Houston, TX

Census Place

Add Comparison

2020 Population

2.31M

0.121% 1-year growth

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

33.3

0.909% 1-year increase

2020 Poverty Rate

19.6%

2.18% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$53,600

2.41% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$186,800

8.73% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

1.13M

0.607% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Houston, TX had a population of 2.31M people with a median age of 33.3 and a median household income of $53,600. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Houston, TX grew from 2.31M to 2.31M, a 0.121% increase and its median household income grew from $52,338 to $53,600, a 2.41% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Houston, TX are White (Hispanic) (27.4%), White (Non-Hispanic) (24.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (22.3%), Other (Hispanic) (11.1%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (6.8%).

None of the households in Houston, 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.

80.6% of the residents in Houston, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Houston, TX are University of Houston (10,715 degrees awarded in 2020), Houston Community College (7,125 degrees), and University of Houston-Downtown (3,607 degrees).

In 2020, the median property value in Houston, TX was $186,800, and the homeownership rate was 42.9%. Most people in Houston, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Houston, TX was 2 cars per household.

Photo by Katie Haugland Bowen

United States Texas Fort Bend County, TX Harris County, TX Montgomery County, TX Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX

Diversity

Houston, TX is home to a population of 2.31M people, from which 80.6% are citizens. As of 2020, 28.9% of Houston, TX residents were born outside of the country (668k people).

In 2020, there were 1.13 times more White (Hispanic) residents (634k people) in Houston, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 559k White (Non-Hispanic) and 516k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Houston, TX

White (Hispanic)
634k ± 9.39k
White (Non-Hispanic)
559k ± 5.96k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
516k ± 7.18k

44.5%

Hispanic Population

1.03M people

44.5% of the people in Houston, TX are hispanic (1.03M people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

28.9%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

668k people

29.3%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

678k people

As of 2020, 28.9% of Houston, TX residents (668k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Houston, TX was 29.3%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.2

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.3

In 2020, the median age of all people in Houston, TX was 33.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 29, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Houston, TX are getting getting older. In 2019, the average age of all Houston, TX residents was 33.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,484,512 ± 36,982 people
India
279,123 ± 12,908 people
El Salvador
219,615 ± 11,461 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,484,512 Texas residents, followed by India with 279,123 and El Salvador with 219,615.

Citizenship

80.6%

2020 Citizenship

79.8%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 80.6% of Houston, TX residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Houston, TX was 79.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
20,104 ± 986
Gulf War (2001-)
16,947 ± 1,365
Gulf War (1990s)
10,728 ± 1,293

Houston, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.19 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Texas. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Texas, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Texas. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Texas across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Houston, TX is $53,600. In 2020, the place with the highest median household income in Houston, TX was Census Tract 4114 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4126 and Census Tract 4128, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

Males in Texas have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,589. The income inequality in Texas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.478, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Houston, TX employs 1.13M people. The largest industries in Houston, TX are Health Care & Social Assistance (125,103 people), Construction (123,333 people), and Retail Trade (111,697 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($105,584), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($102,752), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($102,727).

Wages

Median Household Income

$53,600

2020 value

± $580

2.41%

1 Year Growth

± 1.38%

Households in Houston, TX have a median annual income of $53,600, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $52,338 in 2019, which represents a 2.41% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Houston, TX compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$70,236

Average Male Salary in Texas

± $745

$50,589

Average Female Salary in Texas

± $558

In 2020, full-time male employees in Texas made 1.39 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Texas by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Texas

Asian
$71,020 ± $2,237
White
$57,454 ± $557
American Indian
$48,111 ± $6,839

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Texas workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.24 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Texas.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Texas by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

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

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Texas

0.48

2019 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2020, the income inequality in Texas was 0.478 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.474% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was higher than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed less 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 4114
Census Tract 4126
Census Tract 4128

In 2020, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Houston, TX was Census Tract 4114 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4126 and Census Tract 4128, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

19.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Houston, TX (447k out of 2.28M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Hispanic
247,718 ± 5,042
White
196,136 ± 4,018
Black
124,630 ± 3,742

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

1.13M

2020 Value

± 10,325

−0.607%

1 Year decline

± 1.24%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Houston, TX declined at a rate of −0.607%, from 1.13M employees to 1.13M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Houston, TX, are Sales & Related Occupations (112,504 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (108,396 people), and Management Occupations (106,856 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Houston, TX.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Houston, TX, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (112,504 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (108,396 people), and Management Occupations (106,856 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Houston, TX has an unusually high number of residents working as Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.76 times higher than expected), Legal Occupations (1.44 times), and Architecture & Engineering Occupations (1.43 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Houston, TX, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($90,712), Legal Occupations ($89,066), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($81,471).

Industries

Employment by Industries

1.13M

2020 Value

± 10,325

−0.607%

1 Year decline

± 1.24%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Houston, TX declined at a rate of −0.607%, from 1.13M employees to 1.13M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Houston, TX, are Health Care & Social Assistance (125,103 people), Construction (123,333 people), and Retail Trade (111,697 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Houston, TX, though some of these residents may live in Houston, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Houston, TX, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (125,103 people), Construction (123,333 people), and Retail Trade (111,697 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Houston, TX has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (6.02 times higher than expected), Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.72 times), and Construction (1.64 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Houston, TX, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($105,584), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($102,752), and Management of Companies & Enterprises ($102,727).

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
$292B
Gasoline
$210B
Fuel oils
$178B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas product (by dollars) was Electronics with $292B, followed by Gasoline ($210B) and Fuel oils ($178B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Texas.

$2.36T

2020 Value in Texas

$4.5T

Projected 2050 Value in Texas

90.9% growth

In 2020, total outbound Texas trade was $2.36T. This is expected to increase 90.9% to $4.5T 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
$78.1B
California
$76.4B
Michigan
$74.9B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Louisiana with $78.1B, followed by California with $76.4B and Michigan and $74.9B.

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 Texas went to Donald J. Trump with 52.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (46.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.12%). The most partisan county was Roberts County, TX with 96.2% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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 36 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Houston, TX. Showing the available data for Texas.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (46.5%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.12%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Texas went to Donald J. Trump with 52.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (46.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.12%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Texas for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Texas.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Texas

52.1% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Texas

Roberts County, TX
96.2% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Borden County, TX
95.4% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
King County, TX
95% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Texas was Roberts County, TX with 96.2% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Texas colored by their party leaning.

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 Representatives from Texas

Texas is currently represented by 36 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 2020, universities in Houston, TX awarded 37,901 degrees. The student population of Houston, TX is skewed towards women, with 66,588 male students and 92,543 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Houston, TX are Hispanic or Latino (12,047 and 34.9%), followed by White (8,266 and 23.9%), Black or African American (7,498 and 21.7%), and Asian (4,718 and 13.7%).

The largest universities in Houston, TX by number of degrees awarded are University of Houston (10,715 and 28.3%), Houston Community College (7,125 and 18.8%), and University of Houston-Downtown (3,607 and 9.52%).

The most popular majors in Houston, TX are General Studies (2,967 and 7.83%), General Business Administration & Management (2,937 and 7.75%), and Medical Assistant (1,392 and 3.67%).

The median tuition costs in Houston, TX are $30,800 for private four year colleges, and $6,941 and $20,665 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Multidisciplinary Studies
1,078 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
935 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
905 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Houston, TX was Other Multidisciplinary Studies with 1,078 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Houston
10,715 degrees awarded
Houston Community College
7,125 degrees awarded
University of Houston-Downtown
3,607 degrees awarded

$6,941

Median In-State Public

$30,800

Median Private

In 2020, the Houston, TX institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Houston with 10,715 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

15,996

Degrees Awarded to Men

21,905

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 15,996 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Houston, TX, which is 0.73 times less than the 21,905 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 institutions in Houston, TX by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino
12,047 degrees awarded
White
8,266 degrees awarded
Black or African American
7,498 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Houston, TX was Hispanic or Latino students. These 12,047 degrees mean that there were 1.46 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 8,266 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Houston, TX was $186,800 in 2020, which is 0.813 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $171,800 to $186,800, a 8.73% increase. The homeownership rate in Houston, TX is 42.9%, which is lower than the national average of 64.4%. People in Houston, TX have an average commute time of 27.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Houston, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$186,800

2020 Median

± $3,062

$171,800

2019 Median

± $1,434

In 2020, the median property value in Houston, TX grew to to $186,800 from the previous year's value of $171,800.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Houston, TX compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Houston, TX the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

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

$53,600

Median Household Income

± $580

875k

Number of Households

± 8,937

In 2020, the median household income of the 875k households in Houston, TX grew to $53,600 from the previous year's value of $52,338.

The following chart displays the households in Houston, 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.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Houston, TX distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Houston, TX the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

42.9%

2020 Homeownership

42.3%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 42.9% of the housing units in Houston, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 42.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Houston, TX compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

27.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Houston, TX have a longer commute time (27.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 1.87% of the workforce in Houston, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (75.9%)
Carpooled (9.98%)
Worked At Home (6.16%)

In 2020, 75.9% of workers in Houston, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.98%) and those who worked at home (6.16%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Health

76.8% of the population of Houston, TX has health coverage, with 40% on employee plans, 19.1% on Medicaid, 7.96% on Medicare, 9% on non-group plans, and 0.731% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Texas was $6,998 in 2014. This is a 5.06% increase from the previous year ($6,661).

Primary care physicians in Harris County, TX see 1709 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.707% increase from the previous year (1697 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1414 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 800 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Trinity County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (23.2%). Additionally, Burleson County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (46.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Harris County, TX.

1,709 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Harris County, TX

Primary care physicians in Harris County, TX see an average of 1,709 patients per year. This represents a 0.707% increase from the previous year (1,697 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.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$6,998

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Texas

$4,696

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,273

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$11,895

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Texas (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.06%, from $6,661 to $6,998.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

23.2%

Uninsured

40%

Employer Coverage

19.1%

Medicaid

7.96%

Medicare

Non-Group

0.731%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Houston, TX grew by 0.41% from 23.1% to 23.2%.

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