{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2011}}
'''Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown''' is a 10-county [[metropolitan area]] defined by the [[Office of Management and Budget]]. It is located along the [[Gulf Coast of the United States|Gulf Coast]] region in the U.S. state of Texas. The metropolitan area is colloquially referred to as "Greater Houston" and is situated in {{nowrap|[[Southeast Texas]]}}, just west of the [[Beaumont–Port Arthur metropolitan area|Golden Triangle]].
Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is the [[List of United States metropolitan areas|sixth-largest metropolitan area]] in the [[United States|United States]] with a population of 5,946,800 as of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 U.S. Census]] estimate.
The population of the metropolitan area is centered in the city of [[Houston]]—the largest economic and cultural center of the {{nowrap|[[South Central United States]]}} with a population of 2.3 million.
Houston is among the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. 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 2007, the area grew by 912,994 people. From 2000 to 2030, the metropolitan area is projected by {{nowrap|[[Woods & Poole Economics]]}} to rank fifth in the nation in population growth—adding 2.66 million people. In 2009, Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners ranked Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown as the fifth-best performing metropolitan area; the Houston area had moved up 11 spaces from the previous year's ranking.
{{TOC left}}
{{-}}
==Geography==
[[Image:Houstonmetroarea.jpg|300px|right|thumb|An image of the Greater Houston area taken from [[NASA]]'s [[Space Shuttle]] during mission STS-55 (STS055-71-43) with [[Galveston Bay]] and [[Galveston Island]] visible towards the bottom of the picture.]]
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), {{convert|8929|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}. is land area, while {{convert|1133|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}. is water area.; slightly smaller than [[Massachusetts]] and slightly larger than [[New Jersey]].
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 [[forest|forested land]], [[marsh]]es, [[swamp]], or [[prairie]]—all of which can still be seen in surrounding areas.
Much of the Houston metropolitan area is very flat, making flooding a recurring problem for some areas.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}
===Geology===
Underpinning Houston's land surface are unconsolidated [[clay]]s, clay [[shale]]s, and poorly-cemented [[sand]]s up to several miles deep. The region's geology developed from stream deposits formed from the erosion of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. These [[sediment]]s 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, Texas|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 [[geologic fault|faults]] (some have estimated as many as 300 active faults) with an aggregate length of up to 310 miles (500 km), 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."
{{-}}
===Counties===
[[Image:Houston-Baytown-Huntsville CSA.png|thumb|right|320px|Location of the Houston–Baytown–Huntsville CSA and its components: {{legend|#FF0000|Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown Metropolitan Statistical Area}} {{legend|#FFFF00|Huntsville Micropolitan Statistical Area}}
{{legend|#00FF00|Bay City Micropolitan Statistical Area}}
]]
There are 10 counties in the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown [[metropolitan statistical areas|metropolitan statistical area]] (MSA) defined by the U.S. Census. They are listed below with population figures as of the 2010 U.S. Census.
* [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]] – 4,092,459
* [[Fort Bend County, Texas|Fort Bend County]] – 585,375
* [[Montgomery County, Texas|Montgomery County]] – 455,746
* [[Brazoria County, Texas|Brazoria County]] – 313,166
* [[Galveston County, Texas|Galveston County]] – 291,309
* [[Liberty County, Texas|Liberty County]] – 75,643
* [[Waller County, Texas|Waller County]] – 43,205
* [[Chambers County, Texas|Chambers County]] – 35,096
* [[Austin County, Texas|Austin County]] – 28,417
* [[San Jacinto County, Texas|San Jacinto County]] – 26,384
* Total Metropolitan Statistical Area – 5,946,800
===Combined statistical area===
In addition to the 10 counties in the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA, the U.S. Census Bureau defines a [[Combined Statistical Area]], which adds two more counties to the area. These are:
* [[Matagorda County, Texas|Matagorda County]] – 36,702
* [[Walker County, Texas|Walker County]] – 67,861
* Total Combined Statistical Area – 6,051,363
This Combined Statistical Area encompasses {{convert|12475|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}. of area. {{convert|10830|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}. is land while {{convert|1645|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}. is water.
===Cities and towns===
{{Main|List of cities and towns in Greater Houston|l1=List of cities and towns in Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA}}
There are five "principal" cities defined by the U.S. Census as of 2009. Population figures are within the [[city limits]] as of the 2008 U.S. Census estimates.
* [[Houston]] – 2,242,193
* [[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]] – 80,704
* [[Baytown, Texas|Baytown]] – 70,330
* [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]] – 57,086
* [[Conroe, Texas|Conroe]] – 55,429
{{-}}
==Demographics==
As of 2011 Greater Houston has four of Texas's ten wealthiest communities. They include the wealthiest community, [[Hunters Creek Village]], the fourth wealthiest community, [[Bunker Hill Village]], the fifth wealthiest community, [[West University Place]], and the sixth wealthiest community, [[Piney Point Village]].
From 2001 to 2011, the number of people living in very poor Greater Houston areas almost doubled.
==Economy==
[[File:Houston Ship Channel Galena.jpg|thumb|right|[[Houston Ship Channel]]]]
Among the ten most populous [[United States metropolitan area|metropolitan areas]] in the U.S., Houston ranked first in employment growth rate and second in nominal employment growth. 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]]''.
The Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA's Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP) in 2005 was $308.7 billion, up 5.4 percent from 2004 in constant dollars—slightly larger than [[Austria]]'s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). By 2010, the GMP rose to $384 billion, fifth in the nation. Only 28 nations other than the United States have a GDP exceeding Houston's GAP. 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]].
The area's economic activity is centered in [[Houston]], the county seat of [[Harris County, Texas|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.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}
Galveston Bay and the [[Buffalo Bayou]] together form one of the most important shipping hubs in the world. The [[Port of Houston]], the [[Port of Texas City]], and the [[Port of Galveston]] are all major [[seaport]]s located in this Greater Houston area. The area is also one of the leading centers of the energy industry, particularly petroleum processing, and many companies have large operations in this region. The metropolitan area also comprises the largest [[petrochemical]] manufacturing area in the world, including for [[synthetic rubber]], [[insecticide]]s, and [[fertilizer]]s. The area is also the world's leading center for building [[oilfield]] equipment. The region is also a major center of [[biomedical]] research, aeronautics, and high-technology.
Much of metro area's success as a [[petrochemical]] complex is enabled by its busy man-made ship channel, the [[Houston Ship Channel]]. 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 fuel 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|Baytown]], [[Pasadena, Texas|Pasadena]]/[[La Porte, Texas|La Porte]], and [[Texas City, Texas|Texas City]] have some of the area's largest petroleum/petrochemical plants though major operations can be found in Houston, [[Anahuac, Texas|Anahuac]], [[Clute, Texas|Clute]], and other communities. Galveston has the largest cruise ship terminal in Texas (and the 12th-largest in the world). The island as well the [[Clear Lake Area]] are major recreation and tourism areas in the region.
Houston is home to the [[Texas Medical Center]]—the largest medical center in the world. The majority of Houston area Medicare recipients are members of Texan Plus, a Medicare approved Medicare Advantage plan that contracts with the federal government. Galveston is home to one of only two national biocontainment laboratories in the United States.
The [[University of Houston System]]'s annual impact on the Houston-area's economy equates to that of a major corporation: $1.1 billion in new funds attracted annually to the Houston area, $3.13 billion in total economic benefit, and 24,000 local jobs generated. This is in addition to the 12,500 new graduates the UH System produces every year who enter the workforce in Houston and throughout Texas. These degree-holders tend to stay in Houston. After five years, 80.5 percent of graduates are still living and working in the region.
[[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]] is home to the second-largest economic activities and third-largest city in the metropolitan area. Sugar Land has the most important economic center in [[Fort Bend County, Texas|Fort Bend County]]. The city holds the [[Imperial Sugar]] (its namesake), Nalco/Exxon and Western Airways headquarters. Engineering firms and other related industries have managed to take the place as an economic engine.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}
{{See also|List of companies in Houston|l1=List of companies in Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA}}
==Culture==
Houston's concentration of consular offices ranks third in the nation and first in the South, with 90 countries represented. Houston has a sizable Hispanic community, with the third-largest Hispanic and third-largest Mexican-American populations in the United States, Hispanics also have large population bases in a number of suburbs, most notably [[Pasadena, Texas|Pasadena]] and [[Rosenberg, Texas|Rosenberg]], whose Hispanic populations make up the majority of these cities. Greater Houston is also home to a large and growing Asian-American population, including the third largest Vietnamese-American community in the U.S.{{cite web | url=http://www.hmongstudies.org/VSPopCitiesbyRegion.html | title=Top Metropolitan Areas, Vietnamese Population, by Region| accessdate=Nov 2, 2010}} It also has a large Filipino-American community, the fifth largest in the nation.
CNN/Money and ''Money'' magazine have recognized cities in the Greater Houston area the past three years as part of its 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. In 2005, [[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]], southwest of Houston in [[Fort Bend County, Texas|northeast Fort Bend County]], was ranked 46th in the nation, and one of only three Texas cities among the Top 100. In 2006, the magazine recognized Sugar Land again, this time as the third best city on its list. [1] Also making the 2006 list were [[League City, Texas|League City]] (65th) in [[Galveston County, Texas|northern Galveston County]] and [[The Woodlands, Texas|The Woodlands]] (73rd) in [[Montgomery County, Texas|southern Montgomery County]]. In 2007, another Houston suburb, [[Friendswood, Texas|Friendswood]] made the list ranked 51st in the nation. It should be noted that the 2006 list only includes cities with at least 50,000 residents and that the 2007 list contains only cities with less than 50,000 residents.
Greater Houston is widely noted for its ethnic diversity and strong international community. In its 2010 publication "Urban Elite", A.T. Kearney added the city to their list of the 65 most important world cities and ranks Houston 35th, as "...a magnet for a diverse population and business services...". The Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network ranks Houston as a Beta- World City, "an important world city instrumental to linking their region or state to the world economy."
===Professional sports teams===
'''Major Professional Sports Teams'''
| '''''Club''''' |
'''''Sport''''' |
'''''Founded''''' |
'''''League''''' |
'''''Venue''''' |
[[Houston Astros]]
| Baseball |
1962 |
[[Major League Baseball|MLB]] |
[[Minute Maid Park]] |
[[Houston Rockets]]
| Basketball |
1967 |
[[National Basketball Association|NBA]] |
[[Toyota Center (Houston)|Toyota Center]] |
[[Houston Texans]]
| [[American Football|Football]] |
2002 |
[[National Football League|NFL]] |
[[Reliant Stadium]] |
[[Houston Dynamo]]
| Soccer |
2005 |
[[Major League Soccer|MLS]] |
[[Robertson Stadium]] |
'''Other Professional Teams'''
| '''''Club''''' |
'''''Sport''''' |
'''''Founded''''' |
'''''League''''' |
'''''Venue''''' |
[[Houston Aeros]]
| [[Hockey]] |
1994 |
[[American Hockey League|AHL]] |
[[Toyota Center (Houston)|Toyota Center]] |
[[Sugar Land Skeeters]]
| Baseball |
2010 |
[[Atlantic League of Professional Baseball|ALPB]] |
[[StarTex Power Field]] |
[[Houston Energy]]
| [[American Football|Football]] |
2001 |
[[Women's Professional Football League|WPFL]] |
[[Pearland High School|The Rig]] |
[[Houston Wranglers]]
| Tennis |
2005 |
[[World TeamTennis|WTT]] |
[[Westside Tennis Club]] |
[[Houston Takers]]
| Basketball |
2006 |
[[American Basketball Association|ABA]] |
[[John H. Reagan High School (Houston, Texas)|John H. Reagan HS]] |
[[Bay Area Toros]]
| Baseball |
2007 |
[[Continental Baseball League|CBL]] |
[[Robinson Stadium]] |
[[Galveston Tidalwave]]
| [[American Football|Football]] |
2008 |
[[Independent Indoor Football Alliance|IIFA]] |
[[Galveston Island Convention Center]] |
===University sports===
Houston is home to four [[NCAA Division I]] programs. The [[University of Houston]] and [[Rice University]] play in Division I-A and both belong to [[Conference USA]]. Both schools were also once part of the [[Southwest Conference]]. [[Texas Southern University]], which is a member of the [[Southwestern Athletic Conference]], plays in Division I-AA. [[Houston Baptist University]] currently plays in NCAA Division 1 as an independent in its first probationary year as part of their readmission into Division 1. Rice and Houston Baptist are widely noted for their student-athlete graduation rates, which number at 91% for Rice (tied for highest in the nation according to a 2002 Sports Illustrated issue on best college sports programs) and 80% for HBU.
'''NCAA Division I college athletics'''
| '''''School''''' |
'''''Founded''''' |
'''''Nickname''''' |
'''''Conference''''' |
[[University of Houston]]
| 1927 |
[[Houston Cougars]] |
[[Conference USA]] |
[[Houston Baptist University]]
| 1960 |
[[Houston Baptist Huskies]] |
[[Great West Conference]] |
[[Prairie View A&M University]]
| 1876 |
[[Prairie View A&M Panthers]] |
[[Southwestern Athletic Conference]] |
[[Rice University]]
| 1912 |
[[Rice Owls]] |
[[Conference USA]] |
[[Texas Southern University]]
| 1947 |
[[Texas Southern Tigers]] |
[[Southwestern Athletic Conference]] |
===Events===
Houston is or has been home to various nationally known sporting events. The most notable is the [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]], which is the world's largest [[livestock|livestock exhibition]] and [[rodeo]] event. Other events of importance on greater Houston include the [[Shell Houston Open]] ( a ([[PGA Tour]]) event), the [[U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships]] ([[ATP tour]]) the [[Houston Marathon]], and the [[Texas Bowl]] college football bowl game. Houston has also played host to two [[Super Bowl]]s ([[Super Bowl VIII|VIII]]) and ([[Super Bowl XXXVIII|XXXVIII]]), the 1968, 1986 [[2004 MLB All-Star Game]], the [[2005 World Series]], and the 1989 [[2006 NBA All-Star Game]]. Houston has also played host to various high school and college sporting events, including the [[Big 12 Football Championship Game|Big 12 Championship Game]] and will host the [[2011 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|2011 NCAA Men's Final Four]], [[2010 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament|2010 NCAA Men's Regional Finals]], and [[2010 MLS All-Star Game]]. Houston was also considered a candidate for the [[2012 Olympic Games|2012]] and [[2016 Olympic Games]] and is currently a host candidate in the United States' bid for future [[FIFA World Cup]]s.
===Media===
[[File:Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting.jpg|thumb|left|Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting at the University of Houston]]
The Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area is served by a public television station and two public radio stations. [[KUHT]] (''HoustonPBS'') is a [[Public Broadcast Service|PBS]] member station and is the first public television station in the United States. Houston Public Radio is listener-funded radio and comprises two [[NPR]] member stations: [[KUHF]] (''KUHF News'') and [[KUHA]] (''Classical 91.7''). KUHF is news/talk radio and KUHA is a classical music station. The [[University of Houston System]] owns and holds broadcasting licenses to KUHT, KUHF, and KUHA. The stations broadcast from the Melcher Center for Public Broadcasting, located on the campus of the [[University of Houston]].
The Houston area is served by the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'', its only major daily newspaper with wide distribution. The [[Hearst Corporation]], which owns and operates the ''Houston Chronicle'', bought the assets of the ''[[Houston Post]]''—its long-time rival and main competition—when ''Houston Post'' ceased operations in 1995. The ''Houston Post'' was owned by the family of former Lieutenant Governor [[Bill Hobby]] of Houston. The only other major publication to serve the city is the ''[[Houston Press]]''—a free [[alternative weekly]] with a weekly readership of more than 300,000.
{{-}}
=== Colleges and universities ===
{{see also|List of colleges and universities in Houston}}
[[File:Ezekiel_W._Cullen_Building_(Alternate).JPG|thumb|right|[[University of Houston]]]]
Four distinct state universities are located in the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown area. The [[University of Houston]] is a nationally recognized {{nowrap|top-tier}} research university, and is the flagship institution of the [[University of Houston System]]. The institution ranks among the Top 50 American Research Universities. The {{nowrap|third-largest}} university in Texas, UH has nearly 40,000 students on its 667-acre campus in southeast Houston. The [[University of Houston–Clear Lake|University of Houston–Clear Lake]] and the [[University of Houston–Downtown]] are {{nowrap|stand-alone}} universities; they are not branch campuses of the University of Houston. Located in the historic community of Third Ward is [[Texas Southern University]]—one of the largest historically black colleges and universities in the United States.
Several private institutions of higher learning—ranging from liberal arts colleges to a nationally recognized research university—are located within the metropolitan area. The University of St. Thomas is a Catholic institution known for small classes (an average of 14 students per class). [[Rice University|Rice University]] is one of the leading teaching and research universities of the United States and ranked the nation's 17th best overall university by ''U.S. News & World Report''.
Three community college districts exist with campuses in and around Houston. The [[Houston Community College System]] serves most of Houston. The northwestern through northeastern parts of the metropolitan area are served by various campuses of the [[Lone Star College System]], while the southeastern portion of the metropolitan is served by [[San Jacinto College]]. The Houston Community College and Lone Star College systems are within the [[List_of_United_States_colleges_and_universities_by_enrollment#US_Department_of_Education_Ranking|10 largest institutions of higher learning]] in the United States.
{{-}}
===Highways===
[[Image:RF - Houston West Loop South.1.jpeg|thumb|right|[[Interstate 610 (Texas)|Interstate 610]] in [[Uptown Houston]]]]
Houston’s freeway system includes {{convert|575.5|mi|km|1}} of freeways and expressways in the 10-county metro area. The State of Texas plans to spend $65 billion on Houston area highways by 2025. Houston freeways are heavily traveled and often under construction to meet the demands of continuing growth.
The Greater Houston area has a [[Spoke-hub distribution paradigm|hub-and-spoke]] freeway structure with multiple loops. The innermost is [[Interstate 610 (Texas)|Interstate 610]], forming approximately a {{convert|10|mi|km|-1|sing=on}} 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 {{convert|25|mi|km|0}}. A proposed highway project, [[State Highway 99 (Texas)|State Highway 99]] (The Grand Parkway), would form a third loop outside of Houston. Currently, the completed portion of State Highway 99 runs from just north of [[Interstate 10 (Texas)|Interstate 10]], west of Houston, to [[U.S. Highway 59 (Texas)|U.S. Highway 59]] in [[Sugar Land, Texas|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 (Texas)|State Highway 288]] in [[Brazoria County, Texas|Brazoria County]]. Freeways also include the Westpark Tollway, which runs from U.S. Hwy 59 to Texas Hwy 99 and the Fort Bend Parkway, which runs from U.S. Hwy 90-A to Texas Hwy 6 in Missouri City.
{{Further|[[List of Houston highways|List of highways in Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA]]}}
===Mass transit===
[[Image:METRORail 4.jpg|thumb|left|[[METRORail]] in [[Downtown Houston]]]]
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]]. Still the [[Template:Redline|Red Line]] is traveled by about 45,000 people daily, giving it the second highest ridership per track mile in the nation. 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 through [[Texas Southern University]], ending at the [[University of Houston]] campus.
{{-}}
===Airports===
{{Main|Transportation in Houston#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|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 [[United States National Guard|National Guard]] and [[Air National Guard]] units, as well as a [[United States Coast Guard]] air station and the [[Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center]]'s fleet of jets that are used to train astronauts. [[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]], southwest of Houston, has the [[Sugar Land Regional Airport|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.
===Intercity rail===
[[Amtrak]] provides intercity rail service to the [[Houston (Amtrak station)|Houston]] station.
===Intercity bus===
[[Greyhound Bus Lines]] operates services from five bus stations in the City of Houston:
* Houston Greyhound Station at 2121 South Main Street
* Coach USA Inc. Dept. Casin (Houston Crosstimbers) at 4001 [[Interstate 45 (Texas)|North Freeway]]
* The Box Store (Houston Northwest) at 1500 [[610 Loop|West Loop North]] Suite 117
* Americanos U.S. L.L.C. (Houston Southeast) at 7000 Harrisburg Blvd.
* Agencia Autobuses (Houston Southwest) at 6590 [[U.S. Highway 59 (Texas)|Southwest Freeway]]
In addition, Greyhound operates services from two stops
* Houston Aau
* [[Houston (Amtrak station)|Houston]] ([[Amtrak]] station)
Greyhound also operates services to stops within other cities in the Greater Houston area, including:
* [[Alvin, Texas|Alvin]] (Yellow Jacket Grocery-[[Citgo]])
* [[Angleton, Texas|Angleton]] (Ocampos Mexican Rest)
* [[Baytown, Texas|Baytown]] (Baytown Travel Express)
* [[Conroe, Texas|Conroe]] (Conroe Greyhound Station)
* [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]] (Galveston Bus Station)
* [[Katy, Texas|Katy]] (at Millers [[Exxon]])
* [[Prairie View, Texas|Prairie View]] (at Unco Food Store)
* [[Rosenberg, Texas|Rosenberg]] (at [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]]-[[McDonalds]])
* [[Sealy, Texas|Sealy]] (at Mazac Muffler City-AC)
* [[Texas City, Texas|Texas City]] (at McKown Air Conditioning, also serving [[La Marque, Texas|La Marque]])
==Politics==
Politically, the Greater Houston area has historically been divided between areas of strength of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] parties.
The city of Houston itself has historically voted Democratic except for its affluent western and west-central portions, including the [[River Oaks, Houston|River Oaks]], [[Westchase, Houston|Westchase]], [[Memorial, Houston, Texas|Memorial]] and [[Uptown Houston|Uptown]] areas, as well as the [[Kingwood, Houston|Kingwood]] and [[Clear Lake City (Greater Houston)|Clear Lake City]] master-planned communities on Houston's far northeast and southeast sides, respectively. All these areas favor and are almost entirely represented both in [[United States Congress|Congress]] and in the [[Texas Legislature]] by Republicans. Democrats' strongest areas are within Loop 610, and also in the largely poor and minority northern, eastern and southern portions of Houston. Most of these areas have sizable Hispanic populations, though some northern and southern parts of the city have notable African-American communities. Democrats are also stronger in the more liberal [[Neartown Houston|Neartown]] area, which is home to a large artist and [[LGBT]] community, and [[Alief, Houston|Alief]], which houses a sizable Asian American population. In 2008, almost every county in the region voted for Republican [[John McCain]]; only [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]] was won by Democratic candidate [[Barack Obama]], by a small margin (51%–49%). [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]] has long been a staunch Democratic stronghold, with the most active Democratic county establishment in the state.
Houston's suburbs, are also politically divided. Such examples:
* [[Pasadena, Texas|Pasadena]], which went for [[Barack Obama]], is heavily Hispanic and lower-middle class on its north side, which favors Democrats, and slightly more affluent on its south side, which favors Republicans. A northwestern section of the city is represented by Democrat Ana Hernandez (District 143), while the city's central core, which contains most of its population, is represented by Republican Robert Talton (District 144). A small, largely unincorporated southeastern section of the city is represented by Republican John Davis (District 129), who also represents the [[NASA]] [[Johnson Space Center]]. Hernandez's district is also home to [[Galena Park, Texas|Galena Park]] and [[Jacinto City, Texas|Jacinto City]], which also have large Hispanic populations that favor Democrats.
* In [[Fort Bend County, Texas|Fort Bend County]], southwest of Houston, Democrats are strongest in northern [[Missouri City, Texas|Missouri City]] and older sections of [[Rosenberg, Texas|Rosenberg]], which are home to large numbers of African-American and Hispanic voters, while more affluent areas of the county, such as [[Sugar Land, Texas|Sugar Land]], [[Katy, Texas|Katy]], and [[Sienna Plantation]], are heavily Republican. These areas house sizable Asian-American populations, many of whom are largely pro-business and generally favor Republicans, though a sizable community of Democratic business owners does exist among the area's Asian caucuses. In the 2008 election, John McCain won the county by 51% to 49%. Republicans control every county-wide elected office.
* [[Montgomery County, Texas|Montgomery County]], north of Houston, is a Republican stronghold, supported by voters in affluent communities on [[Lake Conroe]] and in [[The Woodlands, Texas|The Woodlands]]. Rural residents of the county, though primarily lower- and middle-class, tend to be very socially conservative and also have a substantial Republican following. However, the city of [[Conroe, Texas|Conroe]] proper, the [[county seat]], tends to lean Democratic. Although The Woodlands is home to many corporate transplants from Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia, who tend to be of a more liberal persuasion, most of these people are not U.S. citizens and thus have little impact on the voting trends of the county.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}
* The mainland areas of [[Galveston County, Texas|Galveston County]], north of [[Galveston Island]], have also become increasingly divided on political issues. Democrats have a presence in [[La Marque, Texas|La Marque]] and [[Texas City, Texas|Texas City]], both of which are home to large numbers of unionized refinery workers and African Americans, a traditionally Democratic voting bloc. However, Democrats' strength in this area is increasingly being superseded by newer developments in the northern areas of the county around [[Friendswood, Texas|Friendswood]] and [[League City, Texas|League City]] that favor Republicans.
* [[Brazoria County, Texas|Brazoria County]], south of Houston, is heavily Republican, especially in rural areas and in central portions of the county, such as [[Manvel, Texas|Manvel]], [[Alvin, Texas|Alvin]], and [[Angleton, Texas|Angleton]]. However, Democrats perform strongly in southern portions of the county such as [[Lake Jackson, Texas|Lake Jackson]], [[Clute, Texas|Clute]], and [[Freeport, Texas|Freeport]] due to its large Hispanic population as well as its large base of unionized refinery workers. Additionally, the northern areas of the county around fast-growing [[Pearland, Texas|Pearland]] have recently become more moderate and even Democratic compared to the rest of the county due to its ethnic diversity as well as large numbers of [[Northern United States|Northern]] and [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] transplants.
* In [[Liberty County, Texas|Liberty County]], east of Houston, Republicans are represented at the state and federal levels, and the county went strongly for John McCain in 2008. However, Democrats hold a near-monopoly in county politics, though in 2006 it elected a countywide Republican (the County Treasurer position) for the first time since Reconstruction.
===United States Congress===
{| class=wikitable
|-
! colspan=2 align=center valign=bottom | '''Senators'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Name'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Party'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''First Elected'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Level'''
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| Senate Class 1
| [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1993
| Senior Senator
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| Senate Class 2
| [[John Cornyn]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2002
| Junior Senator
|-
! colspan=2 align=center valign=bottom | '''Representatives'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Name'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Party'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''First Elected'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Area(s) of Greater Houston Represented'''
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| District 2
| [[Ted Poe]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2004
| Kingwood portion of Houston, Spring, northeast Harris County (including Baytown, Humble and La Porte), western and southern Liberty County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| District 7
| [[John Culberson]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2000
| West Houston, Memorial Villages, Bellaire, West University Place, west and northwest Harris County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| District 8
| [[Kevin Brady]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1996
| Montgomery and San Jacinto counties; northern Liberty County
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| District 9
| [[Al Green (politician)|Al Green]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|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)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| District 10
| [[Michael McCaul]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2004
| Northwest Harris County; Austin and Waller counties; most of the Greater Katy area
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| District 14
| [[Ron Paul]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1996 (also served 1976–1977 and 1979–1985)
| Galveston, most of Brazoria County (except Pearland), far northern and western Fort Bend County (including the Greater Katy portion in Fort Bend), Chambers County, portions of Galveston County (League City, most of Texas City), Wharton County, and Matagorda County
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| District 18
| [[Sheila Jackson Lee]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1994
| Downtown Houston, Bush IAH, northwest and northeast Houston, inner portions of Houston’s Southside
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| District 22
| [[Pete Olson]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2008
| 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 Area, NASA Johnson Space Center, Ellington Field, southern and central Pasadena, Deer Park)
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| District 29
| [[Gene Green]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1992
| East Houston, northern Pasadena, Galena Park, Channelview (all Harris County)
|}
====Texas Senate====
{| class=wikitable
|-
! colspan=2 align=center valign=bottom | '''District'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Name'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Party'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''First Elected'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Area(s) of Greater Houston Represented'''
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 3
| [[Robert Nichols (Texas politician)|Robert Nichols]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2006
| Northern and western Montgomery County (including Conroe), San Jacinto County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 4
| [[Tommy Williams (politician)|Tommy Williams]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2003
| Southern Montgomery County (including The Woodlands), Kingwood, Liberty County, Chambers County, far eastern portions of Baytown
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 6
| [[Mario Gallegos, Jr.|Mario Gallegos]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1995
| Houston Ship Channel, eastern portions of Houston, Jacinto City, Galena Park, northern Pasadena, western portion of Baytown
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 7
| [[Dan Patrick (politics)|Dan Patrick]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2007
| Memorial Villages, Memorial/Spring Branch area, Addicks Reservoir, Northwest Harris County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 11
| [[Mike Jackson (Texas politician)|Mike Jackson]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1999
| Northern and central Brazoria County, southeastern portions of Houston and Harris County, the Galveston County mainland, and all areas roughly north of [[Texas State Highway 87|SH 87]] on Galveston Island.
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 13
| [[Rodney Ellis]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1990
| Downtown Houston, Texas Medical Center, southwest and northeast Houston, Houston’s Southside, northern portions of Missouri City, Stafford
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 15
| [[John Whitmire]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1983
| Northwest Houston, Bush IAH, southern portion of Humble, eastern Harris County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 17
| [[Joan Huffman]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2008
| 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, the area of Galveston Island south of [[Texas State Highway 87|SH 87]], entire Bolivar Peninsula, and Port Arthur.
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 18
| [[Glenn Hegar]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2006
| Austin, Waller and Wharton counties; western Fort Bend County
|}
====Texas House of Representatives====
{| class=wikitable
|-
! colspan=2 align=center valign=bottom | '''District'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Name'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Party'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''First Elected'''
! align=center valign=bottom | '''Area(s) of Greater Houston Represented'''
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 12
| [[Jim McReynolds]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1996
| San Jacinto County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 13
| [[Lois W. Kolkhorst|Lois Kolkhorst]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2000
| Austin County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 15
| [[Rob Eissler]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2002
| The Woodlands, southern Montgomery County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 16
| [[C. Brandon Creighton]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2006
| Northern and central Montgomery County (including Conroe)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 18
| [[John Otto (Texas politician)|John Otto]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2004
| Liberty County, southeastern Montgomery County
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 23
| [[Craig Eiland]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1994
| Galveston, Texas City, Bolivar Peninsula, Chambers County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 24
| [[Larry Taylor (Texas politician)|Larry Taylor]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2002
| Hitchcock, La Marque, Santa Fe, Dickinson, League City, Friendswood (all in Galveston County)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 25
| [[Dennis Bonnen]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1996
| Southern Brazoria County (Lake Jackson, Angleton, Freeport)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 26
| [[Charles F. Howard|Charlie Howard]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1994
| Sugar Land
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 27
| [[Dora Olivo]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1996
| Eastern Fort Bend County (including Rosenberg, most of Missouri City, county’s share of Houston)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 28
| [[John Zerwas]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2006
| Wharton and Waller counties, western Fort Bend County
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 29
| [[Michael O'Day|Mike O'Day]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2007
| Matagorda County, part of Brazoria County (Pearland, Alvin)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 126
| [[Patricia Harless]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2006
| Champions/FM 1960
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 127
| [[Joe Crabb]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1992
| Kingwood, Lake Houston, Crosby, Wallisville
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 128
| [[Wayne Smith (Texas politician)|Wayne Smith]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2002
| East Harris County (Baytown, Deer Park, La Porte)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 129
| [[John E. Davis (Texas politician)|John Davis]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1998
| Southeast Harris County (Clear Lake City Area, NASA Johnson Space Center)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 130
| [[Corbin Van Arsdale]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2002
| Northwest Harris County (including Tomball and Cypress-Fairbanks areas)
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 131
| [[Alma A. Allen|Alma Allen]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 2004
| Outer portions of Houston’s Southside
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 132
| [[Bill Callegari]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2000
| West Harris County (including county’s share of Katy and unincorporated western parts of the Katy area)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 133
| [[Jim Murphy (Texas politician)|Jim Murphy]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2006
| West Houston, western portion of Memorial/Spring Branch, part of the Energy Corridor
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 134
| [[Ellen Cohen]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 2006
| Inner western portions of Houston (including Meyerland, River Oaks and Memorial Park), Texas Medical Center, West University Place, Bellaire, Southside Place
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 135
| [[Gary Elkins]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1994
| Parts of northwest Harris County (including Jersey Village) and southeastern segments of the Champions/FM 1960 area
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 136
| [[Beverly Woolley]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1994
| Memorial Villages and surrounding areas
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 137
| [[Scott Hochberg]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1992
| Southwest Houston (including Sharpstown, Westwood and Fondren Southwest)
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 138
| [[Dwayne Bohac]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2002
| Northwest Houston and parts of the Memorial/Spring Branch area north of I-10, Addicks Reservoir
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 139
| [[Sylvester Turner]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1988
| North Houston and Aldine west of I-45
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 140
| [[Armando Walle]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 2008
| North Houston and Aldine east of I-45
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 141
| [[Senfronia Thompson]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1972
| Northeast Houston, Bush IAH, Greenspoint, southern portion of Humble
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 142
| [[Harold V. Dutton, Jr.|Harold Dutton, Jr.]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1984
| East Houston, Northshore
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 143
| [[Ana Hernandez]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 2006
| East Houston within Loop 610, Houston Ship Channel, Galena Park, Jacinto City, northern Pasadena
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 144
| [[Robert E. Talton|Robert Talton]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 1992
| Southern Pasadena, far southeast Houston
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 145
| [[Richard Noriega|Rick Noriega]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1998
| Inner southeastern portions of Houston (mainly east of I-45), South Houston (not part of the city of Houston)
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 146
| [[Borris Miles]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 2006
| Inner portions of Houston’s Southside
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 147
| [[Garnet Coleman]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1990
| Downtown Houston, inner southeastern portions of Houston (mainly west of I-45)
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 148
| [[Jessica Farrar]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 1994
| Northwest Houston mainly within Loop 610 (including Houston Heights)
|-
|bgcolor="blue"|
| 149
| [[Hubert Vo]]
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| 2004
| Far west Houston, Alief, unincorporated portions of Katy area east of Fry Rd, Barker Reservoir
|-
|bgcolor="red"|
| 150
| [[Debbie Riddle]]
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| 2002
| Northern Harris County (Spring, Klein, northern Humble)
|}
==External links==
*[http://www.houston.org/index.html Greater Houston Partnership]
*[http://www.centerforhoustonsfuture.org/ The Center for Houston's Future]
{{Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA}}
{{Texas}}
{{USLargestMetros}}
{{Portal|Houston}}
{{Clear}}
{{coord missing|Texas}}