Bringing the Data Current; Looking into the Future

Greater West Houston’s (GWH) 1,000 square miles in the west of the Houston region, grew from 1,000,000 in the year 2000 to 1,480,000 in 2010.  Forecasting growth to 2020 shows GWH will about 400,000.  This graph at the left shows forecasts every 10 years through mid-century when GWH will reach 2.86 million.

This growth has been aggregated by zones within GWH as depicted on the nearby map.  There are three zones:  A–the eastern, most fully developed area of GWH; B–the middle zone, the zone experiencing most of the current residential development; and C–the western most and least developed.

The nearby chart, shows the historical and forecasted growth of GWH by zone.  Clearly shown is that by 2020, Eastern Zone A will grow only modestly through mid-century.  Western Zone C will begin showing significant growth by 2020 and will be as populated as Zone A by mid-century.

During this time, the Central Zone B’s growth will be most significant.  In fact, the Central Zone population exceeded that of both the Eastern and Western Zone in 2010 (653,000 to 503,000).  This is forecasted to be true through mid-century when the Central Zone is 1.27 million compared to the Western Zone’s 553.000 and the Eastern Zone’s 590,000.  For further information click this link to the West Houston Association’s website page on Regional Growth.

Growth Here Continues, A Bright Spot on the Nation’s Economy

Greater West Houston is a dynamic, high growth 1,000 square mile area in the western portions of the Houston metropolitan area.  Population in 1980 was under 400,000 and by 1990 reached over 700,000.  Jobs jumped from 150,000 in 1980 to 242,000 in 1990.

As the Houston region grew, suburban Greater West Houston benefited with new master planned residential developments.  Major employment centers such as the Energy Corridor and Westchase grew as employers began their westward suburban migration.

Between 1990 and 2010 both of these trends accelerated, fueled by the availability of educational excellence, affordable housing and shorter commutes to the new, growing employment centers.

With a 2010 population base of 1.5 million, Greater West Houston’s economic growth continues.  Traditional suburban Greater West Houston is now home to high density employment and high quality mixed use development.

This growth did not just happen.  It depended upon an excellent educational system, significant expansion of the transportation network and public policies that allowed both high quality master planned communities and affordable housing to flourish.

For the future, we know the Greater West Houston economy will continue to grow.  And just as we relied upon infrastructure in the past, there will be a continuing need for planning and financing new and rebuilt transportation, education, water, drainage systems.

GWH Job Growth Significant

The upcoming Greater West Houston Demographic and Economic Profile shows job growth in GWH of 138,000 between 2000 and 2010 for a total GWH employment of 457,000.  This is a 43% increase over 2000′s 318,000.  The Profile will be available this summer and will be distributed to members of the West Houston Association.

New Greater West Houston Population Numbers

2010 Census data for Greater West Houston indicate the 1,000 mile area in the western portion of metro Houston had a population of 1.483 million people, up 482,000 from 2000, a 48% increase over the decade.

This data will be reported in the West Houston Association’s new Greater West Houston Demographic and Economic Profile prepared by CDS Market Research.

Greater West Houston

Census Data & Greater West Houston

The 2010 Census data are in and the West Houston Association is currently putting final touches on a new report, Greater West Houston Demographic and Economic Profile prepared by CDS Market Research.

The Report will provide information on the current population and employment and their detailed characteristics.  In addition updated forecasts for population and employment to the year 2050 will be included.