Pasadena, Texas, is a city located within the expansive Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. With a population that ranks it as the twentieth most populous city in the state, Pasadena also claims the title of second-largest city in Harris County. The area was established in 1893 by John H. Burnett, a Galveston native who was inspired by the verdant landscape and chose to name the area after Pasadena, California.
Pasadena became predominantly a blue-collar suburb of Houston during the 21st century.
The area of northwestern Pasadena was hit by a tornado 24, 2023. The tornado caused significant damage to numerous neighborhoods and apartment complexes. Fortunately, there were no significant injuries or deaths reported as a result of this tornado. The tornado then continued its path, impacting Deer Park and Baytown, Texas.
The city boasts a total area of 44.5 square miles, comprising 44.2 square miles of land and 0.4 square miles (0.81%) of water, according to the United States Census Bureau. The city’s northern border is defined by the Houston Ship Channel (Buffalo Bayou / San Jacinto River), while its southeastern edge meets Galveston Bay.
The weather in this region is marked by sweltering summers and relatively mild winters, with a pleasant climate during the cooler months.
The following neighborhoods are located in Pasadena, Texas: Allendale, Bayport, Baywood Oaks, Baywood Shadows, Brookwood, Burke Meadows, Burkeshire (citation needed), Clear Lake City (Pasadena), Country Meadows, Deepwater, El Jardin del Mar, Golden Acres, Old Downtown, Parkland Village, Parkview Estates, Parkview Manor, Parkview South, Pasadena River Oaks, Red Bluff Terrace, Turtle Creek, Village Grove East, Village Grove East Townhomes, Village Grove, and Vista Villas.
According to the 2020 United States census, the city was home to 151,950 individuals, 48,174 households, and 36,201 families. This represents a slight increase from the 2010 census, which recorded a population of 149,043. The city also had 54,712 housing units, according to the 2010 census.
Pasadena’s economy is driven by a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas exploration, refining, and petrochemical processing. The city is also home to a thriving solar panel manufacturing sector, as well as significant maritime and aerospace industries. The city’s proximity to the Houston Ship Channel and Bayport shipping terminal, as well as the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in the nearby Clear Lake Area, contribute to its economic vitality. Additionally, the Pasadena Refining System, a joint venture between Petrobras and Astra Holding USA, is headquartered in the city.
The following employers have a significant number of employees in Pasadena, Texas:
* Pasadena Independent School District: 8,330 employees
* SGS Petroleum Service Corp.: 2,500 employees
* The Boeing Company: 2,000 employees
* Mundy Company: 1,921 employees
* University of Houston-Clear Lake: 1,548 employees
* Shell Chemical: 1,500 employees
* San Jacinto College: 1,367 employees
* Bayshore Medical Center: 1,210 employees
* Lyondell Chemical Co.: 1,150 employees
* City of Pasadena: 1,056 employees
Within the city, there exists a police department that consists of around 282 Officers, led by a Police Chief, three Assistant Chiefs, and other supervisory roles. The Pasadena Volunteer Fire Department holds the distinction of being the largest municipal fire department operated by volunteers in the entire United States.
Pasadena boasts a rich cultural scene, with a variety of museums such as the Pasadena Historical Museum, the Bay Area Museum, and the Armand Bayou Nature Center. The city also enjoys a thriving community theater, an annual rodeo, and the renowned Pasadena Philharmonic. Staying informed about local events and news is easy with the Pasadena Citizen, the city’s very own newspaper.
The city of Pasadena operates two library facilities: the Main Library, located at 1201 Jeff Ginn Memorial Drive, and the Fairmont Library branch, situated at 4330 Fairmont Parkway, between Panama Street and Watters Road.
Pasadena’s recreational facilities are available to local residents and include 47 parks, 5 swimming pools, 5 game room buildings, a museum, a recreation center, 15 tennis courts, and 21 ball fields. These amenities offer opportunities for physical activity, social gatherings, and community engagement.
Pasadena benefits from the presence of three freeway networks. The Pasadena city limits are located closest to Interstate 45, which serves as a nearby interstate. The primary freeway route is the Pasadena Freeway, also known as State Highway 225. Another significant freeway, the east side of the Sam Houston Tollway, known as Beltway 8, passes through the eastern part of the city.
The Plaza Paseo Mall in Texas serves as a hub for the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County’s park & ride service. In collaboration with Harris County and the city of Pasadena, METRO has expanded its services to include additional trips during peak hours. Specifically, METRO offers four morning trips and five afternoon trips. Moreover, Harris County Transit operates a bus route that passes through various locations in the city, including health centers, shopping centers, colleges, and other popular destinations, with convenient connections to nearby cities. The Park and Ride lot in Pasadena is situated on the north side of the mall, providing easy access for commuters.
The Harris County Youth Village, a facility for juvenile detention, is situated in the southernmost part of Pasadena, although its mailing address is registered in Seabrook.
Pasadena, Texas, has been home to a diverse array of notable individuals throughout its history. Ray Barnhart, a former state representative and director of the Federal Highway Administration, once called Pasadena home. Emily Chan, a talented figure skater and 2016 junior national champion, has ties to the city. Infamous serial killer Dean Corll lived and died in Pasadena, while political activist Brandon Darby and former San Diego Padres pitcher Donnie Elliott were both born there. Marlen Esparza, an Olympic bronze medalist in women’s boxing, and Jacob Green, an All-American football player for Texas A&M and the Seattle Seahawks, were both born in Pasadena. Actor Russell Harvard, known for his roles in There Will Be Blood and Fargo, is also a Pasadena native. Mike McKinney, a former state representative and chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, and Gilbert Pena, another former state representative, have both called Pasadena home. Robert Talton, a former state representative, was born in Pasadena, and Duane Walker, a former outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds, rounds out the list of notable individuals with ties to the city.
Hadano city has been gifted “friendship gardens” by the community police outreach of Pasadena.