Greater Houston
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Common name: Greater Houston |
|
| Largest city Other cities |
Houston - Sugar Land - Baytown - Galveston |
| Population | Ranked 6th in the U.S. |
| - Total | 5,539,949 (2006 est.) |
| - Density | 515 /sq. mi. 199 /km² |
| Area | 10,062 sq. mi. 26,060 km² |
| State(s) | Texas |
| Elevation | |
| - Highest point | > 430 [1] feet (> 131 m) |
| - Lowest point | 0 feet (0 m) |
The Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, a title designated by the U.S. Census as of 2003, is the sixth-largest metropolitan area and one of the most diverse[2] in the United States consisting of 10 counties within the state of Texas. The area is colloquially referred to as either the "Houston metropolitan area" or "Greater Houston" and is situated in East Texas, west of the Golden Triangle.
The Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan statistical area (MSA) has a population of 5.5 million as of the 2005 U.S. Census estimate.[3] The metropolitan area comprises 10 counties, centering in Harris County and the city of Houston. Houston is one of 11 U.S. global cities as it is ranked "Gamma World City" by the Globalization and World Cities Study Group & Network.[4]
Houston is among the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. The area grew 25.2 percent between the 1990 and 2000 censuses—adding more than 950,000 people—while the nation's population increased 13.2 percent over the same period. From 2000 to 2030, says Woods & Poole Economics, the MSA should rank sixth among the nation’s metropolitan areas in population growth—adding 2.66 million people.[5]
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area has a total area of 10,062 square miles (26,060 km²); slightly smaller than Massachusetts and slightly larger than New Jersey.[6]
The metropolitan area is located in the gulf coastal plains biome, and its vegetation is classified as temperate grassland. Much of the metro area was built on forested land, marshes, desert, swamp, or prairie—all of which can still be seen in surrounding areas.
Much of the Houston area is very flat, making flooding a recurring problem for its residents.
[edit] Geology
Underpinning Houston's land surface are unconsolidated clays, clay shales, and poorly-cemented sands up to several miles deep. The region's geology developed from stream deposits formed from the erosion of the Rocky Mountains. These sediments consist of a series of sands and clays deposited on decaying organic matter that, over time, transformed into oil and natural gas. Beneath these tiers is a water-deposited layer of halite, a rock salt. The porous layers were compressed over time and forced upward. As it pushed upward, the salt dragged surrounding sediments into dome shapes, often trapping oil and gas that seeped from the surrounding porous sands. This thick rich soil also provides a good environment for rice farming in suburban outskirts that the city continues to grow into near Katy. Evidence of past rice farming is even still evident in developed areas as there is an abundance of rich dark loamy top soil.
The Houston region is generally earthquake-free. While the city of Houston contains over 150 active surface faults (some have estimated as many as 300 active faults[7]) with an aggregate length of up to 310 miles (500 km),[8][9] the clay below the surface precludes the buildup of friction that produces ground shaking in earthquakes. These faults generally move at a smooth rate in what is termed "fault creep."
[edit] Components of metropolitan area
[edit] Counties
There are 10 counties in the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan statistical area (MSA) defined by the U.S. Census as of 2003.[10] They are listed below with population figures as of the 2006 U.S. Census estimates.[11]
- Harris County — 3,886,207
- Fort Bend County — 493,187
- Montgomery County — 398,290
- Brazoria County — 287,898
- Galveston County — 283,551
- Liberty County — 75,685
- Waller County — 35,185
- Chambers County — 28,779
- Austin County — 26,407
- San Jacinto County — 24,760
[edit] Cities and towns
There are four "principal" cities defined by the U.S. Census as of 2003.[12] Population figures are within the city limits as of the 2005 U.S. Census estimates.[13]
- Houston — 2,016,582
- Sugar Land — 78,901
- Baytown — 68,371
- Galveston — 57,466
[edit] Economy
Among the 10 most populous metro areas, Houston ranked second in employment growth rate and fourth in nominal employment growth.[14] In 2006, the Houston metropolitan area ranked first in Texas and third in the U.S. within the category of "Best Places for Business and Careers" by Forbes.[15]
The Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA's Gross Area Product (GAP) in 2005 was $308.7 billion, up 5.4 percent from 2004 in constant dollars—slightly larger than Austria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Only 28 nations other than the United States have a GDP exceeding Houston's GAP.[16] Mining, which in Houston is almost entirely oil and gas exploration and production, accounts for 11 percent of Houston's GAP—down from 21 percent as recently as 1985. The reduced role of oil and gas in Houston's GAP reflects the rapid growth of other sectors—such as engineering services, health services, and manufacturing.[17]
The area's economic activity is centered in Houston, the county seat of Harris County. Houston is second to New York City in Fortune 500 headquarters. The city has attempted to build a banking industry, but the companies originally started in Houston have since merged with other companies nationwide. Banking, however, is still vital to the region.
Houston is a major port and financial center for oil companies. Houston's energy industry is a world powerhouse (particularly oil), but biomedical research, aeronautics, and the ship channel are also large parts of the city's industrial base. The Houston metropolitan area comprises the largest petrochemical manufacturing area in the world, including for synthetic rubber, insecticides, and fertilizers. The area is also the world's leading center for building oilfield equipment.
Much of metro area's success as a petrochemical complex is due to its busy man-made ship channel, the Port of Houston.[18] Because of these economic trades, many residents have moved to the Houston area from other U.S. states, as well as hundreds of countries worldwide. Unlike most places, where high gas prices are seen as harmful to the economy, they are generally seen as beneficial for Houston as many are employed in the energy industry. Baytown, Texas City, Clute, and Galveston also have major ports and chemical plants. Galveston also has the largest cruise ship terminal in Texas (and the 12th-largest in the world) and is a recreational area for people in the region.
Sugar Land is home to the second-largest economic activities and third-largest city in the metropolitan area. Sugar Land has the most important and booming economic center in Fort Bend County. The city holds the Nalco/Exxon and Western Airways headquarters. Engineering firms and other related industries have managed to take the place as an economic engine.
[edit] Politics
Politics in the Greater Houston area are divided between the Republican and Democratic parties[19]. In 2004, every county in the region voted for George W. Bush, even though the city of Houston was won by John Kerry.
In Houston, the Republicans are strongest in the affluent western and west-central portions of Houston, and also in the Kingwood and Clear Lake City master-planned communities on Houston's far northeast and southeast sides, respectively. The 7th congressional district, which includes much of west Houston, was previously held by George Bush, who would eventually go on to become the 41st President of the United States. Democrats are strongest within Loop 610 and in the largely poor and minority northern, eastern and southern portions of Houston.
Houston's suburbs are also politically divided. For example, the counties of Brazoria and Montgomery are Republican strongholds[20], while Fort Bend and Galveston counties are more politically divided, even though both counties somewhat barely lean Republican[21]. In Fort Bend County, Democrats are strongest in majority black and Hispanic northern precincts of Missouri City, while more affluent places—such as Sugar Land and the Katy area are heavily Republican. Galveston—located in the southern portion of Galveston County—is heavily Democratic, while that county's northern suburban areas—including League City—vote Republican. Democrats also have a presence in La Marque and Texas City—both home to large numbers of unionized refinery workers—a traditionally Democratic voting bloc.
[edit] United States Congress
| Senators | Name | Party | First Elected | Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senate Class 1 | Kay Bailey Hutchison | Republican | 1993 | Senior Senator | |
| Senate Class 2 | John Cornyn | Republican | 2002 | Junior Senator | |
| Representatives | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Greater Houston Represented | |
| District 2 | Ted Poe | Republican | 2004 | Kingwood portion of Houston, Spring, northeast Harris County (including Baytown, Humble and La Porte), western and southern Liberty County | |
| District 7 | John Culberson | Republican | 2000 | West Houston, Memorial Villages, Bellaire, West University Place, west and northwest Harris County | |
| District 8 | Kevin Brady | Republican | 1996 | Montgomery and San Jacinto counties; northern Liberty County | |
| District 9 | Al Green | Democrat | 2004 | Alief, Southwest Houston, Houston’s Southside, portions of Fort Bend County (Mission Bend, eastern portion of Stafford, northern and eastern portions of Missouri City, county’s entire share of Houston) | |
| District 10 | Michael McCaul | Republican | 2004 | Northwest Harris County; Austin and Waller counties | |
| District 14 | Ron Paul | Republican | 1996 (also served 1976-1977 and 1979-1985) | Galveston, most of Brazoria County (except Pearland), far northern and western Fort Bend County, Chambers County, portions of Galveston County (League City, most of Texas City), Wharton County, and Matagorda County | |
| District 18 | Sheila Jackson Lee | Democrat | 1994 | Downtown Houston, Bush IAH, northwest and northeast Houston, inner portions of Houston’s Southside | |
| District 22 | Nick Lampson | Democrat | 2006 (also served 1997-2005) | most of Fort Bend County (Sugar Land, Rosenberg, western and southern portions of Missouri City), northern Brazoria County (including Pearland), portions of Galveston County (La Marque), southeastern Harris County (Clear Lake City, NASA Johnson Space Center, Ellington Field, southern and central Pasadena, Deer Park) | |
| District 29 | Gene Green | Democrat | 1992 | East Houston, northern Pasadena, Galena Park, Channelview (all Harris County) | |
[edit] Texas Legislature
[edit] Texas Senate
| District | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Greater Houston Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Robert Nichols | Republican | 2006 | Northern and western Montgomery County (including Conroe), San Jacinto County | |
| 4 | Tommy Williams | Republican | 2003 | Southern Montgomery County (including The Woodlands), Kingwood, Liberty County, Chambers County, far eastern portions of Baytown | |
| 6 | Mario Gallegos | Democrat | 1995 | Houston Ship Channel, eastern portions of Houston, Jacinto City, Galena Park, northern Pasadena, western portion of Baytown | |
| 7 | Dan Patrick | Republican | 2007 | Memorial Villages, Memorial/Spring Branch area, Addicks Reservoir, Northwest Harris County | |
| 11 | Mike Jackson | Republican | 1999 | Northern and central Brazoria County, southeastern portions of Houston and Harris County, Galveston County (except for Galveston Island) | |
| 13 | Rodney Ellis | Democrat | 1990 | Downtown Houston, Texas Medical Center, southwest and northeast Houston, Houston’s Southside, northern portions of Missouri City, Stafford | |
| 15 | John Whitmire | Democrat | 1983 | Northwest Houston, Bush IAH, southern portion of Humble, eastern Harris County | |
| 17 | Kyle Janek | Republican | 2002 | Meyerland, Bellaire, West University Place, much of Katy area, far west Houston, Barker Reservoir, portions of Fort Bend County (Sugar Land and southern Missouri City) southern Brazoria County, Galveston, Port Arthur | |
| 18 | Glenn Hegar | Republican | 2006 | Austin, Waller and Wharton counties; western Fort Bend County | |
[edit] Texas House of Representatives
| District | Name | Party | First Elected | Area(s) of Greater Houston Represented | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Jim McReynolds | Democrat | 1996 | San Jacinto County | |
| 13 | Lois Kolkhorst | Republican | 2000 | Austin County | |
| 15 | Rob Eissler | Republican | 2002 | The Woodlands, southern Montgomery County | |
| 16 | C. Brandon Creighton | Republican | 2006 | Northern and central Montgomery County (including Conroe) | |
| 18 | John Otto | Republican | 2004 | Liberty County, southeastern Montgomery County | |
| 23 | Craig Eiland | Democrat | 1994 | Galveston, Texas City, Chambers County | |
| 24 | Larry Taylor | Republican | 2002 | Hitchcock, La Marque, Santa Fe, Dickinson, League City, Friendswood (all in Galveston County) | |
| 25 | Dennis Bonnen | Republican | 1996 | Southern Brazoria County (Lake Jackson, Angleton, Freeport) | |
| 26 | Charlie Howard | Republican | 1994 | Sugar Land | |
| 27 | Dora Olivo | Democrat | 1996 | Eastern Fort Bend County (including Rosenberg, most of Missouri City, county’s share of Houston) | |
| 28 | John Zerwas | Republican | 2006 | Wharton and Waller counties, western Fort Bend County | |
| 29 | Mike O'Day | Republican | 2007 | Matagorda County, part of Brazoria County (Pearland, Alvin) | |
| 126 | Patricia Harless | Republican | 2006 | Champions/FM 1960 | |
| 127 | Joe Crabb | Republican | 1992 | Kingwood, Lake Houston, Crosby, Wallisville | |
| 128 | Wayne Smith | Republican | 2002 | East Harris County (Baytown, Deer Park, La Porte) | |
| 129 | John Davis | Republican | 1998 | Southeast Harris County (Clear Lake City, NASA Johnson Space Center) | |
| 130 | Corbin Van Arsdale | Republican | 2002 | Northwest Harris County (including Tomball and Cypress-Fairbanks areas) | |
| 131 | Alma Allen | Democrat | 2004 | Outer portions of Houston’s Southside | |
| 132 | Bill Callegari | Republican | 2000 | West Harris County (including county’s share of Katy and unincorporated western parts of the Katy area) | |
| 133 | Jim Murphy | Republican | 2006 | West Houston, western portion of Memorial/Spring Branch, part of the Energy Corridor | |
| 134 | Ellen Cohen | Democrat | 2006 | Inner western portions of Houston (including Meyerland, River Oaks and Memorial Park), Texas Medical Center, West University Place, Bellaire, Southside Place | |
| 135 | Gary Elkins | Republican | 1994 | Parts of northwest Harris County (including Jersey Village) and southeastern segments of the Champions/FM 1960 area | |
| 136 | Beverly Woolley | Republican | 1994 | Memorial Villages and surrounding areas | |
| 137 | Scott Hochberg | Democrat | 1992 | Southwest Houston (including Sharpstown, Westwood and Fondren Southwest) | |
| 138 | Dwayne Bohac | Republican | 2002 | Northwest Houston and parts of the Memorial/Spring Branch area north of I-10, Addicks Reservoir | |
| 139 | Sylvester Turner | Democrat | 1988 | North Houston and Aldine west of I-45 | |
| 140 | Kevin Bailey | Democrat | 1990 | North Houston and Aldine east of I-45 | |
| 141 | Senfronia Thompson | Democrat | 1972 | Northeast Houston, Bush IAH, Greenspoint, southern portion of Humble | |
| 142 | Harold Dutton, Jr. | Democrat | 1984 | East Houston, Northshore | |
| 143 | Ana Hernandez | Democrat | 2006 | East Houston within Loop 610, Houston Ship Channel, Galena Park, Jacinto City, northern Pasadena | |
| 144 | Robert Talton | Republican | 1992 | Southern Pasadena, far southeast Houston | |
| 145 | Rick Noriega | Democrat | 1998 | Inner southeastern portions of Houston (mainly east of I-45), South Houston (not part of the city of Houston) | |
| 146 | Borris Miles | Democrat | 2006 | Inner portions of Houston’s Southside | |
| 147 | Garnet Coleman | Democrat | 1990 | Downtown Houston, inner southeastern portions of Houston (mainly west of I-45) | |
| 148 | Jessica Farrar | Democrat | 1994 | Northwest Houston mainly within Loop 610 (including Houston Heights) | |
| 149 | Hubert Vo | Democrat | 2004 | Far west Houston, Alief, unincorporated portions of Katy area east of Fry Rd, Barker Reservoir | |
| 150 | Debbie Riddle | Republican | 2002 | Northern Harris County (Spring, Klein, northern Humble) | |
[edit] Transportation
[edit] Highways
Houston’s freeway system includes 575.5 miles of freeways and expressways in the 10-county metro area.[22] The State of Texas plans to spend $5.06 billion on Houston area highways between 2002 and 2007. Houston freeways are heavily traveled and often under construction to meet the demands of continuing growth.
The Greater Houston area has a hub-and-spoke freeway structure with multiple loops. The innermost is Interstate 610, forming approximately a 10 mile diameter loop around downtown. The roughly square "Loop-610" is quartered into "North Loop," "South Loop," "West Loop," and "East Loop." The roads of Beltway 8 and their freeway core, the Sam Houston Tollway, are the next loop, at a diameter of roughly 25 miles. A proposed highway project, Texas Highway 99 (The Grand Parkway), would form a third loop outside of Houston. Currently, the completed portion of Texas Highway 99 runs from just north of Interstate 10, west of Houston, to U.S. Highway 59 in Sugar Land, southwest of Houston, and was completed in 1994. The next portion to be constructed is from the current terminus at U.S. Highway 59 to State Highway 288 in Brazoria County.
- Further information: List of highways in Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA
[edit] Mass transit
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, or METRO, provides public transportation in the form of buses, trolleys, and lift vans.
METRO began running light rail service (METRORail) on January 1, 2004. Currently the track is rather short—it runs about 8 miles (13 km) from Downtown Houston to the Texas Medical Center and Reliant Park. METRO's various forms of public transportation still do not connect many of the suburbs to the greater city, causing Houstonians to rely on the automobile as a primary source of transportation. Prior to the opening of METRORail, Houston was the largest city in the United States devoid of a rail transit system by a very large margin.
Following a successful referendum held locally in 2004, METRO is currently in the beginning design phases of a 10-year expansion plan to add five more sections to connect to the current rail system. An 8.3 mile (13.4 km) expansion has been approved to run the service from Uptown (the Galleria area) through Texas Southern University, ending at the University of Houston campus.
[edit] Airports
Houston's largest airport (and Texas's second-largest), George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is located in north Houston. Continental Airlines is headquartered in Downtown Houston. The southeast of Houston has William P. Hobby Airport, the second-largest commercial passenger airport. Houston's third-largest airport is Ellington Field, which houses several National Guard and Air National Guard units, as well as the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center's fleet of jets that are used to train astronauts. Sugar Land, southwest of Houston, has the Sugar Land Regional Airport. Sugar Land Regional is the fourth-largest airport in the metropolitan area and the only general reliever airport in the southwest sector.
[edit] Notes
- ^ in Northwestern Montgomery County near the borders with Grimes County and Walker County. USGS Richards (TX) Topo Map, UTM 15 229939E 3389282N (NAD27). Topozone.com. Last accessed January 5, 2007. Note: Texas Almanac, 1988-1989. Edited by Elizabeth Cruce Alvarez, Robert Plocheck, lists San Jacinto county: Altitude (ft.): 74-386. However, there are multiple points in San Jacinto Countyand Montgomery County higher than 386 ft.
- ^ http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/09AW001.pdf
- ^ http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/09AW015.pdf
- ^ http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/citylist.html
- ^ http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/09AW005.pdf
- ^ http://www.houstontx.gov/abouthouston/houstonfacts.html
- ^ Mapping Active Faults in the Houston area Using LIDAR. Richard Engelkeimer, Shuhab Khan, Carl Norman. University of Houston.
- ^ Faults in Parts of North-Central and Western Houston Metropolitan Area, Texas. Earl R. Verbeek, Karl W. Ratzlaff, Uel S. Clanton. U.S. Geological Survey.
- ^ Principal Active Faults. Houston Area, Texas. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1984.
- ^ http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/metro_general/List4.txt
- ^ http://http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2006-01-48.xls
- ^ http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/metro_general/List2.txt
- ^ http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2005-04-48.xls
- ^ http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/10AW001.pdf
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/2006/05/03/06bestplaces_best-places-for-business_land.html
- ^ http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/02CW001.pdf
- ^ http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/15AW001.pdf
- ^ http://www.portsl.com/pages/15_overview.html
- ^ http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/
- ^ http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/
- ^ http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/
- ^ http://www.houston.org/blackfenders/11BW001.pdf
[edit] External links
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