Houston, TX

Census Place

Add Comparison

Population

2.33M

0.556% 1-year growth

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

Median Age

33.1

Poverty Rate

20.6%

Median Household Income

$51,203

0.603% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$179,100

3.17% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

1.15M

3.73% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Houston, TX had a population of 2.33M people with a median age of 33.1 and a median household income of $51,203. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Houston, TX grew from 2.31M to 2.33M, a 0.556% increase and its median household income grew from $50,896 to $51,203, a 0.603% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Houston, TX are White (Hispanic) (30.1%), White (Non-Hispanic) (23.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (22%), Other (Hispanic) (13.4%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (7.23%). 49.9% of the people in Houston, TX speak a non-English language, and 79.8% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Houston, TX are University of Houston (9,473 degrees awarded in 2017), Houston Community College (7,514 degrees), and University of Houston-Downtown (3,527 degrees).

The median property value in Houston, TX is $179,100, and the homeownership rate is 41.9%. Most people in Houston, TX commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 26.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Houston, TX is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Katie Haugland Bowen

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

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.

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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Impact on Employment

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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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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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Harris County, TX went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 54% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41.6%), followed by Other (4.44%). The most partisan county was Roberts County, TX with 94.6% 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 Harris County, TX.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (54%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (41.6%)
Republican Party
Other (4.44%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Texas went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 54% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41.6%), followed by Other (4.44%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Texas for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Harris County, TX

54% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Texas

Roberts County, TX
94.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
King County, TX
93.7% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Motley County, TX
92% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Texas was Roberts County, TX with 94.6% 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

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.

Diversity

Houston, TX is home to a population of 2.33M people, from which 79.8% are citizens. As of 2018, 29.1% of Houston, TX residents were born outside of the country (676k people).

In 2018, there were 1.27 times more White (Hispanic) residents (700k people) in Houston, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 552k White (Non-Hispanic) and 511k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common foreign languages spoken in Houston, TX are Spanish (838,300 speakers), Vietnamese (32,958 speakers), and Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) (30,245 speakers).

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Houston, TX

White (Hispanic)
700k ± 24.7k
White (Non-Hispanic)
552k ± 15k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
511k ± 16.2k

44.9%

Hispanic Population

1.04M people

44.9% of the people in Houston, TX are hispanic (1.04M people).

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

Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

Spanish
838,300 speakers (38.9%)
Vietnamese
32,958 speakers (1.53%)
Chinese (Incl. Mandarin, Cantonese)
30,245 speakers (1.4%)

49.9% of Houston, TX citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is higher than the national average of 21.9%. In 2018, the most common non-English language spoken in Houston, TX was Spanish. 38.9% of the overall population of Houston, TX are native Spanish speakers. 1.53% speak Vietnamese and 1.4% speak Spanish, the next two most common languages.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

29.1%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

676k people

28.6%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

662k people

As of 2018, 29.1% of Houston, TX residents (676k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Houston, TX was 28.6%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

± 0.4

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.5

In 2018, the median age of all people in Houston, TX was 33.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 29, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Houston, TX are getting staying the same age. In 2017, 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
2,516,437 ± 37,200 people
India
285,714 ± 13,058 people
El Salvador
228,916 ± 11,700 people

In 2018, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,516,437 Texas residents, followed by India with 285,714 and El Salvador with 228,916.

Citizenship

79.8%

2018 Citizenship

79.9%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 79.8% of Houston, TX residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Houston, TX was 79.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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
20,610 ± 2,193
Gulf War (2001-)
14,591 ± 2,664
Gulf War (1990s)
8,749 ± 1,752

Houston, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.41 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Houston, TX is $51,203. In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income in Houston, TX was Census Tract 4126 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4303 and Census Tract 4304, with respective values of $250,001 and $250,001.

Males in Texas have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,835. The income inequality in Texas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.479, which is higher than than the national average.

The economy of Houston, TX employs 1.15M people. The largest industries in Houston, TX are Construction (133,309 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (125,991 people), and Retail Trade (113,163 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($103,219), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($102,388), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($101,449).

Wages

Median Household Income

$51,203

2018 value

± $904

0.603%

1 Year Growth

± 2.26%

Households in Houston, TX have a median annual income of $51,203, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $50,896 in 2017, which represents a 0.603% 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 Gender in Common Jobs

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

$67,436

Average Male Salary in Texas

± $718

$48,835

Average Female Salary in Texas

± $539

In 2018, full-time male employees in Texas made 1.38 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-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
$66,902 ± $2,105
White
$54,641 ± $518
Two or More Races
$47,698 ± $2,518

In 2018 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Texas workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.22 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.

0.479

2018 Wage GINI in Texas

0.479

2017 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2018, the income inequality in Texas was 0.479 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0209% growth from 2017 to 2018, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Texas was higher than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 4126
Census Tract 4303
Census Tract 4304

In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Houston, TX was Census Tract 4126 with a value of $250,001, followed by Census Tract 4303 and Census Tract 4304, 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 Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

20.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Houston, TX (466k out of 2.26M people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. 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
264,742 ± 4,437
White
239,173 ± 4,113
Black
127,172 ± 3,261

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

1.15M

2018 Value

± 21,651

3.73%

1 Year growth

± 2.58%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Houston, TX grew at a rate of 3.73%, from 1.11M employees to 1.15M employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Houston, TX, are Sales & Related Occupations (118,579 people), Construction & Extraction Occupations (108,989 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (107,692 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 (118,579 people), Construction & Extraction Occupations (108,989 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (107,692 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Houston, TX has an unusually high number of residents working as Construction & Extraction Occupations (1.88 times higher than expected), Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations (1.49 times), and Building & Grounds Cleaning & Maintenance Occupations (1.44 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Houston, TX, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($82,423), Legal Occupations ($80,258), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($75,941).

Industries

Employment by Industries

1.15M

2018 Value

± 21,651

3.73%

1 Year growth

± 2.58%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Houston, TX grew at a rate of 3.73%, from 1.11M employees to 1.15M employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Houston, TX, are Construction (133,309 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (125,991 people), and Retail Trade (113,163 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 Construction (133,309 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (125,991 people), and Retail Trade (113,163 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Houston, TX has an unusually high number of Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction (6.21 times higher than expected), Construction (1.76 times), and Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.45 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Houston, TX, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($103,219), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($102,388), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($101,449).

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

Fuel oils
$282B
Gasoline
$216B
Mixed freight
$159B

In 2015, the top outbound Texas product (by dollars) was Fuel oils with $282B, followed by Gasoline ($216B) and Mixed freight ($159B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Texas.

$1.97T

2015 Value in Texas

$2.8T

Projected 2045 Value in Texas

42.1% growth

In 2015, total outbound Texas trade was $1.97T. This is expected to increase 42.1% to $2.8T by 2045.

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
$85.7B
Oklahoma
$53.4B
California
$34.5B

In 2015, the top outbound Texas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Louisiana with $85.7B, followed by Oklahoma with $53.4B and California and $34.5B.

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

Education

In 2017, universities in Houston, TX awarded 37,779 degrees. The student population of Houston, TX is skewed towards women, with 73,296 male students and 92,124 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Houston, TX are Hispanic or Latino (10,963 and 32%), followed by White (8,960 and 26.2%), Black or African American (8,127 and 23.7%), and Asian (4,312 and 12.6%).

The largest universities in Houston, TX by number of degrees awarded are University of Houston (9,473 and 25.1%), Houston Community College (7,514 and 19.9%), and University of Houston-Downtown (3,527 and 9.34%).

The most popular majors in Houston, TX are General Studies (4,509 and 11.9%), General Business Administration & Management (2,665 and 7.05%), and Medical Assistant (1,477 and 3.91%).

The median tuition costs in Houston, TX are $29,730 for private four year colleges, and $6,942 and $21,084 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Multidisciplinary Studies
976 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
799 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
721 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Houston, TX was Other Multidisciplinary Studies with 976 degree-majorss 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
9,473 degrees awarded
Houston Community College
7,514 degrees awarded
University of Houston-Downtown
3,527 degrees awarded

$6,942

Median In-State Public

$29,730

Median Private

In 2017, the Houston, TX institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Houston with 9,473 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

16,344

Degrees Awarded to Men

21,435

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 16,344 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Houston, TX, which is 0.762 times less than the 21,435 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender 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
10,963 degrees awarded
White
8,960 degrees awarded
Black or African American
8,127 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Houston, TX were to Hispanic or Latino students. These 10,963 degrees mean that there were 1.22 times more Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 8,960 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Houston, TX was $179,100 in 2018, which is 0.78 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $173,600 to $179,100, a 3.17% increase. The homeownership rate in Houston, TX is 41.9%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Houston, TX have an average commute time of 26.7 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Houston, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$179,100

2018 Median

± $5,044

$173,600

2017 Median

± $4,337

In 2018, the median property value in Houston, TX grew to to $179,100 from the previous year's value of $173,600.

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.

$51,203

Median Household Income

± $904

849k

Number of Households

± 16,314

In 2018, the median household income of the 849k households in Houston, TX grew to $51,203 from the previous year's value of $50,896.

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

41.9%

2018 Homeownership

42.8%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 41.9% of the housing units in Houston, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 42.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Houston, TX compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

26.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Houston, TX have a longer commute time (26.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.7 minutes). Additionally, 1.88% 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 Method of Travel

Drove Alone
78.1%
Carpooled
10%
Worked At Home
3.92%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Houston, TX was Drove Alone (78.1%), followed by those who Carpooled (10%) and those who Worked At Home (3.92%).

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 1 car.

Health

77.2% of the population of Houston, TX has health coverage, with 39.2% on employee plans, 20.9% on Medicaid, 7.68% on Medicare, 8.55% on non-group plans, and 0.794% 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 1749 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.33% increase from the previous year (1726 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1508 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 964 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Cass County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (14.5%). Additionally, Angelina County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,749 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Harris County, TX

Primary care physicians in Harris County, TX see an average of 1,749 patients per year. This represents a 1.33% increase from the previous year (1,726 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

22.8%

Uninsured

39.2%

Employer Coverage

20.9%

Medicaid

7.68%

Medicare

8.55%

Non-Group

0.794%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Houston, TX grew by 2.78% from 22.2% to 22.8%.

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.