North Houston Economic Development
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Quality of Life

Photo of the Woodlands

Housing

Forested beauty sets the North Houston region apart from surrounding communities in the greater Houston area. Steady growth, coupled with respect for the area's natural forested setting help make North Houston a great place for businesses, families, and individuals.

North Houston offers a broad range of living options from planned communities to quiet rural settings. The natural landscape includes parks, lakes, creeks, and ample green spaces. The abundant space and undeveloped land attracts a mixture of residences, employers, retail centers, cultural activities, and recreational amenities.

Many public and private schools in the region provide excellent educational options for young families. The Lone Star College System's seven campuses are located throughout North Houston. Access is also available to many four-year college institutions at the Lone Star College-University Centers at Montgomery and at University Park.

North Houston has it all - affordability, diversity in residential lifestyles, educational opportunities, premier health care, and abundant entertainment and recreational venues. 

Education

The North Houston region is bursting with high-quality educational opportunities. The many public and private, higher education and technical schools are growing right along with the booming population.

Eleven distinguished ISDs serve the region, with a combined enrollment of over 400,000 students. Many of the ISDs have received awards for education prowess in the diverse programs offered and scores on state and national tests.

The North Houston EDC is located in the Office of External Affairs of the Lone Star College. Enrolling more than 80,000 students each semester, Lone Star College provides its students with excellent, rigorous, and affordable academics and trade courses and is a primary choice for north Houston graduating seniors seeking transferrable credits to four year institutions or relevant industries.

With higher education and technical training schools located right in the region or within easy driving distance, north Houston is an excellent choice for education completion. Lone Star College, University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, Rice University, and more provide such higher educational opportunities.

Resources on finding the best school for you:

Healthcare

Nationally recognized, regional medical centers are located throughout the North Houston Region. The region's physicians and wide range of ancillary and outpatient providers offer advanced care options close to home.

The Houston Metro is home to the world renowned Texas Medical Center and is a short drive from anywhere in the North Houston Region.

Cost of Living

The Houston area is well-known for its excellent cost of living. From buying a home to purchasing gas or groceries, the Houston metropolis is highly affordable.

Cost of Living Index

The table below provides the Houston urban area cost of living. The other metropolitan areas listed are to provide comparison. The urban areas listed below comprise the top 5 most populated metropolitan areas in the county. The Cost of Living Index is the most reliable source for city-to-city comparisons of key consumer costs available. It is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the President's Council of Economic Advisors. The Cost of Living Index is referenced in the U.S. Census Bureau's Statistical Abstract of the United States.

The Cost of Living Index measures relative price levels for consumer goods and services. The average equals 100, and each index above is read as a percentage of the average for the United States. The index does not measure inflation. Each quarterly report cannot be compared to another quarterly report.

For more information about cost of living: Living Cost Comparison from the Greater Houston Partnership.

Arts & Entertainment

Recreational activities and all manner of arts flourish in Houston, and north Houston is no exception. Concert halls and performance centers, golf courses, museums, and quaint downtowns are plentiful throughout Houston and the north Houston region.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, located in north Houston, attracts the most celebrated music artists of the day.

The famous Shell Houston Open, a regular PGA Tour golf tournament, takes place annually at the Golf Club of Houston, but it's only one of many superb golf courses dotting the north Houston region.

Fine arts museums, such as the Pearl Fincher Museum in north Houston, offer a wealth of art exhibitions. Quaint small town downtowns, such as Old Town Tomball and Old Town Spring, are also found in north Houston, providing unique artwork and antiques in a heritage environment.

Resources for arts and recreation:

Climate

Weather in the greater Houston area is sunny and warm year-round with a humid, subtropical climate. Although warm, it is rare for temperatures to reach 100°F, as Gulf winds and rain influence and moderate temperatures. Plenty of sunshine, with brief rain showers, make the north Houston region an enjoyable lush and verdant landscape.

  • On average, 18 days per year at 32°F or less
  • 260 - 275 days per year without frost
  • On average, precipitation of 0.01 inch or more 100 days per year
  • On average, precipitation of 1 inch or more 14.5 days per year
  • On average, 65.1 days per year with thunderstorms

Source: Greater Houston Partnership

Quick Links
Fast Facts of Lone Star College
  • Enrolls more than 80,000 students each semester
  • One of the fastest-growing college system in U.S.
  • 11 school districts, 2,700 square miles, population of 2.4 million
  • Recognized as a Top 10 Degree Producer for minorities
Contact Information
Email: LSC-NHEDC@lonestar.edu