Houston Today
Houston is recognized worldwide for oil and natural gas, biomedical research, aeronautics, and a growing base in renewable energy and technology startups.
An economy shaped by energy, medicine, aeronautics, and trade
Houston is recognized worldwide for its energy industry, particularly oil and natural gas, as well as for biomedical research and aeronautics. Since the late 19th century, the city’s economy has had a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. Renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, are also growing economic bases in the city.
The Houston Ship Channel is a large part of the city’s economic base, and the Houston area is a leading center for building oilfield equipment. Much of its success as a petrochemical complex is tied to the busy ship channel and the Port of Houston. Houston is also the beginning or end point of numerous oil, gas, and products pipelines.
Exports, institutions, and international business
The Houston area is the top U.S. market for exports, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. In 2012, the Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands area recorded $110.3 billion in merchandise exports, with petroleum products, chemicals, and oil and gas extraction equipment accounting for roughly two-thirds of the metropolitan area’s exports.
Houston is the seat of the Texas Medical Center, which is the largest medical center in the world and describes itself as containing the world’s largest concentration of research and healthcare institutions. The University of Houston System also has an annual impact on the Houston area’s economy, including new funds attracted to the area, total economic benefit, local jobs generated, and new graduates entering the workforce in Houston and throughout Texas.
Everyday travel by road, bus, and light rail
Houston is considered an automobile-dependent city. In 2016, an estimated 77.2% of commuters drove alone to work, while 11.4% carpooled, 3.6% used public transit, 2.1% walked, and 0.5% bicycled. The average work commute in Houston took 26.3 minutes according to the 2013 American Community Survey.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, known as METRO, provides public transportation in the form of buses, light rail, high-occupancy vehicle lanes, and paratransit to fifteen municipalities throughout the Greater Houston area and parts of unincorporated Harris County. METRO’s local bus network serves approximately 275,000 riders daily, and its park and ride system provides commuter bus service from transit centers in suburban areas.
Airports and intercity rail
The Houston Airport System oversees three major public airports in the city. George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport offer commercial aviation service to domestic and international destinations, while Ellington Airport is home to the Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base and is used by the military, government, including NASA, and general aviation sectors.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is north of Downtown Houston between Interstates 45 and 69, while William P. Hobby Airport is southeast of Downtown Houston. Amtrak’s thrice-weekly Los Angeles–New Orleans Sunset Limited serves Houston at a station northwest of Downtown, and a daily Amtrak Thruway connects Houston with Amtrak’s Chicago–San Antonio Texas Eagle at Longview.