Harris County

As of the most recent data, Harris County, TX, has a population of approximately 4.73 million people. The ethnic breakdown is around 43% Hispanic or Latino, 29% White (non-Hispanic), 19.7% Black or African American, and 7.8% Asian, with other races and multi-racial individuals making up the remainder. The gender distribution is roughly 50.2% female and 49.8% male. The median household income is about $61,705, and around 15% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county also boasts a diverse age distribution, with a median age of roughly 33 years.

As of the latest data in 2023, Harris County, TX has a median home price of approximately $289,000. The median rent is around $1,700 per month. Homeownership rate is about 55%. The average property tax rate is around 2.31%. Housing inventory has increased by 10% year-over-year, with around 20,000 homes currently listed. The median home value appreciation rate is 7.5% annually. Average household income stands at roughly $63,600. The housing market is considered moderately competitive, with homes typically selling within 35 days.

As of the latest update:

Election Overview

• Voter Registration: Approximately 2.5 million
• Turnout Rates: Typically between 55%-65% in presidential years, lower in midterms

Key Races

1. County Judge

   • Incumbent: Lina Hidalgo (D)
   • Challenger: Alexandra del Moral Mealer (R)

2. District Attorney

   • Incumbent: Kim Ogg (D)
   • Challenger: Andrea Beall (R)

3. Sheriff

   • Incumbent: Ed Gonzalez (D)
   • Challenger: Joe Danna (R)

4. U.S. House of Representatives (Various Districts)

   • Example: District 2
     • Incumbent: Dan Crenshaw (R)
     • Challenger: Sima Ladjevardian (D)

Ballot Measures

• Prop A: County Bond (Infrastructure)
• Prop B: County Bond (Health Services)

Additional Info

• Early voting and mail-in ballots are popular.
• New voting technologies implemented: E-poll books, hybrid voting

Harris County, TX, holds a diverse educational profile. As of the latest data, approximately 30% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher, slightly below the national average of around 33%. High school graduation rates in Harris County are about 83%, marginally lower than the national average of 85% and the Texas state average of 84%. Furthermore, about 22% of individuals have attended some college without earning a degree, paralleling state and national patterns. Compared to Texas overall, Harris County leans slightly higher in higher education attainment but maintains a close alignment with both state and national educational benchmarks, reflecting its status as an urban, diverse metropolitan area.

As of the latest available data, Harris County, TX, has a labor force participation rate of approximately 66%, with an unemployment rate hovering around 8%. Major industries include:

1. Energy and Oil & Gas – Employs around 100,000 people, with Houston being a global energy hub.
2. Healthcare – With over 290,000 workers, driven by the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex globally.
3. Manufacturing – Employs about 230,000 individuals.
4. Trade, Transportation, and Utilities – Accounts for nearly 500,000 jobs.

When compared to national averages:

• Energy Sector: Significantly higher; not many regions have such an energy-focus.
• Healthcare: Slightly higher due to the Texas Medical Center.
• Manufacturing and Trade/Transportation: Relatively similar to national averages.

Compared to Texas averages:

• Energy Sector: On par, but concentrated due to Houston.
• Healthcare and Trade/Transportation: Higher due to urban population density.
• Manufacturing: Consistent with state averages.

As of the latest available data, the average household income in Harris County, TX, is approximately $81,945. In comparison, the average household income in Texas is about $79,637, while the national average is approximately $97,973. This indicates that Harris County's average income is slightly above the state average but falls below the national average.

The disparity highlights regional economic differences, with Harris County performing reasonably well within the state context but lagging behind the broader national metric.

As of recent reports, Harris County, TX, continues to face various crime challenges. The county's crime rate stands at approximately 4,165 incidents per 100,000 residents annually, higher than the national average.

Here's a breakdown of common crime types and their rates in Harris County:

These figures illustrate the pressing need for continued and enhanced crime prevention and intervention strategies in Harris County. Note that these rates can fluctuate year to year based on various socio-economic factors.