Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Houston, Texas
State Texas
City Houston
County1 Harris*
City Population (2005)2 1,941,430 8.7% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 4 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 4 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Very Large
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Austin
State Population (2005)2 22,270,165
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Bill White
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 713-247-2200
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 6, 2007
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  No
State Governor Name Rick Perry
State/Governor Website http://www.state.tx.us/
State/Governor Contact Information 512-463-2000
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.46    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 21.5%    
     Disability Status 10.8% 4  
     Emphysema 0.97% 4  
     Cardiovascular Disease 20.83% 4  
     Diabetes 4.32% 3  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.49% 21  
     Adult Asthma 7.31% 9  
     Adult Obesity 23.8%   46
     People Without Health Insurance 24.5%   51
     Age: Children under 5 years 9.0% 67  
     Age: 65 years and over 8.4% 10  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 31.0% 54  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 28.2% 8  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 59.8% 9  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 9.1% 49  
     Individuals Below Poverty 19.6% 47  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 26.1% 47  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 70.7% 49  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 46.1% 64  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score)    4.3***    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 52.7 (of 51) 72  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 244,984,502 pounds   51
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 231,435,947 pounds 49
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 85,995,827 pounds 47
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,804,643,044 pounds 51
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,561,384,551 pounds 51
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 1,130.8 grams 51
Number of Superfund Sites in County 13 sites 69  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 1.136 tons per person 35
Recycling Rate (1997) (Not Available) (Not Available)
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 27,804,505 tons 49
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.2 tons/person 15
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 5,659,287 tons 4
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 20.4% 26
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.1% 34
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 5.6% 17
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    3.4***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 562,500 tons   45
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 253,400 tons   45
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 242,715,300 tons   48
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 8,560.0 pounds   47
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 39.8 days 61  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 2.7 PM2.5 38  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 14.2 PM2.5 43  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 4 ppm 42  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) 0.01 ug/m3 2  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.019 ppm 36  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 39 ug/m3 51  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.006 ppm 38  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 39 days 47  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score) 3.3    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade Fair ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade Fair ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade Poor ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Buffalo-San Jacinto ---  
# of Units in Watershed 41 units 37  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 36 units 27  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 35 units 43  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 97.2% 54  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 12.2% 29  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 50.83 inches 8  
Water Area Total, square miles 5,363 square miles 9  
Water Area Inland, square miles 4,959 square miles 2  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 404 square miles 15  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Houston ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 29 years 58  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 106 days 37  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Houston ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 64 years 5  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 0.4 inches 49  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 29,600,000,000 gallons/day 9  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,300,000,000 gallons/day 28  
Ground water, gallons/day 8,780,000,000 gallons/day 9  
Surface water, gallons/day 20,800,000,000 gallons/day 9  
Irrigation, gallons/day 9,450,000,000 gallons/day 12  
Public Supply, gallons/day 3,420,000,000 gallons/day 9  
Industrial, gallons/day 2,920,000,000 gallons/day 1  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 13,500,000,000 gallons/day 2  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 10,500,000,000 gallons/day 9  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier City of Houston, Public Works Department ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 2,700,000 people 4  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 19 contaminants 46  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 37  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 5 contaminants 42  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 32  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 13 contaminants 46  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 43  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 5 contaminants 17  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 21  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 13 contaminants 51  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 2 contaminants 48  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 19 contaminants 46  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 173 contaminants 7  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 133 contaminants 6  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 40 contaminants 8  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 2 violations 53  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 1 violation 51  
Reporting Violations 1 violation 63  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 3.1    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 3,371.7 people per square mile 34  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,349.6 housing units per square mile 39  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 27.4 minutes 57  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 26.1 minutes 60  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 15.9% 14  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 5.9% 28  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 2.8% 43  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.3% 52  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 103.6 34  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 66.9 MV registrations   6
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 42.1%   26
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 35.2 MV registrations   5
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.10 MV registrations   14
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 301,987 miles   51
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.262%   15
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 27.6%   17
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.02 miles   25
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 20.28 miles   25
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $6,758,000,000   50
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $22,378 per mile   24
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 88.1%   44
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 36.0 hours per person 50  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $609 per person 50  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $2,283,000,000 42  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 22 gallons per person 49  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $37,483 44  
Median Household Income (2000) $36,616 45  
Per capita income (2004) $21,854 39  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $20,101 43  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 16.7% 49  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 19.2% 45  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 19.6% 47  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 3.0% 16  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 26.1% 47  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 90,265 people 64  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 6.2% 48  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 9.1% 49  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 4.8% 48  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 7.6% 48  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 22.3% 38  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 16.5% 33  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
 
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 358,151 kids (1.6% of total pop.) 4  
Largest School District Enrollment 208,462 kids (0.9% of total pop.) 6  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 70.7% 49  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 40.2% 61  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 71.8% 65  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 27.1% 42  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 31% 54  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 734,430 units 4  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 52.5% 22  
Cost of Living: Housing 53.1 12  
Cost of Living: Utilities 95.4 25  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 96.3 15  
Cost of Living: Overall 81.7 9  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 36.00%   49
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 50.50%   49
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 28.2%   33
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 7,186.4 incidents per 100,000 people 46  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 1,146.4 incidents per 100,000 people 50  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 6,040.0 incidents per 100,000 people 44  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 7,054.8 incidents per 100,000 people 44  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) 3.9    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 0.5 parks per square mile 37  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 56.5 park acres per city square mile 16  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres 10.9 acres 28  
Parkland as % of City Area 5.7% 38  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident $33 per resident 3  
Total City Tree Canopy % 18.8% 17  
Total City Urbanized Area % 55.9% 30  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users No ---  
Disability Advisory Committees No ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks Yes ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.49% 21
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.31% 9
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 2.85% 4
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 0.97% 4
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 20.83% 4
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.32% 3  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 23.8% 46
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 11.1% 46
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 22.0% 49
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 6.4% 19
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 191.4 23
Cost of Living: Health 106.1 34  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 24.7% 51
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 24.5% 51
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.8% 22
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.2% 20
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 8 farms 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 2 markets 61
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 2 restaurants 19
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 2 grocery stores 26
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 1 other source 45
Cost of Living: Food 93.9 10
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 76.4% 38
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 41.4% 33
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.3***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) No ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 2 programs   6
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 50 kW   13
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 50 kW   21
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds Funds support Energy Effeciency   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 5,880 MW   (Not Available)
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards 2015   8
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems Yes   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes5 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 1.3%   43
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 26 years 59
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 56% 34
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.8 mph 50
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.2 mph 45
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.9 mph 48
Heating Degree Days 1,599 days 8
Cooling Degree Days 2,700 days 57
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 29 years 56
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 90% 58
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 61% 44
Elevation, feet 39 feet 14
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 1,941,430 4 (of 72 in EDN study) 8.7% of state population
City Population (2000) 1,953,631 4 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 22,270,165 2 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Southwest ---  
EPA Region 6 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 579.0 square miles 4 0.2% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 261,914 square miles 2  
Watershed Name Buffalo-San Jacinto ---  
Elevation, feet 39 ft. (11.9 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 51.8°F (11.0°C) 11
Average Daily Temperature - July 83.6°F (28.7°C) 62  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 31.9 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 72.6% 51  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 8.4% 63  
Under 5 years of age 175,219 kids (9.0% of total pop.) 4  
One Race-White % (2005) 56.7% 44  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 43.3% 29  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 42.3% 7  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 46.1% 8  
Largest School District Name Houston Independent School District ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network