## Region 7: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA

### **I. Geographic Boundaries, Political Jurisdictions, and Infrastructure**

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.829166666666667in"
height="6.427083333333333in"}

Map 7.1: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Major Highways and Fixed
Guideway System

The Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA includes the following counties:
Matagorda, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris,
Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Waller and Walker Counties and is
located in the south east portion of Texas near the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX
CSA covers a total of 1,134 square miles. Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX
CSA had a population of 4,815,122 according to the 2000 census; the
population of the state of Texas is 20,851,820.

The region is served by numerous major interstate and U.S. highways:
Interstates 10, 45, and 610, and U.S. Highways 59, 90, and 290.
METRORail operates a 7.5-mile light rail line through the Central
Business District.

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The Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA is located on the southeast coast
of Texas by the Gulf of Mexico. Surface water in the Houston region
consists of lakes, rivers, and an extensive system of bayous and manmade
canals that are part of the rainwater runoff management system. Some
25-30 percent of Harris County lies within the 100-year flood plain.
Houston\'s climate is classified as humid subtropical. It has excessive
ozone levels and is ranked among the most ozone-polluted cities in the
United States. Prevailing winds are from the south and southeast during
most of the year, bringing heat from the deserts of Mexico and moisture
from the Gulf of Mexico. Located close to the Gulf coast, the
Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA is also at a high risk of hurricanes,
which usually occur from June to November.

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**II. Agencies Operating in the Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA**

+-----------------+-----------------------+----------+---------+------+
| ### **Agency**  | ### **J               | ###      | ###     | ##   |
|                 | urisdictions Served** |  **Popul |  **Oper | # ** |
|                 |                       | ation**  | ating B | Staf |
|                 |                       |          | udget** | f Si |
|                 |                       | ### **   |         | ze** |
|                 |                       | Served** |         |      |
+-----------------+-----------------------+----------+---------+------+
| ### Texas DOT   | ### Mat               | 4        | ###     | ##   |
|                 | agorda, Austin, Brazo | ,815,122 |  \$6.8  | # 14 |
|                 | ria, Chambers, Fort B |          | billion | ,000 |
|                 | end, Galveston, Harri |          |         |      |
|                 | s, Liberty, Montgomer |          |         |      |
|                 | y, San Jacinto, Walle |          |         |      |
|                 | r and Walker Counties |          |         |      |
+-----------------+-----------------------+----------+---------+------+
| ### METRO       | ### Harris County     | 3        | ##      | #    |
|                 |                       | ,400,579 | # *(a)* | ## * |
|                 |                       |          |         | (a)* |
+-----------------+-----------------------+----------+---------+------+

### (a) = Not Available

### 

### **Table 7.1: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Transportation Agencies** 

### **III. Transit Service Area: Fixed Guideway and Bus Service Area**

### 

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="6.093055555555556in"
height="6.238888888888889in"}

**Map 7.2: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Fixed Guideway and Bus
Transit Service Area**

Fixed guideway and bus service transit is only available in the greater
Houston Metropolitan area. Although other transit agencies, such as
Island Transit in Galveston, and Brazoria and The District in Walker and
San Jacinto Counties have bus service, there is no designated bus
service area for these counties.

### METRO

The METRO fleet includes 1,420 buses, both METRO-owned buses and buses
operated by private companies under contract with METRO. Metro has 113
bus routes, 24 park and ride routes, and 25 park and ride lots. METRO
also has 19 Transit Centers where bus and METRORail riders transfer from
one route to another. Transfer information is posted at each location.
Limited parking, approximately 2,300 spaces, is also available at 10
transit centers. Transit centers provide a mixture of Commuter and Local
service.

METRO has 25 Park & Ride lots with 30,600 available parking spaces.
Direct nonstop service to Downtown, the Texas Medical Center or other
major employment centers in the METRO service area is available from all
Park & Ride lots except Mission Bend and Missouri City, which provide
Express and Local service. Park & Ride facilities also serve as staging
areas for vanpools and carpools.

### METRORail

The METRORail Red Line is a 7.5-mile light rail service running from the
University of Houston-Downtown to south of Reliant Park along Main,
Fannin and San Jacinto streets.

METRORail features 16 Rail Stations, which provide access to the many of
the city\'s major employment, cultural/entertainment and medical
centers. Major METRORail destinations include Downtown, Midtown, the
Museum District, Hermann Park/Houston Zoo, Texas Medical Center and
Reliant Park.

In June 2005, METRO announced its \$2 billion Phase 2 Implementation
Plan to provide more rapid transit for the Houston region in less time
than originally proposed under METRO Solutions. Key components of the
Implementation Plan include: 1) nearly nine miles of Light Rail Transit;
2) 21 miles of Fixed-Guideway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); 3) 28 miles of
Commuter Rail Transit (CRT); 4) 40 miles of Signature Bus
Service/Suburban Bus Rapid Transit; and 5) 10 new transit facilities.

### METROLift

METROLift provides pre-scheduled, curb-to-curb transportation for
persons with disabilities who cannot ride fixed-route bus or METRORail
service.

### **IV. Number and Proportion of Minority, Below Poverty and Limited English Proficient Populations in Relation to the Transit Service Area**

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="6.743055555555555in"
height="4.7965277777777775in"}

**Map 7.3: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Minority Population**

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="3.776388888888889in"
height="3.1034722222222224in"}

**Map 7.3A: Houston Minority Population**

Total Number of Census Tracts in CSA 908

Total Population of CSA 4,815,122

Total Minority Population residing in CSA 1,785,856

Regional Average of Minority Population in the CSA 38%

Number (%) of Census Tracts with above average minority population 395
(44%)

Total Minority Population in the above average census tracts 1,241,625

Based on U.S. 2000 Census Data, the average minority population for the
Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA is 38 percent. Census tracts located
in outer ring suburbs of downtown Houston show the highest concentration
of minority population. The majority of these census tracts are located
in the southern, northeast and northwest portions of the central Houston
area. In the Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA, 1,785,856 out of the
4,815,122 total population fall into the above average minority
population category. Forty-four percent (395 out of 908) of the CSA's
census tracts have higher than average minority populations. While the
majority of these are located in the transit service area, 100 of these
tracts lie outside the transit service area. These latter census tracts
represent 11.2 percent (541,481 persons) of the total CSA population.

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Even though there is a very high percentage of minority population in
the Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA, the majority of these census
tracts are in the bus service area. Almost all of the minority
population in the highest category from 80 percent and above is located
in the downtown Houston area; however, there are other clusters of
minority population found within other counties in the CSA. A large
portion of minorities that are from 38 to 59 percent are found in
Matagorda, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Chambers, Walker, Waller and Austin
Counties.

![](media/image5.jpeg){width="5.416666666666667in"
height="4.752777777777778in"}

**Map 7.4: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Below Poverty Population**

![](media/image6.jpeg){width="3.8777777777777778in"
height="3.7368055555555557in"}

**Map 7.4.A: Houston Below Poverty Population**

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Total Number of Census Tracts in CSA 908

Total Population of CSA 4,815,122

Total Below Poverty Population residing in CSA 649,801

Regional Average of Below Poverty Population in the CSA 14%

Number (%) of Census Tracts with above average Below Poverty pop. 387
(43%)

Total Below Poverty Population in the above average census tracts
452,055

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Based on U.S. 2000 Census Data, the average minority population for the
Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA is 14 percent. The poverty map
differs from the minority map because the highest percentages of below
poverty population are found in the downtown and become less predominant
further away from the downtown. In the Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX
CSA, 43 percent, or 387 out of the 908 total census tracts fall into the
above minority population category. There is a 452,055 below poverty
population within the above average census tracts and 649,801 below
poverty population within the entire CSA. The below poverty map also
shows that there are much fewer counties in general that fall into the
highest range of below poverty population and also that there are fewer
below poverty census tracts outside of Harris County. Many of the census
tracts with higher than average below poverty populations lie outside
the transit service area. There are 126 of these census tracts
accounting for 11.7 percent (563,235 persons) of the total CSA
population.

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A large percentage of the majority population is found in census tracts
that are in the bus service area; however, there are also clusters of
census tracts with above average minority populations outside of the bus
service area, which are found in Matagoria, Brazoria, Chambers, San
Jacinto and Waller Counties.

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![](media/image7.wmf){width="6.2125in" height="4.992361111111111in"}

**Map 7.5: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Limited English Proficient
Population**

![](media/image8.jpeg){width="3.8777777777777778in"
height="3.222916666666667in"}

**Map 7.5.A: Houston LEP Population**

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Total Number of Census Tracts in CSA 908

Total Population (5 years and older) of CSA 4,429,761

Total LEP Population\* residing in CSA 674,321

Regional Average of LEP Population\* in the CSA 15%

Number ( %) of Census Tracts with above average LEP population\* 324
(36%)

Total LEP Population\* in the above average census tracts 491,482

\* LEP includes those 5 years of age and older

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The limited English proficient (LEP) population in the
Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA is 15 percent. Approximately 36
percent, or 324 out of the 908 census tracts in the
Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA have an LEP population above the
regional average. There is also a 491,482 LEP population within the 324
census tracts. The largest proportion of above average LEP population in
the Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA is shown the downtown and outer
ring suburbs of Houston. Eight-four of the 324 census tracts with higher
than average LEP populations are located outside of the transit service
area. These tracts represent 9.5 percent (456,965 persons) of the total
CSA population.

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The LEP map is similar to the minority map in its pattern in Houston
because there is a significant population of above average LEP
population in clusters that progress outside the downtown. Even so, it
is different from both of the other maps because there are very few
above average LEP populations outside of the greater Houston area. The
only strong clusters of LEP outside Harris County are found on the
southern tip of Matagorda County, south Brazoria and northern Montgomery
Counties.

### **V. Number and Proportion of Zero Car Households: Greater than the Regional Average**

## ![](media/image9.wmf){width="5.985416666666667in" height="4.821527777777778in"}

**Map 7.6: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Zero Car Households**

![](media/image10.jpeg){width="3.9993055555555554in"
height="3.417361111111111in"}

**Map 7.6: Houston Zero Car Households**

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Total Number of Census Tracts in CSA 908

Total Households in CSA 1,689,003

Total Zero Car Households in CSA 130,092

Regional Average of Zero Car Households in the CSA 9%

Number (%) of Census Tracts with above average Zero Car Households 300
(33%)

Total Zero Car Households in the above average census tracts 84,037

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The U.S. 2000 Census Data shows the average for households without
vehicles is nine percent of the total households located in the
Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA. There are 300 census tracts in the
CSA that have above average zero car households. A total of 130,092
households in the CSA do not have vehicles, with 84,037 of those located
within the 300 census tracts with above average percentage of zero car
households. Although the majority of census tracts with higher than
average zero car households are within the transit service area
boundary, 75 tracts are located outside of this boundary. These 75
tracts account for 6.5 percent (311,228 persons) of the CSA's total
population.

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The majority of the above average zero car households are found in the
greater Houston area, like the minority, poverty and LEP maps; however,
this map shows that not many of the census tracts with above average
zero car households fall into the highest category of 47 to 67 percent.

VI\. Number and Proportion of Minority Population with Overlay of Below
Poverty Population

![](media/image11.jpeg){width="7.122222222222222in"
height="6.127083333333333in"}

**Map 7.7 Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Minority Population with an
Overlay of Below Poverty Population**

![](media/image12.jpeg){width="6.894444444444445in"
height="4.270138888888889in"}

**Map 7.7.A Houston Minority Population with an Overlay of Below Poverty
Population**

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Map 7.7 shows that there is a very strong correspondence between the
minority population and below poverty population in the
Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA. There are 283 census tracts with
both above average minority and below poverty populations, which consist
of a total population of 1,390,199. These census tracts are found in the
greater Houston area and in other counties such as Waller, Austin and
Liberty.

VII. **Number and Proportion of Minority Population with Overlays of
     Below Poverty Population and Zero Car Households**

![](media/image13.jpeg){width="6.995833333333334in"
height="5.267361111111111in"}

**Map 7.8: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Minority Population with
Overlays of Below Poverty Population and Zero Car Households**

![](media/image14.jpeg){width="6.368055555555555in" height="3.8375in"}

**Map 7.8.A: Houston Minority Population with Overlays of Below Poverty
Population and Zero Car Households**

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Map 7.8 shows the minority population with overlays of the census tracts
with higher than average below poverty populations and the census tracts
with higher than average zero car households. Similar to Map 7.7, there
is a significant number of census tracts in which all three statistics
coincide. In total, 230 census tracts, or 25 percent, have above average
values for these three statistics. These 230 census tracts have a total
population of 1,103,517.

VIII\. Correlation Among Minority Population, Below Poverty Population,
LEP Population and Zero Car Households

  -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
                 *Minority*     *Below         *LEP*          *Zero Car*
                                Poverty*                      

  Minority       1                                            

  Below Poverty  0.71           1                             

  LEP            0.65           0.77           1              

  Zero Car       0.57           0.82           0.54           1
  -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------

### **Table 7.2: Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA Correlation Coefficients**

### Based on the coefficients highlighted in the table above, the highest correlation is between zero car and below poverty populations (0.82), followed by below poverty and LEP (0.77) and minority and below poverty populations (0.71) in the Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA. All factors in the area have a correlation of above 0.5, which also includes zero car and minority, LEP and minority, and LEP and zero car households. 

**IX. Natural Disasters**

The following table outlines the natural disasters that have occurred in
the Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA between 1985-2005.

+----------------+----------------+----------------+---------+---------+
| **Event**      | **Date**       | **Location**   | **Human | **Fi    |
|                |                |                | I       | nancial |
|                |                |                | mpact** | I       |
|                |                |                |         | mpact** |
+----------------+----------------+----------------+---------+---------+
| Tropical Storm | July 18, 1989  | Houston-Bayto  | \(a\)   | \(a\)   |
| Allison        |                | wn-Huntsville, |         |         |
|                |                | TX             |         |         |
+----------------+----------------+----------------+---------+---------+
| Thund          | March 29, 1990 | Harris County  | 5       | \$0     |
| erstorms/Winds |                |                | deaths  |         |
+----------------+----------------+----------------+---------+---------+
| Tornado        | November 21,   | Harris County  | 0       | \$250   |
|                | 1992           |                | deaths  | million |
+----------------+----------------+----------------+---------+---------+
| Thun           | May 2, 1993    | Harris County  | 0       | \$50    |
| derstorm/Winds |                |                | deaths  | million |
+----------------+----------------+----------------+---------+---------+
| Heat Wave      | July 21, 1995  | Houston-Bayto  | 2       | \$0     |
|                |                | wn-Huntsville, | deaths, |         |
|                |                | TX             |         |         |
|                |                |                | 20      |         |
|                |                |                | i       |         |
|                |                |                | njuries |         |
+----------------+----------------+----------------+---------+---------+
| Ice Storm      | January 12,    | Houston-Bayto  | 3       | \$0     |
|                | 1997           | wn-Huntsville, | deaths, |         |
|                |                | TX             | 0       |         |
|                |                |                | i       |         |
|                |                |                | njuries |         |
+----------------+----------------+----------------+---------+---------+
| Tropical Storm | September 7,   | Galveston,     | 3       | \$287   |
| Francis        | 1998           | Harris         | deaths, | million |
|                |                | Counties       | 0       |         |
|                |                |                | i       |         |
|                |                |                | njuries |         |
+----------------+----------------+----------------+---------+---------+

\(a\) = Not Available

**Table 7.3: 20-Year History of Natural Disasters in the
Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA** *(Source: FEMA and NOAA National
Climatic Data Center)*

The Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA has been most prone to
hurricanes, floods and tornados as shown from the log of natural
disasters in the area since 1985. The average yearly precipitation level
is approximately 48 inches, and spring supercell thunderstorms sometimes
bring tornadoes to the area.

On a scale ranging from Moderate to High, to Very High Risk, the United
States Geological Survey rates the state of Texas as having a Moderate
Risk of earthquakes.

**X. Man-Made Disasters**

Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX CSA has not had a man-made disaster in
the last 20 years. the Houston area's major economic drivers include the
energy industry but biomedical research, aeronautics, and the shipping
The port ranks first in the country in international commerce and is the
sixth-largest port in the world. The 2005 data from the U.S. Department
of Transportation on Hazardous Material Safety shows the state of Texas
accounted for nine percent of the hazardous materials incidents and 6
percent of related deaths for the year.

##