Atlas of Urban Expansion

Population

The Population of Houston in 2014 was 5,399,338, increasing at an average annual rate of 2.7% since 2000. The population of Houston in 2000 was 3,758,618, increasing at an average annual rate of 3.2% since 1990, when its population was 2,739,736.

Urban Extent

The Urban Extent of Houston in 2014 was 423,148 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 2.8% since 2000. The urban extent in 2000 was 289,629 hectares, increasing at an average annual rate of 3.4% since 1990, when its urban extent was 207,965 hectares.

• 1990
• 2000
• 2014

•  
• Urban Extent
• Urban Built-up
• Suburban Built-up
• Rural Built-up
• Urbanized Open Space
•  
• Exurban Area
• Exurban Built-Up Area
• Exurban Open Space
•  
• Rural Open Space
• Rural Open Space

Density

Built-up Area Density in Houston in 2014 was 20 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -0.3% since 2000. The built-up area density in 2000 was 21 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -1.4% since 1990 when the built-up area density was 23.55 persons per hectare.

The Urban Extent Density in Houston in 2014 was 13 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -0.1% since 2000. The urban extent density in 2000 was 13 persons per hectare, decreasing at an average annual rate of -0.2% since 1990 when the urban extent density was 13 persons per hectare.

Composition of Added Area

A total of 90,138 hectares of built-up area was added to the Houston urban extent between 2000 and 2014. Of that added built-up area, 28% was Infill, 45% was Extension, 2% was Leapfrog, and 24% was Inclusion. A total of 66,340 hectares of built-up area was added to the urban extent between 1990 and 2000. Of that added built-up area, 46% was Infill, 29% was Extension, 1% was Leapfrog, and 24% was Inclusion.

• 1990–2000
• 2000–2014

• Built-up Area
  1990
• Infill
• Extension
• Leapfrog
• Inclusion

Roads

Average road width in the Houston 1990-2014 expansion area was 10.03 meters, compared to 10.59 meters in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area in Houston occupied by roads in the 1990-2014 expansion area was 20%, compared to 21% in the pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014

Arterial Roads

The density of arterial roads in Houston's 1990-2014 expansion was 0.83 km/km2, compared to 1.99 km/km2 in its pre-1990 area.

The share of built-up area within walking distance of an arterial road in Houston's 1990-2014 expansion area was 80%, compared to 97% in the pre-1990 area.

• 1990
• 2014

Blocks and Plots

Average block size in Houston's 1990-2014 expansion area was 6.7 hectares, compared to 5.9 hectares in its pre-1990 area.

• Pre 1990
• 1990 – 2014