Issues

Webinar: 2026 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston

This year’s State of Housing report takes a deeper look at affordability — going beyond home prices to examine rental and ownership trends, demographic shifts and rising insurance costs. Experts will unpack key findings and their implications.

Tight-knit neighbors, better lives: How strong community ties can help Houstonians feel healthier, safer

New Kinder Institute research finds local residents living in neighborhoods with strong relationships and shared values have a higher probability of good health and feeling safe at home.

Fewer babies, migrating families: The demographic trends reshaping Houston’s public schools

A new Kinder Institute analysis provides fresh perspective on how birth and household movement trends are impacting school enrollment across Houston.

Preparing for Future Enrollment in Public School Districts: Population Change, Births, and Mobility in the Houston MSA

This brief studies demographic shifts in Houston-area school districts to help forecast student enrollment.

Houston’s population keeps growing, but new Census data reveals notable shifts

While the metro area's population continues to climb, particularly in the suburbs, domestic migration patterns are changing how growth is distributed.

Changes in Attitudes and Personal Impacts of Mass Deportation

An estimated 750,000 Houston-area residents know someone detained and possibly deported in 2025.

800 school districts, $1 billion paid: How Texas’ teacher pay-for-performance has rapidly grown

About two-thirds of Texas school districts have now joined the Teacher Incentive Allotment, including nearly all in Houston.

Texas school vouchers promise choice. Geography may influence who has options in Houston.

While some Houston families live near private schools accepting vouchers, others reside miles from the nearest campus.

Left in the cold: These Houston residents report lack of safe, reliable heating in winter

Early results from a Kinder Institute survey show 12% of Harris County residents don’t have safe, reliable heat at home.

Are corporate buyers hogging single-family homes in Harris County? Here’s what the data shows.

A Kinder Institute analysis shows nine large companies own about 1% of single-family homes in Harris County.

Uncertified teacher hiring soared in Texas schools after the pandemic. Now, it’s slowing down.

A rapid rise in Texas public schools hiring uncertified teachers slowed in 2024-25, though it remains triple pre-pandemic rates, state data shows.

Houston’s Asian population has blossomed for decades. These maps and charts document its rise.

Asian residents now account for nearly 10% of the local population, driven by a multiethnic embrace of the region.

School vouchers, slowing growth and food insecurity: What Kinder Institute researchers are watching in Houston in 2026

The new year will bring big changes to key education, health and housing policies that shape the city.

Urban Edge’s most-read stories in 2025: Public housing, population growth articles top the list

These seven Urban Edge articles garnered the most reader interest in a busy year for Houston.

Houston mothers and children face high rates of food insecurity. We’re working on a plan to help.

Three local nonprofits and area mothers are joining to develop plans for curbing food-access issues for families, with some early lessons already gleaned.