Have you been searching for a small town with a welcoming, tight-knit atmosphere? Then you may want to consider living in Waller TX, a vibrant community in the Houston area. Waller is known for its agricultural roots and for its annual county fair.
Although the area was initially settled in the 1820s, the town of Waller was established in 1884, when a settler named KH Faulkner filed for a plat. It was named after Edwin Waller, the first judge of Waller County and one of the initial signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
These days, Waller, TX, is a good place to live for anyone seeking a laid-back atmosphere, close proximity to Houston, and a high quality of life. Convinced that living in Waller TX is the perfect place for you? Here is everything you need to know before moving to Waller if you need verification on how to get prepared.
Where Is Waller?
Waller is a city in Harris and Waller counties within the Houston-Cypress metro area. US 290 passes directly through town, providing a direct route to Houston, perfect for anyone commuting from Waller, TX.
Most land development is concentrated around the historic town center, though some businesses are scattered throughout the US Route 290 Corridor. Nearby communities include Prairie View, Pine Island, and Fields Store.
It's 45 miles or a 46-minute drive from Houston TX to Waller TX.
Waller Population & Demographics
As of the 2020 census, the Waller, TX population is 3,062. The number of people living in Waller TX has increased rapidly in recent years, rising by 15% between 2010 and 2020. Although it still has a very rural atmosphere, with a population density of 513 residents per square mile.
It's a very young, diverse community. The median age is 27 years old, and 38% of people living in Waller TX are in their 20s. While most people living in Waller TX are white, it also has a large presence of Black and Hispanic residents.
The racial and ethnic breakdown is 46% white, 30% Black or African American, and 24% Hispanic or Latino. Notable people who have lived in Waller include former race car driver AJ Foyt and musician Daniel Johnston.
Other Waller Demographics
- The median household income is $37,163, approximately 50% of the median in the rest of Texas.
- 57% of people living in Waller TX are female, and 43% are male
- 90.1% of people living in Waller TX have a high school diploma, and 14.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher
- The foreign-born population is 12.6%
As a small, tight-knit community, living in Waller, TX is safe. Crime in the community is low compared to both the national average and the Texas crime rate. Here's how the crime rates compare:
- The total crime rate is 1,405 crimes per 100,000 people, 48.6% lower than the Texas rate and 39.5% lower than the national rate.
- Violent crime rate: 211 crimes per 100,000 people, 51.1% lower than the Texas crime rate and 42.9% lower than the rest of the country.
- Property crime rate: 1,195 crimes per 100,000 people, 48% lower than the Texas crime rate and 38.9% lower than the rest of the country.
The Waller County Sheriff's Office provides community security with the assistance of 12 sworn officers and 2 civilian employees to respond to crime.
Cost of Living in Waller TX
The cost of living in Waller TX is very affordable, given all the community has to offer. A great way to understand how much it costs to live in an area is to examine the cost-of-living index. It compares the cost of typical consumer goods in the US to the rest of the US on a scale of 100.
The COLI for the Houston area is 94.2, which means that living in Waller is about 5.8% less expensive than the rest of the country. The Family Budget Calculator, created by the Economic Policy Institute, is also a fantastic resource.
It reveals that the typical family of four with two adults and two kids would need to make about $101,011 per year to afford the cost of living in Waller TX, including housing, utilities, transportation, and other costs.
Typical expenses related to living in Waller TX:
- Gallon of gasoline: $3.05
- Hamburger: $5.61
- Loaf of bread: $3.91
- Bunch of bananas: $0.73
- Carton of eggs: $3.52
- Average Waller monthly energy bill per month: $192.47
Source: Payscale
Waller real estate is also very affordable. According to Redfin, the median price of homes for sale in Waller TX is $358,990, which is 17% lower than the rest of the US. The median price per square foot of Waller, TX homes for sale is $141.
Due to its young population, most of the Waller TX real estate is rented out. In Waller, 72% of properties are rented out, while 28% are owner-occupied. Rentcafe reports that the average rent for homes in Waller, TX, is $ 1,168. Most rental buildings are low-rise, garden-style communities, and almost none are high-rises with 50+ units. Rent prices for renters living in Waller TX start around $750 for a 1-bedroom and go up to $3,100 for 5 or more bedrooms.
Waller Neighborhoods
Most residential development and new construction tend to be around downtown, which is undergoing a period of revitalization. No matter where you choose to settle down, living in Waller TX offers safe streets and friendly neighbors. Here are some of the best areas to live in Waller.
Oakwood Estates | A New Home Neighborhood With Lakefront Views
Oakwood Estates is a top-notch community with spacious homesites anchored by a 28-acre lake that features new homes from reputable builders and a range of outdoor amenities, perfect for nature lovers living in Waller TX.
Lakeview Homes | A Master-Planned Community With Spacious Homes
Centered on a 45-acre lake, Lakeview Homes is another upscale master-planned community with 4-bedroom homes on 1 to 2 acres of land with prices ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.
Saddle Creek Forest | A Gated Community With Tree-Lined Streets and Exclusive Amenities
Saddle Creek Forest is a picturesque, gated community featuring mature oak trees, tranquil ponds, and exclusive amenities like a swimming pool and equestrian center, making it a haven for affluent residents living in Waller TX.
Waller Weather & Climate
Waller, TX, weather is fairly typical for what you might expect in Texas. It has a humid, subtropical climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Summers can be hot and oppressive, while the winters tend to be short and mild. The temperature typically ranges from 43°F to 94°F, though winter can drop to 29°F and summer can reach 99°F.
The best time to consider visiting someone living in Waller TX is typically in April, May, September, or October. You won't have to worry about much snow if you plan on moving to Waller. However, it does get a decent amount of rain, averaging about 28 inches per year. So don't forget to bring an umbrella!
Things to Do in Waller
Although it's a relatively small town, you can still find plenty of fun things to do in Waller, TX, especially if you enjoy the outdoors. You'll find a variety of shopping centers and boutiques scattered around Route 290, including Waller Village, Arlan's Market, and Panther Plaza. Beyond shopping, here are some of the best things to do in Waller, TX.
Jellystone Park is an award-winning Texas campground that offers endless fun for families living in Waller TX, including a waterpark and swimming pools, mini golf, laser tag, an outdoor movie theater, and more.
34843 Betka Rd, Waller, TX 77484 (979) 826-4111
One of the top destinations for thrill-seekers living in Waller TX, Skydive Houston offers tandem skydives with trained instructors and breathtaking views of the Houston area.
15599 Plain View Dr, Waller, TX 77484 (832) 622-6181
For anyone living in Waller TX who is passionate about airplanes, the Waller County Aviation Museum is a must-see with a wide range of aircraft on display, from helicopters to military jet craft.
Rochen Rd, Waller, TX 77484 (832) 428-5864
Additional Attractions in Waller
Searching for more fun things to do in Waller? The Waller County Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Planning Committee has a list of public facilities on its website.
Waller Restaurants
Known for its barbecue, brisket, sausage, and ribs, Waller, TX, offers a wide variety of delicious restaurants serving everything from burgers to seafood made with fresh ingredients. Here are some of the best restaurants in Waller, TX, for a great meal to eat and light easy drinking to sit with friends after hours.
Eji's on Main is a popular local hot spot and one of the top Waller, TX restaurants if you're in the mood for classic entrees like burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, tacos, and more.
2322 Main St, Waller, TX 77484 (713) 423-7976
Krab Kingz Seafood
Krab Kingz is the go-to destination for anyone living in Waller TX looking for Cajun-style seafood boils, with signature options like fried fish and shrimp.
40203 US-290, Waller, TX 77484
Location Six Brewing is a popular local brewery and wine bar with a wide range of craft beers, IPAs, and malty dark brews on tap. It also has a menu of small bites like pizza, potato salad, and hot dogs, plus rotating food trucks, live music, and vendors that come for specific events.
2316 Main St, Waller, TX 77484 (936) 419-1739
Jobs in Waller
Living in Waller TX offers access to stable employment in Houston and beyond. Waller County is home to a variety of key industries that drive economic growth and innovation, including oil and gas, manufacturing, aviation, and logistics.
It's a major part of the dynamic Houston region, which reported a GDP of $488.2 billion in 2020, ranking it among the top 10 cities worldwide for per capita GDP. The total labor shed in the area contains over 1.4 million people, with nearly 500,000 in the prime workforce aged 25-54 years old.
Major employers offering jobs in Waller TX:
Payscale suggests that the average salary for a person in the Houston area is $84,000 per year. So workers living in Waller TX can expect to earn around that much. From organic growth specialists to technical writers, you can find a wide variety of Waller jobs. Likewise, you can find plenty of jobs with the city of Waller, Texas, or Waller County employment.
Waller Schools
Students living in Waller TX will also attend fantastic schools. It's served by the Waller Independent School District. Several schools in the Waller school district are within the city limits, including IT Holleman Elementary School and Waller Junior High School.
All students living in Waller TX are zoned to Waller High School, located in an unincorporated part of Harris County. It ranks 917th in Texas and features a 94% graduation rate. The Waller-Harris County campus of Blinn College, a 2-year community college, also serves residents living in Waller TX. Feel free to stop by the Melanee Smith Memorial Library for books and other media.
Waller Statistics & Information
- Waller County: Harris & Waller
- Waller area: 3.72 square miles
- Waller zip code: 77484
- Waller area code(s): 936
- Waller elevation: 253 ft
- Waller time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC-5 and -6)
- Closest airport to Waller: The George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is 45 miles away.
Waller FAQ
What Major City Is Near Waller, TX?
The closest major city to Waller, TX is Houston, which is about 45 miles away. However, it's only 120 miles from Austin and 180 miles from San Antonio.
Is Waller, TX Safe?
Yes, living in Waller TX is very safe. It has a total crime rate of 1,405 crimes per 100,000 people, which is 48.6% lower than the rest of Texas and 39.5% lower than the rest of the country. Violent crime is also 42.9% lower than the national average and 38.9% lower than the rest of the country.
Is Waller, TX Diverse?
Yes, Waller, TX is a very diverse city with sizable white, black, and Hispanic populations. Waller County as a whole is even more diverse with a larger Black or African American population due to Prairie View A&M University.
Is Waller TX Affordable?
Yes, living in Waller, TX, is quite affordable compared to the rest of the country. The overall cost of living is approximately 5% lower than the national average, and the median home price is 17% lower than the U.S. median.
Waller TX Map
Explore more activities, attractions, and fun things to do while living in Waller TX with this map.
Find Out What Living in Waller TX Is Really Like?
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