Economic Development

Coffee & Quality

The Kinder Institute for Urban Research and United Way of Greater Houston's Coffee & Quality Case Study program works with designated United Way organizations to 1) identify ways to build and bolster the organization's current data-collecting practices, 2) use data to understand and improve program outcomes, and 3) elevate generalizable insights that can support the work of other nonprofits.

Kinder Institute Luncheon 2025

The 2025 Kinder Institute Luncheon will celebrate the institute's 15th anniversary. Findings from the 44th Kinder Houston Area Survey will also be shared.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Q&A: Industry, academia and community have opportunity to close Houston's skills gap

Tens of thousands of Houston-area high school students graduate each year into one of three career pathways: workforce, two-year college degree and four-year college degree.

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.

Kinder Institute Luncheon 2024

The 2024 Kinder Institute Luncheon will honor Dr. Marc. L. Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist. Findings from the 43rd Kinder Houston Area Survey will also be shared.

Opportunity Youth Healthcare Pipeline Study

The Opportunity Youth Healthcare Pipeline initiative seeks to connect youth with career opportunities in the health care sector in the Houston region. This in-depth study explores the operational dynamics, challenges, opportunities and successes of the program.

How can Houstonians keep up — and keep their jobs — in the rapidly evolving AI landscape?

About 6 out of 10 residents expect the rise of artificial intelligence to have a major impact on Houston’s workforce in the near future, according to the 43rd Kinder Houston Area Survey.

After getting the lights back on, what’s Houston’s biggest problem going forward?

Over the course of about four weeks early in 2024, residents across Harris County were asked their opinions on a variety of topics as part of the Kinder Houston Area Survey. That includes a question that has been asked every year since the survey’s founding in 1982: “What would you say is the biggest problem facing people in the Houston area today?”

Kinder Houston Area Survey: 2024 Results

The 43rd annual Kinder Houston Area Survey provides an unparalleled look at current conditions in the region as well as the “Houston of Tomorrow.”

Why thousands of Houston-area households could soon lose a crucial internet subsidy

A program aimed at helping underserved communities afford internet service is expected to end in the coming months, a potential setback for efforts to close the digital divide.

Houston has the jobs, but employers must be willing to take a chance

There should be plenty of jobs available in the Greater Houston region this year, but is the area producing enough work-ready people to fill them?