Pearland, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Pearland
nickname = Were town meets country.
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Pearland, Texas

---

mapsize1 = 250px
map_caption1 = Location within Brazoria County

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = Counties
subdivision_name2 = Brazoria, Harris, Fort Bend

government_footnotes =
government_type = Council-Manager City
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Tom Reid
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 101.9
area_land_km2 = 101.9
area_water_km2 = 0.1
area_total_sq_mi = 39.4
area_land_sq_mi = 39.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =
population_total = 80,322
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi = 2033

timezone = Central (CST)
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 15
elevation_ft = 49
latd = 29 |latm = 33 |lats = 16 |latNS = N
longd = 95 |longm = 17 |longs = 45 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 77581, 77584, 77588
area_code = 281, 713, 832
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-56348GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1343734GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Pearland is a city located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the nowrap|Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area and is in the counties of Brazoria, Fort Bend, and Harris. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city population was 37,640. As of 2007, Pearland is estimated to have a population of 80,322 according to city limit signs. [ [http://www.pearlandedc.com/about_pearland/demographics.asp Pearland Economic Development Corporation: Demographics ] ] . By 2011, Pearland is expected to have 96,000 residents [ [http://www.pearlandedc.com/about_pearland/demographics.asp Pearland Economic Development Corporation: Demographics ] ] .

The city's name is pronounced "pear" land (like the fruit), not "peer-land" or "pearl-land".

In 2007, Forbes Magazine ranked Pearland as the 34^th fastest growing suburb in the nation. It is therefore the fastest growing suburb in the Greater Houston area, and the 10^th fastest growing in the state of Texas. [ [http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/2007/07/16/suburbs-growth-housing-forbeslife-cx_mw_0716realestate_2.html America's Fastest-Growing Suburbs - Forbes.com ] ]

Geography

Pearland is located at coor dms|29|33|16|N|95|17|45|W|city (29.554349, -95.295959)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 39.4 square miles (101.9 km²), of which, 39.3 square miles (101.9 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.08%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 37,640 people, 13,192 households, and 10,659 families residing in the city. The population density was 957.0 people per square mile (369.5/km²). There were 13,922 housing units at an average density of 354.0/sq mi (136.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.62% White, 5.33% African American, 0.42% Native American, 3.65% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 6.12% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.22% of the population.

There were 13,192 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $64,156, and the median income for a family was $70,748. Males had a median income of $49,359 versus $34,570 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,306. About 3.4% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

History

The area that is now Pearland had its humble beginnings near a siding switch on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway in 1882. When a post office was established in 1893, the community was originally named Mark Belt. The name was changed to Pearland in November of that year because of the abundance of pear trees in the community, which were planted by the land developers. Pearland was promoted by some developers as an "agricultural Eden." The first subdivision was called Suburban Gardens. The Galveston hurricane of 1900 and the Galveston hurricane of 1915, destroyed most of the fruit trees and slowed growth for a considerable period of time, as well as desertificated the area. In 1914, with agriculture rebounding and the end of desertification, Pearland had a population of 400, but a devastating freeze in 1918 was another setback to the local farming enterprises. Oil was discovered nearby in 1934, though this did not spur a large amount of growth, as the population fluctuated from 150 and 350. From the 1970s the town has grown steadily to today's population.

Economy

Pearland does not have any major industry. The largest employers are a reflection of Pearland's suburban economy, with some businesses related to the oil industry. The largest employer is the Pearland Independent School District, employing 1800 people. The second largest employer is Wal-Mart, which operates several stores in town and employs 800 people. The H-E-B Plus is the third largest employer in town employing more than 500 people. The City of Pearland is the fourth largest employer in town at 429 employees. Rounding out the top 10 are Randall's (Grocery), 250; Kemlon (Oil field services), 275; TurboCare (Turbo machinery manufacturing and repair), 175; Target Stores (Retail) 150, Tele-Flow (Heating/ventilation/air conditioning) 140, Lowe's (Building materials), 132. [http://www.pearlandedc.com/Home/QualityofLife/MajorEmployers]

Though formerly an agriculture-based town, Pearland is now predominantly white-collar(71%). "Professional and Related Occupations", "Sales and Services", and "Management, Business, and Financial Operations" are the three primary fields of employment (23%, 30%, and 18 respectively). ^{[http://www.pearlandedc.com/virtualtour/demographics/cds_marketstudy.pdf 2]}

Many residents in Pearland work in the Texas Medical Center (as Pearland has the highest percentage of TMC workers).

Growth & Development

Current Large-Scale Projects include:
* [http://pearlandtowncenter.com/shop/pearland.nsf/index Pearland Town Center] - A convert|937000|sqft|m2|abbr=on. lifestyle center. Construction underway, opening slated for July 2008. Includes Macy's, Dillard's, and Barnes and Noble.
* [http://www.shadowcreekranch.net/images/commercialprogress/SCR%20Town%20Center%20Brochure_May%202007.pdf Shadow Creek Town Center] - A convert|640265|sqft|m2|abbr=on. retail center. Construction underway, rolling openings until Fall 2008.
* [http://www.thespectrumclearcreek.com/default.asp The Spectrum at Clear Creek] - A convert|750000|sqft|m2|abbr=on. industrial/business park. Construction underway, completion date unknown.
* [http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17634609&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532247&rfi=6 University of Houston–Clear Lake at Pearland] - Proposed construction of a convert|30000|sqft|m2|abbr=on. facility for the nowrap|University of Houston–Clear Lake branch campus in Pearland. Opening slated for December 2008.
* WaterLights District - The proposed 50 acre mixed-use development will house restaurants, retail centers, and a sculpture park. Opening slated for Summer 2008.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Most of Pearland is a part of the Pearland Independent School District. Other portions of Pearland are part of Alvin Independent School District (including most of Shadow Creek Ranch), Fort Bend Independent School District (including some of Shadow Creek Ranch), Clear Creek Independent School District, Houston Independent School District, and Pasadena Independent School District.

Since Pearland is located in 2 school districts, the school assignments are explained below.
* All schools in Pearland ISD, including Pearland High School and Glenda Dawson High School, serve the Pearland ISD portion of Pearland.
* The Alvin ISD portion is served by several elementary schools as well as Manvel Junior High School (in Manvel) and Manvel High School (in Manvel).

Private schools

[http://www.sthelenchurch.org/school.html St. Helen Catholic School] , a K-8 Roman Catholic School operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The Carden-Jackson School (http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/tx/private/8244) are located in Pearland. The Eagle Heights School is operated by the First Baptist Church and is located in Pearland (http://www.fbcpearland.org/fbcp/home).

Colleges and universities

The Pearland ISD and Alvin ISD portions are served by Alvin Community College (ACC), and the Pasadena ISD portion is served by San Jacinto College.

ACC operates the Pearland College Center in Pearland.

Public libraries

The Pearland Library is a part of the Brazoria County Library System.

A second library has been proposed in the area of the Shadow Creek Ranch master-planned community.

Neighborhoods

Eighty-three percent of Pearland is residential, which is the one big contributing factor to the high population. The city is home to many master-planned communities—Silverlake, Sunrise Lakes, Southern Trails, Southdown, and Shadow Creek Ranch are among the most popular master-planned communities in Brazoria County.

Transportation

Airports

Skyway Manor Airport, a privately-owned airport, is located within the Pearland city limits. Pearland Regional Airport, a privately-owned airport, is located in unincorporated Brazoria County south of the Pearland city limits. Both airports allow public use.

The closest publicly-owned airport is the Brazoria County Airport, located in an unincorporated area.

Commercial airline service is provided out of Houston from William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Freeway system

Pearland is served by State Highway 288 which connects the city to Houston. FM 518, locally known as Broadway, is considered the main east-west artery of the city. State Highway 35, locally called Main Street, is the main north-south artery of the city. Given the spread out area, SH 288 serves the westernmost part of the city, while SH 35 serves the easternmost part as both connect Pearland to Houston (FM 865/Cullen Blvd also connects Houston as well in between).

Postal service

The United States Postal Service operates two post offices in Pearland:
* Pearland Post Office at 3519 East Walnut Street, 77581-9998
* Silverlake Post Office at 2700 Cullen Boulevard, 77584-9998

Community information

* C.V. 'Vic' Coppinger Family YMCA Branch is located in Pearland.

Trivia

*Around 2:00 a.m. on December 14, 2000, members of the Texas 7 robbed a local computer store and an adjacent Radio Shack in Pearland, stealing tools that would help them pull off their infamous Christmas Eve robbery in Irving, Texas. That Radio Shack has since closed.

*A car explosion scene at the end of the pilot episode of "Houston Knights" was filmed in an airfield in Pearland, Texas, much to the surprise of several Pearland residents. It was filmed around midnight and the explosion was heard for quite some distance. The remains of the car were left on the property for a week or two before being towed away, offering Pearland residents and other passersby a look at it as it sat in full view of State Highway 35, which runs through the center of town. This was at least the second time Pearland was used as a location for filming a movie or television show, following "Urban Cowboy" and preceding Arlington Road.

Notable People from Pearland

*The Judy's, musical group
*Clay Hensley, baseball pitcher (San Diego Padres)
*Adam Cowart, baseball pitcher (San Jose Giants, A+ minor league affiliate of the San Franscisco Giants )
*Roland Carnaby, president of the William Francis Buckley chapter of the Association for Intelligence Officers, shot dead by HPD officers on April 29, 2008

ister Cities

*flagicon|Canada Markham, Ontario, Canada
*flagicon|MexicoMatamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico
*flagicon|PhilippinesLopez, Quezon, Philippines
*flagicon|Spain Palencia, Spain

References

External links

* [http://www.ci.pearland.tx.us/ City of Pearland, Official Website]
* [http://www.pearlandfire.org/ Pearland Volunteer Fire Department, Official Website]
* [http://www.pearlandedc.com/ Pearland Economic Development Corporation]
* [http://www.pearlandchamber.com/ Pearland Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.meetup.com/cities/us/tx/pearland/ Meetup Groups - Pearland TX]
* [http://www.pearlandinfo.com/ Pearland, Texas Community Information]
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/PP/hep3.html Handbook of Texas article about Pearland]
* [http://www.pearlandjournal.com Pearland Journal]
* [http://www.chron.com/neighborhoods/pearland/ Chron.com News - Pearland, Alvin, Friendswood]
* [http://blogs.chron.com/pearland/ Chron.com Blogs - Inside Pearland blog]