Greater Houston

The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metropolitan (Metro) Area, also known as Greater Houston, is one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. Over the last 50 years, this area, currently made up of 10 counties, has seen big changes in population, age groups, and housing trends. These changes have shaped the region into what it is today. This StoryMap compares maps from the 1970 and 2020  Decennial Census  counts highlighting areas of significant change and growth over time.

The 1970 Census maps, created in 1975 through a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census (the Census Bureau's predecessor), U.S. Department of Labor, Manpower Administration, and the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, were scanned as reference for comparison due to the absence of digital geographic data from that era. Their 2020 counterparts were produced using the decennial census results at the census tract level and symbolized to match the colors and value ranges of the 1970 maps. Notably, the census tract shapes differ, as they were adjusted to reflect changes in population and housing patterns based on the decennial census. Furthermore, the criteria for defining a metropolitan area have evolved over the past century (refer to the section below, "Metropolitan Area Definition Changes", for more details). In the case of Greater Houston, the metro area expanded from 5 to 10 counties. For direct comparison, the outline of the metro area as it appeared in 1970 is overlaid on the 2020 maps. Additionally, average figures in 2020 are provided for both sets of boundaries.

Generally, a metropolitan area is identified by having at least one core city or urban area with a relatively high population density and close economic interdependent relationship throughout the region. The U.S. Census Bureau has periodically updated its criteria for defining metropolitan areas based on population density and commuting patterns. The Census Bureau originally defined metropolitan districts for the 1910 census to classify large urban centers and surrounding areas in which the threshold for such districts was 200,000 residents. The threshold lowered to 50,000 in 1940. These districts were replaced by standard metropolitan areas (SMAs) for the 1950 census, which were later renamed to standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSAs) in 1959. The modern term, "metropolitan statistical area" was adopted in 1983. Visit  www.census.gov  for more information on the history of metropolitan areas.

• Greater Houston's population surged from 2.2 million in 1970 to 7.1 million in 2020. The City of Houston itself grew from 1.2 million to 2.3 million residents during the same period.
• Population density rose notably from 316 persons per square mile in 1970 to 710 persons per square mile in 2020, with even higher densities in the former 1970 city boundary.

• Neighboring cities, such as Sugar Land, Missouri City, Pearland, The Woodlands, Conroe, and Katy, experienced rapid growth and increasing population concentration.
• Suburban developments expanded significantly to accommodate growing populations, impacting housing trends and lifestyles.

• The proportion of residents aged 65 and older doubled from 6.1% in 1970 to 12.1% in 2020. This shift was seen across the metro area, reflecting national trends of an aging population.

• Residents under 18 years of age dropped from 37.2% of the total population in 1970 to 25.8% in 2020, due to lower birth rates, smaller households, and changes in family-oriented living patterns.

• Owner-occupied housing declined from 60.1% in 1970 to 54.8% in 2020, with a notable rise in rental properties, especially in urban core areas.
• Despite this trend, suburbs and cities in Fort Bend and Montgomery counties maintained higher homeownership rates, driven by affordable housing and family-friendly environments.

The population of Greater Houston experienced dramatic growth, rising from approximately 2.2 million residents in 1970 to 7.1 million in 2020. During the same period, the City of Houston grew from around 1.2 million residents in 1970 to 2.3 million in 2020. Despite the increase in suburban developments and highway expansion by 1970, the population remained heavily concentrated within Houston. At that time, the average population density for the metro area was 316 persons per square mile. By 2020, the metro area's average density increased to 710 persons per square mile, with 1,036 persons per square mile within the former 1970 boundary. The city continues to grow at a steady rate, whereas neighboring cities have experienced significant growth and increased population concentration. These cities are Sugar Land and Missouri City in Fort Bend County, Pearland in Brazoria County, The Woodlands and Conroe in Montgomery County, and Pasadena and Katy (the eastern portion) in Harris County.

Like several other metropolitan areas, Greater Houston is also experiencing an aging population. In 1970, residents aged 65 years or older were more dispersed throughout the region, with some higher concentrations observed in the outer-core areas, culminating in an average of 6.1 percent of the total metropolitan population. By 2020, this trend became even more pronounced, with the aging population averaging 12.1 percent of the total metro population, including 11.9 percent within the former 1970 boundary.

As the population ages, the proportion of residents under 18 years of age decreases. In 1970, Greater Houston had a significantly higher share of residents under 18, averaging 37.2 percent of the total population. This was driven by higher birth rates during that period, along with larger households and family sizes. Suburban cities expanded to accommodate these family-oriented lifestyles. By 2020, however, this trend had shifted as aging populations, lower birth rates, and smaller households became more prevalent. The average percentage of residents under 18 dropped to 25.8 percent (25.9 percent within the former 1970 boundary), with higher densities concentrated in outlying areas of Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties.

In line with prior population trends, the average percentage of owner-occupied housing units gradually declined from 60.1 percent in 1970 to 54.8 percent in 2020 (54.4 percent within the former 1970 boundary). The maps depicting these distributions reflect the downward trend, showing a growing prevalence of renters in both the inner and outer core areas by 2020. However, suburban areas in Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties continue to exhibit higher concentrations of homeownership, driven by affordable housing options and preferred living environments."

Within this 50-year span, Greater Houston has undergone significant demographic and developmental transformations, establishing itself as a dynamic and adaptive region. Rapid population growth, aging demographics, suburban expansion, and shifting housing trends underscore the importance of the metro area's adaptability in response to economic, social, and demographic changes. These evolving patterns are critical for guiding regional planning, fostering coordination, and shaping policies that ensure a sustainable balance between growth, infrastructure needs, and quality of life for its diverse and expanding population.