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?
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Agents Specializing in this Area
CARRIE NELSON
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene - Bay 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 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Friendswood, TX over the last 12 months is $457,182, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Tucked in the quiet Melodywood cul-de-sac community & zoned to highly rated FISD, this spacious two-story 6-bedroom home boasts plenty of space & a tropical backyard oasis! The main level features a dedicated office with walls of built-ins, a formal dining room with designer lighting, & a sunlit family room with a painted brick fireplace & a wall of windows with pool views. The kitchen boasts
This beautifully renovated, turn-key home in sought-after FISD is ready for new owners. Extensive updates include a new HVAC system, new windows, soft-close custom cabinetry, new flooring throughout, new appliances, fresh interior and exterior paint, and all new interior and exterior doors. The open-concept living, dining, and kitchen area welcomes you with warm tones and a functional layout
Gorgeous 4-bedroom, 3.5 bath estate home in highly sought-after Forest of Friendswood boasts beautiful finishes, a 1/1 garage apartment over the 3-car garage, & a pool surrounded by rock waterfalls & an oversized lot with a park-like feel & nice shed! Step inside to find a grand foyer with handsome wood floors & sunlit windows dressed with plantation shutters, flanked by an elegant dining room &
WOW! PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP THROUGHOUT THIS WELL MAINTAINED ONE STORY VILLAGE BUILDERS VALENCIA 4 BEDROOM 3 BATH BEAUTY WITH INGROUND HEATED POOL, NO BACK NEIGHBORS, AND HUGE WELL-BUILT STORAGE BUILDING. 10" CEILINGS AND CROWN MOULDING THROUGHOUT WITH A 17' COFFERED CEILING IN DEN, SOLID WOOD DOORS WITH BALDWIN DOOR KNOBS, REPLACED DOUBLE PANED EASY CLEAN WINDOWS EXCEPT FOR TWO UPPER LEVEL LAMINATED
Exquisite custom-built ranch-style home on an oversized lot, in prestigious Northfield Estates. Surrounded by the Forest of Friendswood and offering total privacy w/ no back neighbors. This elegant one-story design showcases soaring ceilings, travertine flooring, and open living spaces filled w/ natural light. A grand foyer leads to a private study w/ French door, formal dining, and a spacious
BIG 4/3.5/2 VILLAGE BUILDERS BEAUTY ON A DOUBLE CUL-DE-SAC STREET WITH LOADS OF UPDATES AND REPLACED ITEMS. KITCHEN HAS 6 BURNER VIKING GAS COOKTOP AND ZEPHER SS RANGE HOOD WITH LIGHTING AND WASHABLE SS FILTERS. CABINETS FEATURE SOFT-CLOSE DOORS AND DRAWERS AND UNDERMOUNT LIGHTING. ALL 3 FULL BATHS HAVE BEEN REMODELED WITH FRAMELESS SHOWER GLASS, HALF BATH DOWN WITH ON-COUNTER BOWL SINK. RECENT
Gorgeous remodel with beautiful interior and a *POOL*! New cabinetry, flooring, paint, doors. The kitchen boasts quartz countertops, stainless oven, microwave and refrigerator! The baths are luxurious with free-standing soaking tub and even led shower light! Office/study at the front of the home (or downstairs game room!), large dining off the kitchen. The gourmet kitchen opens to the family room
Norman Frenk
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene - Bay Area
This Pearland beauty in Sunset Meadows subdivision is full of entertaining space with with a Flexible Floor Plan. The home is a Beautiful 3-Bedroom + an optional 4th bedroom! The spacious 19x15 enclosed upstairs room offers endless possibilities and can easily be converted into a 4th bedroom with the addition of a closet. Its huge can easily be used as a craft room, kids play room, office, study,
In the heart of Friendswood and zoned to top-rated FISD, this move-in ready, 5-bedroom home offers space, functionality, and thoughtful updates. When you’re working from home, raising kids, or entertaining friends, there’s room to live well — inside and out.Downstairs, a spacious primary suite has a large bonus area to create a home office, nursery, or fitness space. The updated kitchen flows
4+/2.5/2 BEAUTY IN THE HIGHLY DESIRABLE FRIENDSWOOD ISD. SITUATED ON AN OVER 1 ACRE WOODED LOT THAT EXTENDS TO COWARD'S CREEK, WITH SERENE VIEWS. HOME FEATURES REPLACED AND ADDED LIGHTING, FRESH PAINT, BIG BEDROOMS, AND AN EXTRA/FLEX ROOM THAT COULD BE A HOME GYM. GAME ROOM, OR EXTRA BEDROOM. KITCHEN BOASTS QUARTZ COUNTER TOPS, STAINLESS APPLIANCES, AND PAINTED CABINETS. A STUDY SITS AT THE FRONT
Welcome to Friendswood living! This charming 4-bedroom, 2-bath home blends classic character with thoughtful updates. Roof and freshly painted in 2025, it’s ready for move-in peace of mind. The open living and dining areas create an inviting flow, perfect for entertaining or relaxing after a busy day. The kitchen includes the refrigerator—making settling in even easier. Enjoy a spacious backyard
This home is a perfect blend of luxury, functionality, and community, ready for you to move in and enjoy. A flexible floor plan beginning with solid wood floors and tile throughout the main living areas. The roof was installed in 2025 and an effortless tankless water heater, offers peace of mind. Host with ease in the Formal Dining Room and the Sitting Room can also function as a home office as
Serene primary suite and an open floor plan flooded with natural light! This stunning detached townhome blends modern style with everyday functionality, designed to impress from the moment you step inside. The main floor offers a bright and open layout where the kitchen seamlessly flows into the dining and family areas, creating a natural gathering space for entertaining or enjoying daily life.
The Jade is a sprawling one-story plan that offers open living spaces and style at every turn. Beyond the foyer you enter a spacious open area with both a formal and casual dining room, as well as a gathering room open to the kitchen that is perfect for a large family or entertaining. The owner's entry is a great place to drop the day’s baggage before entering the heart of the home. Double doors
The Webster plan is a one-story home featuring 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and 2 car garage. The gourmet kitchen includes beautiful counter tops, stainless steel appliances and open concept floorplan with the kitchen opening to the dining room and family room that has a gas log fireplace. The master suite features an attractive master bath built with separate tub and shower and large walk-in closet.
Great, Highly Desired Friendswood Schools, wonderful location, HUGE FENCED YARD! This is a perfect location, very nice, CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathrooms, large open living/dining area. Renwick Park is located just beyond the backyard, and you have an easy access gate for the kids to go to and from school as well. Home is available NOW, call and book your appointment today, this
SINGLE STORY HOUSE WITH 3 BEDROOMS AND 2BATH LAMINATE FLOOR THRU OUT THE HOUSE EXCEPT WET AREA. WET AREA HAS TILE . EXCELLENT SCHOOLS, CUTE SIGNE STORY HOUSE
Nicely updated 2 bedroom, 2 bath single story townhouse with 2-car garage. Features include updated bathrooms, hard surface floors throughout and corner fireplace in the family room. Refrigerator, and range included. Indoor laundry closet will accommodate a full size washer and electric dryer. Private courtyard with slider door access from both bedrooms. Family room overlooks community tennis
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