Texas Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Katy, Texas

Population: 11,775

Located in Waller County

Katy, Texas is located 30 miles West of downtown Houston on the Interstate 10 Energy Corridor. Katy is the hub of three counties: Harris County, Fort Bend County and Waller County. Living in Katy offers a small town atmosphere with the advantages of a major city nearby. The Greater Katy area encompasses over 180 miles with area population in excess of 155,000. Population within "old" Katy city limits is also on the increase at over 11,000 while regional population is over 1 million.

Katy has been experiencing a thriving economy and enormous growth during the past eight years. Master planned communities and new schools in the award winning Katy Independent School District are some of the features that attracts families to Katy.

The Katy area (population of 215,000), which is part of the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area, has created over 5,000 new jobs each year for the past three years. Energy headquarters, energy information technology, energy services, and energy manufacturing and research and development employment is strong in the Katy Area as a major part of the world famous Energy Corridor is located in the Katy Independent School District.

Fortune 500 Company Conoco Phillips is headquartered here and last KBR, a Fortune 1000 Company announced that the relocation of their Engineering Center will be moving to the Katy Area. This project will create 4,000 jobs, $200,000,000 in capital investment, and 910,000 sq. ft. of office space. Other projects recently announced and under construction include: Rooms to Go Distribution Center (300 jobs, $30,000,000 capital investment, 1,000,000 sq.ft.; Det Norske Veritas Headquarters (Software and Risk Analysis Firm) 180 new jobs; Kraton Research and Development Center (85,000 sq. ft. lease, 100 jobs) BP North America is nearing completion of the first phase of its headquarters expansion which will create 2,000 new jobs and $650,000,000 in capital investment.

The Katy Area is also being deemed Medical Center West, as over the next four years, the Katy Area will have three new hospitals constructed and current hospital expansions. These projects will create over $850,000,000 in new capital investment and over 1,500 jobs. Two of the new hospitals currently under construction are Methodist and Texas Children’s. The other new hospital slated for construction in 2011 is St. Luke’s. Existing hospital expansions are planned at Memorial Herman, Christus St. Catherine and Md. Anderson Cancer Center.

The outlook for the Katy area economy looks bright as Katy expects some new companies to locate here in 2009 and 2010 that have not been announced. New business parks are being developed by private development firms such as Westside Office Park (85 acres), West Ten Business Park (470 acres) and Katy Main Street in the City of Katy (85 acres – Mixed Use with 500,000 sq. ft. of Class A Office Planned. Class A Office Buildings is nearing construction which includes The Office at Park 10 (150,000 sq.ft.) Energy Crossing (230,000 sq.ft.) Energy Center (306,000 sq. ft.) and Three Eldridge Place (300,000 sq. ft.). Additionally, four new hotels are being constructed/completed that include a Marriott full service hotel, Marriott Residence Inn, Best Western Inn, and Holliday Inn Express.

Business Week Magazine recently conducted a study that rated the Katy Area second in the U.S. for "America's Biggest Boomtowns." The study was based on new home growth from 2000 to 2008 and was completed with assistance from the Gadbury Group, a location intelligence firm based in Little Rock Arkansas. The studies show that Katy’s household income growth in the last eight years increased by 17 percent. Furthermore, home values held at $150,500, with single-family home rentals with at least two bedrooms and two baths available for $1,000 - $2,000 per month. Katy is also home to several award-winning master planned communities including: Wood Creek Reserve, Grand Lakes, Firethorne, Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, and Seven Meadows. In addition, Katy is surrounded by great restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. Katy boasts one of only three true mixed-use town center developments in the greater Houston metropolitan area, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch. Offering uptown style in old town charm, LaCenterra features upscale boutiques and national names such as Ann Taylor Loft, Eddie Bauer, Talbots, Chicos and Jos. A. Bank, along with salon services, choice dining options such as Fish City Grill, Kenzo Sushi, Perry’s Steakhouse & Grill, office space and luxury living. Plus, Historic Downtown Katy offers specialty shops, boutiques, and antiques. The Katy Area has 400 eating and drinking places with over 60 being full-service. The Katy Area has 12 hotels and 10 motels with over 2,700 rooms. Five of these lodging options offer conference facilities.

The combination of a Texas Education Agency Recognized school district and the availability of higher education venues make the Katy Area a prime location for all levels of learning. The district maintains 44 campuses including 26 elementary schools, 10 junior highs, 6 high schools, Miller Career and Technology Center recently underwent a $17 million expansion, and an alternative center. The facilities and equipment are some of the best in the state. Programs available include Community Education, Summer Programs, Gifted and Talented Programs, Vocational Education, Vocational Agriculture, Special Education, Athletics/Physical Education and Alternative Education.

The district provides a highly advanced technology program including one to three computers in each classroom, multiple labs in each school, a technology facilitator assigned to each campus, distance learning capabilities at several campuses, a fiber optic network linking every school and facility and an automated curriculum management plan.

Post-secondary educational opportunities abound in Katy with nearby University of Houston Systems at Clear Lake, Downtown and Victoria. UH Cinco Ranch is located at 4242 South Mason Road, Katy. Other area higher institutions within the Houston region include a vast array of nationally- and regionally-accredited community colleges and tech schools located within 30 miles of downtown Katy.

The Katy Area offers abundant recreational opportunities including numerous county parks and four city parks with ball fields, soccer fields, jogging trails, picnic grounds, playgrounds, lakes, ponds and fishing piers, splash parks, and miniature golf. Katy is home to the outstanding 20,000-acre George Bush Park and the Alsek Cycling Velodrome. Youth sports are available to children of all ages, with leagues in soccer, swimming, tennis, basketball, baseball, and football. LaCrosse and fencing are played here as well as dodgball, and roller hockey.

As for sustainability, the Katy Area is home to one of the largest concentrations of LEED buildings in the State of Texas. In fact, the new BP North America Office Building at Westlake, in Katy ISD, is only the second LEED Platinum Certified Building in the State of Texas. In November 2008, it was announced that the National Park Service had selected the West Houston Trails Planning Project to receive technical assistance for a second year to help move the project forward toward the ultimate goal of a 50-mile trail system, which respects natural ecosystems. This system comprises 113,000 acres and would connect existing and new trails to form a continuous network. Furthermore, the assistance will fund new opportunities for recreation and bicycle commuting to promote better stewardship of natural resources. The City of Katy and Waller County are developing a new recycling center as well.

A highlight of the Katy community is the annual Katy Rice Harvest Festival held every October. The festival really demonstrates small town America with its craft booths, carnival and local entertainment for family enjoyment.

Katy’s exponential growth and development is happening at lightening pace. Before you know it, the Katy Area will be the western cornerstone of Greater Houston, providing more opportunities for excellence in business, education, healthcare, recreation and living. Come to Katy. You'll be glad you did!