Houston

Most populous city in Texas

Houston is the most populous city in Texas and the American South, and the 4th most populous city in the United States. With a census-estimated 2014 population of 2.239 million people] within a land area of 599.6 square miles (1,553 km), it also is the largest city in the Southern United States, as well as the seat of Harris County. It is the principal of its metropolitan area Greater Houston, which is the fifth most populated metropolitan area in the United States.

Founded in 1836

Houston was founded in 1836 on land near the banks of Buffalo Bayou (now known as Allen's Landing) and incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837. The city was named after former General Sam Houston, who was president of the Republic of Texas and had commanded and won at the Battle of San Jacinto 25 miles (40 km) east of where the city was established. The burgeoning port and railroad industry, combined with oil discovery in 1901, has induced continual surges in the city's population. In the mid-twentieth century, Houston became the home of the Texas Medical Center—the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions—and NASA's Johnson Space Center, where the Mission Control Center is located.

Economy

Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. It is also leading in health care sectors and building oilfield equipment; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters within its city limits. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled. Nicknamed the Space City, Houston is a global city, with strengths in business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, sports, technology, education, medicine and research. The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. Houston is considered to be the most diverse city in Texas and the United States. It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits, which attract more than 7 million visitors a year to the Museum District. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and offers year-round resident companies in all major performing arts.

Houston Ranked Outstanding Among U.S. Cities

4th Most Populous City in the United States U.S. Census Fastest Growing County in Texas by 2050 – Harris County Houston Business Journal – March 10, 2015 America’s Best Cities for Food Snobs Travel + Leisure – March 2015 Fastest Growing Cities in 2014 Forbes – January 2015 Most Favorable Metro for STEM Workers WalletHub – January 14, 2015 Best Places for Veterans: Mid-Career Houston Business Journal – November 6, 2014 Top Destination Cities For College Graduates New York Times – October 20, 2014 Most Competitive Metros in America Forbes – July 2, 2014 Top Destination City – Fifth Consecutive Year U-Haul International – April 10, 2014 Best Cities for Young Entrepreneurs CreditDonkey – February 19, 2014 Best Cities for Young Couples CreditDonkey - January 22, 2014 Top Cities to Find a Job Forbes - June 2, 2015 Top Cities for Corporate Relocations and Expansions in 2014 Site Selection Magazine – March 2, 2015 Top Labor Markets in the U.S. Forbes – February 10, 2015 Best Cities for Singles Travel + Leisure Magazine – January 23, 2015 America's Favorite Cities 2014 Travel + Leisure – November 2014 Top Cities for New Grads Yahoo Finance – June 5, 2014 Best Cities for Technology Jobs Forbes – April 14, 2015
America's Coolest Cities to Live Forbes – August 6, 2014 Best City for Saving Money GOBankingRates – February 24, 2014 Nation’s Highest Manufacturing Job Hubs Headlight – May 27, 2015 America’s Best Cities for Starting a Career WalletHub – May 18, 2015 Best Large Cities for Job Growth New Geography – August 20, 2014 Top Destinations for Foodies Resonance Consultancy Ltd. – August 2014 Happiest Cities in America CultureMap Houston – July 25, 2014 Fastest Growing Cities for “Dining, Boozing & Snoozing” Houston Business Journal - July 15, 2015 Top Markets for Millennials Houston Business Journal – March 12, 2015 Cities Where Your Paycheck Will Go The Furthest Forbes - June 22, 2015 Top Nightlife Cities in the World National Geographic - February 2015 Top U.S. Metros for Employment in Advanced Industries Brookings Institution – February 2, 2015 Best Music Scene Cities in the U.S. Travel + Leisure Magazine – April 9, 2015 Most Patriotic Cities in America MyLife.com – June 30, 2014 Best Large Cities to Live In WalletHub - August 6, 2015 Cities Creating the Most White-Collar Jobs Joel Kotkin & Michael Shires – July 21, 2015 Friendliest Cities in America CultureMap Houston – May 18, 2015 Best Places to Travel in 2015 Travel + Leisure - January 2015