Houston, Texas
Houston is a Texas city whose current Census footprint includes Fort Bend County, Harris County, Montgomery County, and Waller County. Start with the quick read below for what gives Houston its character, then the practical property-tax, insurance, district, and local-record checks worth making before you rely on a monthly estimate.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 2,397,315
- Change from 2020 base
- +4.2%
- Land area
- 640.8 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Fort Bend County, Harris County, Montgomery County, and Waller County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
- Harris Central Appraisal District
- Harris County Tax Office
- City of Houston permitting
- Texas Comptroller: Fort Bend County appraisal and tax offices
- Texas Comptroller: Harris County appraisal and tax offices
- Texas Comptroller: Montgomery County appraisal and tax offices
- Texas Comptroller: Waller County appraisal and tax offices
Local checks
- HCAD account
- MUD or utility district
- Flood history
- City-limit status
- HOA documents
What buyers should know
Pull the property's HCAD record early to see all taxing units and build a realistic tax estimate before making an offer.
Verify flood history beyond the FEMA map: check drainage district, prior claims, and current windstorm and flood insurance availability.
A MUD district adds $0.30-$1.00+ per $100 on top of standard rates, so compare effective total rates between a newer suburb and an older in-city neighborhood at the same price.
County context
What to know around Houston
County lines carry much of the property, land, water, and outdoors context around Houston.
County Origins
Fort Bend County was founded in 1837 and named for a bend in the Brazos River
Fort Bend County gets its name from a small cabin settlement built near a sharp curve in the Brazos River in the 1820s.
Property Tax Basics
Two offices handle your property tax in Fort Bend County
The appraisal district sets your home's value; the tax assessor-collector sends the bill and takes payment.
State Historic Site
San Jacinto's Battle Lasted 18 Minutes; Recognition Took Years
Sam Houston's army won a surprise victory in 18 minutes, but the agreements that followed were rejected and did not bring immediate Mexican recognition.
Nearby places
Other local pages to compare
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Houston
Compare nearby places
Put Census population, land area, county footprints, and official office routes side by side.
Open comparison ->Estimate property tax
Use the official local rates and appraisal value for this parcel.
Open estimator ->Build a buyer timeline
Track homestead, appraisal notice, protest, and tax-bill dates.
Build timeline ->Read insurance guide
Check flood, windstorm, roof, deductibles, and coverage questions.
Read guide ->