Located in the southeastern coastal plains of Texas, just west and southwest of Houston, Fort Bend County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. Real estate developers are rapidly transforming the landscape and economy of the county.
Once a rural farming area, Fort Bend County is now evolving into a mix of bedroom communities for Houston commuters and master-planned neighborhoods to accommodate new industrial and service industry growth.
Currently, Fort Bend County has 287 residential neighborhoods with homes under construction. Home prices ranging from $289,900 to over $1 million.
This rapid development is enveloping rural communities, changing the face of these areas into bustling suburban enclaves. Drivers along rural county roads often encounter brand-new gated communities amidst cow pastures and cotton fields.
The county seat, Richmond, is located on the Brazos River. Spanning 869 square miles, the county’s terrain is generally flat with some rolling hills. Soil varies from sandy loam to clay, especially in the fertile river valleys.
The Brazos River, once a vital commercial waterway, has now become a scenic area lined with parks and residential developments due to silting.
Neighboring Rosenberg, founded at the junction of two railroads, has outgrown Richmond in population. Located west of Richmond, Rosenberg has expanded its extraterritorial jurisdiction over a significant portion of the remaining unincorporated county land. As Houston’s population continues to spill over, Rosenberg is poised to become a major Texas city.
Several recreational parks along the Brazos River are in development, adding to the county’s appeal. The San Bernard River forms the western boundary of the county, with numerous small streams feeding both rivers.
Fort Bend County’s commercial mineral resources include oil, natural gas, sulfur, gravel, sand, and clay. While many old oil fields dot the landscape, most remaining fields now primarily produce natural gas.
Agriculture, including cotton, rice, and corn, remains significant, though residential construction is encroaching on farmland in the eastern and northern parts of the county. Numerous planned communities are emerging, particularly near major highways.
The county receives over 45 inches of rainfall annually, though tropical storms and hurricanes can significantly increase this amount. Major highways serving the county include Interstate 10, Interstate 69 (formerly I59), and the Grand Parkway, which is being developed as a partial loop around the west side of the Houston metro area.
Fort Bend County’s transformation from a rural area to a suburban hub reflects the growth of Houston’s bedroom communities in recent decades. This shift has brought master-planned communities, office parks, and revitalization projects to formerly shrinking small towns, significantly altering the county’s demographic and political landscape.