Houston
RANK #921 / 996 NAT · #55 / 69 TX · POP 4,726,177
1YR FORECAST: -1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +11%
Home to the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, where Texas won its independence, Harris County is located on the upper Gulf Coast in Southeast Texas. It encompasses 1,778 square miles, an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. The county seat, Houston, is the largest city in Texas. Commuting within the county is primarily done via a network of highways, with public transit options like METRO buses and Park & Ride services also available. The landscape transitions from coastal prairie in the south to rolling timberlands in the north, with numerous parks and bayous offering outdoor recreation opportunities.
Life in Harris County offers a diverse experience, with a population that is a mix of cultures, languages, and traditions. The county is served by over 20 school districts, including the Houston Independent School District, and is home to higher education institutions. The economy is driven by sectors such as energy, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, logistics, and aerospace. Major investments in these areas contribute to job opportunities, attracting a workforce that supports these industries.
Above national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
TIRZ 24 Infrastructure and Investment Study Projects
Harris County Redevelopment Authority and TIRZ 24
|
$715M | Planned |
|
NRG Greens Bayou Natural Gas Plant Expansion
NRG Energy, Inc.
|
$617M | Planned |
|
Beacon Storage (Battery Project)
Undisclosed
|
$409M | Planned |
|
NRG T H Wharton Natural Gas Facility
NRG Energy, Inc.
|
$360M | Planned |
|
HOU2 Data Center
TRG Datacenters
|
$240M | Under Construction |
|
Destiny Storage Project (Battery Energy Storage System)
Cypress Creek Renewables
|
$133M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Harris County scores just 7/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #921 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.0% and median household income of $70,789 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Harris County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $235,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,269/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Harris County's population is growing — up +0.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +1.0%). Home values shifted -2.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.01% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Harris County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.