Houston has once again topped the rankings of an annual list of America’s Best Cities, claiming first in the state and No. 10 in the nation, surpassing Dallas and Austin.  The report, compiled by international consulting firm Resonance, ranks cities with a population of more than 500,000 based on livability, lovability and prosperity. The Bayou City has consistently ranked high on Resonance’s list over the years, placing No. 9 in 2023 and No. 11 in 2022, drawing praise for its cultural diversity, award-winning restaurant scene, number of Fortune 500 companies and quality of life.  Houston’s population gains can be attributed to its quality of life and strong economy. According to a Greater Houston Partnership analysis, Houston added nearly 140,000 residents in 2023, marking the second highest population growth among U.S. metros.  “Austin may get the attention, but the promise of the Lone Star State drawing Californians and New Yorkers is quietly being fulfilled in Houston,” the report stated.  This year’s report again recognizes Houston as one of the most diverse cities in the nation, with one in four residents being foreign-born and over 145 languages spoken, earning it the No. 21 spot in the report’s Culture category. The report also highlights the city's wealth of international festivals, world-class museums and cultural centers, including the new Ismaili Center set to open next year.  Houston’s dining scene ranked fourth in the report’s restaurant subcategory, ahead of popular foodie destinations including San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami. The city earned acclaim for its diverse blend of dishes, described in the report as “Southern Soul and barbecue with Mexican that’s then seasoned with global cuisine.” Earlier this year, 11 Houston restaurants and chefs were named semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards.   The report also applauded Houston’s robust economy, ranking No. 3 in the country for the number of Fortune 500 companies and patents. Houston is home to 26 Fortune 500 companies, making it the third-largest hub for Fortune 500 headquarters in the nation. As a hub for business development and opportunity, Houston was also recently named the best city to grow a business, according to a new study by The RevOps Team.  Additionally, Resonance recognized the Bayou City for its leadership in the global energy transition, with an estimated $250 billion in potential investment in the region over the next 15 years, according to a recent McKinsey report. The report also highlighted Houston’s reputation as Space City, noting key facilities and investments such as the Houston Spaceport, which is anchored by NASA-contract-winning companies Axiom Space, Collins Aerospace and Intuitive Machines.  Learn more about living in Houston.  

Fulshear, a bustling community in Fort Bend County, has seen significant growth, emerging as the second fastest-growing city in the nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Fulshear’s population increased by 25.6 percent in 2023. The Greater Houston Partnership’s monthly report also shows that Fulshear’s population has grown by over 70 percent since 2021, with over 42,000 residents.   To accommodate the ongoing growth, numerous new projects are in development, offering residents places to live, work and play. Among these is Fulshear Junction, a recently announced 126.9-acre mixed-use development. Situated north of FM 1093 and west of Wallis Street, this project will bring 251 single-family homes and feature a variety of shops, restaurants, offices, parks, recreational areas and a daycare facility, according to Community Impact.   Click to expand Additionally, Fulshear Gateway, a 20,000 square foot retail center, recently broke ground at the intersection of Wallis Road and FM 359, near the city’s downtown district. The development will have three buildings, featuring a mix of restaurants, retail, medical and beauty services. According to Community Impact, construction is expected to be completed in 2025.   Click to expand Meanwhile, developers are also addressing the influx of new residents by launching master-planned communities to meet the demand. Cross Creek West, a 1,258-acre development, will add more than 3,000 homes upon completion. Additionally, Cross Creek Ranch, a 3,200-acre community, will bring over 5,000 homes to the area.  To continue to draw people, businesses and developers to the area, the city recently proposed a nearly $70 million Capital Improvement Plan for projects in fiscal year 2024-25. The plan encompasses various projects, including drainage, facilities, parks and technology, streets and traffic, water and wastewater initiatives. Notably, the plan allocates the largest portion of funding, $40.82 million, to wastewater projects. The proposed funding for drainage includes the Downtown Eastside drainage project, which aims to eliminate the need for on-site detention for businesses. Additionally, the city is also working to add concrete paving, a pedestrian plaza and street parking to Harris Street from FM 1093 to Fifth Street, making the area more walkable. Construction on Harris Street is set to begin this summer and is expected to be completed in 2025. “[We are] hoping to see that mixed-use lifestyle type of place, where we will have retail and restaurants and things to do for our young families, our teenagers—really everyone of all ages,” said Annel Guadalupe, Economic Development Director of the Fulshear Development Corporation in a statement. “We’re starting with Harris Street, but the hope is to really do all of downtown, one street at a time, so we can really see that come to life.”  Discover more about the ongoing growth in Fulshear.