Houston
Houston, Texas was founded in 1836 by the Allen brothers (Augustus Chapman and John Kirby) and named in honor of Sam Houston, a military leader in the war for Texas independence.
The city was granted incorporation by the state legislature on June 5, 1837. Houston served as a temporary capital of Texas until government was moved to Austin in 1839. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,953,631, making it the third largest city in the United States. There are as many as 5 million people living in the Houston Metropolitan Area. Houston covers about 600 sq. miles in area, and is also the largest city in the United States which does not have zoning laws. It is the county seat of Harris County6.
Houston is world renowned for its energy industry (particularily oil), and ship channel. Houston is the third busiest port in the United States.
Officially, Houston is known as Space City. "Houston" was the first word uttered on the moon, as Neil Armstrong reported back to NASA. (Other nicknames include "Bayou City" and "Clutch City".)
Houston in also the home of NASA's Johnson Space Center, the Reliant Astrodome and The Alley Theater.
Houston has many notable areas of town. River Oaks is among the wealthiest communities, while the Fifth Ward is among the poorest. Montrose is a very artistic area of the city, and the Houston Galleria area holds the largest shopping mall in the Houston area.
Houston is the largest city in the Houston-Galveston-Baytown-Sugar Land Metroplex.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1,558.4 km² (601.7 mi²). 1,500.7 km² (579.4 mi²) of it is land and 57.7 km² (22.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.70% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 1,953,631 people, 717,945 households, and 457,330 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,301.8/km² (3,371.7/mi²). There are 782,009 housing units at an average density of 521.1/km² (1,349.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 49.27% White, 25.31% African American, 0.44% Native American, 5.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 16.46% from other races, and 3.15% from two or more races. 37.41% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 717,945 households out of which 33.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.2% are married couples living together, 15.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% are non-families. 29.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.67 and the average family size is 3.39.
In the city the population is spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 33.8% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 97.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $36,616, and the median income for a family is $40,443. Males have a median income of $32,084 versus $27,371 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,101. 19.2% of the population and 16.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 26.1% are under the age of 18 and 14.3% are 65 or older.
Transportation
Houston is served by George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Field (EFD).
Houston will get light rail service in 2004. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, or METRO for short, will operate the METRORail service. METRO also operates buses, trolleys, vans, and lift buses.
Sports Teams
- NBA's Houston Rockets (at the Toyota Center)
- National Football League's Houston Texans (at the Reliant Stadium)
- American Hockey League's Houston Aeros (also at the Toyota Center)
- Women's National Basketball Association's Houston Comets (also at the Toyota Center)
- baseball's Houston Astros (at Minute Maid Park).
Health Care
Houston has the Texas Medical Center, which had many hospitals considered to be the best in the world. Many famous people from all over the world, including King Hussein of Jordan, were flown into Houston to recieve health care. The Menninger Clinic, a famous mental health clinic, has moved to the Texas Medical Center from Topeka, Kansas.
Education
The Houston Independent School District is considered to be one of the best urban school districts in the United States. Rod Paige, the former superintendent, elevated the district to that level.
The Baylor College of Medicine, University of Houston, Texas Southern University, University of Saint Thomas, Rice University, and San Jacinto College are in Houston.