As the country's demographic profile continues to change, our research captures the impact of this transformation.

Latest Urban Edge Stories

Where are we going? Remote workers, RVs and the new calculus of where we live and why

After COVID-19 lockdowns and stay-at-home mandates, anywhere with fast broadband became a viable place to call home. But for Houston natives Alex Jimenez and Haley McSwain, the choice was to move—and keep moving.

RV on the road
Urban Edge: Jun 7, 2021
COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Sun Belt

Surveying Houston’s progressive shift through 40 years of data

Houston, a quintessentially free-enterprise, anti-government city, is increasingly recognizing the critical role of government in strengthening the safety net, expanding opportunity and building resiliency, according to the Kinder Houston Area Surveys.

Downtown Houston in 1977 and today
Kinder Institute Research
: May 27, 2021
Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

Triumph of the Triangle: How Texas can hold onto its urban economic powerhouse

In 1966, a lawyer named Herb Kelleher met one of his clients, a pilot and investment banker named Rollin King, for a drink in a San Antonio hotel bar. Both were entrepreneurs looking for new opportunities, and they discussed starting an airline to serve an in-state. The legend is that King drew a triangle on a cocktail napkin, showing how the new airline would connect the major markets in Texas. 

Keys to preserving the Texas Triangle: Transit Education Technology
Perspective
: May 19, 2021
Demographics, Economic Development

Latest Research

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2021 Results

For the past four decades, Rice University’s Kinder Houston Area Survey (KHAS) has been tracking the changing attitudes and beliefs of Harris County residents. The 2021 survey summarizes the most consequential changes and their implications for public policy initiatives going forward. It also explores in what specific ways and to what measurable extent have residents been personally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic shutdown and growing awareness of systemic racism.
Report: May 11, 2021
COVID-19 and Cities, Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Placemaking, Transportation

The Urban Sun Belt: An Overview

This report documents the unique set of urban challenges Sun Belt Cities face.
Report: Jun 11, 2020
Demographics, Economic Development, Governance, Sun Belt, Urban Planning

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2020 Results

For close to four decades, the Kinder Houston Area Survey has been tracking the changing attitudes and experiences of Houstonians.
Report: May 18, 2020
Demographics, Economic Development, Education, Governance, Health, Housing, Hurricane Harvey, Immigration, Placemaking, Transportation, Urban Disparity, Urban Planning

Experts

Head shot of Stephen L. Klineberg

Stephen L. Klineberg

  • Founding Director, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
  • Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Rice University
713-348-3484
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Robert Bozick

  • Associate Director of the Kinder Houston Area Survey, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
  • Senior Fellow, Kinder Institute for Urban Research
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