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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Martha McCumpsey,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Friendswood, TX sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Friendswood, TX over the last 12 months is $410,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Immaculate 1.5-story home in sought-after West Ranch, offering 4 bedrooms, a private office, and 3 full baths—all on the main level. Upstairs, enjoy a spacious game room, media room, and an additional full bath—perfect for guests, multigenerational living, or long-term visitors. The gourmet island kitchen features granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a walk-in pantry, and bar seating,
Original Owners with no back neighbors in the sought-after West Ranch Community! Move-in just in time for summer! This property combines luxury and functional design, offering 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms plus an office with french doors downstairs. Upstairs is a separate bedroom or gameroom with a full bathroom for privacy. No wasted space on the square footage. Formal dining next to the kitchen
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 charming colonial-style home features five spacious bedrooms and three and a half well-appointed bathrooms, ideal for families or those needing extra space. Nestled on a large lot, the property boasts an oversized garage, providing ample storage and parking. The classic architecture is complemented by a welcoming front porch and well-maintained landscaping, making it a perfect blend of
This stunning two-story home in Westwood offers 4 bedrooms, an office (or optional 5th), 3 baths, and a 3-car tandem garage. Soaring ceilings and abundant natural light create an inviting atmosphere. The gourmet kitchen features custom cabinetry, quartz counters, a farmhouse sink, and stainless steel appliances. The first-floor primary suite boasts a spa bath with dual vanities, a soaking tub,
This beautifully maintained 2-bedroom, 2-bath, 2-car garage home offers an inviting open-concept living, kitchen, and dining area perfect for comfortable living and entertaining. The kitchen and breakfast area feature hardwood floors. Two bedrooms are located off the main living area. The primary suite has a walk-in clost, and spacious shower. The secondary bath features a tub/shower combination.
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.
