History of Houston in Timeline

Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the Southern U.S., and the fourth-most populous in the nation with 2.3 million residents as of 2020. Its greater metropolitan area has 7.8 million people, making it the fifth-largest metro area in the U.S. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is the county seat of Harris County. Spanning 640.4 square miles, it's the ninth-largest U.S. city and the largest without a consolidated city-county government. While primarily in Harris County, parts of Houston extend into Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. It serves as the southeastern anchor of the Texas Triangle megaregion.

1900: Galveston Hurricane

Following the devastating hurricane that struck Galveston in 1900, efforts were accelerated to develop Houston into a viable deep-water port.

1900: Spindletop Oil Discovery

In 1900, the discovery of oil at the Spindletop oil field near Beaumont spurred the development of the Texas petroleum industry.

1902: Houston Ship Channel Improvement Project Approved

In 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt approved a $1 million improvement project for the Houston Ship Channel.

1905: Abandonment of the Ward System

In 1905, the city of Houston abandoned the ward system in favor of a commission government.

1905: Historical 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

By 1910, Houston's population had nearly doubled from a decade before, reaching 78,800 residents, with African Americans comprising nearly one-third of the city's population.

1912: Rice University founded

Rice University, the most selective university in Texas, was founded in 1912.

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 seven years after the commencement of digging.

1927: Texas Southern University founded

Texas Southern University (TSU), one of the largest historically black universities in the United States, was founded in 1927, becoming the first state university in Houston.

January 18, 1930: Coldest Temperature Recorded

On January 18, 1930, Houston officially recorded its coldest temperature at 5 °F (−15 °C).

1930: Houston Becomes Texas's Most Populous City

By 1930, Houston had risen to become the most populous city in Texas, and Harris County became the most populous county in the state.

1940: 1940 Air Terminal Museum Housed in Old Terminal Building

Houston's aviation history is showcased in the 1940 Air Terminal Museum in the old terminal building on the west side of the airport.

1940: Houston's Racial Demographics

In 1940, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that Houston's population was composed of 77.5% White and 22.4% Black residents.

1942: Foundation of Brown Shipbuilding Company

In 1942, the Brown Shipbuilding Company was established to construct ships for the U.S. Navy during World War II, contributing to the city's economic growth.

1945: Formation of the Texas Medical Center

In 1945, the M.D. Anderson Foundation established the Texas Medical Center, which would later become a major healthcare and research hub.

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, Houston annexed several unincorporated areas, effectively more than doubling its size and contributing to urban sprawl.

1948: Rejection of Land-Use Districts

In 1948, voters rejected efforts to establish separate residential and commercial land-use districts.

1950: Air Conditioning Spurs Economic Boom

In 1950, the widespread availability of air conditioning led many companies to relocate to Houston, spurring an economic boom and shifting the city's economy towards the energy sector.

1960: FM 1960 is a notable arterial road

FM 1960 is a notable arterial road.

1960: Houston Christian University founded

Houston Christian University (formerly Houston Baptist University) was founded in 1960.

1961: Establishment of NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center

In 1961, NASA's "Manned Spacecraft Center" was established in Houston, which later became the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in 1973, stimulating the development of the city's aerospace industry.

1962: Houston Astros Formation

In 1962, the Houston Astros, then known as the "Colt .45s", were formed as a Major League Baseball expansion team.

1962: Rejection of Land-Use Districts

In 1962, voters rejected efforts to establish separate residential and commercial land-use districts.

1965: NRG Astrodome

In 1965, NRG Astrodome was the first indoor stadium in the world.

1965: Houston Astros Name Change

In 1965, the Houston Astros changed their name from the "Colt .45s".

1965: Immigration and Nationality Act

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 removed quotas, allowing for the growth of other religions in Houston.

1967: Houston Named Space City

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: MLB All-Star Game

Houston hosted the 1968 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

1969: Opening of Bush Intercontinental

In 1969, the opening of Bush Intercontinental resulted in Hobby Airport ceasing to have international flights until 2015.

1970: Downtown Houston Energy 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: Houston Rockets Relocation

In 1971, the Houston Rockets, a National Basketball Association franchise, were based in the city.

October 5, 1972: First Same-Sex Marriage in Texas

On October 5, 1972, the marriage of Billie Ert and Antonio Molina took place, considered the first same-sex marriage in Texas history.

1973: Renaming of NASA Manned Spacecraft Center

In 1973, NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center was renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

1979: Original city council line-up

In 1979, the original city council line-up of 14 members (nine district-based and five at-large positions) took effect based on a U.S. Justice Department mandate.

1981: Average Rainfall

Based on records between 1981 and 2010, Houston averages about 49.8 inches (1,260 mm) of rainfall annually.

1981: Publication of "Houston: A History"

In 1981, David G. McComb published "Houston: A History" (2nd ed.) through the University of Texas Press.

1981: Electricity Spending on Interior Cooling Exceeds $600 Million

In 1981, Houston's annual spending on electricity for interior cooling exceeded $600 million, which is equivalent to $2.12 billion in 2025.

1982: Completion of JPMorgan Chase Tower

In 1982, the 75-floor JPMorgan Chase Tower was completed, becoming Houston's tallest skyscraper.

1983: Completion of Wells Fargo Plaza

In 1983, the 71-floor Wells Fargo Plaza was completed, becoming the second-tallest building in Houston and Texas.

1985: LGBT Influence in Montrose

By 1985, the flavor and politics of the Montrose neighborhood in Houston were heavily influenced by the LGBT community.

1986: MLB All-Star Game

Houston hosted the 1986 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

December 23, 1989: Single Digit Temperatures

On December 23, 1989, Houston experienced single-digit temperatures, with a low of 7 °F (−14 °C) recorded at Bush Airport, along with 1.7 inches of snow the previous day.

1989: NBA All-Star Game

Houston hosted the 1989 NBA All-Star Game.

1990: LGBT Residents in Montrose

In 1990, 19% of Montrose residents identified as LGBT.

1990: Commuting habits in Houston

In 1990, 71.7% of Houston commuters drove alone to work.

1991: Term limits spearheaded by Clymer Wright

In 1991, conservative political activist Clymer Wright spearheaded term limits.

1991: Murder of Paul Broussard

Paul Broussard was murdered in Montrose in 1991.

1993: Rejection of Land-Use Districts

In 1993, voters rejected efforts to establish separate residential and commercial land-use districts.

1994: NBA Finals

Houston hosted the 1994 NBA Finals.

1994: Houston Rockets Win NBA Championship

In 1994, the Houston Rockets won an NBA Championship.

1995: NBA Finals

Houston hosted the 1995 NBA Finals.

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: Houston Rockets Win NBA Championship

In 1995, the Houston Rockets won an NBA Championship.

1996: Houston Oilers Departure

In 1996, the Houston Oilers left the city.

1997: Election of Lee P. Brown

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, spurring significant housing construction in the city.

1999: Murdoch University study

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 Rebranded as Williams Tower

In 1999, the Transco Tower, the landmark building in Uptown Houston, was renamed Williams Tower.

September 4, 2000: Record High Temperature

On September 4, 2000, Houston recorded a record high temperature of 109 °F (43 °C) at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

2000: Racial Makeup

At the 2000 U.S. census, Houston was 49.3% White, 25.3% black or African American, 5.3% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 16.5% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race made up 37.4% of Houston's population in 2000, while non-Hispanic whites made up 30.8%.

2000: Population Growth in the 21st Century

From 2000 to 2022, Houston experienced a population increase of 15.7%, continuing its growth into 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 Houston

In 2000, there were over 41 mosques and storefront religious centers in Houston, with the largest being the Al-Noor Mosque (Mosque of Light).

2000: Skyscrapers Developed in Houston

Since 2000, over 30 skyscrapers have been developed in Houston, totaling 72 high-rises with 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 20 deaths in Texas.

2001: Enron Corporation Bankruptcy

In 2001, Enron Corporation, a Houston-based company with $100 billion in revenue, faced an accounting scandal that led to its bankruptcy.

2001: Tropical Storm Allison

In 2001, Houston experienced significant flooding due to Tropical Storm Allison.

2001: Houston Jewish Community Size

In 2001, Houston's Jewish community was estimated at 47,000 people.

2002: Office Space in Uptown

In 2002, Uptown Houston boasted 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, replacing the Houston Oilers, and NRG Stadium opened the same year.

2002: Houston Texans Formation

In 2002, the Houston Texans, a National Football League expansion team, were formed.

2003: Opening of the Toyota Center

In 2003, the Toyota Center opened as the home for the Houston Rockets.

2003: Voters Approve Five-Line Rail System

In 2003, voters approved a referendum for a five-line light rail system, some of which remained unconstructed as of the provided context.

December 24, 2004: Snowstorm

On December 24, 2004, Houston experienced a snowstorm, with 1 inch (3 cm) of snow accumulating in parts of the metro area.

2004: MLB All-Star Game

Houston hosted the 2004 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

2004: METRO Begins Light Rail Service

In 2004, METRO initiated light rail service with the opening of the north-south Red Line, covering 8 miles and connecting key areas such as Downtown, Midtown, and the Texas Medical Center.

August 2005: Hurricane Katrina Evacuees

In August 2005, Houston provided shelter to more than 150,000 people from New Orleans who evacuated due to Hurricane Katrina.

2005: Houston Area Survey on political affiliation

According to the 2005 Houston Area Survey, political affiliation in Harris County showed a divide between racial groups, with 68% of non-Hispanic whites favoring Republicans and 89% of non-Hispanic blacks favoring Democrats.

2005: World Series

Houston hosted the 2005 World Series.

2005: Houston Airport System Named "Airport of the Year"

In 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration and the state of Texas selected the Houston Airport System as "Airport of the Year", largely due to the implementation of a $3.1 billion airport improvement program.

2005: Houston Astros Appear in World Series

In 2005, the Houston Astros appeared in the World Series.

2005: Formation of the Houston Dynamo

In 2005, the Houston Dynamo soccer team was formed.

2005: Triumph Healthcare ranking

In 2005, the Triumph Healthcare hospital system was the third largest long term acute care provider nationally.

2005: Lakewood Church Occupies Compaq Center

Since 2005, Lakewood Church has occupied the former Compaq Center sports stadium.

2006: NBA All-Star Game

Houston hosted the 2006 NBA All-Star Game.

2006: IAH Named Fastest-Growing Airport

In 2006, the United States Department of Transportation named George Bush Intercontinental Airport the fastest-growing of the top ten airports in the United States.

2006: Houston Dynamo Based in Houston

Since 2006, the Houston Dynamo, a Major League Soccer franchise, has been based in Houston, winning two MLS Cup titles in 2006 and 2007.

2007: Most heart surgeries performed at Texas Medical Center

Around 2007, more heart surgeries were performed at the Texas Medical Center than anywhere else in the world.

2007: Office Space in Downtown Houston

In 2007, Downtown Houston had over 43 million square feet of office space.

2007: Houston Dynamo Win MLS Cup

In 2007, the Houston Dynamo won an MLS Cup.

2007: Bush Intercontinental Named Model "Port of Entry"

In early 2007, Bush Intercontinental Airport was named 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: Companies Relocated 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: Commuting habits in Houston

In 2009, 75.6% of Houston commuters drove alone to work.

2009: Hobby Airport Recognized with Two Awards

In 2009, Hobby Airport received two awards for being a top performing airport globally and for customer service by Airports Council International.

2009: First gay mayor elected

In 2009, Houston elected Annise Parker, becoming the first U.S. city with a population over 1 million citizens to elect a gay mayor.

2009: Election of Openly Lesbian Mayor

In 2009, Houston elected the first openly lesbian mayor of a major city, who served until 2016.

2009: Houston Ranked Healthiest Housing Market

In 2009, Houston was ranked first in the list of healthiest housing markets.

2009: Foreign-Born Population

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: Houston Megachurches Listed in Outreach Magazine

In September 2010, Outreach magazine's list of the 100 largest Christian churches in the United States included Lakewood, Second Baptist Church Houston, Woodlands Church, Church Without Walls, and First Baptist Church from the Houston area. Houston and Dallas were tied as the second-most popular city for megachurches.

2010: Population

At the 2010 United States census, Houston had a population of 2,100,263 residents.

2010: Average Rainfall

Based on records between 1981 and 2010, Houston averages about 49.8 inches (1,260 mm) of rainfall annually.

2010: Companies Relocated to Houston

Between 2008 and 2010, more than 100 foreign-owned companies relocated, expanded or started new businesses in Houston.

2010: Continental Airlines Merged with United Airlines

In 2010, Continental Airlines, headquartered in Houston, merged with United Airlines, which is headquartered in Chicago. Regulatory approval was granted in October of that year.

2010: City of Houston census

In 2010, the city of Houston's official census count was 600 shy of the required number of residents to add two additional districts.

2010: Racial Composition of Houston

In 2010, whites (including Hispanic whites) made up 57.6% of the city of Houston's population; 24.6% of the total population was non-Hispanic white. Blacks or African Americans made up 22.5% of Houston's population, American Indians made up 0.3% of the population, Asians made up 6.9% and Pacific Islanders made up 0.1%.

August 2011: City council districts added

In August 2011, two additional city council districts were added and the positions filled after the city's 2010 census count was just short of the 2.1 million residents needed to trigger the addition.

August 27, 2011: Record High Temperature

On August 27, 2011, Houston recorded a record high temperature of 109 °F (43 °C) at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

2011: Houston Walkability 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, 32,000 people actively attended Orthodox churches in the state of Texas.

2011: Dental patient policies

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: Ethnic Diversity Ranking

A 2012 Kinder Institute report found that Greater Houston was the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the United States.

2012: Houston Muslim Population

As of 2012, Houston had the largest Muslim community in Texas and the Southern United States. Muslims were estimated to make up 1.2% of Houston's population.

2012: Commute study

In 2012, a commuting study estimated the median length of commute in the Houston region was 12.2 miles.

2012: Merchandise Exports

In 2012, the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land area recorded $110.3 billion in merchandise exports. Petroleum products, chemicals, and oil and gas extraction equipment accounted for roughly two-thirds of the area's exports. The top three destinations for exports were Mexico, Canada, and Brazil.

October 2013: Grand Prix of Houston held

In October 2013, the Grand Prix of Houston, an annual auto race on the IndyCar Series circuit, was held in NRG Park on a 1.7-mile temporary street circuit, using a tweaked version of the 2006–2007 course.

2013: Average work commute

According to the 2013 American Community Survey, the average work commute in Houston (city) takes 26.3 minutes.

2013: NBA All-Star Game

Houston hosted the 2013 NBA All-Star Game.

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: Houston Top U.S. Market for Exports

In 2013, Houston surpassed New York City as the top U.S. market for exports, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration.

2013: Houston Identified as 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.

2013: Freshman council member term details

In 2013, a freshman council member who won a position can serve up to two additional terms under the previous term limit law.

2013: Toyota Center's Largest Screen

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.

2014: Age Distribution

At the 2014 census estimates, Houston's age distribution was 486,083 under 15; 147,710 aged 15 to 19; 603,586 aged 20 to 34; 726,877 aged 35 to 59; and 357,834 aged 60 and older. The median age was 33.5.

2014: Pew Research Center Study on Religious Affiliations

In 2014, a Pew Research Center study revealed that 73% of Houston area residents identified as Christians, with approximately 50% Protestant and 19% Roman Catholic. 20% claimed no religious affiliation, while other religions made up 7% of the area population.

2014: B-Cycle Network Expanded

In 2014, the B-Cycle network grew to 29 stations and 225 bicycles, with over 43,000 checkouts in the first half of the year.

2014: Irreligious Community

Of the irreligious community, 16% practiced nothing in particular, 3% were agnostic, and 2% were atheist in 2014.

May 2015: Memorial Day Flood

In May 2015, seven people died after 12 inches of rain fell in 10 hours during the Memorial Day Flood.

2015: Referendum changes mayoral term limits

As a result of a referendum in Houston in 2015, a mayor is elected for a four-year term and can be elected to as many as two consecutive terms.

2015: Median Gross Rent

From 2015 to 2019, Houston's median gross rent was $1,041.

2015: Households lacking cars

In 2015, 8.3 percent of Houston households lacked a car.

2015: Memorial Day Flood Event

In 2015, Greater Houston experienced the "Memorial Day" major flood event.

2015: Houston Skyline Ranking

In 2015, Houston had the fifth-tallest skyline in North America and 36th-tallest in the world.

2015: Southwest Airlines Launches International Service

In 2015, Southwest Airlines launched service from a new international terminal at Hobby Airport to destinations in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

2015: Downtown Houston Adds Cycle Track

In 2015, a cycle track was added on Lamar Street in Downtown Houston, connecting Sam Houston Park to Discovery Green.

2015: Population Distribution in Houston

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 serving his first term as the city controller.

April 2016: April 2016 Storm

In April 2016, eight people died during a storm that dropped 17 inches of rain.

2016: Jewish Population Increase in Houston

According to a study in 2016 by Berman Jewish DataBank, 51,000 Jews lived in the Houston area, an increase of 4,000 since 2001.

2016: Diversity of Muslims in Houston

As of 2016, the Muslim community in Houston included South Asians, Middle Easterners, Africans, Turks, and Indonesians, as well as a growing population of Latino Muslim converts.

2016: METRO ridership

During the 2016 fiscal year, METRO's 75 local routes saw nearly 67 million boardings.

2016: End of Mayoral Tenure

Houston's first openly lesbian mayor's tenure ended in 2016. She was first elected in 2009.

2016: Car availability in Houston households

In 2016, 8.1 percent of Houston households lacked a car, and the city averaged 1.59 cars per household.

2016: Airport Served 40 Million Passengers

In 2016, George Bush Intercontinental Airport served 40 million passengers, including 10 million international travelers.

2016: Tax Day Flood Event

In 2016, Greater Houston experienced the "Tax Day" major flood event.

2016: Commuting in Houston

In 2016, an estimated 77.2% of commuters in Houston drove alone to work, and the city averaged 1.59 cars per household.

2016: LGBT Acceptance and Discrimination

In 2016, levels of LGBT acceptance and discrimination varied in Houston due to some of the region's traditionally conservative culture.

2016: Light Rail System Records 16.8 Million Boardings

In fiscal year 2016, Houston's light rail system recorded approximately 16.8 million boardings.

February 5, 2017: Super Bowl LI Hosted at NRG Stadium

On February 5, 2017, NRG Stadium hosted Super Bowl LI.

March 2017: Houston Bike Plan Approved

In March 2017, the Houston City Council approved the Houston Bike Plan and incorporated it into the Houston Code of Ordinances.

August 2017: City Council Approves Bike Trail Funding

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, resulting in up to $125 billion in damages and a death toll exceeding 70 people.

November 2, 2017: Houston Press goes online-only

On November 2, 2017, the Houston Press switched to an online-only format after the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey.

December 7, 2017: Snowfall

On December 7, 2017, Houston experienced a snowfall event, with 0.7 inches (2 cm) of snowfall recorded.

2017: Preference for walkability

A 2017 study by the Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research found 56% of Harris County residents have a preference for dense housing in a mixed-use, walkable setting.

2017: Council members term details

As of 2017, some council members who served two terms and won a final term will have served eight years in office.

2017: Bcycle Records 142,000 Check Outs

In 2017, Bcycle logged over 142,000 check outs and expanded to 56 docking stations.

2017: Hurricane Harvey Flood Event

In 2017, Greater Houston experienced flooding from Hurricane Harvey, a major flood event.

2017: United Airlines' Market Share

In 2017, United Airlines had 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 ranked Houston's metropolitan area's ozone level twelfth on the "Most Polluted Cities by Ozone".

2017: Houston Astros Win World Series

In 2017, the Houston Astros won the World Series.

2017: Population Estimate and Undocumented Immigrants

In 2017, the census-estimated population of Houston was 2,312,717, and an estimated 600,000 undocumented immigrants resided in the Houston area.

2017: Median Age

In 2017, the median age in Houston was 32.9.

2018: Status of the Grand Parkway

As of 2018, eight of eleven segments of the Grand Parkway (SH 99) were completed.

2018: Age Distribution

At the 2014–2018 census estimates, Houston's age distribution was 486,083 under 15; 147,710 aged 15 to 19; 603,586 aged 20 to 34; 726,877 aged 35 to 59; and 357,834 aged 60 and older. The median age was 33.1.

2018: Snowfall Occurrences

By 2018, Houston had seen measurable snowfall 38 times between 1895 and 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 Houston's population, Hispanics or Latino Americans 44.9%, blacks or African Americans 30.3%, and Asian Americans 8.2%.

2018: City Council Floodplain Regulation

In 2018, the Houston City Council passed a regulation with a vote of 9–7, requiring developers to build homes two feet above the 500-year floodplain.

2019: Catholic Archdiocese Population

As of 2019, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, claimed approximately 1.7 million Catholics within its boundaries.

2019: World Series

Houston hosted the 2019 World Series.

2019: Tropical Storm Imelda

In 2019, Houston experienced significant flooding due to Tropical Storm Imelda.

2019: Housing Units, Households, and Income

In 2019, Houston had 987,158 housing units and 876,504 households. The median household income was $52,338, and 20.1% of Houstonians lived at or below the poverty line.

2019: Record Home Sales in 2019

In 2019, home sales in Houston reached a new record of $30 billion.

2019: Population Demographics

In 2019, non-Hispanic whites made up 23.3% of the population of Houston proper, Hispanics and Latino Americans 45.8%, blacks or African Americans 22.4%, and Asian Americans 6.5%.

2019: Houston Astros Appear in World Series

In 2019, the Houston Astros appeared in the World Series.

2020: Murder rate jump

Houston's murder rate jumped significantly since 2020.

2020: Tropical Storm Beta

In 2020, Houston experienced significant flooding due to Tropical Storm Beta.

2020: Houston's Population in 2020

In 2020, Houston's population was recorded at 2.3 million, making it the fourth-most populous city in the United States.

2020: Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Houstonians

In 2020, The Association of Religion Data Archives numbered 16,526 Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Houstonians.

2020: Houston Dash Win First Title

In 2020, the Houston Dash team, which plays in the National Women's Soccer League, won their first title.

2020: Religious Demographics in Houston

In 2020, the Public Religion Research Institute estimated that 40% of Houston's population was Protestant and 29% was Catholic, with Christianity representing 72% overall. The Association of Religion Data Archives determined that the Catholic Church numbered 1,299,901 for the metropolitan area in 2020.

2021: World Series

Houston hosted the 2021 World Series.

2021: Murders in Houston

In 2021, nearly 500 people were murdered in Houston, almost double the count in 2019.

2021: Houston Astros Appear in World Series

In 2021, the Houston Astros appeared in the World Series.

April 4, 2022: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Relocates to Houston

On April 4, 2022, Hewlett Packard Enterprise relocated its global headquarters from California to the Greater Houston area.

2022: Population Growth in the 21st Century

From 2000 to 2022, Houston experienced a population increase of 15.7%, continuing its growth into the 21st century.

2022: World Series

Houston hosted the 2022 World Series.

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.

2022: Houston Astros Win World Series

In 2022, the Houston Astros won the World Series.

2022: GDP of the Houston Metro Area

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

On August 27, 2023, Houston recorded a record high temperature of 109 °F (43 °C) at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

2023: Enforcement of anti-food sharing ordinance

In 2023, the city of Houston prioritized the enforcement of an anti-food sharing ordinance, leading to volunteers receiving over 80 tickets and a federal lawsuit against the city.