An economic powerhouse. A global city. A culinary capital.
The data backs it all up in the Greater Houston Partnership’s 2025 edition of Houston Facts – now available to download.
Since 1959 – and dating back to 1906 under different names – Houston Facts has served as a trusted, fact-based resource on the Houston region. Today, it’s a comprehensive almanac that covers everything from population and employment to global trade and cost of living.
Here are five valuable insights from this year’s edition, developed by the Partnership’s Research team and sponsored by Fifth Third Bank.
1. Houston’s Population Growth Accelerated
The Houston metro added more than 198,000 new residents, pushing the population to nearly 7.8 million as of July 1, 2024. The change represents a 3.8 percent increase over 2023, when the region’s population stood at 7.5 million. This population growth reflects Houston’s continued appeal as a place to live and work. Houston remains the fifth most populous metro in the country and the fourth largest city.
2. A Regional Economy that Outpaces Many Nations
The Houston region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) hit a record $697 billion in 2023 (latest data available), up nearly 8 percent from $633 billion in 2022. The growth is well ahead of the national average and represents one of the fastest-growing metro economies in the U.S. This economic output surpasses the GDP of countries like Argentina and Belgium, reinforcing Houston’s role as a top-tier global business hub.
3. No. 1 in U.S. Exports – Again
For the second year in a row, the Houston-Galveston Customs District ranked No. 1 in the nation for exports, shipping $180.9 billion in goods and commodities last year. That’s roughly a 3 percent increase from 175.5 billion in 2023.
4. Houston is Young & Diverse
With a median age of 35.7, Houston is younger than most major metros. The region also continues to grow in global diversity: 24.8 percent of residents are foreign-born, up from 23.9 percent in 2023.
5. Houston is an Affordable Metro
Houston is now the second most affordable major metro among the 20 largest U.S. regions, rising from third place last year, according to 2024 data from the Council for Community and Economic Research.
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