With a name like Pearland, it may be no surprise that this city, established in 1895, was once known for its abundance of fruit farming, where — yes — pears were grown. Pearland remained agricultural until the discovery of oil nearby in the 1930s. Today, its proximity to Houston, about 20 miles away, has resulted in a population boom; about 127,000 residents make their home here, a significant increase over the 2010 Census population of 91,000.
A big draw of this city is its suburban comforts. Homes and lots are bigger than in Houston's inner loop, where vertical living is common. "Further south, away from Houston, the more you get for your money," says DeAnna Roberts, a former Pearland resident and Realtor at Pfg/Penn Real Estate. "And the good thing is they just expanded the highway and widened it, so it's huge now. Highway 288, which runs from Pearland to downtown [Houston], is a straight shot." Pearland also appeals to homebuyers with its many parks and highly rated schools.
Many Pearland residents work in healthcare, education and manufacturing, with Memorial Hermann Pearland and Pearland Medical Center being major employers. They can also commute to Houston for work, just 20 miles north.
Pearland Town Center is the shopping destination for many Silvercreek residents.
Pearland residents can play golf year round at nearby courses like Pearland Golf Club.
With its proximity to downtown Houston and its space, Pearland attracts many new residents.
Pearland residents has access to world-class healthcare at HCA Houston Heathcare.
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Pearland's ball fields and birdwatching spots
Trust for Public Land estimates that 30 percent of Pearland’s residents can walk to a park in 10 minutes. The city lies in the North American Central Flyway, making Pearland a premier birdwatching region. The Shadow Creek Ranch Nature Trail has paved pathways and an observation deck for viewing avian species like the Sandhill Crane, Red Shouldered Hawks and Herring Gulls. Nearly 2 miles of trails wrap around the 87-acre John Hargrove Environmental Complex, where there are two large ponds, three educational nature facilities and rookeries supporting hundreds of waterbirds. The Sports Complex at Shadow Creek Ranch hosts youth soccer, football and baseball leagues. There are also two dog parks and a number of neighborhood parks with playgrounds in the city. Golfers can choose from several private and public courses, including the Pearland Golf Club, a public 18-hole course.
Two men enjoy a round of golf at the Pearland Golf Club in Pearland.
Discover various bird species at the rookeries at John Hargrove Environmental Complex.
The Sports Complex at Shadow Creek Ranch has open fields for various sports in Pearland.
The Sports Complex at Shadow Creek Ranch is a large complex hosting various sports.
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Local artists contributed to the city's Pear-Scape Trail
While Pearland is only a short drive from Houston's Museum District, it also has its own vibrant arts and culture scene. The Pearland Alliance for Arts and Culture and the Pearland Arts League (PAL) work to support the fine arts. Both contributed to the city's Pear-Scape Trail, a collection of painted pear sculptures created by local artists. Pearland is also home to one of Texas's most unique cultural centers. The Sri Meenakshi Hindu Temple is open to visitors to experience the only temple of its kind outside of India. Dedicated to the goddess of marriage, Meenakshi, the complex has four temples, shrines to various Hindu deities and a peacock sanctuary on the grounds.
Sri Meenakshi Hindu Temple in Pearland is a beautiful shrine for the local Hindu community.
The Amphitheater at Tom Bass Regional Park hosts concerts in Houston.
Quirky pear art installations can be found in the South Fork/Mary's Creek area.
The mural in and around the tunnel along the berm boasts vibrant colors in Pearland.
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Farmers markets and global dining options in Pearland
Restaurants, local boutiques, thrift stores and bigger retail stores line major roads in Pearland. Pearland Town Center features chains and department stores like Dillard's and Macy's. The mall hosts year-round events including car shows and food festivals. During Pearland Restaurant Week each November, restaurants across the city whip up curated menus. The Boutique Shop & Hop takes place twice a year, encouraging locals to explore small businesses by getting prize-winning stamps on their "passports." There are several farmers markets in the city including the Old Pearland Farmers Market, open Saturdays year-round.
Fresh produce, locally grown, is available for purchase at Old Pearland Farmers Market.
Shoppers enjoy the variety of name-brand stores located at Perland Town Center near Silvercreek.
At Pearland Town Square, locals explore outdoor shops for leisure and shopping.
Pearland residents have close access to great dining options throughout the city.
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Planned communities in one of Houston’s largest suburbs
Brick neo-traditional homes and rambling ranch styles are common across Pearland. The majority are single-family homes, but the city has a small selection of townhouses. Homebuyers will find everything from planned subdivisions to country homes on acreage. Pearland is also growing in its master-planned communities (MPCs). At around 3,500 acres, Shadow Creek Ranch is currently the largest: Over 150 of its acres are devoted to neighborhood parks, playgrounds, recreational facilities and a large water park. It features nearly 13,000 residential housing units, including single-family homes, apartments and senior housing. The community's location on Pearland's west side is also appealing, as it's closer to downtown Houston. In general, Roberts says west Pearland is seeing more new construction than east Pearland, aka "old Pearland." The city's median home price is around $375,000, higher than the Houston's median home price of $320,000 but on par with the state of Texas.
Pearland has some beautiful new track homes available.
Homebuyers in Pearland can choose from single-story ranchers from the 1960’s and 70’s.
Townhomes are great options for those looking to downsize in South Fork/Mary's Creek.
Custom builds have popped up all over silverlake.
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Texas State Highway 288 passes through Pearland
Pearland sits southeast of Houston, and is close to Beltway 8, the city's outer loop. "Pearland is in the middle of the Houston area, so it's easy to access different parts of the city," says Patrick Lee, a Realtor with Dreams Come True Realty with over 30 years of experience. Texas State Highway 35 and 288 run north to south through Pearland and connect with downtown Houston. Public transit options are lacking in the city, so most residents drive. Pearland piloted a park-and-ride program in 2019 that took locals into downtown Houston, but it ended in 2020 after not meeting passengers' expectations. Recently, the Pearland West Library collected community feedback to create the Pearland Transit Study Presentation 2024. Some of it was centered around a desire for pedestrian connectivity and robust park-and-ride services. William P. Hobby Airport, which offers domestic and international flights, is about 8 to 10 miles north of Pearland’s city center.
Multiple well-rated school districts including Pearland ISD
The city is zoned to several school districts. The Pearland Independent School District, ranked A-plus by Niche, began in 1894 as a one-room schoolhouse serving 23 students. Today, the district has 23 campuses and over 21,000 learners. Alvin ISD, rated A-minus, serves 29,000 students, making it the largest school district in Brazoria County. The A-rated Clear Creek and Fort Bend ISDs are also zoned for small parts of the city. Pearland's higher education options include The University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland, Chamberlain University and Alvin Community College.
Silvercrest Elementary School in Houston welcomes young minds with open arms.
Pearland Junior High West earned a high A grade from Niche.
Pearland High School is one of the larger schools in the South Fork/Mary's Creek area.
University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland offers graduate and undergraduate programs.
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Environmental factors and crime in Pearland
Overall, crime in Pearland is lower than in other towns and cities across Texas. According to the Pearland Police Department’s annual report for 2022, the highest crime category was property crime, with 2,138 reported incidences. There were only 118 violent crimes reported. The police department prevents crime through community outreach. Its teen academy helps youth learn the ins and outs of police work. It also offers self-defense classes for women.
Pearland can experience flooding, including flash flooding during torrential rain and hurricanes. The city sends instant alerts through text messages, emails, and phone calls to help citizens stay ahead of inclement weather and prepare for emergencies.
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