History of Houston in Timeline
Houston, the most populous city in Texas and the Southern U.S., is situated in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. As the seat of Harris County and the principal city of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, it holds the position of the fifth-most populous metropolitan area in the United States. In 2023, Houston's population stood at 2,314,157, making it the fourth-most populous city in the United States and the sixth-most populous in North America. It also acts as the southeast anchor of the Texas Triangle megaregion.
1900: Galveston Hurricane and Houston's Port Development
Following a devastating hurricane in Galveston in 1900, efforts were accelerated to develop Houston into a viable deep-water port.
1902: Approval of Houston Ship Channel Improvement Project
In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt approved a $1 million project to improve the Houston Ship Channel.
1905: Abandonment of the Ward System
In 1905, the city of Houston abandoned the ward system of representation in favor of a commission government.
1905: Restored Homes in Sam Houston Park
Sam Houston Park contains restored and reconstructed homes which were originally built between 1823 and 1905.
1910: Houston's Population Growth in 1910
By 1910, Houston's population nearly doubled in a decade, reaching 78,800. African Americans comprised nearly one-third of the city's residents, with 23,929 people.
1914: Opening of the Deep-Water Port of Houston
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially opened the deep-water Port of Houston, marking a significant milestone after seven years of digging and construction.
1927: Texas Southern University founded
Texas Southern University, the first state university in Houston, was founded in 1927.
January 18, 1930: Coldest Temperature Recorded
On January 18, 1930, the coldest temperature officially recorded in Houston was 5 °F (−15 °C).
1930: Houston Becomes Texas's Most Populous City
By 1930, Houston had become the most populous city in Texas, with Harris County becoming the state's most populous county.
1940: Establishment of the 1940 Air Terminal Museum
Houston's aviation history is showcased in the 1940 Air Terminal Museum in the old terminal building on the west side of Hobby airport.
1940: Houston's Racial Demographics in 1940
In 1940, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Houston's population was composed of 77.5% White and 22.4% Black residents.
1942: Establishment of Brown Shipbuilding Company in 1942
In 1942, the Brown Shipbuilding Company was founded to construct ships for the U.S. Navy during World War II, contributing to the city's economic growth and attracting new workers.
1945: Formation of the Texas Medical Center
In 1945, the M.D. Anderson Foundation established the Texas Medical Center, laying the groundwork for Houston's prominence in healthcare and research.
1947: University of St. Thomas founded
The University of St. Thomas, Houston's only Catholic university, was founded in 1947.
1948: Houston Annexes Unincorporated Areas in 1948
In 1948, the city of Houston annexed several unincorporated areas, effectively doubling its size and leading to regional expansion.
1948: Rejection of Land-Use Districts
In a referendum in 1948, voters rejected efforts to establish separate residential and commercial land-use districts in Houston.
1950: Air Conditioning Spurs Economic Boom in 1950
In 1950, the widespread availability of air conditioning encouraged companies to relocate to Houston, initiating an economic boom and shifting the city's focus towards the energy sector.
1960: Houston Christian University founded
Houston Christian University (formerly Houston Baptist University) was founded in 1960.
1960: Notable arterial roads
Notable arterial roads in the region include Westheimer Road, Memorial Drive, SH 6, FM 1960, Bellaire Boulevard, and Telephone Road.
1961: Establishment of NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center
In 1961, NASA's 'Manned Spacecraft Center' was established, stimulating the development of Houston's aerospace industry.
1962: Rejection of Land-Use Districts
In a referendum in 1962, voters rejected efforts to establish separate residential and commercial land-use districts in Houston.
1962: Astros Expansion Team Formed
The Houston Astros, a Major League Baseball expansion team, were formed in 1962 and were known as the "Colt .45s" until 1965.
1965: Opening of the Astrodome
In 1965, the Astrodome, the world's first indoor domed sports stadium, opened and was nicknamed the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.
1965: NRG Astrodome Built
In 1965, the NRG Astrodome was the first indoor stadium in the world.
1965: Astros Name Change
The Houston Astros changed their name from the "Colt .45s" in 1965.
1965: Immigration and Nationality Act
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 removed quotas, allowing for the growth of other religions in Houston.
1967: Official Nickname
Houston received the official nickname of "Space City" in 1967 because it is the location of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
1967: Houston International Airport Renamed
In 1967, Houston International Airport was renamed William P. Hobby Airport.
1968: Hosted MLB All-Star Game
Houston hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1968.
1969: End of International Flights at Hobby
The year 1969 marked the end of international flights flown from Hobby Airport with the opening of Bush Intercontinental.
1970: Downtown Houston's Energy Industry Boom
In 1970, Downtown Houston was on the threshold of an energy industry-led boom.
1970: Non-Hispanic White Population
In 1970, the proportion of non-Hispanic whites in Houston was 62.4%.
1971: Rockets Franchise Based in Houston
The Houston Rockets, a National Basketball Association franchise, have been based in the city since 1971.
October 5, 1972: First Same-Sex Marriage
On October 5, 1972, the marriage of Billie Ert and Antonio Molina, considered the first same-sex marriage in Texas history, took place.
1973: Renaming of NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center
In 1973, NASA's 'Manned Spacecraft Center' was renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
1974: AMA Supercross Championship at the Astrodome
In 1974, the Astrodome began hosting the AMA Supercross Championship round.
1979: City council line-up mandate
In 1979, 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.
1981: Rainfall Averages
Houston averages about 49.8 in (1,260 mm) of rainfall annually based on records between 1981 and 2010.
1981: Electricity Spending
In 1981, annual spending on electricity for interior cooling in Houston exceeded $600 million.
1982: Completion of JPMorgan Chase Tower
In 1982, the 75-floor JPMorgan Chase Tower (formerly the Texas Commerce Tower) was completed, becoming Houston's tallest skyscraper at 1,002 feet (305 m).
1983: Completion of Wells Fargo Plaza
In 1983, the 71-floor Wells Fargo Plaza (formerly Allied Bank Plaza) was completed, becoming the second-tallest building in Houston and Texas at 992 feet (302 m).
1985: LGBT Influence in Montrose
By 1985, the flavor and politics of the Montrose neighborhood were heavily influenced by the LGBT community.
1986: Hosted MLB All-Star Game
Houston hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 1986.
December 23, 1989: Single Digit Temperature
On December 23, 1989, the temperature dropped to 7 °F (−14 °C) at Bush Airport, marking the coldest temperature ever recorded there, with 1.7 inches of snow falling the previous day.
1989: Hosted NBA All-Star Game
Houston hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 1989.
1990: Percentage of commuters driving alone to work
In 1990, 71.7% of Houstonians drove alone to work.
1990: LGBT Residents in Montrose
In 1990, according to Hill, 19% of Montrose residents identified as LGBT.
1991: Term limits spearheaded
In 1991, conservative political activist Clymer Wright spearheaded term limits.
1991: Murder in Montrose
Paul Broussard was murdered in Montrose in 1991.
1993: Rejection of Land-Use Districts
In a referendum in 1993, voters rejected efforts to establish separate residential and commercial land-use districts in Houston.
1994: Hosted NBA Finals
Houston hosted the NBA Finals in 1994, winning the event.
1994: Rockets Win NBA Championship
The Houston Rockets won an NBA Championship in 1994, led by star players Hakeem Olajuwon, Otis Thorpe, Clyde Drexler, Vernon Maxwell, and Kenny Smith.
1995: Hosted NBA Finals
Houston hosted the NBA Finals in 1995, winning the event.
1995: Houston Chronicle buys Houston Post assets
In 1995, Hearst Communications, which owns and operates the Houston Chronicle, bought the assets of the Houston Post when it ceased operations.
1995: Rockets Win NBA Championship
The Houston Rockets won an NBA Championship in 1995, led by star players Hakeem Olajuwon, Otis Thorpe, Clyde Drexler, Vernon Maxwell, and Kenny Smith.
1996: Departure of the Houston Oilers
In 1996, the Houston Oilers, an NFL team, left the city.
1997: Election of Lee P. Brown as Mayor
In 1997, Lee P. Brown was elected as Houston's first African American mayor.
1998: Relaxation of Mandatory Lot Sizes
In 1998, Houston relaxed its mandatory lot sizes from 5,000 square feet to 3,500 square feet, leading to a surge in housing construction.
1999: Murdoch University study on commuting
A 1999 Murdoch University study found Houston had both the lengthiest commute and lowest urban density of 13 large American cities surveyed.
1999: Transco Tower renamed Williams Tower
In 1999, the Transco Tower was renamed Williams Tower.
September 4, 2000: Record High Temperature
On September 4, 2000, Houston reached a record high temperature of 109 °F (43 °C) at Bush Intercontinental Airport.
2000: U.S. Census Data
At the 2000 U.S. census, the racial makeup of Houston was 49.3% White, 25.3% Black or African American, and 5.3% Asian. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 37.4% of Houston's population.
2000: Population Growth
From 2000 to 2022, Houston experienced a 15.7% increase in population, indicating continued growth in the 21st century.
2000: Lakewood Church Attendance
In 2000, Lakewood Church had 11,000 weekly attendees.
2000: Opening of Daikin Park
In 2000, the Houston Astros opened their new baseball stadium, Daikin Park, in downtown Houston.
2000: Mosques and Religious Centers
In 2000, there were over 41 mosques and storefront religious centers in Houston, with the largest being the Al-Noor Mosque (Mosque of Light) of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston.
2000: Skyscraper Development
Since 2000, over 30 skyscrapers have been developed in Houston, totaling 72 high-rises in the city and approximately 8,300 units.
June 2001: Tropical Storm Allison
In June 2001, Tropical Storm Allison caused severe flooding in Houston, resulting in billions of dollars in damage and the death of 20 people in Texas.
2001: Enron Scandal and Bankruptcy
In 2001, Enron Corporation, a Houston-based company with $100 billion in revenue, became embroiled in an accounting scandal leading to its bankruptcy the same year.
2001: Houston's Jewish Community Size
In 2001, Houston's Jewish community was estimated at 47,000 people.
2001: Tropical Storm Allison
In 2001, Tropical Storm Allison caused notable flooding in Houston.
2002: Uptown Office Space
In 2002, Uptown had more than 23 million square feet of office space, including 16 million square feet of class A office space.
2002: Formation of the Houston Texans and Opening of NRG Stadium
In 2002, the Houston Texans were formed as an NFL expansion team and NRG Stadium opened.
2002: Texans Expansion Team Formed
The Houston Texans, a National Football League expansion team, were formed in 2002.
2003: AMA Supercross Championship moves to NRG Stadium
In 2003, the AMA Supercross Championship round moved from the Astrodome to the NRG Stadium.
2003: Opening of the Toyota Center
In 2003, the Toyota Center opened as the home for the Houston Rockets.
2003: Voters Approve Five-Line System
In 2003, voters approved a referendum outlining a five-line light rail system, of which two lines are yet to be constructed.
December 24, 2004: Snow Accumulation
On December 24, 2004, parts of the Houston metro area experienced a snowstorm, with 1 inch (3 cm) of snow accumulating.
2004: Hosted MLB All-Star Game
Houston hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 2004.
2004: METRO Red Line Opening
In 2004, METRO initiated light rail services with the inauguration of the 8-mile (13 km) north-south Red Line, connecting Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center, and NRG Park.
August 2005: Hurricane Katrina Evacuees
In August 2005, Houston sheltered more than 150,000 people from New Orleans who evacuated from Hurricane Katrina.
2005: Houston Area Survey results
According to the 2005 Houston Area Survey, political affiliations in Harris County show that 68% of non-Hispanic whites favor Republicans, 89% of non-Hispanic blacks favor Democrats, and about 62% of Hispanics favor Democrats.
2005: Triumph Healthcare ranking
In 2005, Triumph Healthcare hospital system, with headquarters in Houston, was the third-largest long term acute care provider nationally.
2005: Houston Airport System Named Airport of the Year
In 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration and the state of Texas recognized the Houston Airport System as "Airport of the Year", primarily due to the execution of a $3.1 billion airport improvement program for both major airports in Houston.
2005: Formation of the Houston Dynamo
In 2005, the Houston Dynamo soccer team was formed.
2005: Lakewood Church Occupies Compaq Center
Since 2005, Lakewood Church has occupied the former Compaq Center sports stadium.
2005: Astros Appear in World Series
The Houston Astros appeared in the World Series in 2005.
2006: Hosted NBA All-Star Game
Houston hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 2006.
2006: IAH Named Fastest-Growing Airport
In 2006, the United States Department of Transportation recognized IAH as the fastest-growing of the top ten airports in the United States.
2006: Dynamo Franchise Based in Houston
The Houston Dynamo, a Major League Soccer franchise, has been based in Houston since 2006 and won two MLS Cup titles.
2007: Texas Medical Center heart surgeries
Around 2007, more heart surgeries were performed at the Texas Medical Center than anywhere else in the world.
2007: Downtown Office Space
In 2007, Downtown Houston had over 43 million square feet (4,000,000 m) of office space.
2007: Dynamo Win MLS Cup Title
In 2007, The Houston Dynamo won their second MLS Cup title.
2007: IAH Named Model Port of Entry
In early 2007, Bush Intercontinental Airport was designated as a model "port of entry" for international travelers by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
December 10, 2008: Measurable Snowfall
On December 10, 2008, Houston experienced measurable snowfall of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm).
2008: Foreign Companies Relocating to Houston
Between 2008 and 2010, more than 100 foreign-owned companies relocated, expanded, or started new businesses in Houston.
2008: Building Permits Issued in 2008
The city of Houston issued 42,697 building permits in 2008.
December 4, 2009: Measurable Snowfall
On December 4, 2009, Houston experienced measurable snowfall of at least 1 inch (2.5 cm), marking the first time measurable snowfall had occurred in two consecutive years in the city's recorded history.
2009: Percentage of commuters driving alone to work
In 2009, 75.6% of Houstonians drove alone to work.
2009: Hobby Airport Recognized for Performance and Customer Service
In 2009, Hobby Airport received two awards for being one of the top five performing airports globally and for customer service by Airports Council International.
2009: Houston elects a gay mayor
In 2009, Houston became the first U.S. city with a population over 1 million citizens to elect a gay mayor, Annise Parker.
2009: Election of Openly Lesbian Mayor
In 2009, Houston elected the first openly lesbian mayor of a major city.
2009: Ranking as Healthiest Housing Market
In 2009, Houston was ranked first in the list of healthiest housing markets.
2009: Foreign-Born Residents
Since 2009, nearly two-thirds of the Greater Houston area's foreign-born population has been from south of the United States–Mexico border.
September 2010: Outreach Magazine List of Largest Churches
In September 2010, Outreach magazine published a list of the 100 largest Christian churches in the United States, including Houston-area churches such as Lakewood, Second Baptist Church Houston, Woodlands Church, Church Without Walls, and First Baptist Church. Houston and Dallas were tied as the second-most popular city for megachurches.
2010: U.S. Census Population
At the 2010 United States census, Houston had a population of 2,100,263 residents.
2010: Foreign Companies Relocating to Houston
Between 2008 and 2010, more than 100 foreign-owned companies relocated, expanded, or started new businesses in Houston.
2010: Rainfall Averages
Houston averages about 49.8 in (1,260 mm) of rainfall annually based on records between 1981 and 2010.
2010: Continental Airlines Merger
In 2010, Houston-headquartered Continental Airlines merged with United Airlines, based in Chicago, with regulatory approval granted in October.
2010: Mining Contribution to Houston's GAP
In 2010, mining (mainly oil and gas exploration and production) accounted for 26.3% of Houston's GAP, followed by engineering services, health services, and manufacturing.
2010: Racial Demographics
In 2010, whites (including Hispanic whites) made up 57.6% of the city of Houston's population.
August 2011: Additional districts added to city council
In August 2011, two additional districts were added to the city council, and the positions were filled during elections.
August 27, 2011: Record High Temperature Recorded
On August 27, 2011, Houston reached a record high temperature of 109 °F (43 °C) at Bush Intercontinental Airport.
2011: Walk Score Ranking
A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Houston the 23rd most walkable of the 50 largest cities in the United States.
2011: Orthodox Church Attendance in Texas
As of 2011, approximately 32,000 people actively attended Orthodox churches in the entire state of Texas.
2011: Harris Health System dental care changes
As of 2011, the dental centers of Harris Health System take patients of ages 16 and up, with patients under that age referred to the City of Houston's dental clinics.
2012: Kinder Institute Report
A 2012 Kinder Institute report found that Greater Houston was the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the United States.
2012: Muslim Population
As of 2012, the Muslim community in Houston was the largest in Texas and the Southern United States and made up an estimated 1.2% of Houston's population.
2012: Median length of commute in the Houston region
In 2012, a commuting study estimated the median length of commute in the Houston region was 12.2 miles (19.6 km).
October 2013: Grand Prix of Houston held
In October 2013, the Grand Prix of Houston, an IndyCar Series auto race, was held on a 1.7-mile temporary street circuit in NRG Park, using a tweaked version of the 2006–2007 course.
2013: Average work commute in Houston
According to the 2013 American Community Survey, the average work commute in Houston (city) takes 26.3 minutes.
2013: Council member term potential
As of 2013, a freshman council member who won a position can serve up to two additional terms under the previous term limit law.
2013: Hosted NBA All-Star Game
Houston hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 2013.
2013: Eastern Orthodox Christians in Houston
In 2013, Father John Whiteford estimated that there were about 6,000-9,000 Eastern Orthodox Christians in Houston.
2013: Number One U.S. City for Job Creation
In 2013, Houston was identified as the number one U.S. city for job creation by the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, after regaining all jobs lost in the preceding economic downturn and adding more than two jobs for every one lost.
2013: Top U.S. Market for Exports
In 2013, the Houston area surpassed New York City as the top U.S. market for exports, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.
2013: Toyota Center's Largest Screen
In 2013, the Toyota Center featured the largest screen for an indoor arena in the United States to coincide with the arena's hosting of the NBA All-Star Game.
2014: Census Estimates
At the 2014-2018 census estimates, Houston's age distribution was recorded, and the median age was 33.5 in 2014.
2014: Houston Bcycle Expansion and Checkouts
In 2014, Houston Bcycle expanded its network to 29 stations and 225 bicycles, recording over 43,000 checkouts of equipment during the first half of the year.
2014: Pew Research Center Study on Religion
In 2014, a Pew Research Center study found that 73% of Houston area residents identified as Christian, with approximately 50% being Protestant and 19% Roman Catholic. 20% claimed no religious affiliation. Other religions accounted for about 7% of the population.
2014: Breakdown of Irreligious Community
In 2014, of the irreligious community in Houston, 16% practiced nothing in particular, 3% were agnostic, and 2% were atheist.
May 2015: Memorial Day Flood
In May 2015, Houston experienced the Memorial Day Flood, resulting in seven deaths due to 12 inches of rain falling in 10 hours.
2015: Referendum changes mayor term limits
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.
2015: Memorial Day Floods
During the mid-2010s, Greater Houston experienced consecutive major flood events, including one in 2015 referred to as "Memorial Day".
2015: Median Gross Rent
Houston's median gross rent from 2015 to 2019 was $1,041.
2015: Households without a car in Houston
In 2015, 8.3 percent of Houston households lacked a car.
2015: Downtown Cycle Track Added
In 2015, Downtown Houston enhanced its infrastructure with the addition of a cycle track on Lamar Street, stretching from Sam Houston Park to Discovery Green.
2015: Houston's Skyline Ranking in 2015
In 2015, Houston had the fifth-tallest skyline in North America and the 36th-tallest in the world.
2015: Southwest Airlines Launches International Service
In 2015, Southwest Airlines initiated service from a new international terminal at Hobby to various destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
2015: Population Distribution in 2015
In 2015, approximately 470,000 people lived within the Interstate 610 loop, 1.65 million lived between Interstate 610 and Beltway 8, and 2.25 million lived within Harris County outside Beltway 8.
January 2016: Chris Brown becomes city controller
In January 2016, Chris Brown began his first term as the city controller.
April 2016: Severe Storm and Flooding
In April 2016, a storm dropped 17 inches of rain, resulting in eight deaths in Houston.
2016: Increase in Houston's Jewish Population
According to a study in 2016 by Berman Jewish DataBank, 51,000 Jews lived in the area, an increase of 4,000 since 2001.
2016: Composition of Muslim Population
As of 2016, Muslims in the Houston area included South Asians, Middle Easterners, Africans, Turks, and Indonesians, as well as a growing population of Latino Muslim converts.
2016: METRO bus ridership
During the 2016 fiscal year, METRO's local bus network saw nearly 67 million boardings.
2016: Tax Day Floods
During the mid-2010s, Greater Houston experienced consecutive major flood events, including one in 2016 referred to as "Tax Day".
2016: End of Mayoral Term
Houston's first openly lesbian mayor served until 2016.
2016: Households without a car in Houston
In 2016, 8.1 percent of Houston households lacked a car.
2016: Passenger Service at Houston Airports
In 2016, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport served 55 million passengers.
2016: Passenger Traffic at George Bush Intercontinental Airport
In 2016, George Bush Intercontinental Airport served 40 million passengers, including 10 million international travelers.
2016: Commuting habits of Houstonians
In 2016, an estimated 77.2% of commuters drove alone to work in Houston.
2016: LGBT Acceptance
In 2016, levels of LGBT acceptance and discrimination varied in Houston due to some of the region's traditionally conservative culture.
2016: Light Rail Boardings
In fiscal year 2016, the light rail system recorded approximately 16.8 million boardings.
February 5, 2017: Super Bowl LI
On February 5, 2017, NRG Stadium hosted Super Bowl LI.
March 2017: Houston Bike Plan Approved
In March 2017, the Houston City Council endorsed the Houston Bike Plan, integrating it into the Houston Code of Ordinances.
August 2017: Bike Trail Construction Approved
In August 2017, the Houston City Council approved funding for the construction of 13 additional miles of bike trails.
August 2017: Hurricane Harvey
In late August 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused severe flooding in the Houston area, with some areas receiving over 50 inches of rain, leading to an estimated $125 billion in damage and over 70 deaths.
November 2, 2017: Houston Press switches to online format
On November 2, 2017, after the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey, the Houston Press switched to an online-only format.
December 7, 2017: Snowfall Event
On December 7, 2017, Houston experienced a snowfall event, with 0.7 inches (2 cm) of snowfall.
2017: Preference for walkability in Houston
A 2017 study by the Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research found 56% of Harris County residents prefer dense housing in a mixed-use, walkable setting.
2017: Council members serving long terms
As of 2017 some council members who served two terms and won a final term will have served eight years in office.
2017: Median Age
At the 2014-2018 census estimates, Houston's age distribution was recorded, and the median age was 32.9 in 2017.
2017: Won First Baseball Championship
Houston won its first baseball championship during the 2017 World Series.
2017: Bcycle Checkouts and Expansion
In 2017, Bcycle logged over 142,000 check outs while expanding to 56 docking stations.
2017: United Airlines Market Share
In 2017, United Airlines held nearly 60% of the Houston Airport System's commercial aviation market, with 16 million enplaned passengers.
2017: Ozone Pollution Ranking
In 2017, the American Lung Association rated the Houston metropolitan area's ozone level twelfth on the "Most Polluted Cities by Ozone" list.
2017: Houston Astros Win the World Series
In 2017, the Houston Astros won their first World Series.
2017: Census-Estimated Population
In 2017, the census-estimated population of Houston was 2,312,717, with an estimated 600,000 undocumented immigrants residing in the Houston area.
2017: IndyCar contract end
In 2017, the five-year race contract between the Grand Prix of Houston and IndyCar concluded.
2018: SH 99 construction progress
As of 2018, eight of eleven segments of SH 99 (the Grand Parkway) were completed.
2018: Census Estimates
At the 2014-2018 census estimates, Houston's age distribution was recorded, and the median age was 33.1 in 2018.
2018: LGBT Friendliness Score
In 2018, Houston scored a 70 out of 100 for LGBT friendliness.
2018: Population Demographics
In 2018, non-Hispanic whites made up 20.7% of the population, Hispanics or Latino Americans 44.9%, blacks or African Americans 30.3%, and Asian Americans 8.2% of Houston.
2018: Floodplain Development Rules
In 2018, the Houston City Council passed regulations requiring developers to build homes two feet above the 500-year floodplain in response to Hurricane Harvey.
2018: Census-Estimated Population
In 2018, the census-estimated population of Houston was 2,325,502.
2018: Snowfall Measurement
Overall, between 1895 and 2018, Houston has seen measurable snowfall 38 times.
2019: Catholic Archdiocese Size
As of 2019, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston claimed approximately 1.7 million Catholics within its boundaries.
2019: Housing Statistics
In 2019, Houston had 987,158 housing units and 876,504 households, with 42.3% of Houstonians owning housing units. The median household income in 2019 was $52,338.
2019: Tropical Storm Imelda
In 2019, Tropical Storm Imelda caused flooding in Houston.
2019: Population Demographics
In 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, non-Hispanic whites made up 23.3% of the population of Houston proper.
2019: Murder count comparison in Houston
In 2019, the murder count in Houston was almost half of what it was in 2021.
2019: Age Distribution
Per the 2019 American Community Survey, Houston's age distribution was reported, and the median age of the city was 33.4.
2019: Astros Appear in World Series
The Houston Astros appeared in the World Series in 2019.
2020: Tropical Storm Beta
In 2020, Tropical Storm Beta caused flooding in Houston.
2020: Religion Statistics
In 2020, the Public Religion Research Institute estimated that 40% of the population were Protestant and 29% were Catholic, with Christianity representing 72% overall. The Association of Religion Data Archives determined the Catholic Church numbered 1,299,901, the Southern Baptists numbered 800,688, and the non-denominational Protestant churches represented 666,548.
2020: Significant increase in murder rate
Since 2020, Houston's murder rate jumped significantly.
2020: U.S. Census Population
The 2020 U.S. census determined Houston had a population of 2,304,580.
2020: Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Houstonians
The Association of Religion Data Archives numbered 16,526 Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Houstonians in 2020.
2020: Dash Win First Title
The Houston Dash team won their first title in 2020 in the National Women's Soccer League.
2021: Nearly 500 murders in Houston
In 2021, nearly 500 people were murdered in the city of Houston.
2021: Astros Appear in World Series
The Houston Astros appeared in the World Series in 2021.
April 4, 2022: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Relocates HQ
On April 4, 2022, Hewlett Packard Enterprise relocated its global headquarters from California to the Greater Houston area.
2022: Population Growth
From 2000 to 2022, Houston experienced a 15.7% increase in population, indicating continued growth in the 21st century.
2022: Hobby Airport Certified as 5-Star Airport
In 2022, Hobby Airport was certified as the first 5-Star Airport in North America by Skytrax, becoming the 16th airport worldwide to achieve this recognition.
2022: Metro Area GDP
In 2022, the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metro area's gross domestic product (GDP) was $633 billion, making it the seventh-largest of any metropolitan area in the United States.
August 27, 2023: Record High Temperature Recorded
On August 27, 2023, Houston reached a record high temperature of 109 °F (43 °C) at Bush Intercontinental Airport.
2023: Houston's Population in 2023
In 2023, Houston's population was recorded as 2,314,157, making it the fourth-most populous city in the United States.
2023: Enforcement of anti-food sharing ordinance
In 2023, the city of Houston prioritized enforcement of an anti-food sharing ordinance, resulting in volunteers receiving over 80 tickets and a federal lawsuit being filed against the city.
May 16, 2024: Derecho causes widespread damage
On May 16, 2024, a strong derecho caused widespread damage across the city of Houston and the surrounding metropolitan area.
June 2024: Houston Bcycle service ends
In June 2024, Houston's bicycle sharing system, Houston Bcycle, ceased operations.
2024: Inflation Adjusted Electricity Spending
In 1981, the annual spending on electricity for interior cooling was $600 million, equivalent to $2.08 billion in 2024.
2024: Roughnecks Move to UFL
The Houston Roughnecks are a future UFL team starting operations in 2024, previously in the XFL.
2026: To host multiple matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Houston will host multiple matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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