Sugar Land Texas Real Estate & Community Information

Sugar Land Texas Community Information, Links & Real Estate info

The name Sugar Land says it all, this extraordinary city was originally founded around the food staple sugar. The growth, harvest and refinement of sugar has been a part of this community for several decades now.

Sugar Land is a city located in Fort Bend County along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, having grown more than 158 percent in the last decade. In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the city's population was 79,943.

Founded as a sugar plantation in the early mid 1800s and incorporated in 1959, Sugar Land is the largest city and economic center of Fort Bend County. The city is the third-largest in population and second-largest in economic activities of the Houston area.

Sugar Land is home to the headquarters of Imperial Sugar and the company's main refinery and distribution center was once located in this city. As a nod to this heritage, the Imperial Sugar crown logo can be seen in the city seal and logo. The city also holds the headquarters for Western Airways and a major manufacturing facility for Nalco Chemical Company. In addition, Sugar Land has a large number of international energy, software, engineering, and product firms.

Sugar Land has the most master-planned communities in Fort Bend County, which is home to the largest number of master-planned communities in the nation, including New Territory, Telfair, Greatwood, Chelsea Harbour, Riverstone and many others. Sugar Land holds the title of "Fittest City in Texas" for the population 50,000–100,000 range, a title it has held for four consecutive years.

In 2006 CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Sugar Land third on its list of the 100 Best Cities to Live in the United States.

In 2007, CQ Press has ranked Sugar Land fifth on its list of Safest Cities in the United States (14th annual "City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan American").

Life and Business in Sugar Land

Sugar Land is home to the headqarters of Imperial Sugar and the company's main refinery and distribution center was once located in this city. As a nod to this heritage, the Imperial Sugar crown logo can be seen in the city seal and logo. The city also holds the headquarters for Western Airways and a major manufacturing facility for Nalco Chemical Company. In addition, Sugar Land has a large number of international energy, software, engineering, and product firms.

Sugar Land has the most master-planned communities in Fort Bend County, which is home to the largest number of master-planned communities in the nation, including New Territory, Telfair, Greatwood, Chelsea Harbour, Riverstone and many others. Sugar Land holds the title of "Fittest City in Texas" for the population 50,000–100,000 range, a title it has held for four consecutive years" (Wikipedia, 2008).

"In 2006 CNN/Money and Money magazine ranked Sugar Land third on its list of the 100 Best Cities to Live in the United States."

"In 2007, CQ Press has ranked Sugar Land fifth on its list of Safest Cities in the United States (14th annual "City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan American").

Recreation

Sugar Land is overflowing wiith recreational sites, facilities and parks. There are approximately eleven city parks including BMX and Skate parks, Imerial Park which has nine softball fields, batting cages, playground, picnic area, drinking fountains and restrooms. Upcoming improvements to Imperial Park include a walking/jogging trail and picnic pavilions. The park is also accessible from U.S. Hwy. 90 across the street from the Imperial Sugar complex (City of Sugar Land, 2008).

Shopping and Entertainment

Sugar Land is a fast growing suburb and voted the No. 3 best place to live in the US! It's located southwest of Houston on US Highway 59 and at Highway 6. It is about 20 miles Southwest of downtown Houston. Town Center offers old time shopping in an open air concept.

Housing is this area ranges from apartments to estate homes.

Alongside it is First Colony Mall, a very large mall that recently expanded from its original indoor design to include outdoor activities, several parking garages, and new signage to blend in with the surrounding area. In and outside bordering the mall, soothing and happy music is played. The mall is anchored by Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, and Barnes & Noble, along with over 130 stores, including Pottery Barn, Coach, Williams-Sonoma, Ann Taylor, Forever 21, Chico, and Talbots. Other major retailers located near the mall in various portions of the Town Center area include Target, Best Buy, Circuit City, Toys R Us, Linens 'n Things, Finger Furniture, Petsmart, Kroger, Garden Ridge, Lowe's, Lane Home Furnishings, and DSW, as well as an award-winning Mercedes-Benz dealership.

Demographics

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2006 there were 20,000 households in Sugar Land city. The average household size was 3.5 people.

Families made up 84 percent of the households in Sugar Land city. This figure includes both married-couple families (72 percent) and other families (12 percent). Nonfamily households made up 16 percent of all households in Sugar Land city. Most of the nonfamily households were people living alone, but some were composed of people living in households in which no one was related to the householder.

The Types of Households in Sugar Land city, Texas in 2006

Married-couple families
72%

Other families
12%

People living alone
12%

Other nonfamily households
4%

Percent of households

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

NATIVITY AND LANGUAGE: Thirty-one percent of the people living in Sugar Land city in 2006 were foreign born. Sixty-nine percent was native, including 41 percent who were born in Texas.

Among people at least five years old living in Sugar Land city in 2006, 40 percent spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than English at home, 22 percent spoke Spanish and 78 percent spoke some other language; 41 percent reported that they did not speak English "very well."

GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY: In 2006, 86 percent of the people at least one year old living in Sugar Land city were living in the same residence one year earlier; 3 percent had moved during the past year from another residence in the same county, 7 percent from another county in the same state, 3 percent from another state, and 1 percent from abroad.

Geographic Mobility of Residents of Sugar Land city, Texas in 2006

Same residence
86%

Different residence, same county
3%

Different county, same state
7%

Different state
3%

Abroad
1%

Percent of people age 1 year and over

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

EDUCATION:

In Sugar Land, some of the larger elementary schools have from 700 to 900 students and the larger middle schools have 1,000 to 1,500. The four public high schools have about 2,000 students each and there is one progressive high school with 100 students. There is a private Baptist Academy that has 900 students and serves grades pre-kindergarten through high school. In addition there are three private elementary schools (with one of these being a Montessori school) and one private pre-kindergarten and kindergarten school.

The University of Houston has a campus for students in Sugar Land with 34 degree programs through the master’s level from which to choose. Two community colleges: Wharton County Junior College and the Houston Community College System provide freshman and sophomore courses. The University of Houston System offers all level of courses.

In 2006, 90 percent of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 49 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Ten percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.

The total school enrollment in Sugar Land city was 21,000 in 2006. Nursery school and kindergarten enrollment was 2,000 and elementary or high school enrollment was 13,000 children. College or graduate school enrollment was 6,100.

The Educational Attainment of People in Sugar Land city, Texas in 2006

Graduate or professional degree
18%

Bachelor's degree
30%

Associate's degree
8%

Some college, no degree
14%

High school diploma or equivalency
19%

Less than high school diploma
10%

Percent of people 25 years and over

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

DISABILITY: In Sugar Land city, among people at least five years old in 2006, 8 percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age - from 3 percent of people 5 to 15 years old, to 6 percent of people 16 to 64 years old, and to 34 percent of those 65 and older.

INDUSTRIES: In 2006, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Sugar Land city were Educational services, and health care, and social assistance, 20 percent, and Manufacturing, 12 percent.

Employment by Industry in Sugar Land city, Texas in 2006

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining
6%

Construction
5%

Manufacturing
12%

Wholesale trade
7%

Retail trade
11%

Transportation and warehousing, and utilities
4%

Information
2%

Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing
6%

Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services
10%

Educational services, health care, and social assistance
20%

Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation, and food services
8%

Other Services (except public administration)
5%

Public administration
4%

Percent of employed people 16 years and over

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 48 percent; Sales and office occupations, 26 percent; Service occupations, 14 percent; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 7 percent; and Construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations, 3 percent. Eighty-three percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 12 percent was Federal, state, or local government workers; and 5 percent was Self-employed in own not incorporated business workers.

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS

Sugar Land has its own regional airport (3 miles outside of Sugar Land) as well as being 32 miles from the major airport of Houston-George Bush Intercontinental Airport. There are also 2 other small public-use airports within miles of Sugar Land. Trek Express bus lines and vanpools provide transportation in and around Fort Bend County.

TRAVEL TO WORK: Eighty-three percent of Sugar Land city workers drove to work alone in 2006, 10 percent carpooled, 2 percent took public transportation, and 1 percent used other means. The remaining 4 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 27.6 minutes to get to work.

INCOME: The median income of households in Sugar Land city was $95,330. Eighty-eight percent of the households received earnings and 12 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Nineteen percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $15,167. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income from more than one source.

POVERTY AND PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS: In 2006, 9 percent of people were in poverty. Twelve percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 4 percent of people 65 years old and over. Five percent of all families and 42 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

Poverty Rates in Sugar Land city, Texas in 2006

People age 65 and over
4%

Related children under 18 years
12%

All families
5%

Female householder families
42%

Percent below poverty level

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

POPULATION OF Sugar Land city: In 2006, Sugar Land city had a total population of 72,000 - 37,000 (51 percent) females and 35,000 (49 percent) males. The median age was 38.1 years. Twenty-four percent of the population was under 18 years and 9 percent was 65 years and older.

The Age Distribution of People in Sugar Land city, Texas in 2006

65 and over
9%

45 to 64
28%

25 to 44
30%

18 to 24
9%

Under 18
24%

Percent of population

Source: American Community Survey, 2006

For people reporting one race alone, 61 percent was White; 7 percent was Black or African American; 1 percent was American Indian and Alaska Native; 30 percent was Asian; less than 0.5 percent was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 2 percent was Some other race. Two percent reported Two or more races. Twelve percent of the people in Sugar Land city was Hispanic. Fifty-one percent of the people in Sugar Land city was White non-Hispanic. People of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: Data for this section cannot be displayed because the number of sample cases is too small. Displaying the data would risk disclosing information for individuals.

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2006, Sugar Land city had 20,000 occupied housing units - 17,000 (84 percent) owner occupied and 3,200 (16 percent) renter occupied. Three percent of the households did not have telephone service and less than 0.5 percent of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Forty-nine percent had two vehicles and another 28 percent had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS: Data for this section cannot be displayed because the number of sample cases is too small. Displaying the data would risk disclosing information for individuals.

Sugar Land Area Links:

City of Sugar Land
Sugar Land Magazine
Chamber of Commerce
Neighborhood Guide

Sources:

(Data Retrieved 3/09/2008)

http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/sugarland/about_us/history_presentation.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Land,_Texas

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/18/dangerous.cities.ap/index.html

(U.S. Census Bureau, 2006 American Community Survey, http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/NPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US4870808&-qr_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_NP01&-ds_name=&-redoLog=false)