Houston: Economy & Jobs
Median household income in Houston is $64,813 (1.2× below Harris County median $74,983; 1.2× below Texas median $78,476), with homes at a median value of $277,800. The surrounding county supports 251,283 jobs (avg $62,566).
- $110,221 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Texas $91,104).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $64,813 — below the Texas median ($70,518). Poverty rate 19.9% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 4.3× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 25.2% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | moderate |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $401,780 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $44,284,481 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $110,221 (vs Texas $91,104) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $71,668 |
| Median Household Income | $64,813 (vs Texas $70,518) |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $64,813 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 4.7% — above the U.S. average of ~4%. 13% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 27.20 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 13.0% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | moderate commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 251,283 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $15,721,854,575 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $62,566 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 13,557,950 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% (vs Texas 3.4%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 327 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 29,353 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 89.80 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Grain, Animal Totals, Cattle, Rice |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 17,654 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 205,759 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 10,409,932 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 128 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 224 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 66 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 331 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 7 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 60 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 55 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 27 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 489 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 595 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 42 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 205 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (20)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Sunny Side Food Store |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 2,616 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | UNITED STATES JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $4,665,815,187 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 5,670.80 (at Texas median) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 822,779 people (vs Texas 143,570) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Job Training · Total count | 36 |
|---|---|
| Pct Drove Alone | 67.7% |
| Pct Public Transit | 2.0% |
| Pct Walked | 13.0% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 34.4 years (at Texas median) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 21.0% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 9 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: IRS BMF keyword search · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12