Houston, Texas, is a city full of surprises and little-known facts that make it truly unique.
As the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston is a dynamic and diverse place with a fascinating history and culture.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the most fascinating facts about Houston that you may not have known before.
From its role in space exploration to its unexpected culinary scene, prepare to be amazed by this incredible city.
Whether you’re a long-time resident or just visiting, these facts will give you a new appreciation for all that Houston has to offer.
History of Houston
Houston, Texas, was founded on August 30, 1836, by brothers Augustus and John Allen, shortly after Texas gained independence from Mexico.
Initially a trading post at the confluence of Buffalo and White Oak Bayous, it became a regional hub for transportation and commerce.
Houston served as the temporary capital of the Republic of Texas from 1837 to 1839.
The city flourished with the arrival of railroads and the discovery of oil in the early 20th century, solidifying its status as a major economic center in Texas and beyond.
With that said let’s have a look at some fascinating facts about Houston;
1. Houston was founded in 1836 by brothers Augustus and John Allen, who paid only $1.40 per acre for the 6,642 acres of land they bought near Buffalo Bayou.
2. The city is named after Sam Houston, a military commander and politician who led Texas’ battle for independence from Mexico.
3. In 1837, Houston served as the temporary capital of the Republic of Texas.
4. The first word spoken from the surface of the moon to NASA was “Houston.”
5. Houston is the fourth most populous city in the United States, with an estimated population of over 2.3 million.
6. Greater Houston is the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the U.S., with residents speaking at least 145 languages.
7. The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) covers 9,444 square miles, an area larger than the state of Massachusetts.
8. Houston’s size is 665 square miles, which could fit New York City, Miami, Washington D.C., Seattle, Boston, Minneapolis, and San Francisco.
9. The Houston Zoo has more than 6,000 animals of 900 species, making it the second most visited zoo in North America.
10. Buffalo Bayou, the principal river of Houston, stretches over 52 miles with large tributaries like White Oak Bayou, Brays Bayou, and Greens Bayou.
11. The highest elevation in Houston is 125 feet, located in the northwestern part of the city, while the average elevation in downtown areas is 50 feet.
12. The Houston Audubon Society has archived and counted over 400 bird species in the city.
13. Houston is home to more than 10,000 restaurants, offering an array of cuisines from 70 global countries and American regions.
14. Houstonians eat out more often per week—6.9 times—than any other American city.
15. The 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s attendance set a record at 2,611,176, with the barbecue contest alone drawing 226,369.
16. More than 40 million passengers pass through Houston’s George Bush International Airport annually, making it one of the busiest airports in the world.
17. The tallest building in Houston is the 75-floor JP Morgan Chase Tower, which stands 1,002 feet tall.
18. Houston’s average annual rainfall is just over 49 inches, more than Seattle’s 37 inches and Mobile, Alabama’s 67 inches.
19. The largest concert in Houston was held on April 5, 1986, when an estimated 1 to 1.5 million people attended a performance by Jean Michel Jarre.
20. Houston’s Museum District has 19 museums that welcome over 8 million visitors a year.
21. The first Houston Marathon was run on December 30, 1972, with just over 100 runners. The 2014 marathon had nearly 13,000 runners.
22. Houston is the largest city in Texas, ahead of San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth.
23. The first domed stadium was the Houston Astrodome, built in 1965 and often referred to as the world’s eighth wonder.
24. The nearby city of Galveston is the oldest city in Texas.
25. Houston has a large Vietnamese population, and an area known as Little Saigon is full of restaurants and shopping.
26. Houston’s workforce is driven largely by the energy sector, mainly oil and gas.
27. Houston has the most diverse population in the U.S., with more than 145 languages spoken throughout the city.
28. The Texas Medical Center in Houston is home to the world-leading M.D. Anderson Cancer Hospital, with over 160,000 people visiting the medical center every day.
29. Houston is the largest city to elect an openly gay mayor, Annise Parker, in 2009.
30. Houston leads the Southwest U.S. with 19 foreign banks from 10 nations.
31. The region has 44.2% of the nation’s overall base petrochemicals manufacturing capacity.
32. Houston has the 12th largest tech sector in the U.S.
33. Houston is home to 44 of the nation’s 128 publicly traded oil and gas exploration and production firms.
34. The Astrodome, which opened in 1965, was the first domed stadium in the world.
35. The Houston Astros won the World Series in 2017.
36. The Houston Dynamo won the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007.
37. The Rice Owls won the College World Series in 2003.
38. The Houston Aeros hockey team won the Calder Cup in 2003 and the Turner Cup in 1999.
39. The Houston Comets won the WNBA Championship four years in a row, from 1997 to 2000.
40. The Houston Rockets won the NBA Championship in 1994 and 1995.
41. Houston is home to more Fortune 500 corporations than any city outside New York.
42. The Port of Houston is the leading international port globally and second in overall tonnage received daily.
43. The 1940 Air Terminal Museum offers visitors the chance to enter an Art Deco style terminal from back when flying was an occasion to celebrate.
44. An underground tunnel system in downtown Houston stretches over six miles and connects more than seven square city blocks.
45. The Houston Airport System handled over 58 million passengers in 2018.
46. Houston MSA automobile dealers sold over 303,000 new cars, trucks, and SUVs in 2018.
47. In 2018, the City of Houston issued building permits for construction valued at $6.1 billion.
48. The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land MSA’s population ranks fifth among the nation’s metropolitan areas.
49. Metro Houston ranks fourth in the nation in Fortune 500 headquarters.
Conclusion
Houston, Texas, is a city brimming with history, diversity, and innovation.
From its humble beginnings as a trading post to its current status as a global powerhouse in industries like energy, healthcare, and technology, Houston has continually evolved while retaining its unique cultural identity.
The city’s rich tapestry of communities, vibrant arts scene, and culinary delights make it a fascinating place to explore.
