Houston Texans Foundation

Lore & Background

The foundation's work is rooted in the city of Houston, which was founded by land investors on August 30, 1836, and incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837. Houston is named after former General Sam Houston, who won Texas's independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto. The city is the most populous in Texas and the Southern United States, with a population of 2.3 million at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Harris County and covers a total area of 640.4 sq mi. Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation, and it is home to the Texas Medical Center and NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Reader's Guide

The foundation supports community initiatives in the Houston area, drawing on the city's history as a diverse and economically vibrant hub. Houston is nicknamed the 'Bayou City', 'Space City', 'H-Town', and 'the 713', and is described as the most racially and ethnically diverse major city in the U.S.

Did You Know?

• Houston was founded on August 30, 1836, at the confluence of Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou.
• The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled.