Friendswood, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Friendswood, Texas
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Texas |
| Counties | Galveston and Harris |
| Incorporated | 1960 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 20.90 sq mi (54.13 km2) |
| • Land | 20.76 sq mi (53.76 km2) |
| • Water | 0.14 sq mi (0.37 km2) |
| Elevation | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 41,213 |
| • Density | 1,971.9/sq mi (761.37/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
77546, 77549
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| Area code(s) | 281/346/713/832 |
| FIPS code | 48-27648 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1336252 |
| Website | ci.Friendswood.TX.us |
Friendswood is a city in the state of Texas, United States. It's part of the larger Greater Houston area. This city is special because it's located in two different counties: Galveston and Harris counties. In 2020, about 41,213 people lived in Friendswood.
Contents
A Look at Friendswood's Past
Friendswood is in the northwest part of Galveston County. It's the only town in Texas that started as a Quaker community.
How Friendswood Began
The city was founded in 1895 by a group of Quakers. They were led by T. Hadley Lewis and Frank J. Brown. These founders were looking for a special place. They wanted to create a new home for people of their religious group, also known as the Friends.
Early Community Life
From the very beginning, church and school were central to life in Friendswood. A big storm in 1900, called the 1900 Storm, destroyed their first church and school building. But the families quickly built a new, larger two-story building. This new building was called The Academy. It served as both the school and the church until a bigger stone building was built later.
From Farms to Suburbs
For many years, until the 1940s, Friendswood was a small farming town. It had fewer than 500 people. The local economy mainly depended on growing and preserving Magnolia figs. After 1950, more and more people from Houston discovered Friendswood. They liked its quiet, country feel. The farmlands slowly turned into neighborhoods with homes. Friendswood officially became a city in 1960.
Where is Friendswood Located?
Friendswood is located at specific coordinates: 29.512532 degrees North and -95.197933 degrees West. These numbers help pinpoint its exact spot on a map.
Size and Land Area
The city covers a total area of about 54.1 square kilometers (20.9 square miles). Most of this area, about 53.7 square kilometers (20.76 square miles), is land. Only a small part, about 0.4 square kilometers (0.14 square miles), is covered by water.
Who Lives in Friendswood?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1970 | 5,675 | — | |
| 1980 | 10,719 | 88.9% | |
| 1990 | 22,814 | 112.8% | |
| 2000 | 29,037 | 27.3% | |
| 2010 | 35,805 | 23.3% | |
| 2020 | 41,213 | 15.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1850–1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 |
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Friendswood has grown a lot over the years. In 1970, about 5,675 people lived there. By 2020, the population had grown to 41,213 people. This shows how much the city has expanded.
Community Makeup
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 28,587 | 69.36% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,441 | 3.5% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 93 | 0.23% |
| Asian (NH) | 2,574 | 6.25% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 31 | 0.08% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 136 | 0.33% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 1,595 | 3.87% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 6,756 | 16.39% |
| Total | 41,213 |
In 2020, there were 41,213 people living in Friendswood. These people lived in 13,540 households. About 10,427 of these households were families.
In 2000, the average household had about 2.85 people. The average family had about 3.23 people. Many households (43.7%) had children under 18 living with them. Most households (68.5%) were married couples.
Income and Age
In 2010, the average income for a household in Friendswood was $115,439 per year. For families, the average income was $128,898. The median age of people in Friendswood was 37 years old. About 30% of the population was under 18 years old.
Economy and Shopping
The Baybrook Mall is a large shopping center. While it has a Friendswood mailing address, it is actually located in the City of Houston.
Education in Friendswood
Friendswood has a good education system. Students attend public schools based on where they live.
Public Schools for Students
Students in Friendswood go to schools in one of two districts. If they live south of Clear Creek, they attend Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) schools. If they live north of Clear Creek, they go to Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) schools.
Friendswood ISD Schools
For students in the FISD part of Friendswood, there are several schools. These include Cline Elementary School and Westwood Elementary School. There are also Bales Intermediate School and Windsong Intermediate School. All FISD students then go to Friendswood Junior High School and Friendswood High School.
Clear Creek ISD Schools
Students in the CCISD part of Friendswood attend Wedgewood Elementary School. They then go to Brookside Intermediate School, both located in Friendswood. Most CCISD students from Friendswood attend Clear Brook High School. Some students are zoned to Clear Springs High School in League City.
Public Libraries
The Friendswood Public Library is located at 416 South Friendswood Drive. It serves all the residents of Friendswood.
Colleges and Universities
After high school, students have options for higher education. The FISD area is part of the College of the Mainland district. The CCISD area in Harris County is part of the San Jacinto College district.
Famous People from Friendswood
Many interesting people have lived in Friendswood. Here are a few:
- Greg Bonnen: A brain surgeon and politician.
- Stephen Bowen: A NASA astronaut.
- Katie Rose Clarke: A Broadway actor known for roles in Wicked.
- Haley Carter: A former professional soccer player.
- Robin Coleman: Known as Hellga from American Gladiator.
- R'Bonney Gabriel: Miss Universe 2022.
- Christopher C. Kraft Jr.: An important aerospace engineer at NASA.
- Bill McArthur: A retired U.S. Army colonel and NASA astronaut.
- Ronnie Price: A professional basketball player in the NBA.
- Deke Slayton: One of the original Mercury Seven astronauts.
- Booker T: A famous professional wrestling personality.
Weather and Climate
Friendswood has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers. The winters are generally mild to cool.
Extreme Weather Events
Friendswood is close to Galveston Island and the Gulf of Mexico. This means it can experience strong weather. In recent years, the city has faced major storms. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 caused a lot of damage and flooding. Another storm, Hurricane Beryl, hit in 2024.
Because of these floods, many residents have started building their houses higher off the ground. This helps to protect their homes from rising water. Major flooding often happens when Clear Creek, a body of water near the Polly Ranch suburbs, overflows.
Friendswood in Books
The 2014 novel Friendswood is set in the area. It was written by René Steinke.
See also
In Spanish: Friendswood (Texas) para niños
