Houston, USA
Bill White
Mayor of Houston
The city of Houston, covering 1,598 square km. is located in the state of Texas, USA. The city's metropolitan area is host to approximately 4 million people and the city population is approximately 1.86 million, making Houston the fourth largest city in the US.
From the 1990 census through mid 1999, the population of the Houston metropolitan area grew by 20.4%. US population increased 9.7% over the same period. Unemployment in Houston stands around 4.2% whilst the median income for a family of four is around $1040 per week ($54,100 per annum). 53% of Houston's total workforce (2.1 million jobs) are employed in energy related sectors including oil and gas extraction, oilfield services and oilfield machinery manufacturing. Other key sectors include the Port, Government, Construction, Finance/Insurance/Property and Medical Services.
In 1986, about 85% of Houston's economy was energy-related, but today, Houston's diversified economy boasts 400 high tech firms, including Compaq and BMC, and 75 biotech companies, many connected to the world-renowned Texas Medical Centre.
Houston is still the US energy capital, but is also known as Space City, hosting the headquarters for NASA and US space exploration. But Houston is also known as the Bayou City, City of Trees and centre of The Third Coast, a thriving arts and entertainment region.