Taking Stock: Housing Trends in the Houston Area

The Houston area confronts major demographic change and sustained population growth coupled with increasing economic inequality and quickly shifing development patterns. Providing a range of housing options that satisfy the preferences, needs and price points of all residents in this context is a major challenge.

This report provides essential baseline information for answering that challenge by documenting the array of residential buildings available in Harris County today and tracking trends in how this pool has changed in terms of age, type and location over the past decade. An accompanying interactive map — www.takingstockhouston.com — allows users to explore this data and zoom into particular areas of interest.

This analysis of housing options and recent trends captures the diversity of the Houston area's housing stock. It helps us assess how recent residential construction meets consumer preferences and needs and how housing developers have both driven and adjusted to those demands. It also illuminates emerging gaps in the housing stock.