Economic Data

WEST HOUSTON ASSOCIATION

info@westhouston.org

820 Gessner Suite 190

Houston, Texas 77024

v 713.461.9378

f 713.461.3065

Greater West Houston Demographic and Development

Information

New: 2050 Population and Employment Forecasts Page

The 1000 square mile Greater West Houston shaded over a Metropolitan Houston Map

Greater West Houston, an area of approximately 1000 square miles in Houston's western suburbs, is one of Texas fastest growing communities. It is characterized by large master planned suburban communities and more urban-styled living environments.

Greater West Houston is a burgeoning population and job growth region centered on 3 key regional activity centers--Memorial City, Energy Corridor and Westchase. Major retailing centers are Katy Mills Mall, Town & Country Village, CityCentre, West Oaks Mall, Memorial City Mall and Willowbrook Mall.

Population of Greater West Houston in 2005 was 1.16 million and employment was 521,000 according to the Houston Galveston Regional Council. By 2035, population will reach 1.83 and employment will reach 770,000. (See 2050 Population and Employment Forecasts for Greater West Houston)

Greater West Houston spreads across portions three counties with fifty percent in Harris County and the balance in adjacent Fort Bend and Waller Counties. Approximately forty percent is inside the limits of City of Houston. Sixty percent of the Greater West Houston is within the City of Houston extra territorial jurisdiction (ETJ). There are 10 additional municipalities; 15 school districts; 11 special purpose districts and over 200 utility districts in Greater West Houston.

City of Houston Planning Department documents how the City of Houston compares with several other US cities in demographics, public safety, housing and the economy in a 2005 report. Access the report by click this link.

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2003 Greater West Houston Population & Housing Profile

Area

• Approximately 800 square miles of the western suburban Houston region
• Approximately 25% located within COH limits; 69% located within Harris County with the balance in Fort Bend and Waller Counties
• 90-95% in City of Houston's extra territorial jurisdiction

Population

• 1990 847,000 (23% of Houston CMSA total)
• 2000 1,156,000
• 2002 1,206,000
• 2007 1,330,974 (25% of Houston CMSA total)
• 15% growth rate 2000-2007

Resident Profile

• Average age: 2000 31.5 (32 for Houston CMSA) changing to 31.8 in 2007 (32.5 for Houston CMSA)
• Education: College Degree 39.8% ages >25 (30.2% in Houston CMSA)
• No high school: 14.9% (33.6% in Houston CMSA)

Incomes
(Household)

• 2002
   > $50,000 62.4% (54% CMSA)
   > $75,000 41.3% (34% CMSA)
• 2007
   > $50,000 70.9% (51.8% CMSA)

Employment

• 1970 48,142
• 1990 289,000
• 2000 388,000
• 2025 615,000
• 2000 to 2025 Projection: +227,000 jobs 1.9% annualized growth
• 23% of CMSA job growth
• “white collar” occupations: 70.6% in 2002

Single Family Housing

• 34% of all CMSA new home sales in 2000 vs. 28% in 1999
• 11,862 home starts in 2000; 11,351 sales
• 225% increase in home starts since 1990
• 32% of Greater Houston vacant residential subdivision lots
• 60,000 lots ready for construction (2005)
• 110,000 undeveloped platted for use in near future

Multi Family Housing

• 10,486 units proposed/underway (46% of Greater Houston)
• Positive absorption 1998-2002
• 2002 avg. occupancy rate: 94.6% (94.7% Greater Houston)
• Rates:
- 1997 $503 West Houston avg ($520 Houston Area)
- 2002 $635 avg ($635 Houston area)

WEST HOUSTON APARTMENT RENTAL RATES

Market Area	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997
Westheimer/Memorial (Near West)	$703	$684	$655	$649	$615	$594
Memorial (Far West)	$692	$677	$652	$617	$609	$567
Sharpstown/Southwest	$524	$494	$508	$465	$457	$437
Spring Branch	$564	$542	$531	$491	$477	$451
Bear Creek	$664	$644	$619	$573	$567	$527
Katy	$730	$711	$678	$592	$577	$558
Brookhollow	$547	$532	$518	$482	$473	$449
Northwest (Inwood/Champions)	$567	$557	$536	$476	$467	$441
West Houston Average	$624	$605	$587	$543	$530	$503
Overall Houston Area Average	$643	$629	$600	$567	$550	$520

WEST HOUSTON MULTI-FAMILY CONSTRUCTION HISTORY

1997 to Mid Year 2002

Market Area	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	TOTAL
Westheimer/Near West	200	179	540	1,381	440	887	3,627
Memorial/Far West	0	0	380	3,935	2,440	578	7,333
Sharpstown/Southwest	52	250	0	160	209	100	771
Spring Branch	0	216	0	65	0	0	281
Bear Creek	0	252	0	966	318	0	1,536
Katy	276	459	978	352	474	0	2,539
Brookhollow	0	0	132	408	260	0	800
Northwest (Inwood/Champions)	0	144	252	522	0	0	918
West Houston Total	528	1,500	2,282	7,789	4,141	1,565	17,805
Overall Houston Area Average	2,463	10,319	8,780	24,856	10,537	5,390	62,206

Data Sources: West Houston Demographic & Development Trends, 2003. Single Family Data: Metro Study. Population, Residential Profile and Employment: CDS Market Research. Multi-Family; REVAC, Inc.