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Houston

by The Linguist

Houston, Texas

With a population of over 2.3 million residents, Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the fourth most populous city in the United States. Nicknamed the “Space City”, Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and a major hub for the oil and gas industry. This sprawling metropolis has a diverse economy and vibrant cultural scene. Read on to learn more about what makes Houston a one-of-a-kind Texas city.

Population and Geography

According to the Wikipedia page on Houston, the city had an estimated population of 2,304,580 as of 2020, making it the 29th most populous metropolitan area in the world. The Greater Houston metropolitan area comprises nine counties and has an estimated population exceeding 7 million. Houston covers 667 square miles of land and has a population density of approximately 3,500 people per square mile.

Houston is located in southeast Texas near the Gulf of Mexico. It lies in Harris County, the third most populous county in the United States:

Harris County
1001 Preston St, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 755-5000

History

Houston was founded in 1836 on land near the banks of Buffalo Bayou and incorporated as a city in 1837. The city was named after former General Sam Houston, who was president of the Republic of Texas at the time. Houston initially developed as a trading post for the cotton industry and later became a railroad hub in the late 1800s. The discovery of oil in 1901 sparked an “oil boom” that helped transform Houston’s economy.

For more on Houston’s history, visit the Houston History Association website.

Economy

Houston has one of the most diverse economies in the country. According to the Houston Facts website, the major industries in Houston are:

  • Energy – Houston is the energy capital of the world and home to more than 5,000 energy related firms.
  • Aerospace – The Johnson Space Center and Port of Houston contribute to Houston’s strong aerospace sector.
  • Biomedicine and Healthcare – The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world.
  • Manufacturing – Houston has a sizable manufacturing base in areas like petrochemicals and fabricated metals.
  • International business – The city has one of the most internationally focused economies in the US.

Some of the major employers in Houston include:

  • Walmart – 7000 S Sam Houston Pkwy E, Houston, TX 77032 – (281) 988-1824
  • Schlumberger – 300 Schlumberger Dr, Houston, TX 77056 – (281) 285-8500
  • Memorial Hermann Health System – 909 Frostwood Dr #2.205, Houston, TX 77024 – (713) 222-2273
  • Shell Oil Company – 1 Shell Plaza, Houston, TX 77002 – (713) 241-6161
  • United Airlines – 1703 George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, TX 77032 – (281) 553-3000

Attractions and Landmarks

No trip to Houston is complete without visiting some of its top attractions. Here are some of the most popular landmarks and things to do in Houston:

  • Space Center Houston – The visitor center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center features exhibits and tours related to the history and future of human spaceflight. Address: 1601 NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058. Phone: (281) 244-2100. Website: Space Center Houston.
  • The Galleria – This massive shopping complex has over 400 stores, restaurants, and attractions. Address: 5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056. Phone: (713) 621-0111. Website: The Galleria.
  • Minute Maid Park – Home of the Houston Astros MLB team. Address: 501 Crawford St, Houston, TX 77002. Phone: (713) 259-8000. Website: Minute Maid Park.
  • Houston Zoo – One of the nation’s largest zoos with over 6,000 animals. Address: 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030. Phone: (713) 533-6500. Website: Houston Zoo.
  • Museum of Fine Arts – Houston’s largest art museum housing over 70,000 works. Address: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005. Phone: (713) 639-7300. Website: Museum of Fine Arts.
  • Houston Museum of Natural Science – Massive science museum with dinosaur fossils, gemstones, Egyptian artifacts and more. Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030. Phone: (713) 639-4629. Website: Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Some other top attractions include Discovery Green park, the Children’s Museum of Houston, Kemah Boardwalk, Houston Arboretum, Space Center Houston, and many more. Houston’s Visit Houston Facebook page is a great resource for finding things to do.

Houston Landmarks

Here are the GPS coordinates for 3 top landmarks in Houston:

  • Space Center Houston – 29.550865, -95.090109
  • The Galleria – 29.741029, -95.438728
  • Minute Maid Park – 29.756139, -95.353322

Public Transportation

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) operates bus, light rail, bus rapid transit, HOV and HOT lanes, and paratransit services in Houston and 12 other cities in Harris County, Texas. METRO’s light rail system is called METRORail. For more information, visit the METRO website.

Houston Public Library

The Houston Public Library system has over 40 locations across the city. The Central Library in downtown Houston houses millions of books, music, movies, and more for the public to enjoy free of charge. Find a library location near you on the Houston Public Library website.

School Districts

Some of the largest school districts in the Houston area include:

There are also many notable private and charter schools in the Houston area. When moving to Houston with kids, be sure to research the different school options in the neighborhoods you are considering.

Local Resources

Here are some additional resources for learning more about Houston: