Greater Houston

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**Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown Metropolitan Area**
Common name: Greater Houston
Largest city Other cities	Houston - Sugar Land - Baytown - Galveston
Population	Ranked 6^th in the U.S.
- Total	5,628,101 (2007 est.)
- Density	630.3 /sq. mi. 243.4 /km²
Area	10,062 sq. mi. 26,061 km²
State(s)	Texas
Elevation
- Highest point	> 430^[1] feet (> 131 m)
- Lowest point	0 feet (0 m)

Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is a 10-county metropolitan area defined by the Office of Management and Budget. It is located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas. The metropolitan area is colloquially referred to as "Greater Houston" and is situated in Southeast Texas, west of the Golden Triangle.

Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States with a population of 5.6 million as of the 2007 U.S. Census estimate.^[2]^[3]^[4] The population of the metropolitan area is centered in the city of Houston—the largest economic and cultural center of Texas with a population of 2.14 million.^[5]

Houston is among the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas. The area grew 25.2 percent between the 1990 and 2000 censuses—adding more than 950,000 people—while the nation's population increased 13.2 percent over the same period. From 2000 to 2030, the metropolitan area is projected by Woods & Poole Economics to rank sixth in the nation in population growth—adding 2.66 million people.^[6]

[edit] Geography

An image of the Greater Houston area taken on NASA's Landsat 7 satellite with Galveston Bay and Galveston Island visible towards the bottom of the picture.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area has a total area of 10,062 square miles (26,060 km²), 8,929 sq. mi. is land area, while 1,133 sq. mi. is water area.; slightly smaller than Massachusetts and slightly larger than New Jersey.^[7]

The metropolitan area is located in the gulf coastal plains biome, and its vegetation is classified as temperate grassland. Much of the metro area was built on forested land, marshes, swamp, or prairie—all of which can still be seen in surrounding areas. Scenic rolling hills can be seen in the far northern suburbs (Conroe, Magnolia, Willis, etc.).

Much of the Houston area is very flat, making flooding a recurring problem for its residents.

[edit] Geology

Underpinning Houston's land surface are unconsolidated clays, clay shales, and poorly-cemented sands up to several miles deep. The region's geology developed from stream deposits formed from the erosion of the Rocky Mountains. These sediments consist of a series of sands and clays deposited on decaying organic matter that, over time, transformed into oil and natural gas. Beneath these tiers is a water-deposited layer of halite, a rock salt. The porous layers were compressed over time and forced upward. As it pushed upward, the salt dragged surrounding sediments into dome shapes, often trapping oil and gas that seeped from the surrounding porous sands. This thick rich soil also provides a good environment for rice farming in suburban outskirts that the city continues to grow into near Katy. Evidence of past rice farming is even still evident in developed areas as there is an abundance of rich dark loamy top soil.

The Houston region is generally earthquake-free. While the city of Houston contains over 150 active surface faults (some have estimated as many as 300 active faults^[8]) with an aggregate length of up to 310 miles (500 km),^[9]^[10] the clay below the surface precludes the buildup of friction that produces ground shaking in earthquakes. These faults generally move at a smooth rate in what is termed "fault creep."

[edit] Components of the metropolitan area

[edit] Counties

There are 10 counties in the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan statistical area (MSA) defined by the U.S. Census.^[11] They are listed below with population figures as of the 2007 U.S. Census estimates.^[12]^[13]

Harris County — 3,935,855
Fort Bend County — 509,822
Montgomery County — 412,638
Brazoria County — 294,233
Galveston County — 283,987
Liberty County — 75,434
Waller County — 35,933
Chambers County — 28,771
Austin County — 26,610
San Jacinto County — 24,818
Total Metropolitan Statistical Area — 5,628,101

[edit] Combined Statistical Area

In addition to the 10 counties in the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA, the U.S. Census Bureau defines a Combined Statistical Area, which adds 2 more counties to the area. These are: ^[14]

Matagorda County — 37,024
Walker County — 63,902
Total Combined Statistical Area — 5,729,027

This Combined Statistical Area encompasses 12,475 sq. mi. of area. 10,830 sq. mi. is land while 1,645 sq. mi. is water.

[edit] Cities and towns

Main article: List of cities and towns in Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA

There are four "principal" cities defined by the U.S. Census as of 2003.^[15] Population figures are within the city limits as of the 2006 U.S. Census estimates.^[16]

Houston — 2,144,491
Sugar Land — 79,943
Baytown — 68,714
Galveston — 57,523

[edit] Economy

Port of Houston

Among the 10 most populous metropolitan areas in the US, Houston ranked first in employment growth rate and second in nominal employment growth.^[17] In 2006, the Houston metropolitan area ranked first in Texas and third in the U.S. within the category of "Best Places for Business and Careers" by Forbes.^[18]

The Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA's Gross Area Product (GAP) in 2005 was $308.7 billion, up 5.4 percent from 2004 in constant dollars—slightly larger than Austria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Only 28 nations other than the United States have a GDP exceeding Houston's GAP.^[19] Mining, which in Houston is almost entirely oil and gas exploration and production, accounts for 11 percent of Houston's GAP—down from 21 percent as recently as 1985. The reduced role of oil and gas in Houston's GAP reflects the rapid growth of other sectors—such as engineering services, health services, and manufacturing.^[20]

The area's economic activity is centered in Houston, the county seat of Harris County. Houston is second to New York City in Fortune 500 headquarters. The city has attempted to build a banking industry, but the companies originally started in Houston have since merged with other companies nationwide. Banking, however, is still vital to the region.

Houston is a major port and financial center for oil companies. Houston's energy industry is a world powerhouse (particularly oil), but biomedical research, aeronautics, and the ship channel are also large parts of the city's industrial base. The Houston metropolitan area comprises the largest petrochemical manufacturing area in the world, including for synthetic rubber, insecticides, and fertilizers. The area is also the world's leading center for building oilfield equipment.

Much of metro area's success as a petrochemical complex is due to its busy man-made ship channel, the Port of Houston.^[21] Because of these economic trades, many residents have moved to the Houston area from other U.S. states, as well as hundreds of countries worldwide. Unlike most places, where high gas prices are seen as harmful to the economy, they are generally seen as beneficial for Houston as many are employed in the energy industry. Baytown, Texas City, Clute, and Galveston also have major ports and chemical plants. Galveston also has the largest cruise ship terminal in Texas (and the 12th-largest in the world) and is a recreational area for people in the region.

Sugar Land is home to the second-largest economic activities and third-largest city in the metropolitan area. Sugar Land has the most important and booming economic center in Fort Bend County. The city holds the Imperial Sugar (its namesake), Nalco/Exxon and Western Airways headquarters. Engineering firms and other related industries have managed to take the place as an economic engine.

See also: List of companies in Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA

[edit] Health Care Industry

Houston is home to the largest medical center in the world (Texas Medical Center)^[22] employing over 73,000 workers and treating 5 million patients a year from all over the world. Galveston is home to one of only two national biocontainment laboratories in the United States.^[23]

[edit] Culture

Houston's concentration of consular offices ranks third in the nation, with 86 countries represented.^{[citation needed]} Many of these countries are in Latin America and South America, including Mexico. Houston has a sizable Hispanic community, with the third-largest Hispanic and third-largest Mexican-American populations in the United States, including over 400,000 illegal immigrants.^{[citation needed]}Hispanics also have large population bases in a number of suburbs, most notably Pasadena and Rosenberg, whose Hispanic populations make up the majority of these cities. Greater Houston is also home to a large and growing Asian-American population, including one of the largest Vietnamese-American community in the U.S.^{[citation needed]}

CNN/Money and Money magazine have recognized cities in the Greater Houston area the past three years as part of its 100 Best Places to Live in the United States. In 2005, Sugar Land, southwest of Houston in northeast Fort Bend County, was ranked 46th in the nation, and one of only three Texas cities among the Top 100. In 2006, the magazine recognized Sugar Land again, this time as the third best city on its list. [1]^[24] Also making the 2006 list were League City (65th) in northern Galveston County and The Woodlands (73rd) in southern Montgomery County. In 2007, another Houston suburb, Friendswood made the list ranked 51st in the nation. It should be noted that the 2006 list only includes cities with at least 50,000 residents and that the 2007 list contains only cities with less than 50,000 residents.

Greater Houston is widely noted for its ethnic diversity and strong international community. The Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network ranks Houston as a Gamma World City (minor world city), and also one point shy of being a Beta World City (which would make Houston a major world city). Houston ranks with six points, the highest in the Gamma category along with Washington, D.C., Boston and its cross-state arch rival, Dallas.

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Highways

State Highway 288 looking north to Downtown Houston

Houston’s freeway system includes 575.5 miles (926.2 km) of freeways and expressways in the 10-county metro area.^[25] The State of Texas plans to spend $5.06 billion on Houston area highways between 2002 and 2007. Houston freeways are heavily traveled and often under construction to meet the demands of continuing growth.

The Greater Houston area has a hub-and-spoke freeway structure with multiple loops. The innermost is Interstate 610, forming approximately a 10-mile (20 km) diameter loop around downtown. The roughly square "Loop 610" is quartered into "North Loop," "South Loop," "West Loop," and "East Loop." The roads of Beltway 8 and their freeway core, the Sam Houston Tollway, are the next loop, at a diameter of roughly 25 miles (40 km). A proposed highway project, State Highway 99 (The Grand Parkway), would form a third loop outside of Houston. Currently, the completed portion of State Highway 99 runs from just north of Interstate 10, west of Houston, to U.S. Highway 59 in Sugar Land, southwest of Houston, and was completed in 1994. The next portion to be constructed is from the current terminus at U.S. Highway 59 to State Highway 288 in Brazoria County. Freeways also include the Westpark Tollway, which runs from U.S. Hwy 59 to Texas Hwy 99 and the Fort Bend Parkway, which runs from U.S. Hwy 90-A to Texas Hwy 6 in Missouri City.

Further information: List of highways in Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown MSA

[edit] Mass transit

METRORail in Downtown Houston

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas, or METRO, provides public transportation in the form of buses, trolleys, and lift vans.

METRO began running light rail service (METRORail) on January 1, 2004. Currently the track is rather short—it runs about 8 miles (13 km) from Downtown Houston to the Texas Medical Center and Reliant Park. Still the Red Line is traveled by about 45,000 people daily, giving it the second highest ridership per track mile in the nation. METRO's various forms of public transportation still do not connect many of the suburbs to the greater city, causing Houstonians to rely on the automobile as a primary source of transportation. Prior to the opening of METRORail, Houston was the largest city in the United States devoid of a rail transit system by a very large margin.

Following a successful referendum held locally in 2004, METRO is currently in the beginning design phases of a 10-year expansion plan to add five more sections to connect to the current rail system. An 8.3 mile (13.4 km) expansion has been approved to run the service from Uptown (the Galleria area) through Texas Southern University, ending at the University of Houston campus.

[edit] Airports

Houston's largest airport (and Texas's second-largest), George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is located in north Houston. Continental Airlines is headquartered in Downtown Houston. The southeast of Houston has William P. Hobby Airport, the second-largest commercial passenger airport. Houston's third-largest airport is Ellington Field, which houses several National Guard and Air National Guard units, as well as the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center's fleet of jets that are used to train astronauts. Sugar Land, southwest of Houston, has the Sugar Land Regional Airport. Sugar Land Regional is the fourth-largest airport in the metropolitan area and the only general reliever airport in the southwest sector.

[edit] Intercity rail

Amtrak provides intercity rail service to the Houston station.

[edit] Intercity bus

Greyhound Bus Lines operates services from five bus stations in the City of Houston:

Houston Greyhound Station at 2121 South Main Street [1]
Coach USA Inc. Dept. Casin (Houston Crosstimbers) at 4001 North Freeway [2]
The Box Store (Houston Northwest) at 1500 West Loop North Suite 117 [3]
Americanos U.S. L.L.C. (Houston Southeast) at 7000 Harrisburg Street [4]
Agencia Autobuses (Houston Southwest) at 6590 Southwest Freeway

In addition, Greyhound operates services from two stops [5]:

Houston Aau
Houston (Amtrak station)

Greyhound also operates services to stops within other cities in the Greater Houston area, including:

Alvin (Yellow Jacket Grocery-Citgo) [6]
Angleton (Ocampos Mexican Rest) [7]
Baytown (Baytown Travel Express) [8]
Conroe (Conroe Greyhound Station) [9]
Galveston (Galveston Bus Station) [10]
Katy (at Millers Exxon) [11]
Prairie View (at Unco Food Store) [12]
Rosenberg (at Shell-McDonalds) [13]
Sealy (at Mazac Muffler City-AC) [14]
Texas City (at McKown Air Conditioning, also serving La Marque) [15]

[edit] Politics

Historically, politics in the Greater Houston area are divided between the Republican and Democratic parties.^[26]

The city of Houston itself has historically voted Democratic except for its affluent western and west-central portions, including the River Oaks, Westchase, Memorial and Uptown/Post Oak areas, as well as the Kingwood and Clear Lake City master-planned communities on Houston's far northeast and southeast sides, respectively. All these areas favor and are almost entirely represented both in Congress and in the Texas Legislature by Republicans. Democrats' strongest areas are within Loop 610, and also in the largely poor and minority northern, eastern and southern portions of Houston. Most of these areas have sizable Hispanic populations, though some northern and southern parts of the city have notable African-American communities. Democrats are also stronger the more liberal Montrose neighborhood, which is home to a large artist and LGBT community, and Alief, which houses a sizable Asian-American population. In 2004, every county in the region voted for George W. Bush, despite the city of Houston proper going for John Kerry. Galveston has long been a staunch Democratic stronghold, with the most active Democratic county establishment in the state.^[27].

Houston's suburbs, while heavily Republican, are also politically divided. Such examples:

Houston's largest incorporated suburb, Pasadena, which went for John Kerry, is heavily Hispanic and lower-middle class on its north side, which favors Democrats, and slightly more affluent on its south side, which favors Republicans. A northwestern section of the city is represented by Democrat Ana Hernandez (District 143), while the city's central core, which contains most of its population, is represented by Republican Robert Talton (District 144). A small, largely unincorporated southeastern section of the city is represented by Republican John Davis (District 129), who also represents the NASA Johnson Space Center. Hernandez's district is also home to Galena Park and Jacinto City, which also have large Hispanic populations that favor Democrats.
In Fort Bend County, southwest of Houston, Democrats are strongest in northern Missouri City and older sections of Rosenberg, which are home to large numbers of African-American and Hispanic voters, while more affluent areas of the county, such as Sugar Land, Katy, and Sienna Plantation, are heavily Republican. While these areas house sizable Asian-American populations, many of them are largely pro-business and generally favor Republicans, though a sizable community of Democratic business owners does exist among the area's Asian caucuses. Despite this divide, the county voted for George W. Bush by a double-digit margin and has one of the state's most active county Republican bases. Republicans control every county-wide elected office.
Montgomery County, north of Houston, is a staunch Republican stronghold, supported by voters in affluent communities on Lake Conroe and in The Woodlands. Rural residents of the county, though primarily lower- and middle-class, tend to be very socially conservative and also have a substantial Republican following. However, the city of Conroe proper, the county seat, tends to lean Democratic. Although The Woodlands is home to many corporate transplants from Europe, Japan, Canada, and Australia, who tend to be of a more liberal persuasion, most of these people are not U.S. citizens and thus have little impact on the voting trends of the county.
The mainland areas of Galveston County, north of Galveston Island, has also become increasingly divided on political issues. Democrats have a presence in La Marque and Texas City, both of which are home to large numbers of unionized refinery workers and African Americans, a traditionally Democratic voting bloc. However, Democrats' strength in this area is increasingly being superseded by newer developments in the northern areas of the county around Friendswood and League City that favor Republicans.
Brazoria County, south of Houston, is heavily Republican, especially in rural areas and in central portions of the county, such as Manvel, Alvin, and Angleton. However, Democrats perform strongly in southern portions of the county such as Lake Jackson, Clute, and Freeport due to its large Hispanic population as well as its large base of unionized refinery workers. Additionally, the northern areas of the county around fast-growing Pearland have recently become more moderate and even Democratic compared to the rest of the county due to its ethnic diversity as well as large numbers of Northern and West Coast transplants.

In Liberty County, east of Houston, Republicans are represented at the state and federal levels in this county which went strongly for George W. Bush in 2004, but Democrats hold a near-monopoly in county politics, however in 2006 it elected a countywide Republican (the County Treasurer position) for the first time since Reconstruction.

Houston's two most notable congressional districts are the 7th congressional district, which comprises much of west Houston, and the 18th congressional district, which includes downtown Houston.

The 7th, one of the most heavily affluent and Republican in the state (among the first in Texas to elect a post-Reconstruction Republican), was previously represented by George H.W. Bush, who would eventually go on to become the 41st President of the United States. Its current representative is John Culberson, a conservative Republican who has continued the conservative record of George Bush's successor, Bill Archer.
The 18th is represented by Sheila Jackson Lee, a liberal African-American Democrat whose role model, Barbara Jordan, previously represented the same district. Jackson Lee's district is overwhelmingly African-American and poor, even though her 1994 victory in the primary (against the district's previous representative, Craig Washington) was largely funded by Republican businessmen who opposed Washington's stances on NAFTA and NASA. Washington's predecessor, Mickey Leland, whom succeeded Jordan, was widely noted as a spokesperson for the poor.

[edit] United States Congress

Senators		Name	Party	First Elected	Level
	Senate Class 1	Kay Bailey Hutchison	Republican	1993	Senior Senator
	Senate Class 2	John Cornyn	Republican	2002	Junior Senator
Representatives		Name	Party	First Elected	Area(s) of Greater Houston Represented
	District 2	Ted Poe	Republican	2004	Kingwood portion of Houston, Spring, northeast Harris County (including Baytown, Humble and La Porte), western and southern Liberty County
	District 7	John Culberson	Republican	2000	West Houston, Memorial Villages, Bellaire, West University Place, west and northwest Harris County
	District 8	Kevin Brady	Republican	1996	Montgomery and San Jacinto counties; northern Liberty County
	District 9	Al Green	Democrat	2004	Alief, Southwest Houston, Houston’s Southside, portions of Fort Bend County (Mission Bend, eastern portion of Stafford, northern and eastern portions of Missouri City, county’s entire share of Houston)
	District 10	Michael McCaul	Republican	2004	Northwest Harris County; Austin and Waller counties
	District 14	Ron Paul	Republican	1996 (also served 1976-1977 and 1979-1985)	Galveston, most of Brazoria County (except Pearland), far northern and western Fort Bend County, Chambers County, portions of Galveston County (League City, most of Texas City), Wharton County, and Matagorda County
	District 18	Sheila Jackson Lee	Democrat	1994	Downtown Houston, Bush IAH, northwest and northeast Houston, inner portions of Houston’s Southside
	District 22	Nick Lampson	Democrat	2006 (also served 1997-2005)	most of Fort Bend County (Sugar Land, Rosenberg, western and southern portions of Missouri City), northern Brazoria County (including Pearland), portions of Galveston County (La Marque), southeastern Harris County (Clear Lake City, NASA Johnson Space Center, Ellington Field, southern and central Pasadena, Deer Park)
	District 29	Gene Green	Democrat	1992	East Houston, northern Pasadena, Galena Park, Channelview (all Harris County)

[edit] Texas Legislature

[edit] Texas Senate

	Name	Party	First Elected	Area(s) of Greater Houston Represented
3	Robert Nichols	Republican	2006	Northern and western Montgomery County (including Conroe), San Jacinto County
4	Tommy Williams	Republican	2003	Southern Montgomery County (including The Woodlands), Kingwood, Liberty County, Chambers County, far eastern portions of Baytown
6	Mario Gallegos	Democrat	1995	Houston Ship Channel, eastern portions of Houston, Jacinto City, Galena Park, northern Pasadena, western portion of Baytown
7	Dan Patrick	Republican	2007	Memorial Villages, Memorial/Spring Branch area, Addicks Reservoir, Northwest Harris County
11	Mike Jackson	Republican	1999	Northern and central Brazoria County, southeastern portions of Houston and Harris County, the Galveston County mainland, and all areas roughly north of SH 87 on Galveston Island.
13	Rodney Ellis	Democrat	1990	Downtown Houston, Texas Medical Center, southwest and northeast Houston, Houston’s Southside, northern portions of Missouri City, Stafford
15	John Whitmire	Democrat	1983	Northwest Houston, Bush IAH, southern portion of Humble, eastern Harris County
17	Kyle Janek	Republican	2002	Meyerland, Bellaire, West University Place, much of Katy area, far west Houston, Barker Reservoir, portions of Fort Bend County (Sugar Land and southern Missouri City) southern Brazoria County, the area of Galveston Island south of SH 87, entire Bolivar Peninsula, and Port Arthur.
18	Glenn Hegar	Republican	2006	Austin, Waller and Wharton counties; western Fort Bend County

[edit] Texas House of Representatives

	Name	Party	First Elected	Area(s) of Greater Houston Represented
12	Jim McReynolds	Democrat	1996	San Jacinto County
13	Lois Kolkhorst	Republican	2000	Austin County
15	Rob Eissler	Republican	2002	The Woodlands, southern Montgomery County
16	C. Brandon Creighton	Republican	2006	Northern and central Montgomery County (including Conroe)
18	John Otto	Republican	2004	Liberty County, southeastern Montgomery County
23	Craig Eiland	Democrat	1994	Galveston, Texas City, Bolivar Peninsula, Chambers County
24	Larry Taylor	Republican	2002	Hitchcock, La Marque, Santa Fe, Dickinson, League City, Friendswood (all in Galveston County)
25	Dennis Bonnen	Republican	1996	Southern Brazoria County (Lake Jackson, Angleton, Freeport)
26	Charlie Howard	Republican	1994	Sugar Land
27	Dora Olivo	Democrat	1996	Eastern Fort Bend County (including Rosenberg, most of Missouri City, county’s share of Houston)
28	John Zerwas	Republican	2006	Wharton and Waller counties, western Fort Bend County
29	Mike O'Day	Republican	2007	Matagorda County, part of Brazoria County (Pearland, Alvin)
126	Patricia Harless	Republican	2006	Champions/FM 1960
127	Joe Crabb	Republican	1992	Kingwood, Lake Houston, Crosby, Wallisville
128	Wayne Smith	Republican	2002	East Harris County (Baytown, Deer Park, La Porte)
129	John Davis	Republican	1998	Southeast Harris County (Clear Lake City, NASA Johnson Space Center)
130	Corbin Van Arsdale	Republican	2002	Northwest Harris County (including Tomball and Cypress-Fairbanks areas)
131	Alma Allen	Democrat	2004	Outer portions of Houston’s Southside
132	Bill Callegari	Republican	2000	West Harris County (including county’s share of Katy and unincorporated western parts of the Katy area)
133	Jim Murphy	Republican	2006	West Houston, western portion of Memorial/Spring Branch, part of the Energy Corridor
134	Ellen Cohen	Democrat	2006	Inner western portions of Houston (including Meyerland, River Oaks and Memorial Park), Texas Medical Center, West University Place, Bellaire, Southside Place
135	Gary Elkins	Republican	1994	Parts of northwest Harris County (including Jersey Village) and southeastern segments of the Champions/FM 1960 area
136	Beverly Woolley	Republican	1994	Memorial Villages and surrounding areas
137	Scott Hochberg	Democrat	1992	Southwest Houston (including Sharpstown, Westwood and Fondren Southwest)
138	Dwayne Bohac	Republican	2002	Northwest Houston and parts of the Memorial/Spring Branch area north of I-10, Addicks Reservoir
139	Sylvester Turner	Democrat	1988	North Houston and Aldine west of I-45
140	Kevin Bailey	Democrat	1990	North Houston and Aldine east of I-45
141	Senfronia Thompson	Democrat	1972	Northeast Houston, Bush IAH, Greenspoint, southern portion of Humble
142	Harold Dutton, Jr.	Democrat	1984	East Houston, Northshore
143	Ana Hernandez	Democrat	2006	East Houston within Loop 610, Houston Ship Channel, Galena Park, Jacinto City, northern Pasadena
144	Robert Talton	Republican	1992	Southern Pasadena, far southeast Houston
145	Rick Noriega	Democrat	1998	Inner southeastern portions of Houston (mainly east of I-45), South Houston (not part of the city of Houston)
146	Borris Miles	Democrat	2006	Inner portions of Houston’s Southside
147	Garnet Coleman	Democrat	1990	Downtown Houston, inner southeastern portions of Houston (mainly west of I-45)
148	Jessica Farrar	Democrat	1994	Northwest Houston mainly within Loop 610 (including Houston Heights)
149	Hubert Vo	Democrat	2004	Far west Houston, Alief, unincorporated portions of Katy area east of Fry Rd, Barker Reservoir
150	Debbie Riddle	Republican	2002	Northern Harris County (Spring, Klein, northern Humble)

[edit] Sports teams

Listing of sports teams in the Greater Houston area:

[edit] Professional teams

Major Professional Sports Teams

Club	Sport	Founded	League	Venue
Houston Texans	Football	2002	NFL	Reliant Stadium
Houston Astros	Baseball	1962	MLB	Minute Maid Park
Houston Rockets	Basketball	1967	NBA	Toyota Center
Houston Comets	Basketball	1997	WNBA	Toyota Center
Houston Dynamo	Soccer	2005	MLS	Robertson Stadium

Other Professional Teams

Club	Sport	Founded	League	Venue
Houston Aeros	Hockey	1994	AHL	Toyota Center
Bay Area Toros	Baseball	2007	CBL	Robinson Stadium
Houston Takers	Basketball	2006	ABA	John H. Reagan HS
Galveston Tidalwave	Football	2008	IIFA	Galveston Island Convention Center
Houston Energy	Football	2001	WPFL	The Rig
Houston Wranglers	Tennis	2005	WTT	Westside Tennis Club

[edit] College and university sports

Houston is home to four NCAA Division I programs. The University of Houston and Rice University play in Division I-A and both belong to Conference USA. Both schools were also once part of the Southwest Conference. Texas Southern University, which is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, plays in Division I-AA. Houston Baptist University currently plays in NCAA Division 1 as an independent in its first probationary year as part of their readmission into Division 1. Rice and Houston Baptist are widely noted for their student-athlete graduation rates, which number at 91% for Rice (tied for highest in the nation courtesy of a 2002 Sports Illustrated issue on best college sports programs) and 80% for HBU.

NCAA Division I college athletics

School	Founded	Nickname	Conference
University of Houston	1927	Houston Cougars	Conference USA
Houston Baptist University	1960	Houston Baptist Huskies	Independent
Prairie View A&M University	1876	Prairie View A&M Panthers	Southwestern Athletic Conference
Rice University	1912	Rice Owls	Conference USA
Texas Southern University	1947	Texas Southern Tigers	Southwestern Athletic Conference

[edit] Events

Greater Houston plays home to various sporting events. The most notable is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which is the world's largest livestock exhibition and rodeo event. Other events of importance to Greater Houston include the Shell Houston Open (PGA Tour), the Houston Marathon, and the Texas Bowl college football bowl game. Houston has also played host to two Super Bowls (VIII) and (XXXVIII), the 2005 World Series, the 2004 MLB All-Star Game, and the 2006 NBA All-Star Game. Houston has also played host to various high school and college sporting events, including the Big 12 Championship Game and will host the 2011 NCAA Men's Final Four. Houston was also considered a candidate for the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.