Houston Population
Research Center

The Houston Population Research Center collects and disseminates data to understand social and demographic change in Houston, Texas — the nation’s fourth-largest city and one of its most diverse.

The center provides analytic and methodological support to the Kinder Institute's other research activities to identify solutions to the city’s most pressing problems around housing, health, education, and economic mobility.

Additionally, the population center facilitates the collection and sharing of data to support other research efforts at Rice University focused on socioeconomic disparities and population change.

Initiatives

Kinder Houston Area Survey

Greater Houston Community Panel

Election 2023 Survey

Asian American Community Study

Population Health

Coffee & Quality

Research

What ‘Home’ Means to Residents in the Houston Area

This snapshot explores the ways in which area residents conceptualize "home."

SURVEY SNAPSHOT: June 27, 2025 HOUSING

Houston Residents and Their Pets

This brief takes a closer look at who has pets in Houston and Harris County and the self-reported benefits that come with having them.

BRIEF: June 6, 2025

Coffee & Quality Case Study #3: Wesley Community Center

This third Coffee & Quality case study focuses on Wesley Community Center, a social service agency that supports individuals in the Near Northside and broader Houston community. The study seeks to understand the impact of Wesley's programs, including identifying those most effective in helping families achieve financial stability.

BRIEF: June 3, 2025 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2025 Results

This year’s Kinder Houston Area Survey reflects on the region’s continued growth, highlighting residents’ perspectives on what makes the area attractive as well as the challenges that stand to undermine its prosperity.

REPORT: May 19, 2025 DEMOGRAPHICS, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Houston and Harris County Disaster Preparedness and Attitudes Leading Up to the 2024 Hurricane Season

This research study examines the current levels of both perceived and actual disaster preparedness among Houston and Harris County residents, as well as contextual and sociocognitive predictors of each.

BRIEF: May 5, 2025

Financial Knowledge, Banking, and Fintech in Houston and Harris County

This snapshot explores Houston-area residents' self-reported financial knowledge, use of banks and use of more modern financial technology applications.

SURVEY SNAPSHOT: April 24, 2025 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, URBAN DISPARITY

89th Texas Legislative Session: Priorities and Policy Views

This survey snapshot examines the top priorities for the 89th Texas Legislature among residents across the Greater Houston area, including Fort Bend, Harris and Montgomery counties.

SURVEY SNAPSHOT: April 2, 2025 EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNANCE

2024 Storm Impacts in Houston and Harris County: A Descriptive Overview

This brief provides an overview of the cumulative impact extreme weather had on Houston and Harris County residents from late April to early July.

BRIEF: March 13, 2025 HOUSING, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH

Housing Affordability and Instability

Houston-area residents were asked how difficult it was in the past 12 months to afford housing costs, and if certain factors contributed to the difficulty they experienced

SURVEY SNAPSHOT: February 13, 2025 HOUSING

Beyond Dollars and Cents: Exploring Budgeting, Saving, and Financial Security in the Houston Area

This study explores Harris County residents’ financial security, looking at their budgeting and saving practices, barriers people face to budgeting and saving, and how these practices relate to someone being able to withstand economic shocks.