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| More Than 5 Million People Call the Region Home |
While Houston is the most populous city, the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown Metropolitan Statistical Area (Houston MSA), consists of 10 counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller. Houston’s Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (Houston CMSA) covers 8,778 square miles, an area slightly smaller than Massachusetts but larger than New Jersey. Houston’s official altitude is 43 feet above sea level.
If you compare the region to a national economy, only 21 countries other than the United States have a gross domestic product exceeding Houston’s regional gross area product, and only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters.
While the energy industry is a strong contributor to the region’s growth, in the last 10 years, the region has diversified its economic base. Industries, such as the services sector, continue to grow, led by gains in professional and business services and education and health services. Other industries driving the economy are the manufacturing of durable goods, construction and transportation.
With steady job growth throughout the region, the Houston area is well-positioned to continue to prosper in the global economy, with a sizable number of export-oriented businesses and one of the busiest ports in the world.
AUSTIN COUNTY – OVERVIEW
Austin County is located 35 miles west of Houston. Bellville, the county seat, is 50 miles west-northwest of Houston. Austin County covers approximately 656 square miles and elevations range from 460 feet above sea level in the northwest to 120 feet in the southeast. Temperatures range from an average high of 96°F in July to an average low of 41°F in January. Rainfall in the area averages 42 inches annually. Petroleum and natural gas reserves are the most significant of the county’s limited mineral resources. Between one-fourth and one-third of the county remains heavily wooded. Agribusiness, tourism and manufacturing are key elements of the economy and many residents commute to work in Houston. Recreational areas include the 667-acre Stephen F. Austin State Historical Park at San Felipe, which attracts thousands of visitors annually.
— Major Communities
- Population
Bellville (4,097), Brazos Country (469), Industry (343), San Felipe (747), Sealy (6,019) and Wallis (1,348) - Demographics
- Population............................................28,417
- Population Growth (2000–10)..........20.5%
- Persons Per Square Mile..................44
- Projected Population
- 2020......................................................28,533
- 2030......................................................30,273
— Education
- Independent School Districts: Bellville, Brazos, Brenham, Columbus and Sealy
Countywide Enrollment..................................5,601 - Educational Attainment (Adult population)
- High school diploma..........................74.5%
- College degrees.................................17.3%
For more information, visit Austin county’s website at www.austincounty.com/ips/cms/.
BRAZORIA COUNTY – OVERVIEW
Brazoria County sits on the prairie of the Gulf Coast at the mouth of the Brazos River in Southeast Texas. It covers an area of 1,407 square miles. Angleton is the county seat. The annual rainfall is 52 inches and the mean annual temperature is 69°F. The growing season averages 309 days a year. The Brazos River divides the county in two, the western one-third covered by hardwoods and the rest by prairie land. Two major national wildlife refuges, the Brazoria and San Bernard, are in the county. The petrochemical industry and mineral resources including oil, gas, sulfur, salt, lime, sand and gravel dominate the county economy.’’
— Major Communities
- Population
Alvin (24,236), Angleton (18,862), Bailey’s Prairie (727), Brazoria (3,019), Brookside Village (1,523), Clute (11,211), Danbury (1,715), Freeport (12,049), Hillcrest (730), Holiday Lakes (1,107), Iowa Colony (1,170), Jones Creek (2,020), Lake Jackson (26,849), Liverpool (482), Manvel (5,179), Oyster Creek (1,111), Pearland (91,252), Richwood (3,510), Surfside Beach (482), Sweeny (3,684) and West Columbia (3,905) - Demographics
- Population............................................313,166
- Population Growth (2000–10)..........29.5%
- Persons Per Square Mile..................230.7
- Projected Population
- 2020......................................................336,158
- 2030......................................................379,479
— Education
- Independent School Districts: Alvin, Angleton, Brazosport, Columbia-Brazoria, Damon, Danbury, Pearland and Sweeny
Countywide Enrollment..................................60,251 - Educational Attainment (Adult population)
- High school diploma..........................83.6%
- College degrees.................................25.3%
For more information about Brazoria County, visit its website at www.brazoria-county.com.
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