Located halfway between Houston and Galveston, Friendswood owes its name to its original settlers, the "Society of Friends," or Quakers, who farmed its land in the 1900s, and to the orchards that once dotted the area. While much has changed since that time, the city lives up to its name for its family-friendly amenities. "The school district is fantastic," says Karina Wade-Gledhill, a Realtor of Seabrook Real Estate who's sold homes in the area since 2013. "The community is very much focused on kids' activities; there are lots of parks and places to go for a walk." About 41,000 people live in Friendswood, which is part of both Galveston and Harris counties. Many find work in the school district, local government and healthcare, including the University of Texas Medical Branch. The nearby NASA Johnson Space Center, Lockheed Martin Space Company and petrochemical industries in LaPorte and Baytown are also major employers.
Friendswood has a population of a little over 40,000 full time residents.
A father and daughter play on one of Friendswood's many playgrounds.
Friendswood offers multiple parks and trails for the outdoor lover.
Friendswood, Texas is home to a population of over 35,000 residents.
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Master-planned living at West Ranch and Avalon
Buyers can look for homes in traditional subdivisions, master-planned communities (MPCs) and in more rural surroundings, with houses set on multiple acres. Popular MPCs include West Ranch, centered around Friendswood Lake Park and bordered by Centennial Park. Another is Avalon at Friendswood, a new gated community still being built by Taylor Morrison, a leading national developer. The subdivisions of Falcon Ridge and Wilderness Trails were established in the 1980s and are known for easy access to shopping. Polly Ranch Estates is a 70-year-old community that draws former and active astronauts, Air Force members and pilots with its private plane runway. Friendswood's country-style homes are to the south, where there's more land. The median home price in the city is around $330,000, about 3.5 percent less than the median price in Houston and 28 percent less than in Galveston.
A row of two story homes sit along a quiet street in Falcon Ridge in Friendswood.
The subdivision of Wilderness Trails boasts a variety of home styles in Friendswood.
The median home price in the Friendswood area is around $330,000.
Friendswood boasts several large homes, which sit on multiple acre tracts of land.
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Lake Friendswood Park is popular with kayakers
Trust for Public Land estimates that 42 percent of Friendswood's residents can reach a park on foot in 10 minutes. The city has 10 parks in total. Its most popular are Stevenson Park, with sports courts, pool and splash pad, and Centennial Park, with its fishing lake, playgrounds and walking trails. Both host community events, from Fourth of July celebrations to free summer concerts. Come December, local runners compete in the Flapjack 5K Fun Run. That same month, kids dress their finest for holiday photos with Kris Kringle at Santa in the Park. In March, aspiring anglers take fishing classes at the Friendswood Fish Camp.
One of the newest parks, Lake Friendswood Park, offers kayak launches into a 33-acre lake. Youth baseball, lacrosse and football leagues play at Renwick and Centennial Park. James Toney, the director of parks and recreation, says the city hopes to raise funds for a recreation center. "We're also improving our hike and bike trail system to create connectivity throughout the parks," he says. Golfers can tee off at Timber Creek Golf Club, a public 18-hole course in the city.
A fisherman casts a line at Lake Friendswood Park in Friendswood.
Golfers enjoy a round of golf a Timber Creek Golf Club in Friendswood.
Residents enjoy playing pickleball at one of Friendswood's many courts.
Stevenson Park is a popular place for residents of Friendswood to exercise.
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Highly rated Friendswood ISD
Two school districts serve the city: Friendswood Independent School District, which earns an A-plus rating on Niche, and Clear Creek Independent School District, which earns an A. Highly rated schools in the Friendswood ISD include Friendswood High School, Westbrook Intermediate School and Clear Horizons Early College High School. Friendswood High and Westbrook Intermediate earn A-ratings on Niche, while Clear Horizons scores an A-plus. There’s a branch of the Texas School of Business in Friendswood. The University of Houston-Clear Lake is within 10 miles, and over 20 colleges are within 50 miles.
Friendswood High School serves grades 9-12 in the greater Friendswood area.
Westbrook Intermediate earns an A rating from niche.com.
Clear Horizons Early College High School is a school where brilliance is a habit.
University of Houston-Clear Lake offers diverse programs and vibrant campus life.
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Shopping at Baybrook Mall, international eats on Friendswood Drive
The four-lane Friendswood Drive splits the city down the middle and is lined with retail, grocery stores and restaurants. Diverse dining options include Asian bistros, Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants, Italian eateries and of course, barbecue joints. Baybrook Mall, next to Interstate 45, features brand-name stores, including an Apple store and Dillard's, as well as chain restaurants and a Walmart Supercenter next door.
Visitors to Baybrook Mall in Friendswood enjoy lunch on an outside patio.
Baybrook Mall in Friendswood is open daily from 11am-8pm.
Visitors and residents alike can shop for leather goods at multiple stores in Friendswood.
Luna's Mexican is a vibrant mexican eatery in Friendswood, specializing in fajitas.
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Easy access to Houston
Nearby Interstate 45 offers a route to William P. Hobby Airport in 15 miles, Houston in 20 miles and south to Galveston and its beaches in 30 miles. William P. Hobby Airport offers nonstop flights to over 70 domestic and international destinations. The larger George Bush Intercontinental Airport is about 40 miles away via Beltway 8. The closest METRO Park & Ride, with bus transportation along I-45 to downtown Houston, is the Bay Area Park & Ride.
Crime and weather in Friendswood
The Friendswood Police Department's most recent crime report, from 2022, showed 6.27 crimes per 1,000 residents that year. This was around 73 percent lower then the national average and 77 percent less than the state average. Property crimes were the highest category, with 233 reported incidences, whereas there were only 34 reported violent crimes. In 2022, Friendswood saw a spike in catalytic converter thefts.
Hurricanes do affect Friendswood. Over 3,000 homes flooded during Harvey in 2017 and when Helene passed through in 2024, some homes were without power. "Most of the time I would say, the worst that can happen is torrential rain," Wade-Gledhill says. "But it only lasts a short amount of time."
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Fox
Video By
Jaried Frogosa
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Friendswood, TX sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Friendswood, TX over the last 12 months is $444,500, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled in a Heritage Park, this charming home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a spacious backyard (over 1/4 acre). Enjoy evenings on the covered back patio! The kitchen has plenty of space and opens to the den. Den features a high ceiling and cozy fireplace. Split floor plan with private primary bedroom on one side and two spare bedrooms on the other side separated by the living areas.
MLS#88993144 New Construction. Built by Taylor Morrison, Ready Now! The Solaria at Avalon at Friendswood is a thoughtfully designed single-story home, ideal for family living and entertaining. Off the foyer are three spacious bedrooms, each with a full bath and walk-in closet. At the heart of the home is an open-concept gathering room, kitchen with a large island, dining area, and sitting room,
This custom-built ranch-style home sits on an oversized lot in Northfield Estates, tucked into the Forest of Friendswood with no back neighbors for added privacy. Designed with high ceilings throughout, this one-story layout blends comfort with upscale features. The grand entry opens to travertine tile floors, a private office w/ French doors, and formal dining. The chef’s kitchen offers a large
Welcome to this charming home on a corner lot in Wedgewood Village. With wood look tile throughout the common areas and carpet in the bedrooms, this well-cared for home exudes pride of ownership. Vaulted ceilings in the family room create a spacious feel, while an additional study with a large picture window overlooks the manicured lawn. Comes with Generac generator. Refrigerator, washer dryer ,
Beautiful ONE-STORY, 3-bedroom + study with 2 baths Village Builders home is ready for you! This home has an open concept family room/kitchen/breakfast room with the formal dining also open. The island kitchen boasts LOTS of countertops and cabinet storage, stainless steel appliances, gas stove, electric/convection oven. The huge island has a breakfast bar. The family room has a fireplace with
Great Location with Easy Access to I-45 for Commuting to Houston, Galveston, or Pasadena. This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2-car garage home boasts a spacious fenced backyard. Ceiling fans are installed throughout the house to ensure comfort. The kitchen is thoughtfully designed with an open layout that flows into the living area, breakfast room, and dining area. Granite countertops and stainless
Newly remodeled and feels like living in a brand-new home! This stunning 3BR/2BA at 206 Sweetgum features luxury vinyl plank flooring, fresh paint, and an open, bright, and airy design. The kitchen shines with quartz countertops, all-white cabinetry, and brand-new appliances. Both bathrooms have been completely upgraded with new tile, vanities, fixtures, and a sleek glass shower door. The
Experience sophistication and style in the residences of The Grayson at Baybrook apartments. Offering expansive floor plans with one and two-bedroom apartments for rent in Friendswood, adjacent to Clear Lake, TX, our accommodations boast impressive amenities. The open-concept living areas are warm and inviting, while a balcony or patio extends your living space. Ample walk-in closets offer
“Friends” isn’t just a part of the name in this Southeast Houston-area enclave. Rather, “friends” is part of this town’s fabric. Friendswood is known in part for its close-knit populace. This is an area where everybody knows everybody, says local Realtor Troy Chase, team lead of Troy Chase Realty Group. The crime score here is significantly better than the national average, too, according to the CAP Index. “It’s multi-generation. People don’t leave Friendswood. They stay there,” Chase says. “There’s like generations that stay in that area. You got family names and stuff that are established.” The top-notch schools and array of amenities here — from shopping to parks — don’t hurt either.
There are houses in this area that date back to the 1950s, and home seekers can find properties constructed in just about every decade since. Friendswood has roots as a late 19th-century Quaker colony and began to grow into a Houston bedroom community in the era after World War II. The present-day product is the tranquil suburban atmosphere enveloping much of the area. Friendswood is filled with sidewalk-lined residential streets lined with grassy green lawns and sizable homes. Options in Friendswood come with floor plans that average 2,325 square feet and lots stretch anywhere from one-fifth of an acre to several acres. The town features mostly single-family houses, but there are also select townhomes and condos here, usually priced from the mid-$100,000s to the high $200,000s. Traditional single-family homes can start in the high $100,000s for a property that needs work, and top out at around $2 million for a home pushing 5,000 square feet, on multiple acres.
This area is served by the Friendswood Independent School District, which boasts an A-plus overall grade on Niche and is No. 1 on the site’s list of the best school systems across Galveston County. A student’s elementary school depends on where in town they live, but a possible track is to start at the A-rated C.W. Cline Elementary, which is supported by a fiercely active PTO, backing a range of fundraisers and other programming. Students then move on to the district’s A-rated Friendswood Junior High, whose extracurricular opportunities include a robotics group. Friendswood High has an A-plus grade and is what Niche rates as the top high school in Galveston County. The high school’s career and technical education department has a wide range of programs, like manufacturing and hospitality and tourism. The high school is a catalyst for the neighborly bonds Friendswood residents share, too. “They’re all tied to the high school,” says Chase, who has been in real estate for several years. “There’s a ton of involvement.”
The community is dotted with several parks locals can enjoy. Frankie Carter Randolph Park is one of the largest options, a 93-acre, tree-shaded expanse. The park encompasses a 2-mile trail, plus multiple multi-purpose athletic fields, a playground area, tennis courts and a volleyball court. Hoopers will enjoy Centennial Park for its multicourt, covered basketball pavilion, while anglers can drop a line or two at Lake Friendswood Park, which faces the regularly stocked, 33-acre Lake Friendswood.
The commercial nucleus of Friendswood lives along the thoroughfare of Gulf Freeway, where locals can enjoy the almost 1.5-million-square-foot Baybrook Mall, which has more than 170 stores, from Abercrombie & Fitch to Zumiez. The Baybrook Mall area has one of the area’s top-notch restaurants as well: Perry's Steakhouse & Grille. Part of a chain, Perry’s is known in part for its pork chop. “Perry’s is really popular as an upscale dining experience,” Chase says. There’s also a Walmart, Sam’s Club, H-E-B and more nearby.
Gulf Freeway parallels Interstate 45, a key transportation artery in the area. Locals can hop on I-45 to travel across the rest of the region. For example, I-45 can take commuters up to Downtown Houston in a trip of just about 20 miles.
Friendswood hosts several events over the year, but one of the biggest is the town’s Fourth of July celebration. This is an all-day affair, kicking off with a parade in the morning and followed by food and live entertainment at Stevenson Park and Centennial Park, before fireworks at Centennial. Stevenson Park also hosts outdoor concerts in May and June, and movies in the park in July and August.
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
