Page Contents for Houston, Texas

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Economy

Government

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Texas state capital is Austin.
The population of Houston is approximately 2,016,582 (2005), 2099451 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 696,807 (1998), 782643 (2010).
The amount of land area in Houston is 1398.285 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Houston is 579.4 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 56.774 sq kilometers.
The distance from Houston to Washington DC is 1265 miles.
The distance to the Texas state capital is 149 miles. (as the crow flies)
Houston is positioned 29.76 degrees north of the equator and 95.38 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Houston elevation is 0-90 feet above sea level.
Houston per capita income is $ 19,235 (1998).
Houston median income is $ 36,894 (2005).
The Houston median home price is $ 112,800 (2005).
Houston average annual rainfall is 50 inches per year
The average low temperature is (summer) 72, (winter) 40 degrees F.
The average high temperature is (summer) 93, (winter) 61 degrees F.

Location

in the southeast corner of Texas, 1 hour (50 miles) from the Gulf of Mexico. Other nearby communities include West University Place, Southside Place, Bellaire, Hilshire Village, Hunters Creek Village, Spring Valley, Piney Point Village, Hedwig Village and Sugarland.
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Climate

sunny and tropical, nice year-round
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Weather

mild. The sun is shining most of the year. Houston has a growing season of nearly 300 days per year. In the summer, humidity is certainly a factor to be considered, and can make the air feel much warmer than the actual temperature. Here is a weather page for Houston.
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History & History Related Items

Founded in 1836 by brothers John and Augustus Allen who came to buy and sell real estate here. The area grew rapidly becoming a central point for railroad and transportation for the important cotton crop. When oil was discovered in 1901 the area exploded with growth both residentially and commercially. The Houston Shipping Channel opened in 1914 which further fostered growth in the area. Both the depression era and the World Wars had an effect on the area, but with its heavy oil production and shipbuilding during World War II, the city was able to keep pace. NASA moved to Houstin in 1961, bringing the space program here. In 1965, the Astrodome opened, the first indoor domed sports stadium in the world. The area flourished up until the 1980s when oil prices dropped dramatically and real estate plummeted. Several hurricanes over the years have also affected the residents. But, despite setbacks and trials, Houston has always bounced back and moved forward becoming a leading city in the country in most aspects of its economy.

Find historical pictures of Houston.

A timeline type history for Houston with a large amount of historical information listed chronologically.
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The founding of Houston

1836 by the Allen brothers (Augustus C. and John K.)

The incorporation of Houston

5 June 1837

Attractions

Go to this page for things to see and do in Houston and the area.

Explore all of Houston at this site

Water plays a big part in Houston with many waterways throughout the area. True to one of its nicknames, the Bayou City, Houston is home to more than 10 of these winding waterways that not only irrigate the lush landscape, but serve as green spaces for fitness and nature enthusiasts.

Links and information for local Sports Teams
Houston is also home to numerous professional and collegiate sports teams. Professional teams include baseball (Astros), basketball (Rockets), hockey (Aeros) and soccer (Dynamo).

Take a Virtual Tour of Houston
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Economy & Industry

Until recently, the economy here was mainly focused on the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. But after the recession in the early 1980's, the economy became more diversified because of lower world oil prices. Learn more about Houstons Economy
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Houston City Government

City of Houston, Texas
P.O. Box 1562
Houston, TX 77251
901 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-837-0311

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The Mayor's off
Houston, TX 77251
900 Bagby St.
City Hall Annex, 2nd floor

Mayor's Office: 713-247-2200

Houston has a strong Mayor-Council form of government. The City's elected officials serve concurrent two year terms. Among these officials are the Mayor, the City Controller and the City Council, which has 14 members.

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COUNTY GOVERNMENT

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Houston is the County Seat of Harris County. Within the city limits are also portions of Fort Bend Countyand Montgomery County

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Harris County Court
301 San Jacinto St Fl 7
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-755-5683

Houston Chamber

North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce
15600 JFK Blvd, Suite 150
Houston, TX 77032
Phone: (281) 442-8701
Visitors Center:
1-45 North at Beltway 8
Houston, Texas
Phone: 281-875-6255
Inside the Greenspoint Mall.

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Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce
14511 Falling Creek, Suite 205
Houston, TX 77014
Phone: 281-440-4160
Fax: 281-440-5229

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Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
1201 E. Nasa Road One
Houston, Texas 77058-3391
Phone: 281-488-7676
Fax: 281-488-8981
Email
Serving the cities of Clear Lake Shores, El Lago, Kemah, League City, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village, and parts of Houston
Convention assistance, visitor information. Space Center Houston, Nature Center, water sports, marinas, shopping, hotels, services.

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Galleria Chamber Of Commerce
2700 Post Oak Blvd., Ste 2425
Houston, Texas 77056
Phone: 713-629-5555
Fax: 713-629-6403

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German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States, Inc.
5599 San Felipe St.
Houston, Texas
Phone: 713-877-1114

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Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce
545 W. 19th St.
Houston, Texas 77008-3611
Phone: 713-861-6735
Fax: 713-861-9310

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Southwest Houston Chamber of Commerce
6900 South Rice Ave.
P.O. Box 788
Bellaire, TX 77402
Phone: 713-668-1521

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Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
2900 Woodridge Dr., Suite 312
Houston, TX 77087
Phone: 713-644-7070

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Greater Houston Partnership
1200 Smith St. #700
Houston, Texas 77002-4309
Phone: 713-844-3600
Fax: 713-844-0200

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Houston Intown Chamber of Commerce
3015 Richmond Ave., Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77098
Phone: 713-524-8000

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Houston West Chamber of Commerce
10777 Westheimer Road, #916
Houston, Texas 77042-3460
Phone: 713-785-4922
Fax: 713-785-4944

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Houston East End Chamber of Commerce
550 Gulfgate Center
Houston, TX 77087
PHone: 713-926-3305

Houston Organizations

North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce
15600 JFK Blvd, Suite 150
Houston, TX 77032
Phone: (281) 442-8701
Visitors Center:
1-45 North at Beltway 8
Houston, Texas
Phone: 281-875-6255
Inside the Greenspoint Mall.

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Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce
14511 Falling Creek, Suite 205
Houston, TX 77014
Phone: 281-440-4160
Fax: 281-440-5229

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Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
1201 E. Nasa Road One
Houston, Texas 77058-3391
Phone: 281-488-7676
Fax: 281-488-8981
Email
Serving the cities of Clear Lake Shores, El Lago, Kemah, League City, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village, and parts of Houston
Convention assistance, visitor information. Space Center Houston, Nature Center, water sports, marinas, shopping, hotels, services.

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Galleria Chamber Of Commerce
2700 Post Oak Blvd., Ste 2425
Houston, Texas 77056
Phone: 713-629-5555
Fax: 713-629-6403

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German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States, Inc.
5599 San Felipe St.
Houston, Texas
Phone: 713-877-1114

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Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce
545 W. 19th St.
Houston, Texas 77008-3611
Phone: 713-861-6735
Fax: 713-861-9310

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Southwest Houston Chamber of Commerce
6900 South Rice Ave.
P.O. Box 788
Bellaire, TX 77402
Phone: 713-668-1521

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Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
2900 Woodridge Dr., Suite 312
Houston, TX 77087
Phone: 713-644-7070

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Greater Houston Partnership
1200 Smith St. #700
Houston, Texas 77002-4309
Phone: 713-844-3600
Fax: 713-844-0200

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Houston Intown Chamber of Commerce
3015 Richmond Ave., Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77098
Phone: 713-524-8000

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Houston West Chamber of Commerce
10777 Westheimer Road, #916
Houston, Texas 77042-3460
Phone: 713-785-4922
Fax: 713-785-4944

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Houston East End Chamber of Commerce
550 Gulfgate Center
Houston, TX 77087
PHone: 713-926-3305

Houston Libraries

Houston Public Library
500 McKinney
Houston, Texas 77002
Phone: (713) 247-2222
Phone: (713) 236-1313 - Reference Service

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Harris County Library
8080 El Rio St
Houston, TX 77054
Phone: 713-749-9000

Houston Schools

Here is an education page which lists all the school districts in the area as well as the colleges and universities.

Harris County Department of Education

Students in Houston attend the Houston Independent School District(HISD).
3830 Richmond
Houston, Texas 77027
Phone: 713-892-6000

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HIGHER EDUCATION

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Baylor College of Medicine
One Baylor Plaza
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-798-4951

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Houston Community College
Phone: 713-718-2000

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North Harris College
2700 W.W. Thorne Drive
Houston, TX 77073
Phone: 281-618-5400

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Rice University

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University of Houston
4800 Calhoun Rd.
Houston, TX 77004
Phone: 713-743-2255 Houston

Miscellany

The population of Houston was:
1900 - 45,000
1980 - 1,595,138
1990 - 1,631,766
1998 - 1,784,050
2000 - 1,953,631
2005 - 2,016,582

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The number of households in Houston were:
1990 - 617,317
1998 - 696,807

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Median Household Income:
2000 - $ 36,616
2005 - $ 36,894

Median Home Value:
1998 - $ 36,094
2000 - $ 79,300
2005 - $ 112,800

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Houston is located in the Central Time Zone and does participate in Daylight Savings Time during the Spring, Summer and early Fall months.

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The greater Houston area has 18,778 square miles. This figure also includes areas outside the city limits.

The Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (Houston CMSA) consists of eight counties: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller. The metro area's population of 4.8 million is 10th largest among U.S. metropolitan statistical areas.The Houston CMSA covers 8,778 square miles, an area slightly smaller than Massachusetts but larger than New Jersey

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Highway Conditions: (713) 869-4571
Weather Conditions: (713) 228-8703
Time: (713) 222-8463.