Houston, Texas is the fourth largest city in the United States and is known for many things. Some of the most notable things that Houston is known for include:
Space Exploration
Houston is famously known as the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The Johnson Space Center serves as the control center for missions of the International Space Station, the Orion spacecraft, and many other important space operations. It is also home to NASA’s astronaut training facility. Some of the most famous phrases associated with Houston’s legacy in space exploration include “Houston, we have a problem” from the Apollo 13 mission and “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” from Neil Armstrong during the Apollo 11 mission when he became the first person to walk on the moon.
The Johnson Space Center features the Space Center Houston visitors center which allows the public to tour mission control and see rocket displays including a Saturn V rocket. Houston’s connection to space and astronauts makes it a major part of the city’s identity.
The Energy Industry
In addition to aerospace, Houston is widely known as the “Energy Capital of the World” and is a major hub for the oil and gas industry. Some key facts about Houston’s status in the energy industry:
- There are over 5,000 energy related firms headquartered in Houston including major oil companies like ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66, and Occidental Petroleum.
- More than 3,000 energy companies have operations in Houston.
- 10% of the nation’s crude oil refining capacity is located along the Houston Ship Channel.
- The Port of Houston is first in U.S. imports, second in total tonnage, and home to the second largest petrochemical complex in the world.
This huge oil and gas presence earned Houston nicknames like “the Giant Spaghetti Bowl” because of all the intersecting pipelines. The energy business provides lots of high paying jobs and is a big driver of the local economy.
Transportation Hub
In addition to being a center for the energy sector, Houston has one of the largest and busiest shipping ports in the United States. The Port of Houston handles over 200 million tons of international trade annually. Houston’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico makes it an ideal port city.
Houston is also home to two major commercial airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. The airports connect Houston to destinations across the United States and around the world. Houston airports handle over 55 million passengers each year.
When it comes to ground transportation, Houston has a large network of interstate highways. It has the second most extensive freeway system in the U.S. after Los Angeles. The intersecting highways spread across the region enabling people, goods, and services to easily flow across the sprawling metropolitan area.
Diverse Culture
With a population of over 2.3 million people within the city limits and nearly 7 million in the metro area, Houston is an extremely diverse and international city. It often ranks as the most racially/ethnically diverse large city in the United States. Some key facts about Houston’s multicultural makeup:
- Houston has one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, with over 1 million foreign-born residents.
- Over 90 languages are spoken throughout the Greater Houston area.
- There are large Latino, African American, and Asian populations that contribute to distinct neighborhoods and cultural sites across the city.
This diversity is reflected in Houston’s acclaimed food scene which offers a wide array of international cuisine including Tex-Mex, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Nigerian, and Brazilian flavors. Houston’s diversity makes it a representation of the blending of cultures that defines the United States.
World-Class Medical Center
The Texas Medical Center in Houston is the largest medical complex in the world. It spans over 1,300 acres and encompasses over 60 medical institutions. Some astounding facts about the Texas Medical Center include:
- It has a total workforce of over 106,000 people including 20,000 physicians, scientists, and researchers.
- Over 10 million patients visit the Texas Medical Center each year.
- It has over 8,200 total patient beds and accounts for over 8% of all U.S. hospital patient beds.
- It performs over 180,000 surgeries annually.
The cutting edge research and treatment capabilities of the Texas Medical Center makes Houston a destination for those seeking top-notch medical care. Many patients travel from around the world to have surgeries and receive treatment at hospitals in the Medical Center.
Arts and Culture
In addition to energy, space, and medicine, Houston has a thriving arts and cultural scene. Some top attractions include:
- The Museum District – 19 museums located within walking distance of each other including the Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural Science, and Museum of Fine Arts.
- The Theater District – Home to nine performing arts organizations including the Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, and the Houston Symphony Orchestra which is the largest performing arts center complex after New York’s Lincoln Center.
- Space Center Houston – As described above, this is the official visitors center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center featuring exhibits on space exploration and artifacts including a Saturn V rocket.
Houston also has a vibrant local music scene, diverse festivals and events, a growing number of art galleries, and great dining options. Leisure travelers are drawn to Houston’s cultural attractions.
Professional Sports
Sports fans know Houston for its professional sports teams. The city is one of only a few U.S. cities that has franchises in all four major professional leagues. Houston’s pro sports teams include:
- Houston Astros – MLB baseball team who won the World Series in 2017.
- Houston Rockets – NBA basketball team who won back-to-back championships in the 90s.
- Houston Texans – NFL pro football team.
- Houston Dynamo – MLS soccer team.
In addition to the pro teams, Houston hosts major sporting events. The NRG Stadium hosted Super Bowl LI in 2017 and will host the 2023 NCAA Men’s Final Four. The city also hosts the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo which is the largest event of its kind in the world.
Leading Educational Institutions
Houston is home to some nationally top-ranked universities and colleges including:
- Rice University – Ranked #17 in National Universities by US News. Highly acclaimed undergraduate and graduate research university.
- University of Houston – Largest university in Houston and serves over 46,000 students. Offers 100+ undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
- Texas Southern University – One of the largest HBCUs in America with over 10,000 students enrolled.
These prestigious schools help Houston attract talented students and faculty from around the world. The universities also partner with corporations like energy companies to conduct research and develop workforce talent.
Booming Population
One of the main things Houston is known for is its surging population growth. Houston is currently the 4th largest city in the U.S. but is projected to become the 3rd largest at some point in the 2020s, surpassing Chicago. Some key facts about Houston’s population boom:
- Between 2010 to 2018, Houston added nearly 1 million new residents which was the 3rd largest population increase over that time behind NYC and Dallas.
- The Greater Houston metro area gains about 150,000 new residents per year.
- The metro population is expected to exceed 10 million by 2040.
People are drawn to Houston for its diverse job market including the energy sector, low cost of living compared to other major cities, and sunny climate. The city has to focus on managing this rapid growth through urban planning and infrastructure investments.
Thriving Restaurant Scene
Houston’s dining scene is world class. The city has a vast array of restaurants to suit any craving. Houston’s top notch culinary options include:
- Tex-Mex – Houston’s signature cuisine, Tex-Mex dishes like fajitas were invented here.
- Barbecue – Texas is known for smoked brisket and Houston has its share of venerable BBQ joints.
- Viet-Cajun – Specialty cuisine blending Vietnamese and Louisiana influences that can be found in Houston.
- International diversity – Thai, Chinese, Brazilian steakhouses, African, and more.
The city has many top chefs and some dining establishments that have won prestigious James Beard Awards. Foodies appreciate the wide range of Houston restaurant options.
Thriving Job Market
Along with its rapid population growth, Houston has a robust job market across many industries:
- Over 300,000 people are employed in Houston’s energy sector in areas like petroleum refining and petrochemical manufacturing.
- The Texas Medical Center employs over 100,000 people in fields ranging from research to healthcare services.
- Both the ship channel and airports provide thriving transportation and logistics job centers.
- NASA and the space industry employ over 30,000 people in Houston in fields like aeronautics and engineering.
Major corporations with large Houston workforces include Phillips 66, Sysco, Halliburton, and Waste Management. Job seekers find opportunities in Houston’s diverse economy.
Affordable Housing
Compared to other major U.S. metros, Houston is known for its affordable housing options. Reasons buying a house in Houston is more affordable than other big cities include:
- Lack of zoning restrictions provides flexibility in building that keeps housing supply ample relative to demand.
- Land is less scarce than in metros hemmed in by geographic barriers like coasts and mountains.
- Property taxes and energy costs are lower than the U.S. average.
The median home price is just around $250,000 and the median monthly rent is under $1,200. Housing costs are 30% or more below comparable major cities like NYC, SF, LA, DC, or Boston making Houston very attractive for Millennials, families, and retirees looking for affordable living.
Conclusion
Houston, Texas has developed a distinct identity through its world-leading roles in energy, space exploration, healthcare, transportation, and growing international culture. The city provides big city opportunity through industries like energy and medicine combined with amenities like pro sports teams and renowned restaurants. Jobs and affordable living attract new residents from across the country and around the world. Houston continues to emerge as an economic powerhouse and one of the most important and dynamic metro areas in America.