Harris County, TX

County

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2021 Population

4.7M

0.371% 1-year growth

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

33.9

0.593% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

15.6%

0.107% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$65,788

4.39% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$201,200

6.23% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

2.26M

0.192% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Harris County, TX had a population of 4.7M people with a median age of 33.9 and a median household income of $65,788. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Harris County, TX grew from 4.68M to 4.7M, a 0.371% increase and its median household income grew from $63,022 to $65,788, a 4.39% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Harris County, TX are White (Non-Hispanic) (28.3%), White (Hispanic) (23.8%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (18.5%), Other (Hispanic) (9.87%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (9.15%).

None of the households in Harris County, TX reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

83.9% of the residents in Harris County, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Harris County, TX are University of Houston (11,581 degrees awarded in 2021), San Jacinto Community College (227979) (7,278 degrees), and Houston Community College (225423) (6,693 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Harris County, TX was $201,200, and the homeownership rate was 54.9%.

Most people in Harris County, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Harris County, TX was 2 cars per household.

Harris County, TX borders Brazoria County, TX, Chambers County, TX, Fort Bend County, TX, Galveston County, TX, Liberty County, TX, Montgomery County, TX, and Waller County, TX.

Photo by xiquinhosilva

United States Texas Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX

Population & Diversity

Harris County, TX is home to a population of 4.7M people, from which 83.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 26.2% of Harris County, TX residents were born outside of the country (1.23M people).

In 2021, there were 1.19 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (1.33M people) in Harris County, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.12M White (Hispanic) and 868k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

83.9%

2021 Citizenship

84%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 83.9% of Harris County, TX residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Harris County, TX was 84%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Harris County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Harris County, TX

White (Non-Hispanic)
1.33M ± 2.85k
White (Hispanic)
1.12M ± 12.8k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
868k ± 3.37k

43.6%

Hispanic Population

2.05M people

43.6% of the people in Harris County, TX are hispanic (2.05M people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Harris County, TX as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Texas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,459,913 ± 36,829 people
India
290,669 ± 13,170 people
El Salvador
220,934 ± 11,496 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,459,913 Texas residents, followed by India with 290,669 and El Salvador with 220,934.

Foreign-Born Population

26.2%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.23M people

26%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.22M people

As of 2021, 26.2% of Harris County, TX residents (1.23M people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Harris County, TX was 26%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Harris County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
44,344 ± 1,681
Gulf War (2001-)
43,862 ± 2,390
Gulf War (1990s)
25,753 ± 1,743

Harris County, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.01 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Harris County, TX employs 2.26M people. The largest industries in Harris County, TX are Health Care & Social Assistance (244,266 people), Construction (236,925 people), and Retail Trade (234,668 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($113,326), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($105,795), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($102,115).

Males in Texas have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,604. The income inequality in Texas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.476, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

2.26M

2021 Value

± 15,739

0.192%

1 Year growth

± 0.96%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Harris County, TX grew at a rate of 0.192%, from 2.25M employees to 2.26M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Harris County, TX, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (236,469 people), Sales & Related Occupations (229,103 people), and Management Occupations (226,213 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Harris County, TX.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Texas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

2.26M

2021 Value

± 15,739

0.192%

1 Year growth

± 0.96%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Harris County, TX grew at a rate of 0.192%, from 2.25M employees to 2.26M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Harris County, TX, are Health Care & Social Assistance (244,266 people), Construction (236,925 people), and Retail Trade (234,668 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Harris County, TX, though some of these residents may live in Harris County, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,034

Median earning men ± $591

$33,514

Median earning women ± $327

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($108,469), Public Administration ($67,134), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($67,119).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($83,487), Wholesale Trade ($46,635), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($46,634).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Texas. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Texas.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

45,829
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
26,565
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
25,198
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$46.3M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$45.2M
Manufacturing
$44.5M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Electronics
$255B
Gasoline
$212B
Fuel oils
$180B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas product (by dollars) was Electronics with $255B, followed by Gasoline ($212B) and Fuel oils ($180B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Texas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Texas.

$2.26T

2020 Value in Texas

$4.54T

Projected 2050 Value in Texas

101% growth

In 2020, total outbound Texas trade was $2.26T. This is expected to increase 101% to $4.54T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Texas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Louisiana
$77.7B
California
$68.4B
Michigan
$58.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Louisiana with $77.7B, followed by California with $68.4B and Michigan and $58.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Texas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Harris County, TX went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 56% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (42.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.03%).

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing the state of Texas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (56%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (42.7%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.03%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Harris County, TX went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 56% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (42.7%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.03%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Harris County, TX for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Texas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

John Cornyn

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on December 2, 2002
Phil Gramm resigned (effective November 30, 2002) a few weeks before the expiration of his term in hopes that his successor, fellow Republican John Cornyn, could gain seniority over other newly elected senators. However, Cornyn did not gain additional seniority due to a 1980 Rules Committee policy.

Ted Cruz

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing Texas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Texas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Texas

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Texas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Harris County, TX awarded 53,192 degrees. The student population of Harris County, TX in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 86,205 male students and 122,042 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Harris County, TX are Hispanic or Latino (19,114 and 38.5%), followed by White (12,568 and 25.3%), Black or African American (9,458 and 19%), and Asian (5,624 and 11.3%).

The largest universities in Harris County, TX by number of degrees awarded are University of Houston (11,581 and 21.8%), San Jacinto Community College (227979) (7,278 and 13.7%), and Houston Community College (225423) (6,693 and 12.6%).

The most popular majors in Harris County, TX are General Business Administration & Management (4,489 and 8.44%), General Studies (3,776 and 7.1%), and Medical Assistant (2,061 and 3.87%).

The median tuition costs in Harris County, TX are $30,800 for private four year colleges, and $6,024 and $19,677 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Harris County, TX, the percentage of applicants admitted was 51.7%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 23.9%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 208,247 (41.4% men and 58.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 208,247 students enrolled in Harris County, TX, 41.4% men and 58.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 80,764 records, of which 60.9% were women and 39.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
1,336 degree-majors awarded
Other Multidisciplinary Studies
1,310 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
1,050 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Harris County, TX was General Psychology with 1,336 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Harris County, TX according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Houston
11,581 degrees awarded
San Jacinto Community College (227979)
7,278 degrees awarded
Houston Community College (225423)
6,693 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Houston with 11,581 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 22,420 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Harris County, TX, which is 0.729 times less than the 30,772 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 19,114 degrees mean that there were 1.52 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 12,568 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($30,800) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,577) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,876) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Measure

In 2021, 1.46% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.43% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (5.58M), Some college (4.95M), and Bachelors Degree (4.04M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Harris County, TX was $201,200 in 2021, which is 0.822 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $189,400 to $201,200, a 6.23% increase. The homeownership rate in Harris County, TX is 54.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Harris County, TX have an average commute time of 29.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Harris County, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Harris County, TX is $65,788. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Harris County, TX was Census Tract 4114 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4123 and Census Tract 4124, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

In 2022, 20% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Harris County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.13%.

Housing

Property

$201,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$1,796

$910,721

Median Property Taxes

±$8,601

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Harris County, TX the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Harris County, TX compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

54.9%

Homeownership

2021

66.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 54.9% of the housing units in Harris County, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 54.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Harris County, TX compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 4114
Census Tract 4123
Census Tract 4124

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Harris County, TX was Census Tract 4114 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4123 and Census Tract 4124, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Harris County, TX colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$65,788

Median Household Income

± $542

1.66M

Number of Households

± 12,514

In 2021, the median household income of the 1.66M households in Harris County, TX grew to $65,788 from the previous year's value of $63,022.

The following chart displays the households in Harris County, TX distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Harris County, TX is from Texas.

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Texas

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2021, the income inequality in Texas was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.474% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Texas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Texas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (76.2%)
Carpooled (9.9%)
Worked At Home (8.1%)

In 2021, 76.2% of workers in Harris County, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.9%) and those who worked at home (8.1%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

29.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Harris County, TX have a longer commute time (29.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.12% of the workforce in Harris County, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Harris County, TX compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Harris County, TX distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Harris County, TX have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 20% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Harris County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.13%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

15.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Harris County, TX (727k out of 4.65M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Harris County, TX is Hispanic, followed by White and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 23.3% of the children was living in poverty in Harris County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 4.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 730 in Harris County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 48.8 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

78.9% of the population of Harris County, TX has health coverage, with 44.1% on employee plans, 16.5% on Medicaid, 7.81% on Medicare, 9.56% on non-group plans, and 0.882% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Harris County, TX see 1691 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.05% decrease from the previous year (1709 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1397 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 731 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,691 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Harris County, TX

Primary care physicians in Harris County, TX see an average of 1,691 patients per year. This represents a 1.05% decrease from the previous year (1,709 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Harris County, TX in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 28.1% under 18 years, 23.6% between 18 and 34 years, 37.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

21.1%

Uninsured

44.1%

Employer Coverage

16.5%

Medicaid

7.81%

Medicare

9.56%

Non-Group

0.882%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Harris County, TX grew by 3.34% from 20.4% to 21.1%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Harris County, TX changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 51.4 in Harris County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Harris County, TX.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 34.6% in Harris County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Harris County, TX.

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