Demographic Profile for Harris County, Texas

In the year 2005, the population division of U.S. Census Bureau estimates the median age in Harris County, Texas to be 32.5 years of age. The median age in Harris is less than the median age in Texas of 33.2. Since the year 2000, the area has witnessed an increase in the median age, when it was 31.2 years of age. With 28.9 percent of the population in 2005 being comprised of children and youth younger than 18, Harris can be understood as having a relatively high proportion of youths. The 18 to 64 years old population group has a medium-high representation within the population, making up 63.4 percent of the population within the age group. People 65 and older make up 7.7 percent of the population in the area. When compared to other counties throughout the United States, this represents a relatively low percent of the population.

In terms of total land area, Harris extends a total area of 1729 total square miles. The area has a very high population density of 2,136 persons per square mile. Other counties with similar densities in the US include: -- more densely populated -- Bristol, RI (2,137 per sq. mile ), Westchester, NY (2,174 per sq. mile ), Marion, IN (2,178 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Franklin, OH (2,020 per sq. mile ), Hennepin, MN (2,011 per sq. mile ), Hamilton, OH (1,980 per sq. mile ).

Harris County, Texas had an estimated population of 3,693,050 in the year 2005. The population has increased sharply, since the population in 2000 of 3,414,955. This growth shows an increase of 8.1 percent. Harris ranks 1 of 254 counties by growth in total population in Texas and the county ranks 5 of 3,141 counties when calculating the total change in county population across the US.

Estimated since the year 2000, a very high amount of people have migrated to Harris from another country. The international migration into Harris makes up 27.6 percent of all immigration into Texas. This percent of immigration can be considered very high when compared to international migration per 2005 population.

Harris County, Texas has a population that is made of 38.2 percent White, 17.8 percent African American, 5.4 percent Asian, and 37.5 percent Hispanic. The area can be described as having a very high level of diversity in terms of race and ethnicity, with 60.7 percent of the population made up of minorities. This is greater than the State of Texas percent of 49.5. Since 2000, Harris has increased the percent of minority population when 56.7 percent of the people were minorities.

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Housing Report for Harris County, Texas

Harris County recorded median owner-occupied home value in the year 2005 of $120,300, reported by the American Community Survey. This median is greater than the overall State of Texas 2005 home median value of $106,000 and less than median owner-occupied dwelling value of $167,500 across the nation during that year.

The owner-occupied dwellings in Harris County, Texas have seen large increases from the real estate values reported in 2000. The valuations have increased by $33,300, or 38.3 percent, from their 2000 value of $87,000.

In Harris County, the census reported 1,456,218 housing structures in 2005. The area has seen growth in housing units, adding a sum of 128,558 housing units since the year 2001, or 9.7 percent.

Harris County can be understood as having a medium proportion of residential real estate that is high priced. In 2005, the American Community Survey reported that 3.5 percent residential property is valued over $500k.

It can be understood that there is a large amount of affordable housing in Harris County, Texas. In 2005, 53.2 percent of housing was valued under $125k.

When compared to other counties in Texas, Harris County places 24 of 254 by percentage growth in residential real estate. The county is positioned 317 of 3,141, when comparing thee change in housing structures in counties throughout the nation.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau