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{{About|the largest city in the U.S. state of Texas}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Houston, Texas
| official_name = City of Houston
| settlement_type = [[City]]
| nickname = <!--DO NOT CHANGE! -->Space City (official) <small>[[Nicknames of Houston|more ...]]</small><!--Please list unofficial nicknames in Culture section. See discussion on talk page. Thank you. -->
| image_skyline = Houston Collage.png
| imagesize = 300px
| image_caption = From top left to right: [[Sam Houston (sculpture)|Sam Houston Monument]], [[Rice University]], [[University of Houston]], [[Toyota Center]], [[The Galleria (Houston)|The Galleria]], [[Broken Obelisk]], [[Downtown Houston]], [[George Bush Park]], [[Houston Ship Channel]]
| image_flag = Flag of Houston, Texas.svg
| flag_size = 118px
| image_seal = Seal of Houston, Texas.svg
| image_map = Harris County Texas incorporated and unincorporated areas Houston highlighted.svg
| mapsize = 260px
| map_caption = Location of Houston city limits in and around Harris County
| image_map1 =
| map_caption1 =
| pushpin_map = Texas#USA#North America
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Texas##Location within the United States##Location within North America
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_label = Houston
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{US}}
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Texas}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Texas|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2 = {{nowrap|[[Harris County, Texas|Harris]], [[Fort Bend County, Texas|Fort&nbsp;Bend]], [[Montgomery County, Texas|Montgomery]]}}
| government_type = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| governing_body = [[Houston City Council]]
| leader_title = [[List of mayors of Houston|Mayor]]
| leader_name = [[Sylvester Turner]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| area_magnitude = 1 E8
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_metro_sq_mi = 1062
| area_total_sq_mi = 627
| area_total_km2 = 1623.92
| area_land_km2 = 1552.9
| area_land_sq_mi = 599.59
| area_water_sq_mi =
| area_water_km2 =
| population_footnotes = <ref name ="FactFinder">{{cite web|title=American FactFinder|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 16, 2015}}</ref>
| population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]]
| population_total = 2,099,451<!-- OFFICIAL CENSUS FIGURES. DO NOT CHANGE UNTIL NEXT CENSUS! -->
| pop_est_as_of = 2017
| population_est = 2,312,717<ref name=quickfacts2017>{{cite web|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=May 26, 2018|title=Houston city, Texas|series=QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/houstoncitytexas/PST045216}}</ref>
| population_rank = US: [[List of United States cities by population|4th]]
| population_urban = 4944332 <small>([[List of United States urban areas|7th U.S.]])</small>
| population_metro = 6313158 <small>([[Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas|5th U.S.]])</small>
| population_note =
| population_density_sq_mi = 3,501.5 <ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts selected: Houston city, Texas|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/houstoncitytexas/PST045216|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 1,414
| population_blank1_title = [[Demonym]]
| population_blank1 = Houstonian<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reiss |first=Aaron |date=June 17, 2014 |title=Top 10 Ways to Identify a Native Houstonian |url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/top-10-ways-to-identify-a-native-houstonian-6716767 |work=[[Houston Press]] |access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref>
| timezone = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset = −6
| timezone_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = −5
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code = 770xx, 772xx ([[Post-office box|P.O. Boxes]])
| area_codes = [[Area codes 713, 281, 346, and 832|713, 281, 832, 346]]
| coordinates = {{coord|29|45|46|N|95|22|59|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m = 32
| elevation_ft = 80
| established_title = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date = June 5, 1837
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 48-35000<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=American FactFinder}}</ref>
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 1380948<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| website = [http://www.houstontx.gov/ houstontx.gov]
| footnotes =
| blank_name_sec2 = Major Airports
| blank_info_sec2 = [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport]](IAH), [[William P. Hobby Airport]](HOU)
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Interstate Highway System|Interstates]]
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[File:I-10 (TX).svg|26px|link=Interstate 10 in Texas]] [[File:I-45 (TX).svg|26px|link=Interstate 45]] [[File:I-69 (TX).svg|26px|link=Interstate 69 in Texas]] [[File:I-610 (TX).svg|31px|link=Interstate 610 in Texas]]
| blank2_name_sec2 = [[U.S. Routes]]
| blank2_info_sec2 = [[File:US 59.svg|26px|link=U.S. Route 59 in Texas]] [[File:US 90.svg|26px|link=U.S. Route 90 in Texas]] [[File:US 290.svg|32px|link=U.S. Route 290]]
| blank3_name_sec2 = [[Rapid Transit]]
| blank3_info_sec2 = [[File:HoustonMetroRedLine.svg|26px|link=METRORail Red Line]] [[File:HoustonMetroPurpleLine.svg|26px|link=METRORail Purple Line]] [[File:HoustonMetroGreenLine.svg|26px|link=METRORail Green Line]]
| named_for = [[Sam Houston]]
}}

'''Houston''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Houston.ogg|ˈ|h|juː|s|t|ən}} {{respell|HEW|stən}}) is [[List of cities in Texas by population|the most populous city]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]] and the [[list of United States cities by population|fourth most populous city in the United States]], with a census-estimated population of 2.312&nbsp;million in 2017.<ref name=pop>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/houstoncitytexas/PST045216|series=QuickFacts|title=Houston city, Texas|access-date=November 25, 2017|date=July 1, 2016|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> It is the most populous city in the [[Southern United States]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/history/major-stories-events/article/Aggresive-annexation-generates-growing-pains-8338701.php|title=Aggressive annexation generates growing pains|last=Morris|first=Mike|date=July 3, 2016|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref> and on the [[Gulf Coast of the United States]]. Located in [[Southeast Texas]] near [[Galveston Bay]] and the [[Gulf of Mexico]], it is the seat of [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]] and the principal city of the [[Greater Houston]] metropolitan area, which is the fifth most populous [[Metropolitan Statistical Area|metropolitan statistical area]] (MSA) in the United States and the second most populous in Texas after the [[Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex|Dallas-Fort Worth MSA]]. With a total area of {{convert|627|sqmi|km2}},<ref name="pop" /> Houston is the [[List of United States cities by area|eighth most expansive city in the United States]] (including [[Consolidated city–county|consolidated city-counties]]; it is the largest city in the United States by total area, whose government is similarly not consolidated with that of a county or borough).

Houston was founded by land speculators on August 30, 1836,<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/history/article/Promise-and-a-few-fibs-launched-this-city-s-7730948.php|title=Promise — and a few fibs — launched this city's destiny|last=Gray|first=Lisa|date=May 19, 2016|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=November 2018}}{{discuss|date=November 2018}} at the confluence of [[Buffalo Bayou]] and [[White Oak Bayou]] (a point now known as [[Allen's Landing]])<ref name="Allen's Landing">{{Handbook of Texas | author=Kleiner, D.J | name=Allen's Landing | id=hvabg| retrieved=2007-06-10|date=February 3, 2005}}</ref> and incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837.<ref name=HouHTO>{{cite web|accessdate=June 1, 2008
|url= https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hdh03
|title=Houston, Texas
|date=January 19, 2008
|author=McComb, David G.
|work=Handbook of Texas Online}}</ref> The city is named after former General [[Sam Houston]], who was president of the [[Republic of Texas]] and had won [[Texas Revolution|Texas' independence from Mexico]] at the [[Battle of San Jacinto]] {{convert|25|mi|km}} east of Allen's Landing.<ref name=HouHTO/> After briefly serving as the capital of the [[Republic of Texas|Texas Republic]] in the late 1830s, Houston grew steadily into a regional trading center for the remainder of the 19th century.<ref name=":8" />

The arrival of the 20th century saw a convergence of economic factors which fueled rapid growth in Houston, including a burgeoning port and railroad industry, the decline of [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]] as Texas' primary port following [[1900 Galveston hurricane|a devastating 1900 hurricane]], the subsequent construction of the [[Houston Ship Channel]], and the [[Texas oil boom]].<ref name=":8" /> In the mid-20th century, Houston's economy diversified as it became home to the [[Texas Medical Center]]—the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions—and [[NASA]]'s [[Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center|Johnson Space Center]], where the [[Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center|Mission Control Center]] is located.

Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. Leading in healthcare sectors and building oilfield equipment, Houston has the second most [[Fortune 500]] headquarters of any U.S. municipality within its city limits (after [[New York City]]).<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2011/cities/ ''Fortune'' 500 2010: Cities] Accessed May 25, 2011</ref><ref name="kearney">{{cite web | title = A.T. Kearney Global Cities Index 2010 | work=A.T. Kearney | accessdate = May 25, 2011| url = http://www.atkearney.com/images/global/pdf/Urban_Elite-GCI_2010.pdf}}</ref> The [[Port of Houston]] ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled.<ref name="port ranking">{{cite web | title = 2010 Port Industry Statistics, American Association of Port Authorities | url = http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/Statistics/2010%20U%2ES%2E%20PORT%20RANKINGS%20BY%20CARGO%20TONNAGE.pdf}}</ref> Nicknamed the "Space City", Houston is a [[global city]], with strengths in culture, medicine, and research. The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. Houston is the [[Demographics of Houston|most diverse metropolitan area]] in Texas and has been described as the most racially and ethnically diverse major metropolis in the U.S.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/houston-most-diverse_n_1321089.html | work=Huffington Post | title=Houston Surpasses New York And Los Angeles As The 'Most Diverse In Nation' | access-date= April 12, 2018 | date=March 5, 2012}}</ref> It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits, which attract more than 7&nbsp;million visitors a year to the [[Houston Museum District|Museum District]]. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the [[Houston Theater District|Theater&nbsp;District]] and offers year-round resident companies in all major performing arts.<ref name="ikvngd">"{{cite web|url=http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/20AW005.pdf |title=Museums and Cultural Arts |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711230112/http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/20AW005.pdf |archivedate=July 11, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}&nbsp;{{small|(31.8&nbsp;KB)}}", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Retrieved on March 21, 2009.</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Houston|Timeline of Houston}}

{{quote box |width=20em |align=left |bgcolor=#B0C4DE
|title=Historical affiliations
|fontsize=90% |quote=[[Spanish Empire]] 1769–1821<br />[[First Mexican Empire|Mexican Empire]] 1821–1823<br />[[First Mexican Republic|United Mexican States]] 1823–1836<br />[[Republic of Texas]]
1836–1846<br />United States of America 1846–1861<br />[[Confederate States of America]] 1861–1865<br />United States of America 1865–present
}}

[[File:samuel houston.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Sam Houston]]]]

The Allen brothers—[[Augustus Chapman Allen|Augustus Chapman]] and [[John Kirby Allen|John Kirby]]—explored town sites on [[Buffalo Bayou]] and [[Galveston Bay]]. According to historian David McComb, "[T]he brothers, on August 26, 1836, bought from Elizabeth E. Parrott, wife of T.F.L. Parrott and widow of John Austin, the south half of the lower league [{{convert|2214|acre|ha|adj=on}} tract] granted to her by her late husband. They paid $5,000 total, but only $1,000 of this in cash; notes made up the remainder."<ref>{{cite book|title=Houston: A History|author=David G. McComb|publisher=University of Texas Press|location=Austin|year=1981|edition=2nd|page=11}}</ref>

The Allen brothers ran their first advertisement for Houston just four days later in the ''Telegraph and Texas Register'', naming the notional town in honor of President [[Sam Houston]].<ref name="HouHTO" /> They successfully lobbied the Republic of Texas Congress to designate Houston as the temporary capital, agreeing to provide the new government with a capital building.<ref name="tsha_AC">{{cite web|title=Allen, Augustus Chapman|author=Amelia W. Williams|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|series=Handbook of Texas Online|access-date=April 12, 2018|date=August 24, 2016|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fal17}}</ref> About a dozen persons resided in the town at the beginning of 1837, but that number grew to about 1,500 by the time the Texas Congress convened in Houston for the first time that May.<ref name="HouHTO" />
Houston was granted incorporation on June 5, 1837, with [[James Sanders Holman|James S. Holman]] becoming its first mayor.<ref name="HouHTO" /> In the same year, Houston became the county seat of Harrisburg County (now [[Harris County, Texas]]).<ref name="SHQa4">{{cite journal
| last = Looscan
| first = Adele B.
| title = Harris County, 1822–1845
| journal=Southwestern Historical Quarterly
| volume = 19
| pages = 37–64
| year= 1914
| url = http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101064/m1/201/
| accessdate = March 18, 2016}}</ref>

In 1839, the Republic of Texas relocated its capital to [[Austin]]. The town suffered another setback that year when a yellow fever epidemic claimed about one life out of every eight residents. Yet it persisted as a commercial center, forming a symbiosis with its Gulf Coast port, [[Galveston]]. Landlocked farmers brought their produce to Houston, using [[Buffalo Bayou]] to gain access to Galveston and the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. Houston merchants profited from selling staples to farmers and shipping the farmers' produce to Galveston.<ref name=HouHTO/>

The great majority of slaves in Texas came with their owners from the older slave states. Sizable numbers, however, came through the domestic slave trade. [[New Orleans]] was the center of this trade in the Deep South, but slave dealers were in Houston. Thousands of [[Slavery in the United States|enslaved]] blacks lived near the city before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]. Many of them near the city worked on sugar and cotton plantations, while most of those in the city limits had domestic and artisan jobs.

In 1840, the community established a chamber of commerce in part to promote shipping and navigation at the newly created port on Buffalo Bayou.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.houstontx.gov/savvy/archives/sum06/sum06_heritage.htm |first =John |last =Perry|title =Born on the Bayou: city's murky start|deadurl =yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218055155/http://www.houstontx.gov/savvy/archives/sum06/sum06_heritage.htm |archivedate=December 18, 2011 |work=City Savvy|edition =Online|date = Summer 2006|publisher = City of Houston}}</ref>

[[File:Old map-Houston-1873.jpg|thumb|left|Houston, {{circa|1873}}]]

By 1860, Houston had emerged as a commercial and [[Railroad|railroad hub]] for the export of cotton.<ref name="SHQa4" /> Railroad spurs from the Texas inland converged in Houston, where they met rail lines to the ports of [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]] and [[Beaumont, Texas|Beaumont]]. During the [[American Civil War]], Houston served as a headquarters for General [[John B. Magruder|John Magruder]], who used the city as an organization point for the [[Battle of Galveston]].<ref name="Sabine">{{cite book|last=Cotham|first=Edward T.|title=Sabine Pass: The Confederacy's Thermopylae|year=2004|publisher=[[University of Texas Press]]|location=Austin, Texas|isbn=0-292-70594-8}}</ref> After the Civil War, Houston businessmen initiated efforts to widen the city's extensive system of bayous so the city could accept more commerce between downtown and the nearby port of Galveston. By 1890, Houston was the railroad center of Texas.

In 1900, after Galveston was struck by a devastating [[Galveston Hurricane of 1900|hurricane]], efforts to make Houston into a viable deep-water port were accelerated.<ref>[http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/governors/rising/sayers-galv.html J.H.W. Stele to Sayers, September 11–12, 1900]. ''Texas State Library & Archives Commission'', Retrieved on August 31, 2007</ref> The following year, the discovery of [[petroleum|oil]] at the [[Spindletop]] [[oil field]] near [[Beaumont, Texas|Beaumont]] prompted the development of the Texas petroleum industry.<ref>{{cite book|title=Oil in Texas: The Gusher Age, 1895–1945|last=Olien|first=Diana Davids|author2=Olien, Roger M.|year=2002|publisher=University of Texas Press|location=Austin, Texas|isbn=0-292-76056-6}}</ref> In 1902, President [[Theodore Roosevelt]] approved a $1 million improvement project for the Houston Ship Channel. By 1910, the city's population had reached 78,800, almost doubling from a decade before. African Americans formed a large part of the city's population, numbering 23,929 people, which was nearly one-third of the residents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonhistory.com/decades/history5h.htm|title=Marvin Hurley, 1910–1920, Houston History|accessdate=April 6, 2008}}</ref>

President [[Woodrow Wilson]] opened the deep-water Port of Houston in 1914, seven years after digging began. By 1930, Houston had become Texas' most populous city and [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]] the most populous county.<ref>{{cite web
|last=Gibson
|first=Campbell
|title=Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990
|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau
|date=June 1998
|url=https://www.census.gov/library/working-papers/1998/demo/POP-twps0027.html
|accessdate=
|deadurl=no
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005195810/http://www.census.gov/library/working-papers/1998/demo/POP-twps0027.html
|archivedate=5 October 2018
|df=mdy-all
}}</ref> In 1940, the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] reported Houston's population as 77.5% white and 22.4% black.<ref name="census1"/>

When [[United States home front during World War II|World War II]] started, tonnage levels at the port decreased and shipping activities were suspended; however, the war did provide economic benefits for the city. Petrochemical refineries and manufacturing plants were constructed along the ship channel because of the demand for petroleum and synthetic rubber products by the defense industry during the war.<ref name="shipchannel">{{cite web
| title = Houston Ship Channel
| work=TSHA Handbook of Texas
| url = https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rhh11
| accessdate = May 5, 2015}}</ref> [[Ellington Airport (Texas)|Ellington Field]], initially built during [[World War I]], was revitalized as an advanced training center for bombardiers and navigators.<ref>{{cite web
| last = Carlson
| first = Erik
| title = Ellington Field: A Short History, 1917–1963
| work=National Aeronautics and Space Administration
|date=February 1999
| url = http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/ellington/Ellington.pdf
| accessdate = February 18, 2007|format=PDF}}</ref> The [[Brown Shipbuilding Company]] was founded in 1942 to build ships for the [[U.S. Navy]] during World War II. Due to the boom in defense jobs, thousands of new workers migrated to the city, both blacks and whites competing for the higher-paying jobs. President Roosevelt had established a policy of nondiscrimination for defense contractors, and blacks gained some opportunities, especially in shipbuilding, although not without resistance from whites and increasing social tensions that erupted into occasional violence. Economic gains of blacks who entered defense industries continued in the postwar years.<ref>{{cite journal|title =Race, Roosevelt, and Wartime Production: Fair Employment in World War II Labor Markets|first= William J.|last =Collins|journal =The American Economic Review|volume =91|number = 1 |date = March 2001|pages = 272–286|publisher = American Economic Association|url = https://www.jstor.org/stable/2677909}}</ref>

In 1945, the M.D. Anderson Foundation formed the [[Texas Medical Center]]. After the war, Houston's economy reverted to being primarily port-driven. In 1948, the city annexed several unincorporated areas, more than doubling its size. Houston proper began to spread across the region.<ref name=HouHTO/><ref>{{cite web
| last = Streetman
| first = Ashley
| title = Houston Timeline
| work=Houston Institute for Culture
| url = http://www.houstonculture.org/resources/houstontime.html
| accessdate = February 6, 2007}}</ref>

In 1950, the availability of air conditioning provided impetus for many companies to relocate to Houston, where wages were lower than those in the North; this resulted in an economic boom and produced a key shift in the city's economy toward the energy sector.<ref>[http://www.oldhouseweb.com/stories/Detailed/725.shtml "How Air Conditioning Changed America"], ''The Old House Web'', Retrieved on April 4, 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.hgs.org/en/articles/printview.asp?26 "A Short History"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216122901/http://www.hgs.org/en/articles/printview.asp?26 |date=February 16, 2007 }}, ''Houston Geological Auxiliary'', Retrieved on April 4, 2007</ref>

The increased production of the expanded shipbuilding industry during World War II spurred Houston's growth,<ref>{{cite web
| title = Shipbuilding
| work=TSHA Handbook of Texas
| url = https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ets03
| accessdate = February 18, 2007}}</ref> as did the establishment in 1961 of NASA's "Manned Spacecraft Center" (renamed the [[Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center]] in 1973). This was the stimulus for the development of the city's aerospace industry. The [[Astrodome]], nicknamed the "[[Eighth Wonder of the World]]",<ref>{{cite journal
| last = Barks
| first = Joseph V.
| title = Powering the (New and Improved) "Eighth Wonder of the World"
| work=Electrical Apparatus
| date= November 2001}}</ref> opened in 1965 as the world's first indoor domed sports stadium.

During the late 1970s, Houston had a population boom as people from the [[Rust Belt]] states moved to Texas in large numbers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://texasalmanac.com/topics/culture/polish/polish-texans| title=Polish-Texans | work=Texas Almanac 2004–2005 | accessdate=July 3, 2018}}</ref> The new residents came for numerous employment opportunities in the petroleum industry, created as a result of the [[1973 oil crisis|Arab oil embargo]]. With the increase in professional jobs, Houston has become a destination for many college-educated persons, including African Americans in a reverse [[Great Migration (African American)|Great Migration]] from northern areas.

In 1997, Houstonians elected [[Lee P. Brown]] as the city's first African American mayor.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=937&category=politicalMakers | title=Lee P. Brown – Biography | work=TheHistoryMakers.com | accessdate=January 22, 2007}}</ref>

In June 2001, [[Tropical Storm Allison]] dumped up to {{convert|40|in|mm}} of rain on parts of Houston, causing what was then the worst flooding in the city's history. The storm cost billions of dollars in damage and killed 20 people in Texas.<ref>{{cite news|title=Allison's Death Toll Hits 43 |last=Ward |first=Christina |url=http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/floods/010618houston.html |work=RedCross.org |date=June 18, 2001 |accessdate=January 1, 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061204040810/http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/floods/010618houston.html |archivedate=December 4, 2006 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> By December of the same year, Houston-based energy company [[Enron]] collapsed into the largest U.S. bankruptcy (at that time), a result of being investigated for off-the-books partnerships which were allegedly used to hide debt and inflate profits. The company lost no less than $70 billion.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|title=Enron Corporation|author=Frontain, Michael|series=Handbook of Texas Online|date=February 9, 2017|accessdate=April 28, 2018|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/doe08}}</ref>

In August 2005, Houston became a shelter to more than 150,000 people from New Orleans, who evacuated from [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite news
| title = Katrina's Human Legacy
| work=Houston Chronicle
| date= August 27, 2006
| url = http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2006_4178618
| accessdate = August 29, 2007}}</ref> One month later, about 2.5&nbsp;million Houston-area residents evacuated when [[Hurricane Rita]] approached the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]], leaving little damage to the Houston area. This was the largest urban evacuation in the history of the United States.<ref>{{cite news
|last=Flakus
|first=Greg
|title=Recovery Beginning in Areas Affected by Hurricane Rita
|work=Voice of America News
|date=September 25, 2005
|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2005-09/2005-09-25-voa33.cfm
|accessdate=January 10, 2007
|deadurl=yes
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110220637/http://voanews.com/english/archive/2005-09/2005-09-25-voa33.cfm
|archivedate=January 10, 2007
|df=mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>[http://www.house.gov/brady/2007_appropriations.shtml 8th Congressional District of Texas 2007 Appropriations Project Requests] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107112644/http://www.house.gov/brady/2007_appropriations.shtml |date=January 7, 2007 }}. Congressman Kevin Brady, 8th District of Texas. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref> In September 2008, Houston was hit by [[Effects of Hurricane Ike in Texas#Houston|Hurricane Ike]]. As many as 40% of residents refused to leave [[Galveston Island]] because they feared the type of traffic problems that had happened after [[Hurricane Rita]].

During its recent history, Houston has flooded several times from heavy rainfall, which has been becoming increasingly common.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Aaron Davis |author2=Jack Gillum |author3=Andrew Tran |title=How Houston's 'Wild West' growth may have contributed to devastating flooding |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/investigations/harvey-urban-planning/ |website=Washington Post |accessdate=10 September 2018 |language=en |quote=At the same time, severe storms are becoming more frequent, experts said. The city's building laws are designed to guard against what was once considered a worst-case scenario — a 100-year storm, or one that planners projected would have only a 1 percent chance of happening in any given year. Those storms have become quite common, however. Harvey, which dumped up to 50 inches of rain in some places as of Tuesday afternoon, is the third such storm to hit Houston in the past three years. In May 2015, seven people died after 12 inches of rain fell in 10 hours during what is known as the Memorial Day Flood. Eight people died in April 2016 during a storm that dropped 17 inches of rain.}}</ref> This has been exacerbated by a lack of zoning laws, which allowed unregulated building of residential homes and other structures in flood-prone areas.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Aaron Davis |author2=Jack Gillum |author3=Andrew Tran |title=How Houston's 'Wild West' growth may have contributed to devastating flooding |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/investigations/harvey-urban-planning/ |website=Washington Post |accessdate=10 September 2018 |language=en |quote=Growth that is virtually unchecked, including in flood-prone areas, has diminished the land's already-limited natural ability to absorb water, according to environmentalists and experts in land use and natural disasters. ... Since 2010, at least 7,000 residential buildings have been constructed in Harris County on properties that sit mostly on land the federal government has designated as a 100-year flood plain, according to a Washington Post review of areas at the greatest risk of flooding.}}</ref> During the floods in [[2015 Texas–Oklahoma floods|2015]] and [[2016 Houston floods|2016]], each of which dropped at least a foot of rain,<ref>{{cite web |author1=Aaron Davis |author2=Jack Gillum |author3=Andrew Tran |title=How Houston's 'Wild West' growth may have contributed to devastating flooding |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/investigations/harvey-urban-planning/ |website=Washington Post |accessdate=10 September 2018 |language=en |quote=In May 2015, seven people died after 12 inches of rain fell in 10 hours during what is known as the Memorial Day Flood. Eight people died in April 2016 during a storm that dropped 17 inches of rain.}}</ref> parts of the city were covered in several inches of water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/houston-mayor-urges-residents-stay-home-severe-flooding/story?id=38481817|title=Nearly 900 Rescued in Houston in Deadly Flooding|first=A. B. C.|last=News|date=April 19, 2016|website=ABC News}}</ref> Even worse flooding happened in late August 2017, when [[Hurricane Harvey]] stalled over southeastern Texas, much like [[Tropical Storm Allison]] did seventeen years earlier, causing severe flooding in the Houston area, with some areas receiving over {{convert|50|in|mm}} of rain.<ref name="gallons">{{cite news|title=Texas flood disaster: Harvey has unloaded 9 trillion gallons of water|date=August 27, 2017|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2017/08/27/texas-flood-disaster-harvey-has-unloaded-9-trillion-tons-of-water/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=August 27, 2017}}</ref> The rainfall exceeded 50 inches in several areas locally, breaking the national record for rainfall. The damage for the Houston area is estimated at up to $125 billion [[U.S. dollars]],<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Texas Tribune|title=Hurricane Harvey was year's costliest U.S. disaster at $125 billion in damages|author=Mooney, Chris|date=January 8, 2018|url=https://www.texastribune.org/2018/01/08/hurricane-harvey-was-years-costliest-us-disaster-125-billion-damages/|access-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> and it is considered to be one of the worst [[List of natural disasters in the United States|natural disasters in the history of the United States]],<ref name="Hurricane Harvey">"{{cite web|url=http://money.cnn.com/2017/08/30/news/economy/harvey-cost-most-expensive-disasters/index.html|title=Harvey certain to be one of the most expensive natural disasters ever|df=mdy-all}}&nbsp;{{small|(31.8&nbsp;KB)}}", ''CNN News''. Retrieved on August 25, 2017.</ref> with the death toll exceeding 70 people. On January 31, 2018, the [[Houston City Council]] agreed to forgive large water bills thousands of households faced in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, as Houston Public Works found 6,362 homeowners' water utility bills had at least doubled.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/Houston-City-Council-agrees-to-cut-water-bills-12539822.php|title=Houston City Council agrees to cut water bills bloated by Harvey|website=Chron.com|access-date=February 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/politics/houston/article/Houston-City-Council-may-cut-Harvey-spiked-water-12538087.php|title=Houston City Council may cut Harvey-spiked water bills|website=HoustonChronicle.com|access-date=February 3, 2018}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Houston}}
[[File:ISS-55 Houston, Texas and Galveston Bay.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of Houston]]
Houston is located {{convert|165|mi|km}} east of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]],<ref>Lomax, John Nova. "[http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/texas This Is Texas]." ''[[Texas Monthly]]''. February 2013. Retrieved on April 30, 2013. "No, the rightful standard-bearer of our state—the city with the greatest number of people, of cultural happenings, of medical facilities, of gangbuster enterprises—is located 165 miles to the east of Texas's pink-granite dome." – The first part is discussing Houston. The "pink granite dome" is the [[Texas State Capitol]] in Austin.</ref> {{convert|88|mi|km}} west of the [[Louisiana]] border,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://check-distance.com/search?from=Houston,+TX,+USA&to=Walter+Umphrey+State+Park,+Martin+Luther+King+Junior+Drive,+Port+Arthur,+TX,+USA&flat=29.7604267&flon=-95.3698028&tlat=29.76301999999999&tlon=-93.89903800000002|title=Distance from Houston, TX, USA to Walter Umphrey State Park, Martin Luther King Junior Drive, Port Arthur, TX, USA|last=|first=|date=|website=|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2018-12-02}}</ref> and {{convert|250|mi|km}} south of [[Dallas]].<ref>Martin, Roland. " [http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/06/opinion/opinion-texas-football-roland-martin/index.html Football power in Texas has shifted to Houston]." ''[[CNN]]''. January 6, 2012. Retrieved on January 7, 2012.</ref> The city has a total area of {{convert|627|sqmi|km2}}; this comprises {{convert|599.59|sqmi|km2}} of land<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/houstoncitytexas/PST045216|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Houston city, Texas|website=Census Bureau QuickFacts|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-06}}</ref> and {{convert|22.3|sqmi|km2}} covered by water.<ref>[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4835000.html Houston (city) QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220105716/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4835000.html |date=February 20, 2010 }}. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on February 28, 2009.</ref> The [[Piney Woods]] are north of Houston. Most of Houston is located on the [[Western Gulf coastal grasslands|gulf coastal plain]], and its vegetation is classified as [[temperate grassland]] and forest. Much of the city was built on forested land, marshes, swamp, or [[prairie]] and are all still visible in surrounding areas.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} Flat terrain and extensive greenfield development have combined to worsen flooding.<ref>[http://www.crwr.utexas.edu/gis/gishyd98/class/trmproj/ahrens/prepro.htm Flood Forecasting for the Buffalo Bayou Using CRWR-PrePro and HEC-HMS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204065252/http://www.crwr.utexas.edu/gis/gishyd98/class/trmproj/ahrens/prepro.htm |date=February 4, 2007 }}. ''Center for Research in Water Resources, The University of Texas at Austin'' Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref> Downtown stands about {{convert|50|ft|m}} above sea level,<ref>[http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lat=29.75737&lon=-95.36387&size=m&u=4&datum=nad27&layer=DRG&s=100 Downtown Houston, Texas]. ''TopoQuest.com'' Retrieved on July 5, 2008.</ref> and the highest point in far northwest Houston is about {{convert|125|ft|m}} in elevation.<ref>[http://www.topoquest.com/map.asp?lat=29.96645&lon=-95.56326&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG&s=100 USGS Satsuma (TX) Topo Map]. ''TopoQuest.com''. 2008. Retrieved on July 5, 2008. ''Note: The boundaries of the City of Houston are shown as "HOUSTON CORP BDY" along the dotted line.''</ref><ref>[http://www.houstontx.gov/superneighborhoods/profiles/SN_1.htm Super Neighborhood# 1-Willowbrook] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029045352/http://www.houstontx.gov/superneighborhoods/profiles/SN_1.htm |date=October 29, 2012 }}. ''City of Houston''. Retrieved on May 15, 2012.</ref> The city once relied on groundwater for its needs, but land [[subsidence]] forced the city to turn to ground-level water sources such as [[Lake Houston|Lake&nbsp;Houston]], [[Lake Conroe]], and [[Lake Livingston]].<ref name="HouHTO" /><ref name="USGS_Subsidence_Fault_Creep">{{cite web|url= http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/circ1182/pdf/07Houston.pdf |title=HOUSTON-GALVESTON, TEXAS Managing Coastal Subsidence }}&nbsp;{{small|(5.89&nbsp;MB)}}. [[United States Geological Survey]]. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.</ref> The city owns surface water rights for 1.20&nbsp;billion gallons of water a day in addition to 150 million gallons a day of groundwater.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/utilities/drinkingwater.html |title=Drinking Water Operations |publisher=Publicworks.houstontx.gov |accessdate=October 12, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014130133/http://www.publicworks.houstontx.gov/utilities/drinkingwater.html |archivedate=October 14, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Houston has four major [[bayous]] passing through the city that accept water from the extensive drainage system. [[Buffalo Bayou]] runs through downtown and the [[Houston Ship Channel]], and has three tributaries: [[White Oak Bayou]], which runs through the Houston&nbsp;Heights community northwest of Downtown and then towards Downtown; [[Brays Bayou]], which runs along the Texas Medical Center;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asla.org/2009awards/196.html|title=2009 Professional Awards|work=asla.org|accessdate=September 15, 2015}}</ref> and Sims Bayou, which runs through the south of Houston and downtown Houston. The ship channel continues past Galveston and then into the [[Gulf of Mexico]].<ref name="shipchannel" />

===Geology===
[[File:Houston Texas 14Mar2018 SkySat.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of central Houston, showing Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods]]
Houston is a flat [[marshy]] area where an extensive drainage system has been built. The adjoining [[prairie]] land drains into the city which is prone to flooding.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/explainer/article/The-trouble-with-living-in-a-swamp-Houston-7954514.php|title=The trouble with living in a swamp: Houston floods explained|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|publisher=|first=Dylan |last=Baddour|date=May 31, 2016|access-date=August 31, 2017}}</ref> Underpinning Houston's land surface are [[Consolidation (geology)|unconsolidated]] clays, clay shales, and poorly cemented sands up to several miles deep. The region's geology developed from river deposits formed from the erosion of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. These [[sediment]]s consist of a series of sands and clays deposited on decaying organic marine matter, that over time, transformed into oil and natural gas. Beneath the layers of sediment is a water-deposited layer of [[halite]], a rock salt. The porous layers were compressed over time and forced upward. As it pushed upward, the salt dragged surrounding sediments into [[salt dome]] formations, often trapping oil and gas that seeped from the surrounding porous sands. The thick, rich, sometimes black, surface soil is suitable for rice farming in suburban outskirts where the city continues to grow.<ref>[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hch07 Harris County]. ''[[Handbook of Texas]] Online.'' Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref><ref>[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/afr01 RICE CULTURE]. ''[[Handbook of Texas]] Online.'' Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref>

The Houston area has over 150 active [[Fault (geology)|faults]] (estimated to be 300 [[active fault]]s) with an aggregate length of up to {{convert|310|mi|km}},<ref>{{cite web | title = Mapping Active Faults in the Houston Area using LIDAR Data, #50034 (2006)| accessdate = July 10, 2010 |author=R. Engelkemeir |work=Online Journal for E&P Geoscientists | url = http://www.searchanddiscovery.net/documents/2006/06078engelkemeir/index.htm?q=%2Btext%3A%22active+faults+houston+area%22+-isMeetingAbstract%3Amtgabsyes}}</ref><ref>Earl R. Verbeek, Karl W. Ratzlaff, Uel S. Clanton. "[http://pubs.usgs.gov/mf-maps/mf1136/mf1136/ Faults in Parts of North-Central and Western Houston Metropolitan Area, Texas]", [[United States Geological Survey]], September 16, 2005. Retrieved on December 14, 2006.</ref><ref>Sachin D. Shah and Jennifer Lanning-Rush. [http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/2005/2874/ Principal Faults in the Houston, Texas, Metropolitan Area], ''U.S. Geological Survey''. Retrieved on February 23, 2012.</ref> including the [[Long Point–Eureka Heights fault system]] which runs through the center of the city. No significant historically recorded earthquakes have occurred in Houston, but researchers do not discount the possibility of such quakes having occurred in the deeper past, nor occurring in the future. Land in some areas southeast of Houston is sinking because water has been pumped out of the ground for many years. It may be associated with slip along the faults; however, the slippage is slow and not considered an earthquake, where stationary faults must slip suddenly enough to create seismic waves.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070715065340/http://www.ig.utexas.edu/research/projects/eq/faq/tx.htm Texas Earthquakes], ''University of Texas Institute for Geophysics'', July 2001. Retrieved on August 29, 2007.</ref> These faults also tend to move at a smooth rate in what is termed "[[Aseismic creep|fault creep]]",<ref name="USGS_Subsidence_Fault_Creep" /> which further reduces the risk of an earthquake.

===Climate===
{{Main|Climate of Houston}}
[[File:Hurricane Harvey (36561871944).jpg|thumb|[[Buffalo Bayou]] after [[Hurricane Harvey]], August 2017]]
Houston's climate is classified as [[humid subtropical climate|humid&nbsp;subtropical]] (''Cfa'' in the [[Köppen climate classification system]]), typical of the [[Southern United States]]. The city experiences hot, long, and humid summers, and mild winters. While not located in [[Tornado Alley]], like much of northern Texas, spring [[Supercell|supercell thunderstorms]] sometimes bring tornadoes to the area.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}

Prevailing winds are from the south and southeast during most of the year, which bring heat and moisture from the nearby Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visithoustontexas.com/media/statistics/Houston_Stats_Weather|title=Weather Stats|work=Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230150744/http://www.visithoustontexas.com/media/statistics/Houston_Stats_Weather|archivedate=December 30, 2008|deadurl=yes|accessdate=October 11, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

During the summer, temperatures in Houston commonly reach over {{convert|90|°F|0}}. The city reaches or surpasses this temperature on an average of 106.5&nbsp;days per year, including a majority of days from June to September; additionally, an average of 4.6 days per year exceed {{convert|100|°F|0}}.<ref name = NOAA/> Houston's characteristic subtropical humidity often results in a higher [[apparent temperature]], and summer mornings average over 90% [[relative humidity]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20011101082154/http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/avgrh.html Average Relative Humidity (%)]", ''National Climatic Data Center''. Retrieved on February 23, 2012.</ref> [[Air conditioning]] is ubiquitous in Houston; in 1981, annual spending on electricity for interior cooling exceeded $600 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|index=US|value=0.600|start_year=1981|r=2|fmt=c}} billion in {{Inflation-year|index=US}}), and by the late 1990s, approximately 90% of Houston homes featured air conditioning systems.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/07/02/us/houston-journal-broiling-on-the-outside-but-really-it-s-no-sweat.html|title=Houston Journal; Broiling on the Outside, But, Really, It's No Sweat|last=Rimer|first=Sara|date=July 2, 1998|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 18, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/06/garden/houston-s-lifeline-tons-of-cool-air.html|title=HOUSTON'S LIFELINE: TONS OF COOL AIR|last=Times|first=John M. Crewdson and Special To the New York|access-date=March 18, 2018|language=en}}</ref> The record highest temperature recorded in Houston is {{convert|109|°F|°C|abbr=on}} at Bush Intercontinental Airport, during September 4, 2000, and again on August 28, 2011.<ref name=NOAA/>

Houston has mild winters. In January, the normal mean temperature at George Bush Intercontinental Airport is {{convert|53.1|°F|0}}, with an average of 13 days per year with a low at or below {{Convert|32|F|C}}.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}} Twenty-first century snow events in Houston include a storm on [[2004 Christmas Eve Snowstorm|December 24, 2004]], which saw {{convert|1|in|cm|0}} of snow accumulate in parts of the metro area,<ref>National Weather Service Forecast Office, Houston/Galveston, Texas.{{cite web|url=http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/projects/xmasevesnow04/pns_snowfalltotal.txt |title=Public Information Statement. |accessdate=December 1, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061212134359/http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/projects/xmasevesnow04/pns_snowfalltotal.txt |archivedate=December 12, 2006 |df=mdy }} Retrieved on December 1, 2006.</ref> and an event on December 7, 2017, which precipitated {{convert|0.7|in|cm|0}} of snowfall.<ref>Shayanian, Sara (December 8, 2017). "[https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2017/12/08/Texas-hit-with-snow-as-winter-weather-system-aims-for-Northeast/4591512735568/ Texas hit with snow as winter weather system aims for Northeast]". ''[[United Press International]]''.</ref><ref>Matthews, Blake (December 8, 2017). "[http://www.khou.com/news/local/record-snow-blankets-houston-and-texas/497922280 Record snow blankets Houston and Texas]". ''[[KHOU-TV]]''.</ref> Snowfalls of at least {{convert|1.0|in|cm}} on both December 10, 2008, and December 4, 2009, marked the first time measurable snowfall had occurred in two consecutive years in the city's recorded history. Overall, Houston has seen measurable snowfall 38 times between 1895 and 2018. On February 14 and 15, 1895, Houston received {{convert|20|in|cm|0}} of snow, its largest snowfall from one storm on record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc13.com/amp/weather/snow-in-houston----it-happens-more-than-you-think/2753082/|title= Snow in Houston: It Happens More Than You Think|publisher=KTRK-TV|date=December 8, 2017|access-date=March 22, 2018}}</ref> The coldest temperature officially recorded in Houston was {{convert|5|°F|0}} on January 18, 1930.<ref name=NOAA/>

Houston generally receives ample rainfall, averaging about {{convert|49.8|in|abbr=on}} annually based on records between 1981 and 2010.<!--2010 through 2013 ranged from 85.8% (2010) to 49.4% (2011) of normal annual rainfall--> Many parts of the city have a high risk of localized flooding due to flat topography,<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/08/31/547575113/three-reasons-houston-was-a-sitting-duck-for-harvey-flooding|title=3 Reasons Houston Was A 'Sitting Duck' For Harvey Flooding|last=Schaper|first=David|date=August 31, 2017|work=NPR|access-date=March 26, 2018|language=en}}</ref> ubiquitous low-[[Permeability (earth sciences)|permeability]] clay-silt prairie soils,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/investigations/harvey-urban-planning/|title=How Houston's 'Wild West' growth may have contributed to devastating flooding|last=Boburg|first=Shawn|last2=Reinhard|first2=Beth|date=August 29, 2017|website=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> and inadequate infrastructure.<ref name=":7" /> During the mid-2010s, Greater Houston experienced consecutive major flood events in 2015 ([[2015 Texas–Oklahoma flood and tornado outbreak|"Memorial Day"]]),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-weather/article/Remembering-the-Memorial-Day-Flood-one-America-s-11176375.php|title=Remembering Houston's Memorial Day Flood, one of America's costliest floods|last=Ramirez|first=Fernando|date=May 26, 2017|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> 2016 ([[April 2016 North American storm complex|"Tax Day"]]),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/tax-day-flood/article/Revisiting-Houston-s-Tax-Day-Floods-one-year-later-11077890.php|title=Revisiting Houston's Tax Day Floods one year later|last=Perera|first=John Henry|date=April 17, 2017|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> and 2017 ([[Hurricane Harvey]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2017/aug/26/hurricane-harvey-makes-landfall-in-texas-latest-updates |title=Hurricane Harvey makes landfall in Texas|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=August 26, 2017}}</ref> Overall, there have been more casualties and property loss from floods in Houston than in any other locality in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/16/texas-flooding-houston-climate-change-disaster|title=Houston fears climate change will cause catastrophic flooding: 'It's not if, it's when'|last=Dart|first=Tom|date=June 16, 2017|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref>

Houston has excessive [[ozone]] levels and is routinely ranked among the most ozone-polluted cities in the United States.<ref>"[http://www.lung.org/assets/documents/publications/state-of-the-air/state-of-the-air-report-2005.pdf State of the Air 2005, National and Regional Analysis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428171714/http://www.lung.org/assets/documents/publications/state-of-the-air/state-of-the-air-report-2005.pdf |date=April 28, 2012 }}", American Lung Association, page 26, March 25, 2005. Retrieved on February 17, 2006.</ref> Ground-level ozone, or smog, is Houston's predominant air pollution problem, with the [[American Lung Association]] rating the metropolitan area's ozone level twelfth on the "Most Polluted Cities by Ozone" in 2017, after major cities such as [[Los Angeles]], [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], New York City and [[Denver]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/sota/city-rankings/most-polluted-cities.html|title=How healthy is the air you breathe?|publisher=}}</ref> The industries located along the ship channel are a major cause of the city's air pollution.<ref name="cleanhouston">"[http://www.cleanhouston.org/air/index.htm Summary of the Issues] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210193216/http://www.cleanhouston.org/air/index.htm |date=February 10, 2006 }}", Citizens League for Environmental Action Now, August 1, 2004. Retrieved on February 17, 2006.</ref> The rankings are in terms of peak-based standards, focusing strictly on the worst days of the year; the average ozone levels in Houston are lower than what is seen in most other areas of the country, as dominant winds ensure clean, marine air from the Gulf.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://theconversation.com/the-paradox-of-peak-based-ozone-air-pollution-standards-59300|title=The paradox of peak-based ozone air pollution standards|last=Czader|first=Beata|date=May 20, 2016|work=The Conversation|access-date=November 13, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

{{Houston weatherbox}}
{{Weather box
|location = Houston ([[William P. Hobby Airport]]), 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1941–present
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y

|Jan high F = 60.2
|Feb high F = 63.6
|Mar high F = 70.9
|Apr high F = 78.0
|May high F = 85.2
|Jun high F = 91.2
|Jul high F = 92.9
|Aug high F = 92.7
|Sep high F = 89.1
|Oct high F = 80.8
|Nov high F = 71.2
|Dec high F = 63.0
|year high F= 78.5
|Jan low F = 43.5
|Feb low F = 47.2
|Mar low F = 53.6
|Apr low F = 60.4
|May low F = 69.2
|Jun low F = 74.8
|Jul low F = 77.1
|Aug low F = 76.6
|Sep low F = 72.8
|Oct low F = 63.4
|Nov low F = 53.5
|Dec low F = 46.2
|year low F= 61.7
|Jan record high F = 82
|Feb record high F = 87
|Mar record high F = 93
|Apr record high F = 97
|May record high F = 103
|Jun record high F = 103
|Jul record high F = 103
|Aug record high F = 106
|Sep record high F = 104
|Oct record high F = 97
|Nov record high F = 88
|Dec record high F = 84
|year record high F= 106
|Jan record low F = 8
|Feb record low F = 17
|Mar record low F = 29
|Apr record low F = 39
|May record low F = 47
|Jun record low F = 61
|Jul record low F = 63
|Aug record low F = 63
|Sep record low F = 53
|Oct record low F = 36
|Nov record low F = 23
|Dec record low F = 14
|year record low F= 14
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 5.35
|Feb precipitation inch = 7.08
|Mar precipitation inch = 5.72
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.50
|May precipitation inch = 4.22
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.67
|Jul precipitation inch = 5.38
|Aug precipitation inch = 5.52
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.83
|Oct precipitation inch = 5.17
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.89
|Dec precipitation inch = 5.68
|year precipitation inch=63.01
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 7.2
|Feb precipitation days = 7.8
|Mar precipitation days = 9.6
|Apr precipitation days = 11.5
|May precipitation days = 12.2
|Jun precipitation days = 10.7
|Jul precipitation days = 10.3
|Aug precipitation days = 8.4
|Sep precipitation days = 9.5
|Oct precipitation days = 11.8
|Nov precipitation days = 10.4
|Dec precipitation days = 7.8
|year precipitation days=117.2
<!--must select "Houston area" when verifying records-->
|source 1 = NOAA (<!--relative humidity 1969–1990, -->sun 1961–1990)<ref name = NOAA />
}}

===Cityscape===
{{further|Geographic areas of Houston|List of Houston neighborhoods}}
Houston was incorporated in 1837 and adopted a [[Ward (politics)|ward system]] of representation shortly afterward in 1840.<ref name="Trapp">{{Cite journal|last=Chapman|first=Betty Trapp|date=Fall 2010|title=A System of Government Where Business Ruled|url=https://houstonhistorymagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/ward-system-of-government.pdf|journal=Houston History Magazine|volume=8|pages=29–33|via=}}</ref> The six original wards of Houston are the progenitors of the 11 modern-day geographically-oriented [[Houston City Council]] districts, though the city abandoned the ward system in 1905 in favor of a [[City commission government|commission government]], and, later, the existing [[mayor–council government]].

Locations in Houston are generally classified as either being inside or outside the [[Interstate 610 (Texas)|Interstate&nbsp;610 loop]]. The "Inner Loop" encompasses a {{Convert|97|mi2|km2|adj=on}} area which includes Downtown, pre–World War II residential neighborhoods and [[streetcar suburb]]s, and newer high-density apartment and townhouse developments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Demographics/Loop%20610%20Website/population.html|title=Houston's Loop 610: Population|last=|first=|date=2013|website=City of Houston|publisher=City of Houston Planning and Development Department|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> Outside the loop, the city's typology is more [[Suburbanization|suburban]], though many major business districts—such as [[Uptown Houston|Uptown]], [[Westchase, Houston|Westchase]], and the [[Houston Energy Corridor|Energy Corridor]]—lie well outside the urban core. In addition to Interstate 610, two additional loop highways encircle the city: [[Texas State Highway Beltway 8|Beltway 8]], with a radius of approximately {{convert|10|mi|km}} from Downtown, and [[Texas State Highway 99|State Highway 99]] (the Grand Parkway), with a radius of {{Convert|25|mi|km}}. Approximately 470,000 people live within the Interstate 610 loop, while 1.65 million live between Interstate 610 and Beltway 8 and 2.25 million live within Harris County outside Beltway 8.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.harriscountytx.gov/CmpDocuments/74/Budget/FY16%20Population%20Study.pdf|title=Harris County Budget Management: Population Study|last=|first=|date=January 2015|website=Harris County, Texas|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411074852/http://www.harriscountytx.gov/CmpDocuments/74/Budget/FY16%20Population%20Study.pdf|archive-date=2015-04-11|dead-url=yes|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref>

Though Houston is the largest city in the United States without formal [[zoning]] regulations, it has developed similarly to other [[Sun Belt]] cities because the city's land use regulations and [[Covenant (law)#In a legal context|legal covenants]] have played a similar role.<ref name=nytzoning>{{cite news | title = FOCUS: Houston; A Fresh Approach To Zoning | work=New York Times | accessdate = March 27, 2009 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/17/realestate/focus-houston-a-fresh-approach-to-zoning.html | first=Robert | last=Reinhold | date=August 17, 1986
}}</ref><ref name=nozoning>{{cite web | title = Zoning Without Zoning | work=planetizen.com | accessdate = March 27, 2009 | url = http://www.planetizen.com/node/109
}}</ref> Regulations include mandatory lot size for single-family houses and requirements that parking be available to tenants and customers. Such restrictions have had mixed results. Though some have blamed the city's low density, [[urban sprawl]], and lack of pedestrian-friendliness on these policies, the city's land use has also been credited with having significant affordable housing, sparing Houston the worst effects of the [[United States housing bubble|2008 real estate crisis]].<ref name=nozoning/><ref>{{cite web|title = Lack of zoning has paid off for Houston|work=chron.com, Houston Chronicle|date= May 27, 2008|accessdate=March 27, 2009|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/steffy/5804649.html}}</ref> The city issued 42,697 building permits in 2008 and was ranked first in the list of healthiest housing markets for 2009.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009 – Local Markets, Construction, Home Prices | work=Builder Magazine | date = February 27, 2009 | accessdate = March 4, 2009 | url = http://www.builderonline.com/local-markets/the-healthiest-housing-markets-for-2009.aspx?page=15}}</ref>

Voters rejected efforts to have separate residential and commercial land-use districts in 1948, 1962, and 1993. Consequently, rather than a single central business district as the center of the city's employment, multiple districts have grown throughout the city in addition to [[Downtown Houston|Downtown]], which include [[Uptown Houston|Uptown]], [[Texas Medical Center|Texas&nbsp;Medical&nbsp;Center]], [[Midtown, Houston, Texas|Midtown]], [[Greenway Plaza|Greenway&nbsp;Plaza]], [[Memorial City]], [[Houston Energy Corridor|Energy Corridor]], [[Westchase, Houston, Texas|Westchase]], and [[Greenspoint, Houston, Texas|Greenspoint]].

{{wide image|Houston from Sabine Park.jpg|1000px|align-cap=center|Western view of the [[Downtown Houston]] skyline}}

{{wide image|Greenway Plaza from parking garage.jpg|1000px|align-cap=center|View of the [[Greenway Plaza]] skyline|100%|dir=rtl}}

{{wide image|Panorama of Uptown Houston from Greenway Plaza.jpg |1000px|align-cap=center|Eastern view of the [[Uptown Houston]] skyline}}

===Architecture===
{{Main|Architecture of Houston}}
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Houston}}
Houston has the fifth-tallest skyline in North America (after New York City, [[Chicago]], [[Toronto]] and [[Miami]]) and 36th-tallest in the world {{as of|2015|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tudl0867.home.xs4all.nl/skylines.html|title=The World's Best Skylines|website=tudl0867.home.xs4all.nl|access-date=October 21, 2018}}</ref> A seven-mile (11&nbsp;km) [[Houston Downtown Tunnel System|system of tunnels and skywalks]] links downtown buildings containing shops and restaurants, enabling pedestrians to avoid summer heat and rain while walking between buildings.

In the 1960s, [[Downtown Houston]] consisted of a collection of midrise office structures. Downtown was on the threshold of an energy industry{{ndash}}led boom in 1970. A succession of skyscrapers was built throughout the 1970s—many by real estate developer [[Gerald D. Hines]]—culminating with Houston's tallest skyscraper, the 75-floor, {{convert|1002|ft|m|0|adj=on}}-tall [[JPMorgan Chase Tower (Houston)|JPMorgan Chase Tower]] (formerly the Texas Commerce Tower), completed in 1982. It is the tallest structure in Texas, [[List of tallest buildings in the United States|15th tallest]] building in the United States, and the [[List of tallest buildings in the world|85th-tallest]] skyscraper in the world, based on highest architectural feature. In 1983, the 71-floor, {{convert|992|ft|m|0|adj=on}}-tall [[Wells Fargo Plaza (Houston)|Wells Fargo Plaza]] (formerly Allied Bank Plaza) was completed, becoming the second-tallest building in Houston and Texas. Based on highest architectural feature, it is the 17th-tallest in the United States and the 95th-tallest in the world. In 2007, Downtown had over 43&nbsp;million square feet (4,000,000&nbsp;m²) of office space.<ref>[http://www.houstondowntown.com/Home/GeneralInfo/About/FastFacts1/ Fast Facts, Downtown Houston] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205170813/http://www.houstondowntown.com/Home/GeneralInfo/About/FastFacts1/ |date=December 5, 2009 }}. ''Houstondowntown.com'' 2006. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref>

Centered on Post Oak Boulevard and Westheimer Road, the [[Uptown Houston|Uptown District]] boomed during the 1970s and early 1980s when a collection of midrise office buildings, hotels, and retail developments appeared along Interstate&nbsp;610 West. Uptown became one of the most prominent instances of an [[edge city]]. The tallest building in Uptown is the 64-floor, {{convert|901|ft|m|0|adj=on}}-tall, [[Philip Johnson]] and [[John Burgee]] designed landmark [[Williams Tower]] (known as the Transco Tower until 1999). At the time of construction, it was believed to be the world's tallest skyscraper outside a central business district. The new 20-story Skanska building<ref>{{cite web|url=http://texas.construction.com/texas_construction_projects/2013/0904-houstons-galleria-area-gets-first-new-office-building-in-30-years.asp|title=Reports|date=February 8, 2017|publisher=}}</ref> and BBVA Compass Plaza<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/primeproperty/2013/06/bbva-compass-plaza-opens-new-building-on-post-oak/#13191101=0|title=BBVA Compass Plaza opens new building on Post Oak|work=Prime Property|accessdate=September 15, 2015}}</ref> are the newest office buildings built in Uptown after 30&nbsp;years. The Uptown District is also home to buildings designed by noted architects [[I. M. Pei]], [[César Pelli]], and [[Philip Johnson]]. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a mini-boom of midrise and highrise [[Tower block|residential tower]] construction occurred, with several over 30 stories tall.<ref>[http://www.uptown-houston.com/economic/market/residential.html Residential Real Estate]. ''Uptown-houston.com'' Retrieved on January 11, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201213217/http://www.uptown-houston.com/economic/market/residential.html |date=February 1, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Sarnoff | first = Nancy | title = Genesis Laying Down Plans for Newest Uptown Condo Highrise | work=Houston Business Journal | date = December 14, 2001 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2001/12/17/newscolumn3.html | accessdate = February 7, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Apte | first = Angela | title = Rising Land Costs Boost Houston's Mid-Rise Market | work=Houston Business Journal | date = October 26, 2001 | url = http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2001/10/29/focus1.html | accessdate = January 11, 2007}}</ref> Since 2000 over 30 skyscrapers grown up in Houston; all told, 72 high-rises tower over the city, which adds up to about 8,300 units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstoniamag.com/home-and-design/design/articles/living-the-high-life-september-2013|website=HoustoniaMag.com|publisher=HoustoniaMag|accessdate=September 10, 2014| title = Living the High Life. Earthbound Houstonians consider something uplifting.}}</ref> In 2002, Uptown had more than 23&nbsp;million square feet (2,100,000&nbsp;m²) of office space with 16&nbsp;million square feet (1,500,000&nbsp;m²) of [[class A office space]].<ref>[http://www.uptown-houston.com/economic/market/office.html Commercial Real Estate]. ''Uptown-houston.com'' Retrieved on January 10, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201200302/http://www.uptown-houston.com/economic/market/office.html |date=February 1, 2015 }}</ref>
{{clear}}

<gallery class="center" widths="170" heights="170">
File:Esperson building, 2008.jpg|The Niels Esperson Building stood as the tallest building in Houston from 1927 to 1929.
File:JP Morgan Chase Tower in Houston - Dec 2013.JPG|The [[JPMorgan Chase Tower (Houston)|JPMorgan Chase Tower]] is the tallest building in Texas and the tallest 5-sided building in the world.
File:Williamstower.jpg|The [[Williams Tower]] is the tallest building in the US outside a central business district.
File:Bank of America Center Houston 1.jpg|The Bank of America Center by [[Philip Johnson]] is an example of [[postmodern architecture]].
</gallery>

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Houston}}
{{US Census population
|1850= 2396
|1860= 4845
|1870= 9382
|1880= 16513
|1890= 27557
|1900= 44633
|1910= 78800
|1920= 138276
|1930= 292352
|1940= 384514
|1950= 596163
|1960= 938219
|1970= 1232802
|1980= 1595138
|1990= 1630553
|2000= 1953631
|2010= 2100263
|estyear=2017
|estimate=2312717
|estref=<ref name=quickfacts2017/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/ U.S. Decennial Census]<br />[https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2011/tables/SUB-EST2011-03-48.csv 2011 estimate]
}}
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Racial composition !! 2010<ref name=2010populationbyrace>{{cite web|publisher=Census Reporter|accessdate=May 29, 2018|title=Houston, Texas Population: Census 2010 and 2000 Interactive Map, Demographics, Statistics, Quick Facts|url=http://censusviewer.com/city/TX/Houston}}</ref> !! 2000<ref name=census2000>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4835000.html |title=Houston (city), Texas |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220105716/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4835000.html |archivedate=February 20, 2010 |df= }}</ref>!! 1990<ref name="census1"/> !! 1970<ref name="census1"/>
|-
| [[White American|White]] || 50.5% || 49.3% || 52.7% || 73.4%
|-
| —[[Non-Hispanic whites]] || 25.6% || 30.8%|| 40.6% || 62.4%<ref name="fifteen">From 15% sample</ref>
|-
| [[African American|Black or African American]] || 23.7% || 25.3%|| 28.1% || 25.7%,<ref name="auto"/>
|-
| [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race) || 43.7% || 37.4% || 27.6% || 11.3%<ref name="fifteen"/>
|-
| [[Asian American|Asian]] || 6.0% || 5.3% || 4.1% || 0.4%
|}
The Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research, a [[think tank]], has described Greater Houston as "one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse metropolitan areas in the country".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kinder.rice.edu/sites/g/files/bxs1676/f/documents/Kinder%20Houston%20Area%20Survey%202018.pdf|title=The 2018 Kinder Houston Area Survey|last=Klineberg|first=Stephen|date=April 2018|website=Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research|access-date=May 28, 2018}}</ref> A 2012 Kinder Institute report found that, based on the evenness of population distribution between the four major racial groups in the United States (non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and Asian), Greater Houston was the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the United States, ahead of New York City.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2016/sep/23/sylvester-turner/sylvester-turner-calls-houston-nations-most-divers/|title=Sylvester Turner mostly right; Houston is 'most diverse'|last=Rahman|first=Fauzeya|date=September 23, 2016|work=Politifact|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en}}</ref> In 2017, non-Hispanic whites made up 38% of the population of the Houston metropolitan area, Hispanics 36%, African-Americans 25%,<ref name="auto">{{cite web| title = Houston city, Texas – DP-1. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000| work=census.gov| accessdate = July 10, 2009| url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US4835000&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_DP1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-_lang=en&-_sse=on}}</ref> and Asians 9%.<ref name="nyt090317">{{cite news|author=Fernandez, Manny|publisher=New York Times|date=September 3, 2017|accessdate=May 9, 2017|title=Over 21 Miles of Highway, Snapshots of a Resilient Houston|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/03/us/houston-highway-resilience-snapshots.html}}</ref>[[File:Race and ethnicity 2010- Houston.png|thumb|Map of ethnic distribution in Houston, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: <span style="color:#ff0000">'''White'''</span>, <span style="color:#0000ff">'''Black'''</span>, <span style="color:#00ff80">'''Asian'''</span>, <span style="color:#ff8000">'''Hispanic'''</span> or '''Other''' (yellow)|204x204px|left]]Houston's multiculturalism, fueled by large waves of immigrants, has been attributed to its relatively low [[cost of living]], strong job market, proximity to [[Latin America]], and role as a hub for [[Third country resettlement|refugee resettlement]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-houston-diversity-2017-htmlstory.html|title=How Houston has become the most diverse place in America|last=Mejia|first=Brittny|date=May 9, 2017|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2013/07/01/195909643/tx2020-houston-racial-ethnic-diversity-americas-future|title=In Houston, America's Diverse Future Has Already Arrived|last=Hu|first=Elise|date=July 1, 2013|work=NPR|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en}}</ref> At least 145 languages are spoken by city residents.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/Houstonians-speak-at-least-145-languages-at-home-6613182.php|title=Just how diverse is Houston? 145 languages spoken here|last=Kriel|first=Lomi|date=November 5, 2015|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> Greater Houston is one of the youngest metropolitan areas in the nation, with an estimated average age of 33.5 in 2014, compared with the national average of 37.4;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/discoverhouston/about-houston/article/Demographics-show-the-changing-face-of-Houston-5754937.php|title=Demographics show the changing face of Houston|last=Yard|first=Michelle|date=September 23, 2014|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> the city's youthfulness has been attributed to an influx of Hispanic and Asian immigrants into Texas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Texans-are-3-years-younger-than-average-1692753.php|title=Texans are 3{{frac|2}} years younger than average Americans|last=Kever|first=Jeannie|date=May 26, 2011|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2018-05-28}}</ref> {{as of|2017}}, an estimated 600,000 [[Illegal immigration to the United States|undocumented immigrants]] reside in the Houston area,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Fearing-deportation-undocumented-immigrants-are-12450772.php|title=Fearing deportation, undocumented immigrants in Houston are avoiding hospitals and clinics|last=Najarro|first=Ilena|date=December 27, 2017|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2018-05-28|last2=Deam|first2=Jenny}}</ref> comprising nearly 9% of the metropolitan population.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/immigration/for-houstons-many-undocumented-immigrants-storm-is-just-the-latest-challenge/2017/08/28/210f5466-8c1d-11e7-84c0-02cc069f2c37_story.html|title=For Houston's many undocumented immigrants, storm is just the latest challenge|last=Sacchetti|first=Maria|date=2017-08-28|work=Washington Post|access-date=2018-05-28|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

Compared with its metropolitan area, the city of Houston's population has a higher proportion of minorities. According to the [[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]], whites made up 51% of the city of Houston's population; 26% of the total population was [[non-Hispanic whites]].<ref name="2010populationbyrace" /> Blacks or African Americans made up 25% of Houston's population, [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indians]] made up 0.7% of the population, Asians made up 6%<ref name="2010populationbyrace" /> (1.7% [[Vietnamese Americans|Vietnamese]], 1.3% [[Chinese Americans|Chinese]], 1.3% [[Indian Americans|Indian]], 0.9% [[Pakistani Americans|Pakistani]], 0.4% [[Filipino Americans|Filipino]], 0.3% [[Korean Americans|Korean]], 0.1% [[Japanese Americans|Japanese]]){{citation needed|date=May 2018}} and [[Pacific Islander]]s made up 0.1%. Individuals from some other race made up 15.2% of the city's population, of which 0.2% were non-Hispanic.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}} Individuals from two or more races made up 3.3% of the city.<ref name="2010populationbyrace" />

At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 Census]], 1,953,631 people inhabited the city, and the population density was 3,371.7 people per square mile (1,301.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city in 2000 was 49.3% White, 25.3% African American, 6.3% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 16.5% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. In addition, Hispanics made up 37.4% of Houston's population in 2000, while non-Hispanic Whites made up 30.8%.<ref name="auto">{{cite web| title = Houston city, Texas – DP-1. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000| work=census.gov| accessdate = July 10, 2009| url = http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US4835000&-qr_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_DP1&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-_lang=en&-_sse=on}}</ref> The proportion of non-Hispanic whites in Houston has decreased significantly since 1970, when it was 62.4%.<ref name="census1">{{cite web|title=Texas – Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |accessdate=April 21, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/69hd5KAIE?url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archivedate=August 6, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The median income for a household in the city was $37,000, and for a family was $40,000. Males had a median income of $32,000 versus $27,000 for females. The per capita income was $20,000. About 19% of the population and 16% of families were below the poverty line. Of the total population, 26% of those under the age of 18 and 14% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

According to a 2014 study by the [[Pew Research Center]], 73% of the population of the Houston area identified themselves as [[Christianity|Christians]], about 50% of whom claimed [[Protestant]] affiliations and about 19% claimed [[Roman Catholic]] affiliations. Nationwide, about 71% of respondents identified as Christians. About 20% of Houston-area residents claimed [[Irreligion|no religious affiliation]], compared to about 23% nationwide.<ref name=pew>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/07/29/major-u-s-metropolitan-areas-differ-in-their-religious-profiles|title=Major U.S. metropolitan areas differ in their religious profiles|author=Lipka, Michael|date= July 29, 2015|access-date=April 8, 2018|publisher=Pew Research Center}}</ref> The same study says that area residents identifying with other religions (including [[Judaism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Islam]], and [[Hinduism]]) collectively make up about 7% of the area population.<ref name=pew/>

{{clear}}

==Economy==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:75%; text-align:center; margin:1em;"
|-
| colspan="3" style="background:#9BDDFF;"|'''Top publicly traded companies<br />in Houston for 2018'''
|- style="background:#ccc;"
|-
! US !! Company
|-
| 28 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Phillips 66]]
|-
| 54 || [[Sysco]]
|-
| 95 || style="background:#afa;"|[[ConocoPhilips]]
|-
| 105 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Enterprise Products Partners]]
|-
| 115 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Plains GP Holdings]]
|-
| 146 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Halliburton]]
|-
| 202 || [[Waste Management]]
|-
| 218 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Kinder Morgan]]
|-
| 220 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Occidental Petroleum]]
|-
| 270 || style="background:#afa;"|[[EOG Resources]]
|-
| 273 || [[Group 1 Automotive]]
|-
| 308 || style="background:#afa;"|[[CenterPoint Energy]]
|-
| 316 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Quanta Services]]
|-
| 334 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Targa Resources]]
|-
| 336 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Calpine]]
|-
| 352 || [[Westlake Chemical]]
|-
| 388 || style="background:#afa;"|[[National Oilwell Varco]]
|-
| 438 || style="background:#afa;"|[[Apache Corporation]]
|-
| 489 || style="background:#afa;"|Cheniere Energy
|-
| colspan="3" style="background:#ccc;"|'''''Notes'''''
|-
| colspan="3"|''Rankings for fiscal year ended January 31, 2018 ''
|-
| colspan="3" style="background:#afa;"|''Energy and oil <small>(15 companies)</small>''
|-
|colspan="3" | '''Source:''' ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]''<ref>[http://fortune.com/fortune500/list/filtered?hqcity=Houston''Fortune'' 500 web site] as retrieved on August 9, 2018</ref>
|}

{{Main|Economy of Houston}}
{{further|List of companies in Houston}}
Houston is recognized worldwide for its energy industry—particularly for oil and natural gas—as well as for biomedical research and aeronautics. Renewable energy sources—wind and solar—are also growing economic bases in the city.<ref>{{cite web
|title=Alternative Energy in the Houston Region
|work=Greater Houston Partnership
|accessdate=January 9, 2009
|url=http://www.houston.org/pdf/16BW035.pdf
|format=PDF
|deadurl=yes
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628222345/http://www.houston.org/pdf/16BW035.pdf
|archivedate=June 28, 2011
|df=mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Alternative Energy in the Houston Region | work=Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau | accessdate = April 20, 2009 | url = http://www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/green/Alternative_Energy_Industry_in_Houston
}}</ref> The [[Houston Ship Channel]] is also a large part of Houston's economic base. Because of these strengths, Houston is designated as a [[global city]] by the [[Globalization and World Cities Research Network|Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network]] and global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney.<ref name="kearney" /> The Houston area is the top U.S. market for exports, surpassing New York City in 2013, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration. In 2012, the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land area recorded $110.3&nbsp;billion in merchandise exports.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/07/11/houston-surpasses-new-york-as-top-us.html Houston surpasses New York as top U.S. export market – Houston Business Journal]. Bizjournals.com. Retrieved on July 21, 2013.</ref> Petroleum products, chemicals, and oil and gas extraction equipment accounted for roughly two-thirds of the metropolitan area's exports last year. The top three destinations for exports were [[Mexico]], Canada, and [[Brazil]].<ref>[http://app1.kuhf.org/articles/1373562479-Houston-Passes-New-York-to-Become-Nations-Top-Exporting-Metro-Area.html Houston Passes New York to Become Nation's Top Exporting Metro Area]. App1.kuhf.org (July 12, 2013). Retrieved on July 21, 2013.</ref>

The Houston area is a leading center for building oilfield equipment.<ref>"{{cite web|url=http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/16BW010.pdf |title=Energy Industry Overview |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422032347/http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/16BW010.pdf |archivedate=April 22, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}&nbsp;{{small|(24.8&nbsp;KB)}}", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Retrieved on March 21, 2009.</ref> Much of its success as a petrochemical complex is due to its busy ship channel, the [[Port of Houston]].<ref>"{{cite web|url=http://www.portofhouston.com/pdf/pubaffairs/POHA-firsts.pdf |title=Port of Houston Firsts |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614043355/http://www.portofhouston.com/pdf/pubaffairs/POHA-firsts.pdf |archivedate=June 14, 2007 |df= }}&nbsp;{{small|(18.2&nbsp;KB)}}", ''The Port of Houston Authority'', May 15, 2007. Retrieved on May 27, 2007.</ref> In the United States, the port ranks first in international commerce and 10th among the largest ports in the world.<ref name="port ranking"/><ref>"[http://www.portofhouston.com/geninfo/overview1.html General Information] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509141210/http://www.portofhouston.com/geninfo/overview1.html |date=May 9, 2008 }}", ''The Port of Houston Authority'', May 15, 2007. Retrieved on May 27, 2007.</ref> Unlike most places, high oil and gasoline prices are beneficial for Houston's economy, as many of its residents are employed in the energy industry.<ref>{{cite news
|last=Bustillo
|first=Miguel
|title=Houston is Feeling Energized
|work=Los Angeles Times
|date=December 28, 2006
|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/columnone/la-na-houston28dec28,1,6780480.story?page=1&coll=la-headlines-columnone
|accessdate=February 6, 2007
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621065935/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/columnone/la-na-houston28dec28%2C1%2C6780480.story?page=1&coll=la-headlines-columnone
|archivedate=June 21, 2008
|deadurl=yes
|df=mdy-all
}}</ref> Houston is the beginning or end point of numerous oil, gas, and products pipelines.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theodora.com/pipelines/united_states_pipelines.html |title=United States Pipelines map – Crude Oil (petroleum) pipelines – Natural Gas pipelines – Products pipelines |accessdate=April 1, 2014}}</ref>

The Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land MSA's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016 was $478&nbsp;billion, making it the sixth-largest of any metropolitan area in the United States and larger than [[Iran]]'s, [[Colombia]]'s, or the [[United Arab Emirates]]' GDP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.bea.gov/iTable/drilldown.cfm?reqid=70&stepnum=11&AreaTypeKeyGdp=2&GeoFipsGdp=XX&ClassKeyGdp=NAICS&ComponentKey=200&IndustryKey=1&YearGdp=2016&YearGdpBegin=-1&YearGdpEnd=-1&UnitOfMeasureKeyGdp=Levels&RankKeyGdp=1&Drill=1&nRange=5|website=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)|title = Regional Economic Accounts GDP & Personal Income|accessdate=}}</ref> Only 27 countries other than the United States have a gross domestic product exceeding Houston's regional gross area product (GAP).<ref name="imf2016gdp-report">{{cite web
|url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2013/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2016&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=55&pr1.y=16&c=512%2C668%2C914%2C672%2C612%2C946%2C614%2C137%2C311%2C962%2C213%2C674%2C911%2C676%2C193%2C548%2C122%2C556%2C912%2C678%2C313%2C181%2C419%2C867%2C513%2C682%2C316%2C684%2C913%2C273%2C124%2C868%2C339%2C921%2C638%2C948%2C514%2C943%2C218%2C686%2C963%2C688%2C616%2C518%2C223%2C728%2C516%2C558%2C918%2C138%2C748%2C196%2C618%2C278%2C522%2C692%2C622%2C694%2C156%2C142%2C624%2C449%2C626%2C564%2C628%2C565%2C228%2C283%2C924%2C853%2C233%2C288%2C632%2C293%2C636%2C566%2C634%2C964%2C238%2C182%2C662%2C453%2C960%2C968%2C423%2C922%2C935%2C714%2C128%2C862%2C611%2C135%2C321%2C716%2C243%2C456%2C248%2C722%2C469%2C942%2C253%2C718%2C642%2C724%2C643%2C576%2C939%2C936%2C644%2C961%2C819%2C813%2C172%2C199%2C132%2C733%2C646%2C184%2C648%2C524%2C915%2C361%2C134%2C362%2C652%2C364%2C174%2C732%2C328%2C366%2C258%2C734%2C656%2C144%2C654%2C146%2C336%2C463%2C263%2C528%2C268%2C923%2C532%2C738%2C944%2C578%2C176%2C537%2C534%2C742%2C536%2C866%2C429%2C369%2C433%2C744%2C178%2C186%2C436%2C925%2C136%2C869%2C343%2C746%2C158%2C926%2C439%2C466%2C916%2C112%2C664%2C111%2C826%2C298%2C542%2C927%2C967%2C846%2C443%2C299%2C917%2C582%2C544%2C474%2C941%2C754%2C446%2C698%2C666&s=NGDPD&grp=0
|title=Report for selected countries and subjects: Gross domestic product, current prices (USD)
|accessdate=September 16, 2018
|work= World Economic Outlook Database, September 2018
|publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]]}}</ref> In 2010, mining (which consists almost entirely of exploration and production of oil and gas in Houston) accounted for 26.3% of Houston's GAP up sharply in response to high energy prices and a decreased worldwide surplus of oil production capacity, followed by engineering services, health services, and manufacturing.<ref>"{{cite web|url=http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/15AW001.pdf |title=Gross Area Product by Industry |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711235908/http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/15AW001.pdf |archivedate=July 11, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}&nbsp;{{small|(28.3&nbsp;KB)}}", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Retrieved on March 21, 2009.</ref>

The [[University of Houston System]]'s annual impact on the Houston area's economy equates to that of a major corporation: $1.1 billion in new funds attracted annually to the Houston area, $3.13 billion in total economic benefit, and 24,000 local jobs generated.<ref name="Economic Impact">{{cite news|title=Study suggests UH degrees are crucial economic factor|last=TRESAUGUE|first=Matthew|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/3868657.html|work=Houston Chronicle|date=May 17, 2006|accessdate=May 31, 2011}}</ref><ref name="UH System Economic Impact">{{cite web|title=The Economic Impact of Higher Education on Houston: A Case Study of the University of Houston System |work=University of Houston System |accessdate=May 14, 2011 |url=http://www.advancement.uh.edu/impact/download/PDF/EconomicImpactStudy.pdf |format=PDF |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720084907/http://www.advancement.uh.edu/impact/download/PDF/EconomicImpactStudy.pdf |archivedate=July 20, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> This is in addition to the 12,500 new graduates the U.H. System produces every year who enter the workforce in Houston and throughout the state of Texas. These degree-holders tend to stay in Houston. After five years, 80.5% of graduates are still living and working in the region.<ref name="UH System Economic Impact"/>

In 2006, the Houston metropolitan area ranked first in Texas and third in the U.S. within the category of "Best Places for Business and Careers" by ''Forbes'' magazine.<ref>Badenhausen, Kurt. "[https://www.forbes.com/2006/05/03/06bestplaces_best-places-for-business_land.html 2006 Best Places for Business and Careers]", ''Forbes'', May 4, 2006. Retrieved on December 15, 2006.</ref> Ninety-one foreign governments have established consular offices in Houston's metropolitan area, the third-highest in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.visithoustontexas.com/about-houston/facts-and-figures/ |title=Houston Facts & Figures |publisher=Houston First Corporation |website = Visit Houston|accessdate=1 November 2018}}</ref> Forty foreign governments maintain trade and commercial offices here with 23 active foreign chambers of commerce and trade associations.<ref>"{{cite web|url=http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/18AW001.pdf |title=Houston Foreign Consulate Representation |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711235924/http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/18AW001.pdf |archivedate=July 11, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}&nbsp;{{small|(30.2&nbsp;KB)}}", ''Greater Houston Partnership''. Retrieved on March 21, 2009.</ref> Twenty-five foreign banks representing 13 nations operate in Houston, providing financial assistance to the international community.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Banks in the Houston Area |work=Greater Houston Partnership |accessdate=March 21, 2009 |url=http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/18HW010_001.pdf |format=PDF |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712001229/http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/18HW010_001.pdf |archivedate=July 12, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

In 2008, Houston received top ranking on ''Kiplinger's Personal Finance'' Best Cities of 2008 list, which ranks cities on their local economy, employment opportunities, reasonable living costs, and quality of life.<ref>{{cite web
| title = 2008 Best Cities, Houston, Texas
| author=Jane Bennett Clark
| date = July 1, 2008
| work=Kiplinger.com
| accessdate = June 21, 2008
| url = http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2008/05/2008-best-city-houston.html
}}</ref> The city ranked fourth for highest increase in the local technological innovation over the preceding 15&nbsp;years, according to ''Forbes'' magazine.<ref>{{Cite news
| title = Top 10 Up-And-Coming Tech Cities
|work=Forbes
| accessdate = June 21, 2008
| url = https://www.forbes.com/2008/03/10/columbus-milwaukee-houston-ent-tech-cx_wp_0310smallbizoutlooktechcity.html
| date=March 10, 2008
| first=William
| last=Pentland
}}</ref> In the same year, the city ranked second on the annual [[Fortune 500|''Fortune'' 500]] list of company headquarters,<ref name="Fortune 500">{{cite news
| title = Fortune 500 2008: Cities
| accessdate = April 22, 2008
| url = http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2008/cities/
|publisher=CNN
}}</ref> first for ''Forbes'' magazine's Best Cities for College Graduates,<ref>{{Cite news
| title = Best Cities For Recent College Grads
|work=Forbes
| date = June 28, 2008
| author=Andrew Egan
| accessdate = June 29, 2008
| url = https://www.forbes.com/2008/06/26/cities-grads-best-forbeslife-cx_ae_0626realestate.html
}}</ref> and first on their list of Best Cities to Buy a Home.<ref>{{Cite news
| title = Best Cities To Buy A Home
| work=Forbes.com
| accessdate = March 4, 2009
| url = https://www.forbes.com/2008/07/14/housing-buyers-list-forbeslife-cx_md_0714bestbuy.html
| date=July 14, 2008
| first=Maurna
| last=Desmond
}}</ref> In 2010, the city was rated the best city for shopping, according to ''Forbes''.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-12-14/entertainment/27084334_1_sales-tax-shopping-centers-shopping-city | location=New York | work=Daily News | first=Lindsay | last=Goldwert | title=Houston is top U.S. shopping city, per Forbes; New York comes in 23rd due to sales tax, retail space | date=December 14, 2010}}</ref>

In 2012, the city was ranked number one for paycheck worth by ''Forbes'' and in late May 2013, Houston was identified as America's top city for employment creation.<ref name="paycheck ranking">{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2012/07/10/forbes-ranks-houston-no-1-for.html |title=Forbes ranks Houston No. 1 for paycheck worth|work=Houston Business Journal |publisher=Bizjournals.com |date=July 10, 2012 |accessdate=October 12, 2013}}</ref><ref name="One">{{cite web|title=Houston Is Unstoppable: Why Texas' Juggernaut Is America's #1 Job Creator|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/05/houston-is-unstoppable-why-texas-juggernaut-is-americas-1-job-creator/275927/|work=The Atlantic|publisher=The Atlantic Monthly Group|accessdate=May 29, 2013|author=Derek Thompson|date=May 28, 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, Houston was identified as the number one U.S. city for job creation by the U.S. Bureau of Statistics after it was not only the first major city to regain all the jobs lost in the preceding economic downturn, but also after the crash, more than two jobs were added for every one lost. Economist and vice president of research at the Greater Houston Partnership Patrick Jankowski attributed Houston's success to the ability of the region's real estate and energy industries to learn from historical mistakes. Furthermore, Jankowski stated that "more than 100 foreign-owned companies relocated, expanded or started new businesses in Houston" between 2008 and 2010, and this openness to external business boosted job creation during a period when domestic demand was problematically low.<ref name="One" /> Also in 2013, Houston again appeared on ''Forbes''' list of Best Places for Business and Careers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Best Places For Business and Careers – Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/best-places-for-business/|publisher=Forbes|accessdate=January 18, 2014}}</ref>{{clear}}

==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Houston}}
[[File:Porsche 356 Art Car.jpg|right|thumb|[[Houston Art Car Parade]]|220x220px]]
[[File:Aerial View of the Johnson Space Center - GPN-2000-001112.jpg|right|thumb|[[Johnson Space Center]]]]
Located in the [[Southern United States|American South]], Houston is a diverse city with a large and growing international community.<ref>{{cite web|title=Components of Population Change |work=houston.org |url=http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/09AW001.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=March 21, 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711225746/http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/09AW001.pdf |archivedate=July 11, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The Houston metropolitan area is home to an estimated 1.1&nbsp;million (21.4 percent) residents who were born outside the United States, with nearly two-thirds of the area's foreign-born population from south of the [[Mexico–United States border|United States–Mexico border]].<ref name="ytlzpc">{{cite web|title=Foreign Born Population |work=houston.org |url=http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/09GW025.pdf |accessdate=March 21, 2009 |format=PDF |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711225904/http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/09GW025.pdf |archivedate=July 11, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Additionally, more than one in five foreign-born residents are from Asia.<ref name = "ytlzpc"/> The city is home to the nation's third-largest concentration of consular offices, representing 86 countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=International Representation in Houston |work=houston.org |url=http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/18AW001.pdf |accessdate=March 21, 2009 |format=PDF |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711235924/http://www.houston.org/pdf/research/18AW001.pdf |archivedate=July 11, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Many annual events celebrate the diverse cultures of Houston. The largest and longest-running is the annual [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]], held over 20&nbsp;days from early to late March, and is the largest annual livestock show and rodeo in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo |work=hlsr.com |accessdate=September 28, 2009 |url=http://www.hlsr.com/m/downloads/08PurposeBrochure.pdf |format=PDF |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126191930/http://hlsr.com/m/downloads/08PurposeBrochure.pdf |archivedate=January 26, 2009 }}</ref> Another large celebration is the annual night-time [[Houston Gay Pride Parade]], held at the end of June.<ref>{{cite web | title = Houston Pride Parade | work=PrideHouston.com | accessdate = May 15, 2012 | url = https://www.pridehouston.org/about/}}</ref> Other notable annual events include the [[Houston Greek Festival]],<ref>[http://www.greekfestival.org/ The Original Greek Festival, Houston, Texas]. 2006. Retrieved on January 10, 2007. '''''Warning:''''' ''Automatic sound file.''</ref> [[Houston Art Car Parade|Art Car Parade]], the [[Houston Auto Show]], the Houston International Festival,<ref>[http://www.ifest.org/ The Houston International Festival] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100725221757/http://www.ifest.org/ |date=July 25, 2010 }}. 2007. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref> and the [[Bayou City Art Festival]], which is considered to be one of the top five art festivals in the United States.<ref name=AmericanStyle2004>{{cite web|accessdate=April 26, 2007
|url=http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/Buffalo/Top_25_Fairs_Festivals.cfm.html
|title=The 2004 Top 25 Fairs & Festivals
|work=AmericanStyle Magazine}}</ref><ref name=AmericanStyle2005>{{cite web|accessdate=April 28, 2007
|title=AmericanStyle Magazine Readers Name 2005 Top 10 Art Fairs and Festivals
|url=http://www.paradisecityarts.com/public/pdfs/2005top10.pdf
|date=October 25, 2005|work=AmericanStyle Magazine|format=PDF}}</ref>

Houston received the official nickname of "Space City" in 1967 because it is the location of NASA's [[Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center]]. [[Nicknames of Houston|Other nicknames]] often used by locals include "Bayou City", "[[Clutch City]]", "Crush City", "Magnolia City", and "H-Town".
{{wide image|Reliant Stadium Houston Rodeo.jpg|1000px|align-cap=center|The annual [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]] held inside the [[NRG Stadium]]}}

===Arts and theater===
[[File:Hobbycenter.jpg|thumb|[[Hobby Center for the Performing Arts]]|220x220px]]
[[File:MFA houston.jpg|thumb|[[Museum of Fine Arts, Houston]]|220x220px]]
The [[Houston Theater District]], located in downtown, is home to nine major performing arts organizations and six performance halls. It is the second-largest concentration of theater seats in a downtown area in the United States.<ref>Ramsey, Cody. "[http://www.texasmonthly.com/content/texas-tidbits-19 In a state of big, Houston is at the top]", ''Texas Monthly'', September 2002. Retrieved February 16, 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Houston Arts and Museums | publisher=City of Houston eGovernment Center | url = http://www.houstontx.gov/abouthouston/artsandmuseums.html | accessdate = February 7, 2007}}</ref><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20061209083929/http://www.houstontheaterdistrict.org/en/cms/?68 About Houston Theater District]", ''Houston Theater District''. Retrieved on December 16, 2006. Archived at the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.</ref> Houston is one of few United States cities with permanent, professional, resident companies in all major performing arts disciplines: opera ([[Houston Grand Opera]]), ballet ([[Houston Ballet]]), music ([[Houston Symphony|Houston Symphony Orchestra]]), and theater ([[The Alley Theatre]], [[Theatre Under The Stars (Houston)|Theatre Under the Stars]]).<ref name = "ikvngd"/><ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20061212043351/http://www.houstontheaterdistrict.org/en/cms/?12 Performing Arts Venues]", ''Houston Theater District''. Retrieved on December 16, 2006. Archived at the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.</ref> Houston is also home to [[folk art]]ists, [[art groups]] and various small progressive arts organizations.<ref>"[http://www.artcarmuseum.com/History/history.htm A Brief History of the Art Car Museum]", ''ArtCar Museum of Houston''. Retrieved on December 16, 2006.</ref> Houston attracts many touring Broadway acts, concerts, shows, and exhibitions for a variety of interests.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20061230024248/http://www.quilts.com/home/news/index.php 2006 fall edition of International Quilt Festival attracts 53,546 to Houston]. ''Quilts., Inc.'' Press release published November 30, 2006. Retrieved on January 12, 2007.</ref> Facilities in the Theater District include the [[Jones Hall]]—home of the [[Houston Symphony Orchestra]] and Society for the Performing Arts—and the [[Hobby Center for the Performing Arts]].

The [[Houston Museum District|Museum District]]'s cultural institutions and exhibits attract more than 7&nbsp;million visitors a year.<ref>[http://www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/listing.details.php?id=23096 Houston Museum District] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211044458/http://www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/listing.details.php?id=23096 |date=February 11, 2007 }}. Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved on February 18, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite news|accessdate=May 22, 2007|url=http://www.austin360.com/arts/content/arts/stories/2006/04/1austin.html|title=Central Austin has the makings of a museum district|publisher=Austin360.com|author=Jeanne Claire van Ryzin|date=April 1, 2006}}</ref> Notable facilities include [[The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston|The Museum of Fine Arts]], [[Houston Museum of Natural Science]], the [[Contemporary Arts Museum Houston]], the [[Station Museum of Contemporary Art]], [[Holocaust Museum Houston]], and the [[Houston Zoo]].<ref>[http://www.texasmonthly.com/promotions/cadillac/breakthroughs2/museums/ Houston Museum District Day]. Texas Monthly. 2006. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.camh.org/ Home Page]. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref><ref>
[http://www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/parks_and_outdoors/listing.details.php?id=23096 Houston Museum District] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211044810/http://www.visithoustontexas.com/visitors/parks_and_outdoors/listing.details.php?id=23096 |date=February 11, 2007 }}. Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref> Located near the Museum District are [[Menil Collection|The&nbsp;Menil&nbsp;Collection]], [[Rothko Chapel]], and the [[Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum]].

[[Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens|Bayou Bend]] is a {{convert|14|acre|adj=on}} facility of the Museum of Fine Arts that houses one of America's most prominent collections of decorative art, paintings, and furniture. Bayou Bend is the former home of Houston philanthropist [[Ima Hogg]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens, Houston, Texas
| accessdate = March 23, 2008
| url = http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info/1167540
}}</ref>

The National Museum of Funeral History is located in Houston near the [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport]]. The museum houses the original [[Popemobile]] used by [[Pope John Paul II]] in the 1980s along with numerous hearses, embalming displays, and information on famous funerals.

Venues across Houston regularly host local and touring rock, blues, country, dubstep, and Tejano musical acts. While Houston has never been widely known for its music scene,<ref>{{cite news | last = Lomax | first = John Nova | title = Nobody Gets Out of Here Alive – The Houston Rock Scene and the Cultural Cringe | work=The Houston Press | date = February 1, 2007}}</ref> [[Houston hip hop|Houston hip-hop]] has become a significant, independent music scene that is influential nationwide.<ref>{{cite news | last = Frere-Jones | first = Sasha | title = A Place in the Sun – Houston Hip-Hop Takes Over | work=The New Yorker | date = November 14, 2005 | url = http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/11/14/051114crmu_music | accessdate = February 6, 2007}}</ref>

===Tourism and recreation===
[[File:Discovery green.JPG|thumb|[[Discovery Green|Discovery Green Park]] in Downtown|220x220px]]The [[Houston Theater District|Theater District]] is a 17-block area in the center of downtown Houston that is home to the [[Bayou Place]] entertainment complex, restaurants, movies, plazas, and parks. Bayou Place is a large multilevel building containing full-service restaurants, bars, live music, billiards, and [[Sundance Cinema]]. The [[Bayou Music Center]] stages live concerts, stage plays, and stand-up comedy.
[[Space Center Houston]] is the official visitors' center of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. The Space Center has many interactive exhibits including [[moon rocks]], a shuttle simulator, and presentations about the history of NASA's manned space flight program. Other tourist attractions include the [[The Galleria (Houston)|Galleria]] (Texas' [[List of largest shopping malls in the United States|largest]] shopping mall, located in the Uptown District), Old Market Square, the [[Downtown Aquarium, Houston|Downtown Aquarium]], and [[Sam Houston Race Park]].

[[File:Galleriawaterfall.jpg|thumb|[[Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park]] in [[Uptown Houston|Uptown]]|221x221px]]
Houston's [[Chinatown, Houston|current Chinatown]] and the [[Mahatma Gandhi District]] are two major [[ethnic enclaves]], reflecting Houston's multicultural makeup. Restaurants, bakeries, traditional-clothing boutiques, and specialty shops can be found in both areas.

Houston is home to 337 parks, including [[Hermann Park]], [[Terry Hershey Park]], [[Lake Houston|Lake Houston Park]], [[Memorial Park, Houston, Texas|Memorial Park]], [[Tranquility Park]], [[Sesquicentennial Park]], [[Discovery Green]], [[Buffalo Bayou Park]] and [[Sam Houston Park]]. Within Hermann Park are the [[Houston Zoo]] and the [[Houston Museum of Natural Science]]. Sam Houston Park contains restored and reconstructed homes which were originally built between 1823 and 1905.<ref>[http://www.heritagesociety.org/ths.html The Heritage Society: Walk into Houston's Past] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610115218/http://www.heritagesociety.org/ths.html |date=June 10, 2007 }}. ''The Heritage Society.'' Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref> A proposal has been made to open the city's first botanic garden at Herman Brown Park.<ref>Huber, Kathy. "[http://www.chron.com/life/gardening/article/Houston-botanic-garden-slowly-becoming-reality-1896890.php Houston botanic garden slowly becoming reality]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Monday October 30, 2006. Retrieved on November 14, 2011.</ref>

Of the 10 most populous U.S. cities, Houston has the most total area of parks and green space, {{convert|56405|acre|km2|0}}.<ref>Continental Magazine, March 2008. p.67.</ref> The city also has over 200 additional green spaces—totaling over {{convert|19600|acre|km2|0}} that are managed by the city—including the [[Houston Arboretum and Nature Center]]. The [[Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark]] is a public [[skatepark]] owned and operated by the city of Houston, and is one of the largest skateparks in Texas consisting of a 30,000-ft<sup>2</sup> (2,800&nbsp;m<sup>2</sup>)in-ground facility. The [[Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park]]—located in the Uptown District of the city—serves as a popular tourist attraction and for weddings and various celebrations. A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Houston the 23rd most walkable of the 50 largest cities in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walkscore.com/rankings/cities/|title=2011 City and Neighborhood Rankings |publisher=Walk Score |year=2011 |accessdate=August 28, 2011}}</ref> [[Wet'n'Wild SplashTown]] is a [[water park]] located north of Houston.

The [[Bayport Terminal|Bayport Cruise Terminal]] on the [[Houston Ship Channel]] is [[Port#port of call|port of call]] for both [[Princess Cruises]] and [[Norwegian Cruise Line]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2012/11/15/505636/10012824/en/Photo-Release-Princess-and-Norwegian-Cruising-Into-Port-of-Houston.html |title=Photo Release – Princess and Norwegian Cruising into Port of Houston |publisher=Globenewswire.com |accessdate=October 12, 2013}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Sports==
{{Main|Sports in Houston}}
[[File:Toyota Center inside.jpg|thumb|left|[[Toyota Center]] is home of the [[Houston Rockets]]]][[File:Reliantstadium.jpg|thumb|[[NRG Stadium]] is the home of the [[Houston Texans]].|left]]

Houston has sports teams for every major professional league except the [[National Hockey League]]. The [[Houston Astros]] are a [[Major League Baseball]] <!-- (MLB) --> [[expansion team]] formed in 1962 (known as the "Colt .45s" until 1965) that won the [[World Series]] in [[2017 World Series|2017]] and previously appeared in [[2005 World Series|2005]]. It is the only MLB team to have won pennants in both modern leagues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nl/houastros/astros.html |title= Houston Astros: Historical Moments|publisher=sportsecyclopedia.com |date=October 18, 2013 |accessdate=December 12, 2013}}</ref> The [[Houston Rockets]] are a [[National Basketball Association]] <!-- (NBA) --> franchise based in the city since [[1971–72 NBA season|1971]]. They have won two [[List of NBA champions|NBA Championships]]: in [[1994 NBA Finals|1994]] and [[1995 NBA Finals|1995]] under star players [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], [[Otis Thorpe]], [[Clyde Drexler]], [[Vernon Maxwell]], and [[Kenny Smith]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nba/houston/rockets.html |title= Houston Rockets: History |publisher=sportsecyclopedia.com |date=May 2, 2013 |accessdate=December 12, 2013}}</ref> The [[Houston Texans]] are a [[National Football League]] <!-- (NFL) --> expansion team formed in [[2002 NFL season|2002]]. The [[Houston Dynamo]] is a [[Major League Soccer]] <!-- (MLS) --> franchise that has been based in Houston since [[2006 Major League Soccer season|2006]], winning two [[List of MLS Cup finals|MLS Cup]] titles in [[2006 MLS Cup|2006]] and [[2007 MLS Cup|2007]]. The [[Houston Dash]] team plays in the [[National Women's Soccer League]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/houston-dash-first-expansion-team-232531252--sow.html|title= Houston Dash first expansion team in NWSL|agency=AP|date=December 12, 2013 |access-date=December 11, 2015}}</ref> The [[Houston SaberCats]] are a [[Rugby union|Rugby]] team that plays in the [[Major League Rugby]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc13.com/sports/plans-to-bring-rugby-franchise-stadium-to-houston/1815266/|title=All eyes on Houston: New plans to bring rugby franchise, stadium to the Bayou City|last=|first=|date=March 23, 2017|work=abc13.com|access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref> [[Minute Maid Park]] (home of the [[Houston Astros|Astros]]) and [[Toyota Center (Houston)|Toyota&nbsp;Center]] (home of the [[Houston Rockets|Rockets]]), are located in downtown Houston. Houston has the NFL's first retractable-roof stadium with natural grass, [[NRG Stadium]] (home of the [[Houston Texans|Texans]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uni-systems.com/en/projects/featured-projects/reliant-stadium |title= Reliant Stadium|publisher= UniSystems LLC|date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=December 12, 2013}}</ref> Minute Maid Park is also a retractable-roof stadium. Toyota Center also has the largest screen for an indoor arena in the United States built to coincide with the arena's hosting of the [[2013 NBA All-Star Game]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/start-something-big |title= The Start of Something Big: Toyota Center upgrades to Include New Concourse HD TVs, Wi-Fi and Concessions Systems |publisher=NBA |date=March 28, 2012 |accessdate=June 28, 2013}}</ref> [[BBVA Compass Stadium]] is a [[soccer-specific stadium]] for the Houston Dynamo, the [[Texas Southern Tigers football]] team, and Houston Dash, located in East Downtown. [[Aveva Stadium]] (home of the [[Houston SaberCats|SaberCats]]) is located in south Houston. In addition, [[Reliant Astrodome|NRG&nbsp;Astrodome]] was the first indoor stadium in the world, built in 1965.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savingplaces.org/treasures/astrodome |title=Discover: The Astrodome |publisher=National Trust for Historic Preservation |date=March 28, 2013 |accessdate=December 12, 2013}}</ref> Other sports facilities include [[Hofheinz Pavilion|Hofheinz&nbsp;Pavilion]] (Houston Cougars basketball), [[Rice Stadium (Rice University)|Rice Stadium]] ([[Rice Owls]] football), and [[Reliant Arena]]. [[TDECU Stadium]] is where the [[University of Houston]] [[Houston Cougars]] football team plays.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uhcougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121912aaa.html |title=Houston Unveils New Football Stadium Renderings |publisher=University of Houston Cougars |date=March 28, 2013 |accessdate=December 12, 2013}}</ref>
Houston has hosted several major sports events: the [[1968 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1968]], [[1986 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1986]] and [[2004 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2004]] [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]]s; the [[1989 NBA All-Star Game|1989]], [[2006 NBA All-Star Game|2006]] and [[2013 NBA All-Star Game|2013]] [[NBA All-Star Game]]s; [[Super Bowl VIII]], [[Super Bowl XXXVIII]], and [[Super Bowl LI]], as well as hosting the [[1981 NBA Finals|1981]], [[1986 NBA Finals|1986]], [[1994 NBA Finals|1994]] and [[1995 NBA Finals]], winning the latter two, and co-hosting the [[2005 World Series]] and [[2017 World Series]], winning the latter. NRG Stadium hosted [[Super Bowl LI]] on February 5, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.housuperbowl.com/docs/PRESSRELEASE_HoustonAwardedSuperBowlLIAnnouncement.pdf |title=HOUSTON TO HOST SUPER BOWL LI IN 2017 |publisher=Houston Super Bowl LI Committee |date=March 28, 2013 |accessdate=December 12, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216071213/http://www.housuperbowl.com/docs/PRESSRELEASE_HoustonAwardedSuperBowlLIAnnouncement.pdf |archivedate=December 16, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The city has hosted several major professional and college sporting events, including the annual [[Shell Houston Open|Houston Open]] golf tournament. Houston hosts the annual [[Houston College Classic]] baseball tournament every February, the [[Texas Kickoff]] and [[Texas Bowl|Bowl]] in September and December, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/hou/ticketing/college_classic.jsp |title=2014 Houston College Classic |publisher=MLB.com |date=March 28, 2014 |accessdate=December 12, 2013}}</ref>

The [[Grand Prix of Houston]], an annual auto race on the [[IndyCar Series]] circuit is held on a 1.7-mile temporary street circuit in [[Reliant Park]]. The October 2013 event was held using a tweaked version of the 2006–2007 course.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indycar.com/News/2012/March/3-28-Houston-added-to-2013-schedule|title=Houston, we have liftoff for October 2013 event|first=Dave|last=Lewandowski|work=[[IndyCar Series]]|publisher=[[IndyCar]]|date=March 28, 2012|accessdate=March 28, 2012}}</ref> The event has a 5-year race contract through 2017 with IndyCar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/article/IndyCar-s-coming-to-town-Houston-race-slated-for-3442320.php |title=IndyCar's coming to town: Houston race slated for 2013 – Houston Chronicle |publisher=Chron.com |date=March 28, 2012 |accessdate=June 28, 2013}}</ref> In motorcycling, the Astrodome hosted an [[AMA Supercross Championship]] round from 1974 to 2003 and the NRG Stadium since 2003.

==Government and politics==
{{Main|Politics of Houston}}
[[File:Houston City Hall in January 2012.JPG|thumb|[[Houston City Hall]]]]
The city of Houston has a [[mayor–council government|strong mayoral]] form of municipal government.<ref name="home rule">{{cite web | title = Office of the Controller, City of Houston |work=Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | accessdate = March 27, 2009 | url = http://www.houstontx.gov/controller/cafr/cafr2.html}}</ref> Houston is a [[devolution|home rule]] city and all municipal elections in the state of Texas are [[nonpartisan]].<ref name="home rule"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Local Government in Texas: Cities, Towns, Counties, and Special Districts |work=Politics in America, Sixth Edition |author=Thomas R. Dye |accessdate=March 27, 2009 |url=http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_dye_politics_6/27/7116/1821883.cw/index.html |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090506115644/http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_dye_politics_6/27/7116/1821883.cw/index.html |archivedate=May 6, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The city's elected officials are the mayor, city controller and 16 members of the [[Houston City Council]].<ref name="Houston City Council">{{cite web | title = City Council | work=City of Houston eGovernment Center | accessdate = March 27, 2009 | url = http://www.houstontx.gov/council/index.html}}</ref> The current mayor of Houston is [[Sylvester Turner]], a Democrat elected on a nonpartisan ballot. Houston's mayor serves as the city's chief administrator, executive officer, and official representative, and is responsible for the general management of the city and for seeing that all laws and ordinances are enforced.<ref name="Houston Mayor's Office">{{cite web | title = Mayor's Office | work=City of Houston eGovernment Center | accessdate = March 27, 2009 | url = http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/index.html}}</ref>

The original city council line-up of 14 members (nine district-based and five at-large positions) was based on a U.S. Justice Department mandate which took effect in 1979.<ref>{{cite news | title = Strong Currents of Change | work=TIME Magazine | date = November 19, 1979 | accessdate = March 27, 2009 | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,948775,00.html }}</ref> At-large council members represent the entire city.<ref name="Houston City Council"/> Under the city charter, once the population in the city limits exceeded 2.1&nbsp;million residents, two additional districts were to be added.<ref>{{cite web | title = City Council may grow by two seats, Houston Chronicle | author=Matt Stiles |work=Houston Chronicle | date = August 10, 2006 | accessdate = March 27, 2009 | url = http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2006_4168311}}</ref> The city of Houston's official 2010 census count was 600 shy of the required number; however, as the city was expected to grow beyond 2.1 million shortly thereafter, the two additional districts were added for, and the positions filled during, the August 2011 elections.

The city [[comptroller|controller]] is elected independently of the mayor and council. The controller's duties are to certify available funds prior to committing such funds and processing disbursements. The city's fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Chris Brown is the city controller, serving his first term {{as of|2016|January|lc=y}}.

As the result of a 2015 referendum in Houston, a mayor is elected for a four-year term, and can be elected to as many as two consecutive terms.<ref>Houston voters lengthen term limits for city officials "[http://www.chron.com/politics/election/local/article/Voters-lengthen-term-limits-for-city-officials-6609018.php]''. Retrieved on January 10, 2015.''</ref> The term limits were spearheaded in 1991 by conservative political activist [[Clymer Wright]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7397637.html|title=Aimee Buras, "Clymer Wright, force for Houston term limits, found dead," January 25, 2011|work=Houston Chronicle|accessdate=January 29, 2011}}</ref> During 1991–2015, the city controller and city council members were subjected to a two-year, three-term limitation – the 2015 referendum amended term limits to two four-year terms. {{as of|2017}} some councilmembers who served two terms and won a final term will have served eight years in office, whereas a freshman councilmember who won a position in 2013 can serve up to two additional terms under the previous term limit law – a select few will have at least 10 years of incumbency once their term expires.

Houston is considered to be a politically divided city whose balance of power often sways between Republicans and Democrats. Much of the city's wealthier areas vote Republican while the city's working class and minority areas vote Democratic. According to the 2005 Houston Area Survey, 68&nbsp;percent of non-Hispanic whites in Harris County are declared or favor Republicans while 89 percent of non-Hispanic blacks in the area are declared or favor Democrats. About 62&nbsp;percent of Hispanics (of any race) in the area are declared or favor Democrats.<ref name="Houston Area Survey 1982–2005">Klineberg, Stephen. [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090227010353/http://cohesion.rice.edu/CentersAndInst/HAS/emplibrary/REPORT-2005.pdf Houston Area Survey 1982–2005], Page 40.</ref> The city has often been known to be the most politically diverse city in Texas, a state known for being generally conservative.<ref name="Houston Area Survey 1982–2005"/> As a result, the city is often a contested area in statewide elections.<ref name="Houston Area Survey 1982–2005"/> In 2009, Houston became the first US city with a population over 1 million citizens to elect a gay mayor, by electing [[Annise Parker]].

===Crime===

[[File:Houston Police Department memorial.jpg|thumb|Houston Police Department Memorial]]Houston had 303 homicides in 2015 and 302 homicides in 2016. Officials predicted there would be 323 homicides in 2016. Instead, there was no increase in Houston's homicide rate between 2015 and 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/houston-homicide-rate|title=Houston homicide rate changes little in 2016|first=Ashlynn|last=Turner|date=January 4, 2017|publisher=}}</ref>{{discuss}}

Houston's murder rate ranked 46th of U.S. cities with a population over 250,000 in 2005 (per capita rate of 16.3 murders per 100,000 population).<ref>"{{cite web|url=http://www.morganquitno.com/cit05r.pdf |title=Murder Rate in 2005 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128173304/http://www.morganquitno.com/cit05r.pdf |archivedate=November 28, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}&nbsp;{{small|(30.4&nbsp;KB)}}," ''[[Morgan Quitno]]''. Retrieved on November 29, 2006.</ref> In 2010, the city's murder rate (per capita rate of 11.8 murders per 100,000 population) was ranked sixth among U.S. cities with a population of over 750,000 (behind New York City, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, and Philadelphia)<ref>FBI Uniform 2010 (prov.) Crime Report Table 4 "[https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/preliminary-annual-ucr-jan-dec-2010/data-tables/table-4/table-4/view]''. Retrieved on July 6, 2011.''</ref> according to the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (FBI). Murders fell by 37&nbsp;percent from January to June 2011, compared with the same period in 2010. Houston's total crime rate including violent and nonviolent crimes decreased by 11&nbsp;percent.<ref name="Murder, other crimes drop in Hoston">Lee, Renee C. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7669040.html New FBI stats suggest crime's in decline in Houston]", ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'', July 26, 2011, p. B2. Retrieved July 26, 2006.</ref> The FBI's Uniform Crime Report (UCR) indicates a downward trend of violent crime in Houston over the ten- and twenty-year periods ending in 2016, which is consistent with national trends. This trend toward lower rates of violent crime in Houston includes the murder rate, though it had seen a four-year uptick that lasted through 2015. Houston's violent crime rate is 8.6% percent higher in 2016 from the previous year. However, from 2006 to 2016, violent crime is still down 12 percent in Houston.<ref name="crime2016">{{cite news|author=Keri Blakinger|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=November 11, 2017|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/FBI-report-Houston-s-murder-rate-down-violent-12227941.php|title=FBI report: Houston's murder rate down, violent crime increases|date=September 25, 2017}}</ref>

Houston is a significant hub for trafficking of [[cocaine]], [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]], heroin, [[MDMA]], and [[methamphetamine]] due to its size and proximity to major illegal drug exporting nations.<ref>"[http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs32/32771/distribution.htm Distribution – Houston High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Market Analysis 2009]." ''[[U.S. Department of Justice]]''. Retrieved on August 11, 2009.</ref> Houston is one of the country's largest hubs for [[human trafficking]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2013/October/Sex-Trafficking-Groups-Expose-Houstons-Dark-Secret/|title=Sex Trafficking: Groups Expose Houston's Dark Secret|work=cbn.com|accessdate=September 15, 2015}}</ref>

In the early 1970s, Houston, [[Pasadena, Texas|Pasadena]] and several coastal towns were the site of the [[Dean Corll|Houston mass murders]], which at the time were the deadliest case of [[serial killing]] in American history.<ref>{{cite news | title = CRIME: The Houston Horrors | work=TIME Magazine | date = August 20, 1973 | accessdate = May 2, 2010 | url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,907718-1,00.html
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Beaver Country Times | accessdate = May 2, 2010 | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=D4MkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ANoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4597,220911}}</ref>

==Education==
{{Main|Education in Houston}}
[[File:Hisd-hmw-008.JPG|thumb|The Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (HMWESC), which houses the ''Houston Independent School District'' administrative offices]]
[[List of school districts in Houston|Seventeen school districts]] exist within the city of Houston. The ''[[Houston Independent School District]]'' (HISD) is the seventh-largest school district in the United&nbsp;States and the largest in Texas.<ref>"[http://www.eschoolnews.com/2006/02/21/houston-isd-automates-lunch/ Houston ISD automates lunch]", ''eSchool News online'', February 21, 2006. Retrieved on December 16, 2006.</ref> HISD has [[List of Houston Independent School District schools|112&nbsp;campuses]] that serve as magnet or vanguard schools—specializing in such disciplines as health professions, visual and performing arts, and the sciences. There are also many charter schools that are run separately from school districts. In addition, some public school districts also have their own charter schools.

The Houston area encompasses more than 300 private schools,<ref>[http://www.houston-texas-online.com/privateschools.html Private Schools]. ''Houston-Texas-Online''. 2004. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.houstonareaweb.com/private_schools/ Houston Private Schools]. HoustonAreaWeb.com. Retrieved on January 10, 2007.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080101054600/http://www.hlsr.com/ed/sa/sa_p.aspx School Art Participation]. ''[[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]]''. Retrieved on January 10, 2007. Archived at the Internet Archive Wayback Machine.</ref> many of which are accredited by Texas Private School Accreditation Commission recognized agencies. The Houston Area independent schools offer education from a variety of different religious as well as secular viewpoints.<ref>[http://houstonprivateschools.org/index.cfm?CFID=15996033&CFTOKEN=41756059&MenuItemID=96&MenuGroup=Home%20New About HAIS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328010101/http://houstonprivateschools.org/index.cfm?CFID=15996033&CFTOKEN=41756059&MenuItemID=96&MenuGroup=Home+New |date=March 28, 2007 }}. ''Houston Area independent schools''. 2007. Retrieved on March 27, 2007.</ref> The Houston area Catholic schools are operated by the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston|Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston]].

===Colleges and universities===
{{further|List of colleges and universities in Houston}}

Four distinct state universities are located in Houston. The [[University of Houston]] (UH) is a nationally recognized [[List of research universities in the United States#Universities classified as "R1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity"|tier one research university]] and is the flagship institution of the [[University of Houston System|University of Houston&nbsp;System]].<ref name="Tier One Research">{{cite web |url=http://www.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2011articles/Jan2011/011811CarnegieTierOne.php|title=Carnegie Foundation Gives University of Houston its Highest Classification for Research Success, Elevating UH to Tier One Status|author=Bonnin, Richard|publisher=University of Houston |accessdate=February 8, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Tier One Research 2">{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2011/01/21/uh-achieves-tier-one-status-in-research.html|title=UH achieves Tier One status in research|work=Houston Business Journal |accessdate=July 6, 2011|date=January 21, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Tier One Research 3">{{cite web |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7386162.html|title=UH takes big step up to Tier One status|work=Houston Chronicle |accessdate=July 6, 2011}}</ref> The {{nowrap|third-largest}} university in Texas, the University of Houston has nearly 44,000 students on its {{Convert|667|acre|hectare|adj=on}} campus in the [[Third Ward, Houston|Third Ward]].<ref name="State of the University: Fall 2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.uh.edu/president/communications/university-community/fall-address-highlights/Fall_Address_Slides_10-3-2011.pdf |title=State of the University: Fall 2011 |publisher=University of Houston |date=October 4, 2011 |accessdate=October 5, 2011 |author=Khator, Renu |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027101812/http://uh.edu/president/communications/university-community/fall-address-highlights/Fall_Address_Slides_10-3-2011.pdf |archivedate=October 27, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The [[University of Houston–Clear Lake|University of Houston–Clear&nbsp;Lake]] and the [[University of Houston–Downtown]] are {{nowrap|stand-alone}} universities within the University of Houston System; they are not branch campuses of the University of Houston. Slightly west of the University of Houston is [[Texas Southern University]] (TSU), one of the largest and most comprehensive [[Historically black colleges and universities|historically black universities]] in the United&nbsp;States with approximately 10,000 students. Texas Southern University was the first state university in Houston, founded in 1927.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/local/history/major-stories-events/article/Houston-s-public-higher-education-history-a-9175498.php|title=Histories of TSU and UH marked by segregation|website=Chron.com|access-date=February 3, 2018}}</ref>

Several private institutions of higher learning are located within the city. [[Rice University]], the most selective university in Texas and one of the most selective in the United States,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/education/article/The-25-hardest-universities-to-get-into-in-Texas-11081467.php|title=Rice tops the list of 25 hardest colleges to get into in Texas|last=Ramirez|first=Fernando|date=April 19, 2017|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=March 26, 2018}}</ref> is a private, secular institution with a high level of research activity.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rice University, Best Colleges 2009 |work=U.S. News & World Report |accessdate=March 27, 2009 |url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/3604 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216191034/http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/3604 |archivedate=February 16, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Founded in 1912, Rice's historic, heavily wooded {{Convert|300|acre|hectare|adj=on}} [[Campus of Rice University|campus]], located adjacent to [[Hermann Park]] and the [[Texas Medical Center]], hosts approximately 4,000 undergraduate and 3,000 post-graduate students. To the north in [[Neartown Houston|Neartown]], the [[University of St. Thomas (Texas)|University of St. Thomas]], founded in 1947, is Houston's only Catholic university. St. Thomas provides a [[Liberal arts education|liberal arts]] curriculum for roughly 3,000 students at its historic 19-block campus along Montrose Boulevard. In southwest Houston, [[Houston Baptist University]] (HBU), founded in 1960, offers bachelor's and graduate degrees at its [[Sharpstown, Houston|Sharpstown]] campus. The school is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and has a student population of approximately 3,000.

Three community college districts have campuses in and around Houston. The [[Houston Community College|Houston Community College System]] (HCC) serves most of Houston proper; its main campus and headquarters are located in [[Midtown, Houston|Midtown]]. Suburban northern and western parts of the metropolitan area are served by various campuses of the [[Lone Star College System]], while the southeastern portion of Houston is served by [[San Jacinto College]], and a northeastern portion is served by [[Lee College]].<!--Huffman ISD--><ref>"[http://www.lee.edu/about/ About Lee College]." [[Lee College (Texas)|Lee College]]. Retrieved on May 6, 2013.</ref> The Houston Community College and Lone Star College systems are among the [[List of United States colleges and universities by enrollment#US Department of Education Ranking|10 largest institutions of higher learning]] in the United&nbsp;States.

Houston also hosts a number of graduate schools in law and healthcare. The [[University of Houston Law Center]] and [[Thurgood Marshall School of Law]] at Texas Southern University are public, [[American Bar Association|ABA-accredited]] law schools, while the [[South Texas College of Law]], located in Downtown, serves as a private, independent alternative. The [[Texas Medical Center]] is home to a high density of health professions schools, including two [[medical school]]s: [[McGovern Medical School]], part of [[The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston]], and [[Baylor College of Medicine]], a highly selective private institution. [[Prairie View A&M University]]'s nursing school is located in the Texas Medical Center. Additionally, both Texas Southern University and the University of Houston have [[pharmacy school]]s, and the University of Houston hosts a college of [[optometry]].

<gallery class="center" heights="110" widths="160">
File:TSU Campus.jpg|'''[[Texas Southern University]]''', located in the [[Third Ward, Houston|Third Ward]], is the first public institution of higher education in Houston and the largest HBCU in Texas.
File:University of Houston-Downtown Commerce Building.jpg|The '''[[University of Houston–Downtown]]''', located in [[downtown Houston|Downtown]], is the second-largest institution of higher education in Houston.
File:Ezekiel W. Cullen building 3.jpg|The '''[[University of Houston]]''', located in the Third Ward, is a tier-one public research university and the third-largest institution of higher education in Texas.
File:Lovett Hall.jpg|'''[[Rice University]]''', located near the [[Houston Museum District|Museum District]] and [[Texas Medical Center]], is a private tier-one research university and the most selective institution of higher education in Texas.
File:UniversityofSaintThomasHoustonNewentrance2008.JPG|The '''[[University of St. Thomas (Texas)|University of St. Thomas]]''', located in [[Neartown Houston|Neartown]], is a private [[Catholic]] liberal arts college.
File:HBU CIMG0209.JPG|'''[[Houston Baptist University]]''', located in [[Sharpstown]], is a private [[Baptist]] university.
</gallery>
==Media==
{{further|List of newspapers in Houston|List of television stations in Texas|List of radio stations in Texas|Magazines in Houston|List of films featured in Houston}}

The primary network-affiliated television stations are [[KPRC-TV]] ([[NBC]]), [[KHOU]] ([[CBS]]), [[KTRK-TV]] ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]), [[KRIV (TV)|KRIV]] ([[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]), [[KIAH]] ([[The CW]]), and [[KTXH]] ([[MyNetworkTV]]). KTRK-TV, KRIV and KTXH operate as [[owned-and-operated station]]s of their networks.

The Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area is served by one public television station and one public radio station. [[KUHT]] (''Houston Public Media'') is a [[Public Broadcast Service|PBS]] member station and is the first public television station in the United&nbsp;States. Houston Public Radio is listener-funded and comprises one [[NPR]] member station, [[KUHF]] (''News 88.7''). The [[University of Houston System|University of Houston&nbsp;System]] owns and holds broadcasting licenses to KUHT and KUHF. The stations broadcast from the Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting, located on the campus of the [[University of Houston]].

Houston is served by the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'', its only major daily newspaper with wide distribution. The Hearst Corporation, which owns and operates the ''Houston Chronicle'', bought the assets of the ''[[Houston Post]]''—its long-time rival and main competition—when ''Houston Post'' ceased operations in 1995. The ''Houston Post'' was owned by the family of former Lieutenant Governor [[Bill Hobby]] of Houston. The only other major publication to serve the city is the ''[[Houston Press]]''—which was a free alternative weekly newspaper before the destruction caused by [[Hurricane Harvey]] resulted in the publication switching to an online-only format on November 2, 2017.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/news/the-houston-press-shutters-its-print-operation-9931298|title=Houston Press Shutters Its Print Operation|publisher=Houston Press |accessdate=March 21, 2018}}</ref>
==Infrastructure==

===Healthcare===
{{Main|Texas Medical Center}}
{{See also|List of hospitals in Texas}}
[[File:UTMDA1.JPG|thumb|right|[[MD Anderson Cancer Center]]]]
Houston is the seat of the internationally renowned Texas Medical Center, which contains the world's largest concentration of research and healthcare institutions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Texas Medical Center – Largest Medical Center (Video HD (English)) |work=Texas Medical Center |accessdate=March 28, 2009 |url=http://www.texmedctr.tmc.edu/root/en/GetToKnow/TMCVideo/Largest+Medical+Center+Video+%28HD-English%29.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623134855/http://www.texmedctr.tmc.edu/root/en/GetToKnow/TMCVideo/Largest%2BMedical%2BCenter%2BVideo%2B%28HD-English%29.htm |dead-url=yes |archive-date=June 23, 2010 }}</ref> All 49 member institutions of the Texas Medical Center are non-profit organizations. They provide patient and preventive care, research, education, and local, national, and international community well-being.
Employing more than 73,600 people, institutions at the medical center include 13 hospitals and two specialty institutions, two medical schools, four nursing schools, and schools of dentistry, public health, pharmacy, and virtually all health-related careers. It is where one of the first—and still the largest—air emergency service, [[Memorial Hermann Life Flight|Life Flight]], was created, and a very successful inter-institutional transplant program was developed. More heart surgeries are performed at the Texas Medical Center than anywhere else in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Texas Medical Center |work=www.visithoustontexas.com |url=http://www.visithoustontexas.com/media/statistics/Houston_Stats_Texas_Medical_Center |accessdate=February 6, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208100707/http://www.visithoustontexas.com/media/statistics/Houston_Stats_Texas_Medical_Center |archivedate=February 8, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Some of the academic and research health institutions at the center include [[University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center|MD Anderson Cancer Center]], [[Baylor College of Medicine]], [[University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston|UT Health Science Center]], [[Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center|Memorial Hermann Hospital]], [[Houston Methodist Hospital]], [[Texas Children's Hospital]], and [[University of Houston College of Pharmacy]].

The Baylor College of Medicine has annually been considered within the top ten medical schools in the nation; likewise, the MD Anderson Cancer Center has consistently ranked as one of the top two U.S. hospitals specializing in cancer care by ''U.S. News & World Report'' since 1990.<ref>{{cite web|title=Institutional Profile |work=www.mdanderson.org |url=http://www.mdanderson.org/About_MDA/Who_We_Are/display.cfm?id=29E3FCE1-2828-11D5-811100508B603A14&method=displayFull |accessdate=February 21, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303124842/http://www.mdanderson.org/About_MDA/Who_We_Are/display.cfm?id=29E3FCE1-2828-11D5-811100508B603A14&method=displayFull |archivedate=March 3, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rice and Baylor College of Medicine extend MOU |work=Rice University, News & Media |accessdate=October 11, 2009 |url=http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=13117 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118022529/http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=13117 |archivedate=January 18, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The [[Menninger Clinic]], a renowned psychiatric treatment center, is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine and the Houston Methodist Hospital System.<ref>{{cite web |title=Quick Facts About The Menninger Clinic |work=menningerclinic.com, The Menninger Clinic |accessdate=March 27, 2009 |url=http://www.menningerclinic.com/about/facts.htm}}</ref> With hospital locations nationwide and headquarters in Houston, the Triumph Healthcare hospital system is the third largest long term acute care provider nationally.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ta.com/news/news_detail.asp?id=102 |title=TA Associates – News |publisher=Ta.com |date=September 1, 2005 |accessdate=November 4, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011022123/http://ta.com/news/news_detail.asp?id=102 |archivedate=October 11, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Legacy Community Health has opened over 10 locations in Houston, and has been continually expanding in recent years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacycommunityhealth.org/contact-us/|title=Legacy Locations|last=|first=|date=|website=Legacy Community Health|access-date=August 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://houston.crains.com/article/news/legacy-community-health-plans-two-new-houston-locations|title=Legacy Community Health plans two new Houston locations|last=|first=|date=|website=Crain's Houston|access-date=August 9, 2018}}</ref>

== Transportation ==
{{Main|Transportation in Houston}}
Houston is considered an [[Automobile dependency|automobile-dependent]] city, with an estimated 77.2% of commuters driving alone to work in 2016,<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml|series=American Fact Finder|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=October 31, 2017|title=2016 American Community Survey, 1-year estimates: Commuting Characteristics by Sex}}</ref> up from 71.7% in 1990<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/1/gen/pio/cay961a2.pdf |format=PDF |title=Census and You |publisher=US Census Bureau |page=12|date=January 1996 |accessdate=February 19, 2007}}</ref> and 75.6% in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|author=Yonah Freemark|url=https://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/10/13/transit-mode-share-trends-looking-steady-rail-appears-to-encourage-non-automobile-commutes/|access-date=October 31, 2017|date= October 13, 2010|title=Transit Mode Share Trends Looking Steady; Rail Appears to Encourage Non-Automobile Commutes|website=Transport Politic}}</ref> In 2016, another 11.4% of Houstonians [[carpool]]ed to work, while 3.6% used public transit, 2.1% walked, and 0.5% bicycled.<ref name="auto1"/> A commuting study estimated that the median length of commute in the region was {{Convert|12.2|mi|km}} in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Srvy_JobsProximity.pdf|title=The growing distance between people and jobs in metropolitan America|last=Kneebone|first=Elizabeth|last2=Holmes|first2=Natalie|date=March 2015|website=Brookings Institution|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> According to the 2013 American Community Survey, the average work commute in Houston (city) takes 26.3 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/112057/103196.pdf?sequence|title=Commuting to Work in the Largest 30 U.S. Cities|last=Sivak|first=Michael|date=May 2015|website=University of Michigan|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> A 1999 [[Murdoch University]] study found that Houston had both the lengthiest commute and lowest [[urban density]] of 13 large American cities surveyed,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kenworthy|first=Jeffery R.|date=1999|title=Patterns of automobile dependence in cities: an international overview of key physical and economic dimensions with some implications for urban policy|url=http://web.mit.edu/11.951/oldstuff/albacete/Course%20Reader/Transportation/High-Speed%20Tranist%20Literature%20Review/Kenworthy%20and%20Laube%201999.pdf|journal=Transportation Research Part A|volume=33|pages=691–723|via=Massachusetts Institute of Technology}}</ref> and a 2017 [[Arcadis]] study ranked Houston 22nd out of 23 American cities in transportation sustainability.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2017/10/30/study-houston-among-cities-with-poor-sustainable.html|title=Study: Houston among cities with poor sustainable transit systems|last=Para|first=Jen|date=October 30, 2017|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> Harris County is one of the largest consumers of [[gasoline]] in the United States, ranking second (behind [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]]) in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2012/09/four-texas-counties-among-nations-top-ten-for-gasoline-consumption/|title=Four Texas counties rank among nation's top ten for gasoline consumption|last=Kasperkevic|first=Jana|date=September 28, 2012|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=March 19, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

Despite the region's high rate of automobile usage, attitudes towards transportation among Houstonians indicate a growing preference for [[walkability]]. A 2017 study by the [[Rice University]] Kinder Institute for Urban Research found that 56% of Harris County residents have a preference for dense housing in a mixed-use, walkable setting as opposed to single-family housing in a low-density area.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://kinder.rice.edu/uploadedFiles/Kinder_Institute_for_Urban_Research/HAS/2017%20Kinder%20Houston%20Area%20Survey%20FINAL.pdf|title=The Kinder Houston Area Survey: Thirty-Six Years of Measuring Responses to a Changing America|last=Klineberg|first=Stephen L.|date=May 2017|website=Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013234123/http://kinder.rice.edu/uploadedFiles/Kinder_Institute_for_Urban_Research/HAS/2017%20Kinder%20Houston%20Area%20Survey%20FINAL.pdf|archive-date=October 13, 2017|dead-url=yes|access-date=March 19, 2018|df=mdy-all}}</ref> A plurality of survey respondents also indicated that traffic congestion was the most significant problem facing the metropolitan area.<ref name=":0" /> In addition, many households in the City of Houston have no car. In 2015, 8.3 percent of Houston households lacked a car, which was virtually unchanged in 2016 (8.1 percent). The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Houston averaged 1.59 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.<ref>{{cite web|title=Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map|journal=Governing|url=http://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html|accessdate=May 4, 2018}}</ref>

===Roadways===

[[File:45intoI-10 2.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Interstate 10 in Texas|Interstate 10]]/[[U.S. Highway 90 (Texas)|U.S. Route 90]] and [[Interstate 45]] [[stack interchange]] northwest of Downtown Houston.]]
The eight-county Greater Houston metropolitan area contains over {{Convert|25000|mi|km}} of roadway, of which 10%, or approximately {{Convert|2500|mi|km}}, is [[Limited-access road|limited-access highway]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.h-gac.com/taq/plan/2040/docs/2040-RTP-revised-April-2016.pdf|title=2040 Regional Transportation Plan|last=|first=|date=March 30, 2016|website=Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC)|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> The Houston region's extensive freeway system handles over 40% of the regional [[Units of transportation measurement|daily vehicle miles traveled]] (VMT).<ref name=":1" /> [[Arterial road]]s handle an additional 40% of daily VMT, while [[toll road]]s, of which Greater Houston has {{Convert|180|mi|km}}, handle nearly 10%.<ref name=":1" />

Greater Houston possesses a [[Spoke–hub distribution paradigm|hub-and-spoke]] limited-access highway system, in which a number of freeways radiate outward from Downtown, with [[ring road]]s providing connections between these radial highways at intermediate distances from the city center. The city is crossed by three [[Interstate Highway System|Interstate highways]], [[Interstate 10 in Texas|Interstate 10]], [[Interstate 45]], and [[Interstate 69]] (commonly known as [[U.S. Route 59]]), as well as a number of other [[United States Numbered Highway System|United States routes]] and [[Texas state highway system|state highways]]. Major freeways in Greater Houston are often referred to by either the cardinal direction or geographic location they travel towards. Highways that follow the cardinal convention include [[U.S. Route 290]] (''Northwest Freeway''), Interstate 45 north of Downtown (''North Freeway''), Interstate 10 east of Downtown ''(East Freeway''), [[Texas State Highway 288]] (''South'' ''Freeway''), and Interstate 69 south of Downtown (''Southwest Freeway''). Highways that follow the location convention include Interstate 10 west of Downtown (''[[Katy, Texas|Katy]] Freeway''), Interstate 69 north of Downtown (''[[East Texas|Eastex]] Freeway''), Interstate 45 south of Downtown (''[[Gulf of Mexico|Gulf]] Freeway''), and [[Texas State Highway 225]] (''[[La Porte, Texas|La Porte]]'' or ''[[Pasadena, Texas|Pasadena]] Freeway'').

Three loop freeways provide north-south and east-west connectivity between Greater Houston's radial highways. The innermost loop is [[Interstate 610 (Texas)|Interstate 610]], commonly known as the ''Inner Loop'', which encircles Downtown, the [[Texas Medical Center]], [[Greenway Plaza]], the cities of [[West University Place, Texas|West University Place]] and [[Southside Place, Texas|Southside Place]], and many core neighborhoods. The {{Convert|88|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Texas State Highway Beltway 8|State Highway Beltway&nbsp;8]], often referred to as ''the Beltway'', forms the middle loop at a radius of roughly {{Convert|10|mi|km}}. A third, {{Convert|180|mi|km|adj=on}} loop with a radius of approximately {{Convert|25|mi|km}}, [[Texas State Highway 99|State Highway&nbsp;99]] (the ''Grand Parkway''), is currently under construction, with six of eleven segments completed {{as of|2018|lc=y}}.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/houston/sh99-grand-parkway.html|title=SH 99 / Grand Parkway Project|last=|first=|date=2018|website=Texas Department of Transportation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180304020957/https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/houston/sh99-grand-parkway.html|archive-date=March 4, 2018|dead-url=|access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref> Completed segments D through G provide a continuous {{Convert|70.4|mi|km|adj=on}} limited-access tollway connection between [[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]], [[Katy, Texas|Katy]], [[Cypress, Texas|Cypress]], [[Spring, Texas|Spring]], and [[Porter, Texas|Porter]].<ref name=":3" />

A system of toll roads, operated by the [[Harris County Toll Road Authority]] (HCTRA) and [[Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority]] (FBCTRA), provides additional options for regional commuters. The Sam Houston Tollway, which encompasses the mainlanes of Beltway 8 (as opposed to the [[frontage road]]s, which are untolled), is the longest tollway in the system, covering the entirety of the Beltway with the exception of a free section between Interstate 45 and Interstate 69 near George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The region is serviced by four spoke tollways: a set of [[managed lane]]s on the Katy Freeway; the [[Hardy Toll Road]], which parallels Interstate 45 north of Downtown up to [[Spring, Texas|Spring]]; the [[Westpark Tollway]], which services Houston's western suburbs out to [[Fulshear, Texas|Fulshear]]; and [[Fort Bend Parkway]], which connects to [[Sienna Plantation, Texas|Sienna Plantation]]. Westpark Tollway and Fort Bend Parkway are operated conjunctly with the Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority.

Greater Houston's freeway system is monitored by Houston TranStar, a partnership of four government agencies which is responsible for providing transportation and [[emergency management]] services to the region.<ref>[http://www.houstontranstar.org/about_transtar/ About Houston TranStar]. ''Houston TranStar.'' 2008. Retrieved on February 17, 2008.</ref>

Greater Houston's [[arterial road]] network is established at the municipal level, with the City of Houston exercising planning control over both its [[Municipal corporation|incorporated]] area and [[extraterritorial jurisdiction]] (ETJ). Therefore, Houston exercises transportation planning authority over a {{Convert|2000|mi2|km2|adj=on}} area over five counties, many times larger than its corporate area.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/transportation/docs_pdfs/2015_PolicyStatement.pdf|title=Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan Policy Statement|last=|first=|date=March 2015|website=City of Houston|access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref> The ''Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan'', updated annually, establishes the city's [[street hierarchy]], identifies roadways in need of widening, and proposes new roadways in unserved areas. Arterial roads are organized into four categories, in decreasing order of intensity: ''major thoroughfares'', ''transit corridor streets'', ''collector streets'', and ''local streets''.<ref name=":2" /> Roadway classification affects anticipated traffic volumes, roadway design, and [[right of way]] breadth. Ultimately, the system is designed to ferry traffic from neighborhood streets to major thoroughfares, which connect into the limited-access highway system.<ref name=":2" /> Notable arterial roads in the region include [[Westheimer Road]], [[Memorial Drive (Houston)|Memorial Drive]], [[Texas State Highway 6]], [[Farm to Market Road 1960]], [[Bellaire Boulevard]], and [[Telephone Road]].

===Transit===

[[File:METRO Light Rail3.jpg|thumb|right|[[METRORail]] light rail]]
The [[Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County]] (METRO) provides [[public transport]]ation in the form of buses, [[light rail]], [[High-occupancy vehicle lane|high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes]], and [[paratransit]] to fifteen municipalities throughout the Greater Houston area and parts of unincorporated Harris County. METRO's service area covers {{Convert|1303|mi2|km2}} containing a population of 3.6 million.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.h-gac.com/taq/regionally-coordinated-transportation-plan/documents/Appendix-D-Transportation-Resource-Inventory.pdf|title=Gulf Coast Regionally Coordinated Transportation Plan – 2016 Transportation Resource Inventory Update|last=|first=|date=2016|website=Houston–Galveston Area Council|page=62|access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref>

METRO's local bus network services approximately 275,000 riders daily with a fleet of over 1,200 buses.<ref name=":4" /> The agency's 75 local routes contain nearly 8,900 stops and saw nearly 67 million boardings during the 2016 fiscal year.<ref name=":4" /> A [[park and ride]] system provides commuter bus service from 34 transit centers scattered throughout the region's suburban areas; these express buses operate independently of the local bus network and utilize the region's extensive system of HOV lanes.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.h-gac.com/taq/plan/2040/docs/2040-RTP-revised-April-2016.pdf|title=2040 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)|last=|first=|date=March 2016|website=Houston–Galveston Area Council|access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref> Downtown and the Texas Medical Center have the highest rates of transit use in the region, largely due to the park and ride system, with nearly 60% of commuters in each district utilizing public transit to get to work.<ref name=":5" />

METRO began light rail service in 2004 with the opening of the {{convert|8|mi|km|adj=on}} north-south [[METRORail Red Line|Red Line]] connecting Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center, and [[NRG Park]]. In the early 2010s, two additional lines—the [[METRORail Green Line|Green Line]], servicing the [[East End, Houston|East End]], and the [[METRORail Purple Line|Purple Line]], servicing the [[Third Ward, Houston|Third Ward]]—opened, and the Red Line was extended northward to [[Northline, Houston|Northline]], bringing the total length of the system to {{Convert|22.7|mi|km}}. Two light rail lines outlined in a five-line system approved by voters in a 2003 referendum have yet to be constructed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/opinion/outlook/article/Vote-against-Metro-referendum-could-mean-more-rail-3923747.php|title=Vote against Metro referendum could mean more rail|last=Smalley|first=George F.|date=October 5, 2012|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref> The [[METRORail Uptown Line|Uptown Line]], which would run along Post Oak Boulevard in [[Uptown Houston|Uptown]], is currently under construction as a [[bus rapid transit]] line—the city's first—while the [[METRORail University Line|University Line]] has been postponed indefinitely.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/University-Line-federal-funding-pledge-pulled-7846885.php|title=Federal funding pulled for light rail line construction along Richmond Avenue|last=Begley|first=Dug|date=May 24, 2016|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=March 20, 2018}}</ref> The light rail system saw approximately 16.8 million boardings in fiscal year 2016.<ref name=":4" />

[[Amtrak]], the national passenger rail system, provides service three times a week to Houston via the {{Amtrak lines|Sunset Limited}} (Los&nbsp;Angeles–New&nbsp;Orleans), which stops at the [[Houston Amtrak Station]] northwest of Downtown. The station saw 14,891 boardings and alightings in fiscal year 2008.<ref>{{cite web | title = Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2008, State of Texas | work = amtrak.com, Amtrak | accessdate = March 28, 2009 | url = http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/factsheets/TEXAS08.pdf | format = PDF | deadurl = yes | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090227012831/http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/factsheets/TEXAS08.pdf | archivedate = February 27, 2009 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> In 2012, there was a 25 percent increase in ridership to 20,327 passengers embarking from the Houston Amtrak Station.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2013/02/brookings-institution-study-amtrak.html|title=Amtrak ridership up in Houston area, Brookings Institution reports|publisher=[[Houston Business Journal]]}}</ref>

===Cycling===

Houston City Council approved the Houston Bike Plan in March 2017, at that time entering the plan into the Houston Code of Ordinances.<ref name=bikeways>{{cite web|publisher=City of Houston|accessdate=May 4, 2018|title=Houston Bikeways Program|url=https://www.houstonbikeways.org/}}</ref>

Houston has the largest number of bike commuters in Texas with over 160 miles of dedicated bikeways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://houstonbikeways.org/index.php/home/ |title=Home |publisher=Houstonbikeways.org |accessdate=June 28, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725004319/http://houstonbikeways.org/index.php/home/ |archivedate=July 25, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The city is currently in the process of expanding its on and off street bikeway network.{{when|date=May 2018}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://houstonbikeways.org/index.php/news/20-current-news/81-new-shared-lane-designation |title=New Shared Lane Designation |publisher=Houstonbikeways.org |accessdate=June 28, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725004323/http://houstonbikeways.org/index.php/news/20-current-news/81-new-shared-lane-designation |archivedate=July 25, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2015, downtown Houston added a cycle track on Lamar Street, running from [[Sam Houston Park]] to [[Discovery Green]].<ref name=lamar>{{cite web|publisher=City of Houston|title=Lamar Cycle Track Page|accessdate=May 4, 2018|url=https://www.houstonbikeways.org/lamar-cycle-track-page}}</ref> In August 2017, Houston City Council approved spending for construction of 13 additional miles of bike trails.<ref>{{cite news|author=Elliot, Rebecca|title=Hike and bike trail extensions coming to four bayous|publisher=Houston Chronicle|date=August 23, 2017|accessdate=May 4, 2018|url=https://www.chron.com/news/politics/houston/article/Hike-and-bike-trail-extensions-coming-to-four-11953077.php}}</ref>

Houston's [[bicycle sharing system]] started service with nineteen stations in May 2012. [[Houston Bcycle]] (also known as B-Cycle), a local non-profit, runs the subscription program, supplying bicycles and docking stations, while partnering with other companies to maintain the system.<ref name=bikelaunch>{{cite news|publisher=Houston Chronicle|author=Turner, Allan|title=Houston saddles up for downtown bike share program|date=May 2, 2012|accessdate=May 4, 2018|url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Houston-saddles-up-for-downtown-bike-share-program-3526047.php}}</ref> The network expanded to 29 stations and 225 bicycles in 2014, registering over 43,000 checkouts of equipment during the first half of the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://houston.bcycle.com/News.aspx?itemid=634 |title=Houston bikesharing program enjoys robust growth |accessdate=August 24, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113924/https://houston.bcycle.com/News.aspx?itemid=634 |archivedate=August 26, 2014 |df=mdy|author=Begley, Dug|publisher=Houston Chronicle}}</ref> In 2017, Bcycle logged over 142,000 check outs while expanding to 56 docking stations.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Houston Chronicle|title=Houston Bike Share names new executive director|date=March 27, 2018|accessdate=May 4, 2018|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bellaire/events/article/Houson-Bike-Share-named-new-executive-director-12784587.php}}</ref>

===Airports===

[[File:Bush terminal E.jpg|thumb|left|[[George Bush Intercontinental Airport#Terminal E|Terminal E]], used exclusively by United Airlines, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport]]
The [[Houston Airport System]], a branch of the municipal government, oversees the operation of three major public airports in the city. Two of these airports, [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport]] and [[William P. Hobby Airport]], offer [[commercial aviation]] service to a variety of domestic and international destinations and served 55 million passengers in 2016. The third, [[Ellington Airport (Texas)|Ellington Airport]], is home to the [[Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base]]. The [[Federal Aviation Administration]] and the state of Texas selected the Houston Airport System as "Airport of the Year" in 2005, largely due to the implementation of a $3.1&nbsp;billion airport improvement program for both major airports in Houston.<ref>{{cite press release|title=FAA selects the HAS as 2005 Airport of the Year |publisher=Houston Airport System |date=March 24, 2006 |url=http://www.fly2houston.com/0/8343/0/1906D1940/ |accessdate=December 16, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928091537/http://www.fly2houston.com/0/8343/0/1906D1940/ |archivedate=September 28, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

[[George Bush Intercontinental Airport]] (IAH), located {{Convert|23|mi|km}} north of Downtown Houston between Interstates 45 and 69, is the eighth-busiest commercial airport in the United States (by total passengers and aircraft movements) and forty third-busiest globally.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fly2houston.com/newsroom/media-kit/fact-sheets/|title=Fact Sheets|last=|first=|date=2017|website=Houston Airport System|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://d14ik00wldmhq.cloudfront.net/media/filer_public/26/8c/268cc811-12d8-4e5a-bf7e-1e8ef23f1594/iah-fact_sheet-3-1-18.pdf|title=George Bush Intercontinental Airport Fact Sheet|last=|first=|date=March 1, 2018|website=Houston Airport System|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> The five-terminal, five-runway, {{Convert|11000|acre|hectare|adj=on}} airport served 40 million passengers in 2016, including 10 million international travelers.<ref name=":6" /> In 2006, the [[United States Department of Transportation]] named IAH the fastest-growing of the top ten airports in the United States.<ref>{{cite press release|title=2005 Total Airline System Passenger Traffic Up 4.6% From 2004 |publisher=[[Bureau of Transportation Statistics]] |date=April 27, 2006 |url=http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2006/bts020_06/html/bts020_06.html |accessdate=December 16, 2006 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060922202239/http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2006/bts020_06/html/bts020_06.html |archivedate=September 22, 2006 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The [[Houston Air Route Traffic Control Center]] is located at Bush Intercontinental.

Houston was the headquarters of [[Continental Airlines]] until its 2010 merger with [[United Airlines]] with headquarters in Chicago; regulatory approval for the merger was granted in October of that year. Bush Intercontinental is currently United Airlines' second-largest [[airline hub|hub]], behind [[O'Hare International Airport]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/united-continental-planning-houston-flight-resumption-1504124008|title=United Continental Planning Houston Flight Resumption|last=Carey|first=Susan|date=August 30, 2017|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=March 25, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> United Airlines' share of the Houston Airport System's commercial aviation market was nearly 60% in 2017 with 16 million enplaned passengers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://d14ik00wldmhq.cloudfront.net/media/filer_public/21/50/2150fc6c-beba-4f96-ad3a-003c008aae76/fy17_report_11.pdf|title=Houston Airport System Statistical Report: 2017 Fiscal Year Summary|last=|first=|date=2017|website=Houston Airport System|publisher=City of Houston|access-date=March 25, 2018}}</ref> In early 2007, Bush Intercontinental Airport was named a model "port of entry" for international travelers by [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Airport designated 'model port of entry', Houston Chronicle
| author=Bill Hensel, Jr.
| date = April 5, 2007
| work=chron. com
| accessdate = June 21, 2008
| url = http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4319002
}}</ref>

[[William P. Hobby Airport]] (HOU), known as Houston International Airport until 1967, operates primarily short- to medium-haul domestic and international flights to 60 destinations.<ref name=":6" /> The four-runway, {{Convert|1304|acre|hectare|adj=on}} facility is located approximately {{Convert|7|mi|km}} southeast of Downtown Houston. In 2015, [[Southwest Airlines]] launched service from a new international terminal at Hobby to several destinations in [[Mexico]], [[Central America]], and [[the Caribbean]]. These were the first international flights flown from Hobby since the opening of Bush Intercontinental in 1969.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Southwest launches new international service at Houston Hobby Airport today
| work= Dallas Morning News
| date = October 15, 2015
| accessdate = December 18, 2015
| url = http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2015/10/southwest-launches-new-international-service-at-houston-hobby-airport-today.html/
}}</ref> Houston's aviation history is showcased in the [[1940 Air Terminal Museum]], located in the old terminal building on the west side of the airport. Hobby Airport has been recognized with two awards for being one of the top five performing airports in the world and for customer service by [[Airports Council International]].<ref>{{cite web
|title=William P. Hobby Airport Rated Among Top Five Performing Airports Worldwide
|work=Houston Airport System
|date=March 10, 2009
|accessdate=March 28, 2009
|url=http://www.fly2houston.com/0/1650213/0/1906/
|deadurl=yes
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314202933/http://www.fly2houston.com/0/1650213/0/1906/
|archivedate=March 14, 2009
|df=mdy-all
}}</ref>

Houston's third municipal airport is [[Ellington Airport (Texas)|Ellington Airport]], used by the military, government (including [[NASA]]) and general aviation sectors.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Ellington Airport |work=Houston Airport System |accessdate=March 28, 2009 |url=http://www.fly2houston.com/EllingtonAbout |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302010555/http://www.fly2houston.com/EllingtonAbout |archivedate=March 2, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
==Sister cities==
The Houston Office of Protocol and International Affairs is the city's liaison to Houston's sister cities and to the national governing organization, [[Sister Cities International]]. Through their official city-to-city relationships, these volunteer associations promote people-to-people diplomacy and encourage citizens to develop mutual trust and understanding through commercial, cultural, educational, and humanitarian exchanges.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.houstontx.gov/abouthouston/sistercities.html | title=Sister Cities | publisher=houstontx.gov | access-date=February 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sistercitieshouston.org/join-a-sister-cities-association/|title=Our Sister Cities Associations|website=www.sistercitieshouston.org}}</ref>

{{div col}}

*[[Abu Dhabi]] ([[United Arab Emirates]]) – 2001
* [[Baku]] ([[Azerbaijan]]) – 1976
* [[Basrah]] ([[Iraq]]) – 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iraqiembassy.us/article/houston-city-council-unanimously-approves-sister-city-agreement-between-houston-texas-and |title=Houston City Council unanimously approves Sister City Agreement between Houston, Texas and Basrah, Iraq |work=iraqiembassy.us |accessdate=September 15, 2015 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906013027/http://www.iraqiembassy.us/article/houston-city-council-unanimously-approves-sister-city-agreement-between-houston-texas-and |archivedate=September 6, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
* [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]] (Japan) – 1973
* Grampian Region, [[Aberdeen]] (United Kingdom) – 1979<ref name="Grampian-Houston">{{cite web|title=Grampian-Houston|url=http://www.grampian-houston.co.uk/about.html|accessdate=September 9, 2017|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820094653/http://www.grampian-houston.co.uk/about.html|archivedate=August 20, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
* [[Guayaquil]] ([[Ecuador]]) – 1987
* [[Huelva]] ([[Spain]]) – 1969
* [[Istanbul]] ([[Turkey]]) – 1986
* [[Karachi]] ([[Pakistan]]) – 2009
* [[Leipzig]] (Germany) – 1993
* [[Luanda]] ([[Angola]]) – 2003
*[[Nice]] (France) – 1973
* [[Perth]] (Australia) – 1983
* [[Shenzhen]] (China) – 1986
* [[Stavanger]] ([[Norway]]) – 1980
* [[Taipei]] ([[Taiwan]]) – 1963
* [[Tampico]] ([[Mexico]]) – 2003
* [[Tyumen]] (Russia) – 1995
* [[Wuhan]] (China) – 2016
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[List of people from Houston]]
{{portal bar|Houston|Texas}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* [http://www.houstonhistory.com/ 174 Years of Historic Houston] ''Houstonhistory.com''. 2007. Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
*{{cite book | last = Allen | first = O. Fisher | title = City of Houston from Wilderness to Wonder | publisher=Self Published | year = 1936 | id = NA }}.
*{{cite article|url=http://www.city-journal.org/2008/18_3_houston.html|title=Houston, New York Has a Problem|journal=City Journal|issue=Summer|year=2008|author=Glaeser, Edward L.|access-date=June 29, 2018}}
*{{cite book | last = Johnston | first = Marguerite | title = Houston, The Unknown City, 1836–1946 | publisher=Texas A&M University Press | year = 1991 | isbn = 0-89096-476-9 }}
* {{cite web|series=Handbook of Texas Online|title=Houston, Texas|author=McComb, David G.|publisher=Texas State Historical Association|access-date=June 29, 2018|date=February 15, 2017|url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/HDH03}}
*{{cite book | last = Miller | first = Ray | title = Ray Miller's Houston | publisher=Gulf Publishing Company | year = 1984 | isbn = 0-88415-081-X | authorlink = Ray Miller (Texas journalist) }}
* Phelps, Wesley G. ''A People's War on Poverty: Urban Politics and Grassroots Activists in Houston.'' Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 2014.
* Pruitt, Bernadette. ''The Other Great Migration: The Movement of Rural African-Americans to Houston, 1900–1941.'' College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2013.
*{{cite book | last = Slotboom | first = Oscar F. "Erik" | title = Houston Freeways | url = http://www.houstonfreeways.com/ | publisher=Oscar F. Slotboom | year = 2003 | isbn = 0-9741605-3-9}}
*{{cite book | last = Wilson | first = Ann Quin | title = Native Houstonian – A Collective Portrait | publisher=The Donning Company – Houston Baptist University Press | year = 1982 | id = 80-27644 }}
* {{cite book|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-24649%3A1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011192033/http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-24649%3A1|dead-url=yes|archive-date=2007-10-11|title=A thumb-nail history of the city of Houston, Texas, from its founding in 1836 to the year 1912|year=1912|author=Young, Dr. S.O.|location=Houston|publisher=Rein and Sons}} Digital republication by the Portal to Texas History [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History]. Reprinted in 2007 by Copano Bay Press.
* {{cite book|title=True stories of old Houston and Houstonians: historical and personal sketches|author=Young, Dr. S. O.|year=1913|location=Galveston, Texas|publisher=Oscar Springer|url=https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth24646/m1/1/}} Digital republication by the Portal to Texas History. Reprinted in 2007 by Copano Bay Press.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|voy=Houston}}
* [http://www.houstontx.gov/ Official website]
* [https://www.instagram.com/houstoncity/ Official Instagram]
* [http://www.visithoustontexas.com/ Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.houston.org/ Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) Houston Chamber]
* [http://www.houstontranstar.org/ Greater Houston Transportation and Emergency Management Center]
* [http://houstonbikeplan.org/ Houston Bike Plan]
* [http://www.houstonlibrary.org/ Houston Public Library official website]
*{{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Texas/Localities/H/Houston/}}

{{Houston, Texas}}
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[[Category:1836 establishments in the Republic of Texas]]
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