It’s a well-known fact that everyone in Houston wears cowboy hats and boots; rides a horse to work; talks with a drawl that signifies ignorance and stupidity; chews tobacco; and has an oil well in his back yard...

Let’s dispense with the stereotypes. Houston is truly one of the most international, modern, and cosmopolitan cities in the United States of America. As the fourth most populous city in the nation (following New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago) Houston has approximately 2.1 million residents within its city limits. Harris County (within which Houston is located) has roughly 3.8 million residents. The Houston Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (“CMSA”) is the 6th largest in the nation and contains approximately 5.5 million residents. The Houston CMSA (the parameters of which are defined by federal law) is comprised of eight counties: Harris, Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, Montgomery, Chambers and Liberty. In terms of geography, Houston is the largest city in the nation, containing 618 square miles. The Houston CMSA contains 8,778 square miles. By way of comparison, the Houston CMSA is as large as Israel and El Salvador.


Houston Quick Facts: General

Founded in 1836 by Augustus and John Allen Named for Samuel Houston, a military general; first President of the Republic of Texas; Representative to the U.S. Congress; U.S. Senator; and Governor of Texas Original capital of the Republic of Texas

4th most populous U.S. city with 2.1 million people, 5.5 million in its CMSA Largest city in nation based on geography: 618 square miles 78 foreign consulates assist foreign nationals in Houston

Houston Quick Facts: Culture

Home to the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Aeros, and numerous other professional sports teams With nearly 13,000 seats, Houston’s 17-block Theater District contains the 2nd highest number of theater seats in nation--only New York has more Houston Grand Opera is the only opera company to have won a Tony, two Grammys and two Emmy awards Houston Ballet is the nation’s fifth-largest dance company 45 religions have followers in Houston 90 languages spoken by Houston residents Home of the prestigious Shell Houston Open golf tournament Hundreds of cultural, visual, and performing arts organizations

Home to Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, attracting more than 1.8 million visitors annually Host of the 2004 Super Bowl and 2004 Baseball All Star Game More than 40 colleges and universities With more than 11,000 restaurants, more people "eat out" in Houston than any other city in the nation Hundreds of parks and green spaces Home of the 2003 Tennis Masters Cup More than 165 golf courses The Houston Museum District hosts 16 institutions, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the 4th most-visited museum in the nation

Houston Quick Facts: Demographics

Diverse population: 39.8% Hispanic origin, 29.1% Caucasian origin, 24.3% African origin, and 5.9% Asian origin. 3rd most affordable housing marketing amongst major U.S. cities 7th nationally in median household income

6th nationally in median family income 5th nationally in per capita income 6th largest Hispanic population amongst U.S. cities, and Harris County has the 3rd largest Hispanic population amongst U.S. Counties

Houston Quick Facts: Business

19 Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Houston Ranked number 1 in the nation in new business growth in 2001, 2002, and 2003 Dozens of public-traded companies maintain key operations in Houston Home of the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest private employer Houston Airport System is the 4th largest multi-airport system in the U.S., and the 6th largest in the world: more than 38 million travelers annually

NASA is headquartered in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake Port of Houston is the largest port in U.S. based on international tonnage, and 2nd largest port based on total tonnage Sixth largest legal market in the United States More than 50,000 hotel rooms in Houston