The energy industry drives this growing Houston suburb
“Small town charm with big city convenience” is how the up-and-coming city of Katy advertises itself. Named for the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (KT) Railroad, Katy evolved from a rice-farming community into a hub of the oil industry. It’s a 13-mile drive from Houston’s Energy Corridor, where over 300 oil and gas companies are headquartered. The Corridor’s BP and Shell headquarters are Katy’s top employers. The city is home to over 25,000 people, with over 4,000 moving there after 2019. This recent influx of residents has led to new shopping, dining, housing and parks. Katy’s most prized amenity is its top-rated school district, which has attracted hundreds of families with its acclaimed athletics, academic and arts programs. “It’s like that ‘Field of Dreams’ quote, ‘If you build it, they will come,’” says Charlie Russo, a Katy resident and a broker associate with Re/Max Signature. “We had the land, and it was already a phenomenal school district, so we just needed the people.”
Named after the "K-T Railroad," Katy has deep ties to its rail history.
Established in the late 1800s, Katy was a key stop for trains transporting crops and goods.
Katy's iconic silos stand as a tribute to its rich agricultural and rice-farming history.
La Centerra is the hotspot for community gatherings, shopping and dining.
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Friday Night Lights at the top-rated Katy High School
Katy families can send their children to the A-plus-rated Katy Independent School District, which Niche named the best school district in the Houston area. “Even people moving here from another state have heard of Katy for the school district,” says Jared Greenberg, who lives in Katy and is a Realtor with Keller Williams Premier Realty. “The biggest reason people move to Katy from Houston is because they want to have a family, and they want a better school district.” Katy High School, which has an A grade from Niche, is an academic and athletic powerhouse. The Katy Tigers have won nine state football championships, and the city holds an annual “Champions on the Square” event to honor the award-winning team. Katy is also home to Seven Lakes High School, which Niche named the best public high school in Fort Bend County and gave an A-plus score for its athletics, academics, and fine arts programs. College students can take advantage of the “Start in Katy, Finish in Katy” higher education program, which allows them to start an associate degree at the Houston Community College Katy Campus and then transfer to the University of Houston-Victoria at Katy to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Katy High School is a community of learners who are passionate in Houston.
Experience sports events at Katy's Legacy Stadium.
Seven Lakes High School in Houston is a vibrant hub where ambition takes flight.
Katy Elementary School, in Katy, TX, anchors the community with a legacy since 1898.
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Shopping and satay at Katy Asian Town
Since its grand opening in 1999, the Katy Mills shopping mall has been the largest retail center in the city. It is now home to 175 retail stores, a movie theater and two family-friendly attractions: Typhoon Texas Waterpark and Dig World. Katy Asian Town opened in 2018 next to the established UKaty Mall. It has since become a hot spot for East Asian restaurants and businesses, including the supermarket H Mart. Asian Town is home to Phat Eatery, a 2022 James Beard Award semifinalist specializing in Malaysian street food staples like chicken curry and satay, a type of grilled meat. Other long-standing restaurants include Midway BBQ and Snappy’s Café, both on the stretch of Highway Boulevard next to Katy High School. These restaurants have been open for decades and featured in local publications like Katy Magazine.
Katy Mills Mall features over 175 stores, offering a mix of outlet and retail shopping.
Families enjoy a splash-filled day at Typhoon Texas water park.
Snappy’s is a historic diner known for its hearty breakfasts and classic American fare.
Midway BBQ played a part in Katy’s history, tied to its agricultural roots.
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Established homes and recent construction in Katy
Katy has a mix of master-planned communities and traditional suburban neighborhoods. Cinco Ranch is one of the largest and most in-demand neighborhoods in the area, with thousands of homes and master-planned amenities like parks, pools and clubhouses. Grand Lakes, Seven Meadows and Kelliwood are some of Katy’s other sought-after communities due to their zoning to highly rated local schools like Seven Lakes High School. Housing across the city varies from 1,000-square-foot ranch properties to 4,000-square-foot new traditional-style homes. This wide range of residences starts at $150,000 and can go all the way up to $3 million, but the median home price is around $377,000. In 2024, the average Katy home sells in around 31 days, compared to 21 days in 2023. There were over 1,900 homes on the market in September 2024, a 7% increase from the previous month.
Cinco Ranch, a master-planned community, known for its excellent schools and parks.
Katy is home to a variety of traditional homes.
Single-story living in Cinco Ranch provides convenience and comfort.
Katy is a family-friendly community with excellent schools and safe neighborhoods.
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Swimming, strolling and summer fun at Peckham Park
Katy Parks and Recreation Department oversees 10 parks and organizes community events, including seasonal festivals and kids’ summer camps. Three of the city’s largest parks are conveniently located near the public library. Mary Jo Peckham Park is known for its large playground, miniature golf course and rainbow trout fishing at the Family Fishing Lake. The park’s Aquatic and Fitness Center opens in the summer and is free to use. The City of Katy Off-Leash Dog Park, complete with a wading pool and agility course, is attached to Peckham. Katy City Park is on the other side of Peckham Park and has multiple sports facilities for baseball, tennis and rugby.
Mary Jo Peckham Park in Katy is a serene haven for fishing enthusiasts.
Katy Dog Park provides a safe space for canine play.
Katy Park hosts youth sports leagues, fostering community engagement.
The park features sports fields, playgrounds, and walking trails.
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From community campouts to the Rice Harvest Festival
Katy puts its Wild West roots front and center. Its origins as a railroad town are the focus of the MKT Railroad Museum, a restored train depot that houses life-sized exhibits and a red caboose car. Less than a mile away, Katy Heritage Park preserves history with century-old homes surrounding an old-fashioned bandstand, which hosts an annual Christmas festival. The community comes alive at annual celebrations like the Katy Rice Harvest Festival, which celebrates the city’s history in the rice industry with live music, food trucks and craft vendors. Other events include the Katy Food Fest every March, the Wild West Brew Fest every April and community campouts in the spring and fall. In the early 20th century, Katy was called the “City of Churches” because of its high concentration of houses of worship. Today, there are still over 70 churches of multiple denominations in Katy.
Explore Katy's railroad history at the Railroad Museum.
The Katy Rice Harvest Festival is held annually in Historic Downtown Katy.
The Katy Heritage Museum connects residents and visitors to the city's rich past.
Katy is home to diverse churches, reflecting its growing and multicultural community.
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Plans for public transport from Harris County MTA
Katy residents can take Interstate 10 directly into the heart of Houston, about a 30-mile drive away. Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 45 miles away. Grand Parkway also connects larger western suburbs like Tomball and Sugar Land, each about 30 miles away. Most locals drive, but the Harris County MTA plans to create a new rapid-transit bus system between Houston and Katy by 2027.
Moderate risk of flooding near Houston
Flooding is a widespread problem for the Houston metro, leading Harris County to fund large floodplain and drainage projects. According to First Street, the city of Katy has a moderate risk of flooding, and 76.4% of all properties in Katy are at risk for flooding over the next 30 years. Many subdivisions have received large drainage upgrades to help with flooding. Katy is humid and hot throughout the year, especially during summer. Temperatures are usually in the 50’s between November and March, and the hottest months are between May and September, when it is in the 70’s and 80’s nearly every day.
Property crime and theft are the area’s most common crimes, according to FBI data from 2022. These incidents were most common around Katy’s parks and retail areas. In 2023, Donald Wine, the then-captain of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, shared Katy Magazine that despite Katy’s growing population, violent crime was down 4% — although he did note that sometimes residents hear gunfire during hog hunting season.
Written By
Delaney Murray
Photography Contributed By
Robert Pierce
Video By
Nathan Allen
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Meriam Shaw,
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 Katy, TX sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Katy, TX over the last 12 months is $340,990, down 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Located in desirable master planned Cinco Ranch! Walk to the exemplary elementary, parks, trails, pools, and so much more. Home is located with easy access to 99 and Westpark Toll Rd and I-10. Great commuting location to the city! Home offers new primary shower door, vinyl wood floors throughout main living area and a large private study located outside the primary bedroom. No back neighbors!
Kelley Brouillette
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties
Experience Luxury living in this exquisite 5 BR Home located in highly desirable, gated community! Soaring ceilings upon entry open this beautiful home. Formal dining upon entry perfect for hosting. Tile flooring, new interior painting & new wood floors. Office/flex room w/ French Doors. Spacious living room w/warming fireplace. Open, island kitchen is a chef's dream! Beautiful new granite
Experience luxury living in this stunning 5-bedroom Mediterranean home on a rare quarter-acre golf course lot in Avalon of Seven Meadows. Extensively updated & renovated in 2025, it showcases a grand double-door entry, soaring ceilings, spiral staircase, wood floors, & walls of windows with sweeping views. The chef’s kitchen features sleek white cabinetry, quartz counters, a massive island, & a
Welcome home to this charming one-story gem in the heart of Cinco Ranch! With 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a versatile bonus room, there’s plenty of space for work, play, or relaxation. You’ll love the oversized kitchen cabinets, gleaming granite countertops, and stainless-steel appliances in the open plan kitchen —perfect for cooking and entertaining! The spacious primary en-suite is a true retreat
Owner-Occupy, Live/Work, Investment Property, or Other on this 8.386 acres of land in the popular community of Katy, TX, just west of downtown Houston. Unrestricted Land Use allows for either Residential, Commercial, or both uses for this land just north of I-10 and west of SH-99 The Grand Pkwy. This property offers several existing residences with a 4,034SF updated Single-Family Residence (2001
Impeccable 2-story Highland home with charming lakeside views. Modern glass entry leads to impressive 2-story ceilings, grand staircase, and stunning corner fireplace. Ideal for hosting with open-plan layout, media and game rooms. Gourmet kitchen features double ovens and 5-burner gas cooktop. First-floor guest suite for convenience. Luxurious primary suite offers spa-like amenities. Additional
Welcome home to this charming one story nestled under shady trees in the heart of Cinco Ranch Southwest. This three bedroom, two bath home features an open layout with fresh flooring, abundant natural light, and a versatile flex space between the secondary bedrooms that is perfect for a home office, playroom, or reading nook. The kitchen offers rich cabinetry, granite counters, a gas range, and
Welcome to 22218 Blacktip Drive in the sought-after Lakes at Mason Park community of Katy! This beautifully updated single-story home features new wood-look tile flooring throughout and fresh interior paint, offering a bright and modern feel. The open layout includes a spacious family room, elegant formal dining, and a well-appointed kitchen with stainless steel appliances, rich cabinetry, and a
Over $117K of RECENT UPGRADES inc New Roof! Beautifully maintained home located in one of Katy’s most desirable communities, offering an ideal blend of comfort, functionality & style. Inviting curb appeal mixed with UPDATES THROUGHOUT, make for a perfect combination. Inside, the open-concept layout features bright, airy living spaces filled with natural light. The family room offers plenty of
Charlie Bingham
Nan & Company Properties - Corporate Office (Heights)
Welcome to your NextHome! This beautiful NextGen home is in the heart of Katy, zoned to highly sought after Katy ISD schools. Thoughtfully designed for multi-generational living, this flexible layout offers a total of four bedrooms and three full bathrooms. Included is a private suite with separate entrance, kitchen & living area; perfect for extended family, guests, or a home office. The open
Beautiful Waterstone home at the end of a quiet culdesac in great neighborhood. Incredibly well maintained one owner home. This move-in ready home is a stunning example of pride in ownership. Photos do not do this home justice. Conveniently nestled between Mason Rd., Morton Ranch Rd., and Grand Parkway. Extra large lot has giant back yard with plenty of room for a pool, playground, putting green,
George Harrington
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties
WELCOME HOME! This one of a kind former model home is located in a prestigous community with a LOW TAX RATE! This home sits on the perfect lot -no side neighbors & backs up to a cul-de-sac giving plenty of privacy! As you enter, you are greeted with an abundance of natural lighting & a 2-story grand foyer! There is a sizeable office with glass French doors off the entry! This home is equipped
Melanie Carson
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene - Champions
Welcome home to 2123 Gable Hollow Ln in the desirable Westgreen Park community of Katy! This beautifully maintained 5–6 bedroom, 3.5 bath home offers nearly 3,400 sq ft of living space on a premium corner lot zoned to top-rated KISD schools. Step inside to a bright, open layout with elegant tile and wood-style floors, soaring ceilings, and abundant natural light. The inviting kitchen features a
Beautiful 4-3.5-2 in Cinco Southwest. Recent updates include upgraded Vinyl Plank floors and a gorgeous custom-built Covered deck and extended patio. Absolutely no Carpet anywhere. Gourmet island kitchen, formal dining, breakfast area, game room up and master down. Beautifully tucked into a gorgeous cul-de-sac and corner lot next to a great green area. Very private and big back yard; perfect for
Discover this inviting and well-maintained home at 22411 Albee Drive. This home is designed for easy living, featuring a spacious layout that balances open social areas with cozy private spaces. The generous bedrooms and comfortable living areas provide a versatile floor plan that easily adapts to your needs, whether you are hosting a weekend gathering or enjoying a quiet evening in. Beyond the
Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac in the desirable Grand Lakes subdivision, this 4-bedroom, 3-bath home offers a peaceful setting with a thoughtful blend of comfort and functionality. Just off the entry, a private office with French doors provides an ideal space for remote work or study.The inviting main living area features an open layout that flows seamlessly into the kitchen, where you’ll
Winter Close out! End the winter season with this Katy/Cy-fair area Beauty. Warm up to this 2- story home with loads of amenities and recent renovations such as: Newly renovated kitchen with Corian counter tops, tiled backsplash, new kitchen cabinets with brushed silver hardware, complete stainless-steel appliance package with refrigerator included, breakfast bar, tile & laminate floors, recessed
Tucked at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac, this beautifully remodeled 4-bed, 2.5-bath home sits steps from a wooded trail that leads to a playground and soccer field—your own little slice of Cinco Ranch life. Inside, sunlight fills every corner, and you’ll love the NO-carpet layout: tile downstairs and warm wood floors upstairs. The family room with fireplace flows into a stunning kitchen with
This stunning 2-story home has been beautifully updated & is ready for you. The spacious open layout showcases modern design. Step inside to a light-filled dining room that seamlessly connects to a living room with a decorative fireplace. The open kitchen features a refrigerator, quartz counters, SS appliances, and a large island/breakfast bar for casual meals, all vinyl plank floors. The
Enjoy the comfort of a never-lived-in, move-in-ready home in the growing Winward community. This Lennar Hawthorn plan from the Cottage Collection offers a practical, well-designed layout with space to fit a variety of lifestyles. The main level features an open living area connected to the kitchen and dining space, creating a functional setting for everyday living. The primary suite on the first
Welcome to your dream home, with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths residence epitomizes modern style and functionally.Nestled in a thriving community, it features contemporary design, quality craftsmanship, ad an open floor plan.Outside enjoy a beautiful, landscaped yard and a coverage patio.Schedule a showing today.
* Furnished or unfurnished * Beautiful Two-Story Home in Hawks Landing. This stunning furnished two-story home features custom details and designer upgrades throughout. The formal dining room boasts a wood-beamed ceiling, while the spacious den is accented by a grand stone fireplace—ideal for family gatherings. The chef’s island kitchen offers granite countertops, stainless steel appliances,
***New carpet on the stairs; dryer included.***Welcome to this beautiful two-story home in the highly desirable Grand Lakes community! Featuring 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, this thoughtfully designed home offers 3 Bedrooms on the 1st floor, perfect for comfort and convenience.Step inside to an open, airy floor plan with a bright and welcoming kitchen showcasing granite countertops
Welcome to 3511 Heartland Key, a Spacious and Stunning Home! You'll definitely want to see this gorgeous 2-story 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath home in the heart of Katy. Inviting entry of brick & stone elevation with an extended covered front patio will lead you to your new home. A formal dining area highlighted with a tray ceiling and wrought iron staircase. A family room with a cozy fireplace. Master
MOVE-IN READY! ALL APPLIANCES INCLUDED - Immaculate 2-story home by Ashton Woods with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, including *Office/Study* on the main floor. Enjoy elegant flooring in the main areas, cozy carpet in the bedrooms, and a seamless flow from the stylish kitchen with stainless steel appliances to the expansive family room—ideal for entertaining or relaxing nights in. Upstairs features a
Welcome to 22314 Ivy Stone Court, a 2,577 sq ft home on a quiet cul-de-sac in highly rated Katy ISD. Built in 2001 and freshly updated with new paint and flooring, this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath property offers an open floor plan with spacious living areas and abundant natural light. The kitchen flows easily into the dining and family rooms, ideal for everyday living and entertaining. All bedrooms are
Since its establishment in the 1990s, Cinco Ranch has been a big name in Katy. This highly desirable planned community is packed with diverse homes and many amenities. Cinco Ranch is large enough that after an initial batch of homes was built in the 1990s, a new set of homes were added in the 2000s and 2010s. “Cinco Ranch was started in the east and then kept building west, sort of Manifest Destiny, if you will,” says Charlie Russo, a Broker Associate with Re/Max Signature. Southwest Cinco Ranch has all the access to the amenities in central Cinco Ranch and maintains its own parks, luxury pools and clubhouse that is always bustling with community activities. Combined with some of Houston’s best-rated schools and easy access to Houston’s most booming industries, Southwest Cinco West has been a premier location to live, work and play for decades.
Students can attend the Katy Independent School District, which Niche named the best school district in the Houston area. Some schools in the district include Bonnie Holland Elementary School, Seven Lakes Junior High School and Seven Lakes High School, which all have a Niche grade of A-plus. The Texas Education Agency has been named Seven Lakes High School a top-performing school for 18 years. Southwest Cinco Ranch is about 9 miles from both Houston Community College Katy Campus and the University of Houston-Victory at Katy.
Southwest Cinco Ranch is zoned to the Cinco Ranch II Homeowners Association, and this section of the community maintains tennis and pickleball courts, a lakeside clubhouse and four pools and water parks. “On the Southwest side, there’s more of waterpark type of features, which you don’t have in old Cinco because it wasn’t popular at the time it was built,” says Susan Hutson, a Realtor with CB&A Realtors and a Cinco Ranch resident of nearly 30 years. Southwest Cinco also has a dozen small neighborhood parks, and houses of worship like Trinity Baptist Church Katy on Spring Green Boulevard are located alongside these parks.
Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club, one of Katy’s many popular private courses, is conveniently located in the Seven Meadows section of Southwest Cinco Ranch. The club on Meadowbrook Farms Club Drive offers a par-72 course built into native wetlands and prairies.
Southpark at Cinco Ranch on Spring Green Boulevard is one of the most convenient local shopping centers and offers a Kroger within walking distance of Southwest Cinco Ranch. Further down the Westpark Tollway is Cross Creek Ranch, a larger shopping complex with a Walmart, clothing shops and several restaurants. Dulcédo Coffee Shop is one popular community gathering spot in Cross Creek Ranch. The shop serves up fresh cappuccinos and Italian sodas along with croissant sandwiches and bread pudding à la mode. The shopping complex also has a location for Local Table, a Houston chain that combines Southern favorites like fried chicken and short ribs with Mediterranean selections like gyros and kabobs.
As one of the more recent additions to Cinco Ranch, the Southwest area mainly has homes built in the 2000s and 2010s, which were constructed with Houston’s climate in mind. “A lot of people like older, established homes, but in older Cinco, many houses flooded during Harvey,” Hutson says. “The houses are built higher in Southwest, and most houses did not flood here, so there’s a definite difference.” Contemporary properties sport brick and stone exteriors and are surrounded by manicured yards decorated with mature trees, native shrubs and well-kept gardens. One of these homes cost between $500,000 to $800,000 on average. A luxury Southwest Cinco Ranch property may look like a Mediterranean-style mansion with multilevel terraces and scenic backyard lake views, or it might look like a spacious ranch home with up to two acres of land. Regardless of style, a luxury price tag in Southwest Cinco Ranch ranges from $1 million to $3 million. Southwest Cinco Ranch has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2, below the national average score of 4.
There are almost no easily accessible public transit options in Southwest Cinco Ranch, so most locals opt to drive throughout the community and into neighboring metros. Southwest Cinco Ranch is located along Westpark Tollway, and the Grand Parkway is along the eastern side of Cinco Ranch. The Grand Parkway connects to Interstate 10. These three highways provide routes to the Energy Corridor in Houston and the medical industry in Sugar Land, which are both within 20 miles of Southwest Cinco Ranch.
Scenic views make way for a calm and comfortable vibe in Falcon Landing. With lakefront living taking center stage, newer homes are making appearances throughout the area and showing that classic and contemporary can come together to create community.<br><br>Stately established homes surrounded by sprawling manicured lawns set the scene for living in Falcon Landing. Flourishing oak trees accent the yards, providing a taste of shade from the sun. Gated communities flaunt lake views, while the homes all over make a statement.<br><br>Traditional homes are the most prevalent, displaying inviting entryways accented with tall columns wrapping the home’s front patio. Contemporary brick homes are also popular, offering a modern take on classic designs. Given the varying sizes and styles, these homes tend to range from as low as the $300,000s to as high as the $900,000s. In the area known as The Sunterra, new builds are popping up featuring covered porches and back patios, priced in the $300,000s. Expansive multigenerational estates can also be found on acreage lots decorated with mature oaks offering guest houses/mother-in-law suites and private sports courts and fitness centers, ranging in price from $ 1.2 million to $2.8 million.<br><br>As part of the Katy Independent School District, students can attend Edna Mae Fielder Elementary School and Cinco Ranch Junior High School in preparation for Cinco Ranch High School. A National Blue Ribbon School, Cinco Ranch High is home to several state championships in track and field, wrestling, cheerleading, debate and robotics; Cinco Ranch holds an overall Niche grade of A-plus. The junior high school and Fielder Elementary both have an A.<br><br>Established for passive use, Willow Fork Park boasts 32 acres of land for residents to use as they see fit. The park also offers playgrounds for children, disc golf areas, boardwalks, a pedestrian bridge and free WiFi for public use. Officially registered as a Monarch Waystation by Monarch Watch, the park also houses a butterfly garden. Covering 44 acres, Nottingham Country Greenbelt Park is an excellent place for casual exercise with its 2 miles of trails and endless open greenspace. <br><br>Nearby, ALDI and Houston staple H-E-B are both available for your grocery run or to grab necessities for the home. If you’re not in the mood to cook, take the family to Local Table, where brunch, drinks and dessert are on the menu. Vegan options are also available. At Black Walnut Café, enjoy a variety of pasta, burgers and southern-inspired meals. The café now also offers a brand new cocktail menu.<br><br>A country club that’s a home away from home, The Club at Falcon Point affords members some highly desired relaxation when needed. Deemed a premier golf destination in Katy, The Club features an 18-hole championship course with a fantastic layout that creates an enjoyable experience for any player. Falcon Point also offers lighted tennis courts, state-of-the-art fitness centers and two pools — an Olympic-sized one for adults and a smaller one for children — that help beat the Houston heat. <br><br>Enjoy life’s comforts living in Falcon Landing.
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.