Living in Sugar Land Texas can be sweet! The Karankawa people inhabited the Sugar Land area for thousands of years before White settlers arrived in the early 1820s. According to the City of Sugar Land, Stephen F. Austin received a land grant and started a settlement in Texas in 1825. In 1838, Nathaniel Williams bought some land from Austin to start his own plantation. The plantation became a sugar refinery, and people began moving to Sugar Land to work in the refinery.
In 1906, the Kempner family bought a plantation nearby and established a company town. The town was named Sugar Land after the sugar refinery and plantations. In 1959, the town was incorporated as a general-law city, and the community expanded rapidly as thousands of people started moving to Sugar Land. In 2003, the sugar refinery closed, and the community reinvented itself as a suburb of Houston.
Is Sugar Land Texas a good place to live? Yes, Sugar Land is a great place to live with diverse neighborhoods, top schools, and a growing economy. What is Sugar Land Texas known for? It's known for its strong economic opportunities, being home to major companies like CVR Energy and Minute Maid.
Moving to Sugar Land may seem like your next step. But before you call a moving company, you should learn about living in Sugar Land Texas, including the benefits of living in Sugar Land. Here's what to know about living in Sugar Land Texas.
Where Is Sugar Land Texas?
Where is Sugar Land Texas, and what county is Sugar Land TX in? Sugar Land is in Fort Bend County, inside the Houston metropolitan area. It is 22.4 miles from Sugar Land to Houston, making Sugar Land a suburb of Houston. Sugar Land borders cities near Houston like Four Corners, Pecan Grove, Richmond, Stafford, and Missouri City.
The Brazos River runs through the southern part of Sugar Land. The central and northern parts of Sugar Land are well-developed, with residential and commercial sections. The southern parts close to the river contain parks and large green areas, and you can find additional parks along the borders of Sugar Land.
The Fort Bend County Commuter Park and Ride Service provides fixed-service shuttle rides from Sugar Land to Houston and other locations in Fort Bend County. There are currently no train services in Sugar Land, and Sugar Land does not have its own public transportation services. Interstate 69, US Route 90, and State Route 6 run through the Sugar Land community and connect it to Houston and cities near Houston, making moving to Sugar Land easy.
Sugar Land Population and Demographics
What is the population of Sugar Land Texas? According to the US Census, the Sugar Land population in 2020 was 111,026, up by 40.9% since 2010. Sugar Land has been one of Texas's fastest-growing cities since 1970. The Sugar Land population has increased over four times since 1990 and has doubled since 2000. Sugar Land is the largest community in Fort Bend County, located entirely within the county.
The Sugar Land population density is 2,927.94 people living in Sugar Land Texas per square mile, nearly three times higher than the countywide density. Notable Sugar Land residents include Tom DeLay, Derek Carr, and Ryan Trahan. Notable Sugar Land TX demographics include:
- 50.6% female, 49.4% male
- Median age of residents living in Sugar Land Texas: 41.9
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Sugar Land Texas: 40.7% White (38.1% non-Hispanic), 38.2% Asian, 12.1% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% two or more races, 7.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
- Median household income of residents living in Sugar Land Texas: $133,144 (1.75 times higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment of people living in Sugar Land Texas: 94.8% of residents living in Sugar Land Texas over the age of 25 have graduated from high school, 61.4% have a bachelor's degree
- Foreign-born population of residents living in Sugar Land Texas: 38.3%
Sugar Land offers cultural diversity you can't find in other cities near Houston. Sugar Land boasts one of the largest communities of South Asian people in Texas. Nearly 7,000 people living in Sugar Land Texas are of Indian descent, while over 2,700 residents are of Vietnamese and Pakistani descent each. Over 4,200 residents are also of Chinese descent. Sugar Land's median age is six years older than the state median, and 18.5% of people living in Sugar Land Texas are 65 years of age and older.
Sugar Land is a very safe place to live in, with crime rates similar to a small town. Here are its latest crime rates, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall Sugar Land crime rate: 1,706 offenses per 100,000 people living in Sugar Land Texas (70.2% lower than the Houston crime rate, 37.6% lower than the Texas rate, 26.6% lower than the national average)
- Violent Sugar Land crime rate: 90 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Sugar Land Texas (79.2% lower than the Texas rate, 75.7% lower than the national average)
- Property Sugar Land crime rate: 1,616 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Sugar Land Texas (29.7% lower than the Texas rate, 17.3% lower than the national rate)
The Sugar Land Police Department employs 172 police officers living in Sugar Land Texas.
Cost of Living in Sugar Land Texas
Sugar Land is in the Houston metro area, so you can use Houston cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Sugar Land Texas. The Houston cost of living index is 94.1, meaning that items in the area cost 5.9% lower than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $97,109 a year to cover the cost of living in the Houston metro area. Child care is the largest expense, at $1,558 a month ($18,696 a year). This means that singles and couples moving to Sugar Land can enjoy a very affordable cost of living in Sugar Land Texas.
Sugar Land TX real estate is fairly affordable. According to Redfin, houses for sale in Sugar Land TX have a median price of $500,000. The average home price in Sugar Land TX per square foot is $177. According to RentCafe, Sugar Land apartments have an average cost of $1,657 a month. The average rent in Sugar Land Texas is almost $100 less than the national average.
Typical Sugar Land Living Expenses
- 1 loaf of fresh white bread: $2.72
- 12 regular eggs: $4.00
- 1 pound of bananas: $0.65
- 1 pound of onions: $1.12
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $2.82
- Average Sugar Land utilities per month: $201.17
- 1 pair of jeans: $45.57
Source: Numbeo
Neighborhoods in Sugar Land | Where to Live in Sugar Land
Sugar Land has many official neighborhoods, as well as many unofficial subdivisions. The neighborhoods in Sugar Land give you plenty of options for living in Sugar Land Texas, but the sheer number of neighborhoods can make it hard to find the right place for you. Here are a few of the best places to live in Sugar Land.
Telfair | Most Upscale and Family-Friendly Sugar Land Neighborhood
Telfair is a master-planned community covering over 2,000 acres. Newland Communities planned and constructed homes in Telfair, building lavish and sprawling single family Telfair homes for sale. You can buy five-bedroom homes covering over 3,000 square feet for around $800,000. These Telfair homes for sale contain upscale features like hardwood floors, high ceilings, and expanded patios. Cornerstone Elementary School is in Telfair, making it a suitable community for families with young children.
New Territory | Affordable Sugar Land Neighborhood With Four-Bedroom Houses for Sale in Sugar Land TX
New Territory is one of the newest neighborhoods in Sugar Land. It was previously a Census-designated place, and it was annexed into Sugar Land in 2017. It's one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Sugar Land, with a median sales price for New Territory homes for sale of $445,500.
Despite the lower home prices, you can still find sprawling and upscale properties, with many homes containing four bedrooms and over 2,500 square feet of space. Many New Territory homes for sale contain gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and large islands, making them suitable for cooks and entertainers. The New Territory community is predominantly residential with large green areas, so you can go for walks and get exercise close to your home.
Sugar Land Weather and Climate
Sugar Land has a humid subtropical climate, with very hot and oppressive summers and short and cool winters, similar to Houston weather year round. According to Weather Spark, August is the hottest month of Sugar Land Texas weather year round, with an average temperature of 83 degrees and an average high of 93. Temperatures gradually decline beginning in September, and January is the coldest month of Sugar Land weather. It has an average temperature of 53 degrees, with an average low of 45 degrees. Freezing temperatures rarely, if ever, happen in Sugar Land.
Sugar Land receives an average of 42.3 inches of rain per year. At least 2.8 inches of rain fall during each month of the year, creating extremely high humidity in the summertime. Does it snow in Sugar Land Texas? No, the city experiences zero inches of snowfall on average per year. Almost every single day between early June and early September feels muggy, oppressive, or miserable. Humidity levels do not drop below 50% until early November, and you can still experience very humid days in the wintertime.
Sugar Land can experience a few kinds of severe weather. Heat waves can create temperatures of 100 degrees or higher during the summer. Hurricanes and tropical storms can create flooding, heavy rains, and high winds. According to KHOU, Hurricane Beryl brought 80 mph winds to Sugar Land in July 2024, damaging the roof of Sugar Land City Hall. It is essential that you look at Sugar Land weather forecasts in the summertime to avoid dangerous weather conditions.
April is the best month to visit and start moving to Sugar Land. The average temperature in April is 69 degrees, warm enough that you can wear a short-sleeved shirt and remain comfortable. There is less humidity in April than in the summertime, so you can enjoy outdoor activities in Oyster Creek Park, Sugar Creek, and other locations.
Things to Do in Sugar Land
You can enjoy unique, fun, and family-friendly things to do in Sugar Land, including top local shops and shopping malls! First Colony Mall is home to 150 stores and services, including Macy's and JCPenney. The best local shops include Seafood City Supermarket, an Asian grocery store.
Constellation Field is home to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, a minor league baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. You can watch Space Cowboys games, as well as concerts, stand-up comedy performances, and rugby union, soccer, and football games.
1 Stadium Drive, Sugar Land, TX, 77498, 281-240-4487
Smart Financial Centre is the top performing arts and live music venue in Sugar Land. Smart Financial Centre offers concerts and stand-up comedy performances from a wide range of artists.
18111 Lexington Boulevard, Sugar Land, TX, 77479, 281-207-6278
Oyster Creek Park is the best outdoor point of interest, covering over 100 acres. The park contains a three-mile hiking and biking trail, an amphitheater with 500 seats, and five picnic tables with grills.
4033 Highway 6, Sugar Land, TX, 77478, 281-275-2885
Additional Things to Do in Sugar Land
The City of Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department maintains 27 parks and over 35 miles of trails. The department also plans special events like festivals, firework shows, and farmers' markets. You can view upcoming events after moving to Sugar Land using the Sugar Land events calendar.
Sugar Land Restaurants
The Houston area is well known for its delicious barbecue, Asian fusion, and Tex Mex restaurants. Sugar Land restaurants offer a wide range of experiences and menu options, so you'll find something you like after moving to Sugar Land.
Jupiter is an American restaurant with a unique industrial-chic vibe and a diverse menu. You can order brick-oven pizzas and waffles with sweet and savory toppings. You can also order salads, French toast, omelets, and plant-based tacos and sandwiches.
16135 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX, 77479, 281-313-1008
Perry's Steakhouse is an upscale steakhouse and one of the most romantic restaurants in Sugar Land. You can order over a dozen different steaks and pork chops, as well as seafood and pasta. Many sides are for two people, making them perfect for date nights or large groups.
2115 Town Square Place, Sugar Land, TX, 77479, 281-565-2727
JINYA Ramen Bar is a Japanese restaurant and ramen bar that serves ramen, fried chicken, takoyaki, and other authentic Japanese dishes. Many dishes are vegetarian, making JINYA one of the best Sugar Land restaurants for plant-based diets.
13509 University Boulevard Suite A291, Sugar Land, TX, 77479, 281-903-7459
Sugar Land Jobs
According to DataUSA, roughly 54,000 people have jobs in Sugar Land TX. The Sugar Land economy added roughly 300 jobs between 2022 and 2023. Professional services, health care, and educational services are the three largest sectors for Sugar Land jobs. Each of these sectors has median earnings of at least $120,000 a year, and most sectors pay at least $100,000 a year. Over 9,000 people living in Sugar Land Texas work management jobs with median earnings of over $210,000 a year.
Major employers in Sugar Land include Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Sysco, and Phillips 66. According to Payscale, the average salary in Sugar Land is $85,000 a year, while the average hourly rate is $22.58. You can use Indeed to find jobs in Sugar Land TX, and you can apply for City of Sugar Land jobs on the municipal government's website.
Sugar Land Schools
The Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD or Fort Bend ISD) serves almost all students living in Sugar Land Texas. Fort Bend ISD contains three Sugar Land high schools. Small portions of southwest Sugar Land are in the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (LCISD). You can use the Fort Bend ISD school locator tool to see what schools your children are zoned for.
US News ranks Commonwealth Elementary School in Sugar Land as the top elementary school in the Fort Bend Independent School District. It also ranks Commonwealth Elementary in the top 10 elementary schools in Texas. At least 90% of students at Commonwealth Elementary test at or above the proficiency levels in mathematics and reading.
US News ranks Fort Settlement Middle School in Sugar Land as the top Fort Bend ISD middle school and in the top 30 middle schools in Texas. 84% of students at Fort Settlement test at or above the proficiency levels in mathematics and reading.
US News considers Clements High School to be the best high school in Fort Bend ISD and Sugar Land. 57% of Clements High School students pass at least one AP exam. Clements High School is well-known for its championship mathematics, DECA, and speech and debate teams.
There are a few major private schools in Sugar Land, including The Honor Roll School, a secular PK-8 school. The Sugar Land Campus of the University of Houston in Sugar Land offers over 20 undergraduate and graduate programs, including in technology, nursing, and education. The Sugar Land Branch Library of the Fort Bend County Libraries system serves all students living in Sugar Land Texas.
Sugar Land Statistics and Information
- County: Fort Bend County
- Sugar Land area: 42.90 square miles
- Sugar Land zip codes: 77478, 77479, 77487, 77496, and 77498
- Sugar Land area code: 281, 346, 621, 713, and 832
- Sugar Land elevation: 100 feet
- Sugar Land time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- Closest airport to Sugar Land: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), 28.3 miles from Sugar Land
Sugar Land Texas Map
You can use this Sugar Land Texas map to find the best outdoor activities, fun things to do in Sugar Land, public schools, and local shops in and around Sugar Land Town Square!
Start Living in Sugar Land Texas
Living in Sugar Land Texas is perfect for families, young professionals, and retirees alike! Once you start moving to Sugar Land, you can enjoy fun things to do, delicious restaurants, and an enjoyable urban atmosphere close to Downtown Houston.
Moving to Sugar Land isn't tricky when you hire the best Sugar Land movers. PDX Movers is the most experienced Sugar Land moving company, with 3,000 customers served per year. Call 346-326-1141 for a free estimate now.
