Recently, the 2024 Kinder Houston Area Survey conducted by Rice University was released, providing valuable insights into the opinions of Houstonians regarding their region’s past, present, and future. As it is in its 43rd year, the survey had over 5,300 respondents who shared their perspectives on the changes happening in southeast Texas and offered a roadmap for the years ahead.
The survey results revealed that three main issues are of greatest concern to Houstonians: crime and safety, housing affordability, and the economy. Despite a decrease in crime rates since 2020, concerns about crime have actually increased among residents. Housing affordability emerged as a major concern, with one in five respondents citing it as their biggest worry. Notably, Houston has become a majority-renter city, with 60% of residents renting their homes.
When it comes to the economy, the survey showed that 46% of Houstonians do not have enough money to cover a $400 emergency, representing a 4% increase from the previous year. Additionally, a significant 70% of respondents expressed the need for more funding for public schools, noting that most school districts in Harris County are currently underfunded.
It is worth mentioning that this survey was conducted before recent events such as the HPD scandal involving personnel code violations and severe storms and flooding that occurred in the region. The results of this survey can be accessed on the Kinder Institute’s website for further analysis. For updates on this story
