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Katy, TX

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Katy, TX

Katy is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the Greater Katy area, itself forming the western part of the Greater Houston metropolitan area. Homes and businesses may have Katy postal addresses without being in the City of Katy. The city of Katy is approximately centered at the tripoint of Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties. Katy had a population of 21,894 at the 2020 U.S. census, up from 14,102 in 2010. 

First formally settled in the mid-1890s, Katy was a railroad town along the Missouri–Kansas–Texas (MKT) Railroad which ran parallel to U.S. Route 90 (today Interstate 10) into downtown Houston. Katy obtained its name when the MKT Railroad dropped its Missouri waypoint and the junction became known as the KT stop. The fertile floodplain of Buffalo Bayou, which has its source near Katy, and its tributaries made Katy and other communities in the surrounding prairie an attractive location for rice farming. Beginning in the 1960s, the rapid growth of Houston moved westward along the new Interstate 10 corridor, bringing Katy into its environs. Today, Katy lies at the center of a broader area known as Greater Katy, which has become heavily urbanized. 

While largely subsumed into Greater Houston, the town of Katy is still notable for Katy Mills Mall, Katy High School's football dominance (eight state championships), and its historic town square along the former right-of-way of the MKT railroad.

The City of Katy is located at the three-border junction of Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties, along Interstate 10, 29 miles (47 km) west of downtown Houston and 22 miles (35 km) east of Sealy. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Katy has a total area of 11.3 square miles (29.3 km2), of which 11.2 square miles (29.1 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.38%, is water.

The City of Katy is located at the three-border junction of Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties, along Interstate 10, 29 miles (47 km) west of downtown Houston and 22 miles (35 km) east of Sealy. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Katy has a total area of 11.3 square miles (29.3 km2), of which 11.2 square miles (29.1 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.38%, is water.

Katy is often further defined as either "Old Towne Katy" or "Greater Katy". Old Towne Katy refers to the portion of Katy that was incorporated in 1945. Its boundaries, as defined by the Katy Independent School Division's zoning, run just south of Kingsland Blvd, stretching across Interstate 10 to Morton Road. Katy Fort Bend Road and Cane Island Creek act as the east and west boundaries, The Greater Katy area includes the city of Katy plus large sections of unincorporated land surrounding the city corresponding to the boundaries of the 181 sq mi (470 km2) Katy Independent School District.

Greater Katy includes Cinco Ranch, Green Trails, Grayson Lakes, Seven Meadows, Pine Mill Ranch, Silver Ranch, Firethorne, Grand Lakes, and Young Ranch. It also encompasses suburban developments from the 1970s and 1980s, such as Memorial Parkway, Kelliwood, and Nottingham Country.

Old Towne Katy's new residential communities include Pin Oak Village, The Falls at Green Meadows, Cane Island, and The Enclave. Large developments underway have included new residential communities boarding the east border of Mary Joe Peckham Park and the Katy Boardwalk. The City of Katy's government has also focused on the downtown redevelopment plan, including the new city hall building and an upcoming downtown green space. Further projects included Typhoon Texas Water Park, Katy Independent School District's Legacy Football Stadium, Katy Independent School District's Rhodes Stadium, Momentum Indoor Climbing Center, REI Climb Store, and the YMCA at Katy Main Street.

The City of Houston's extraterritorial jurisdiction stretches well west of Katy. This means that a few unincorporated lands in the Katy area could be annexed by the City of Houston at some time in the future, though it is unlikely since Houston is unable to provide basic services to these isolated areas. The city of Katy's extraterritorial jurisdiction, meanwhile, is limited to parcels of land west and north of the city itself.

Katy places a strong emphasis on the health and wellness of its residents, offering an array of fitness and recreational facilities. Healthcare facilities like Houston Methodist West Hospital provide essential medical services, ensuring the well-being of Katy residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Katy Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include EōS Fitness, Fitness 19 Gym, and Fitness Connection. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Katy, such as the Mason Creek Park North Hike and Bike Trail and Mary Jo Peckham Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Katy, TX are Typhoon Texas Waterpark Houston, Dig World, and Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park. 

Population: 26,360 (2023). ZIP codes: 77449, 77450, 77491, 77492, 77493, 77494. Area code: 281. Elevation: 141 ft (43m). Area:14.57 sq mi (37.75 km2). 

FAQs

Is Katy, TX expensive?

The median home price in Katy is $386,923 with a median price per sqft of $176. The cost of living index for housing estimates the cost of housing in Katy to be 83% of the national average. This makes it an average US city.

Is Katy, TX a good area to live in?

Katy is in Harris County, which is one of the best places to live in Texas. Living in Katy offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Katy, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Katy and residents tend to have moderate political views. 

What is the poverty rate in Katy, TX?

In 2022, the median household income of Katy households was $114,917. Katy households made slightly more than Rockwall households ($114,799). It looks like Rockwall is keeping up with the Joneses. However, 2.1% of Katy families live in poverty.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Katy

Houston Methodist West Hospital

Katy Recreation and Community Services Department

EōS Fitness

Fitness 19 Gym 

Fitness Connection

Mason Creek Park North Hike and Bike Trail

Mary Jo Peckham Park

Typhoon Texas Waterpark Houston

Dig World

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

Zero Down

Niche

Texas Demographics

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