 42.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Houston, TX have an average commute time of 27.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Houston, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Houston, TX is $56,019. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Houston, TX was Census Tract 4114 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4126 and Census Tract 4131, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

Housing

Property

$200,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,514

$373,161

Median Property Taxes

±$5,134

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Houston, TX the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Houston, TX compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

42.5%

Homeownership

2021

66%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 42.5% of the housing units in Houston, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 42.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Houston, TX compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 4114
Census Tract 4126
Census Tract 4131

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Houston, TX was Census Tract 4114 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4126 and Census Tract 4131, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

The following map shows all of the places in Houston, TX colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$56,019

Median Household Income

± $612

879k

Number of Households

± 9,160

In 2021, the median household income of the 879k households in Houston, TX grew to $56,019 from the previous year's value of $53,600.

The following chart displays the households in Houston, TX distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Houston, TX is from Texas.

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Texas

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2021, the income inequality in Texas was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.474% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Texas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Texas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (73.7%)
Carpooled (9.76%)
Worked At Home (8.29%)

In 2021, 73.7% of workers in Houston, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.76%) and those who worked at home (8.29%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

27.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Houston, TX have a longer commute time (27.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.79% of the workforce in Houston, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Houston, TX compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Houston, TX distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Houston, TX have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

19.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Houston, TX (440k out of 2.26M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Females 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Houston, TX is Hispanic, followed by White and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

76.2% of the population of Houston, TX has health coverage, with 39.5% on employee plans, 19.1% on Medicaid, 8.04% on Medicare, 8.9% on non-group plans, and 0.714% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Harris County, TX see 1691 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.05% decrease from the previous year (1709 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1397 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 731 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Harris County, TX.

1,691 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Harris County, TX

Primary care physicians in Harris County, TX see an average of 1,691 patients per year. This represents a 1.05% decrease from the previous year (1,709 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Harris County, TX in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26% under 18 years, 26.4% between 18 and 34 years, 36.6% between 35 and 64 years, and 11.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.2% were men and 51.8% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

23.8%

Uninsured

39.5%

Employer Coverage

19.1%

Medicaid

8.04%

Medicare

8.9%

Non-Group

0.714%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Houston, TX grew by 2.58% from 23.2% to 23.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Houston, TX changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.