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Demographics
Facts Around Town
Location, Topography and a Mild Gulf Climate
 One of the many reasons residents believe in Baytown Best is a pleasant subtropical climate. Situated on the coastal plains of Texas, Baytown is located on the northern shore of Galveston Bay between the San Jacinto River on the west and the Trinity River on the east. Elevations range between 0 and 30 feet above sea level. The tidal bays of Baytown, which fan out into Galveston and Trinity bays, produce an abundance of marine life.
Baytown’s climate is dominated by the Gulf of Mexico. Prevailing Gulf winds make summer nights pleasant and keep harsh winter weather to the north. Summers in Baytown are warm, with average daily high temperatures in the mid 90s (F). Winters are mild, with daily high temperatures averaging 65 degrees (F). Snowfall is extremely rare.
Southeasterly winds from the Gulf interact with cooler continental air from the north to produce fairly consistent rainfall throughout the year. Plentiful sun and annual rainfall averaging four inches per month produce lush trees, flowers and an abundance of other vegetation. The annual local growing season lasts a remarkable 309 days.
Hustle, Bustle and a Thriving Business Community
As would be expected in a prosperous industrial community, the Baytown area is alive with thriving businesses. Retail sales have climbed each year and have exceeded $800 million annually. A two percent city sales tax helps keep the city budget balanced.
Shopping in Baytown ranges from quaint little shops and boutiques to one of the largest single-level shopping malls in the southwest. The 1.5 million-square-foot San Jacinto Mall, which houses major stores such as Foley’s, JCPenney, Sears, Marshall’s and Palais Royal, employs nearly 2,000 local residents.
 Baytown’s financial community comprises nine banks and five credit unions that serve the needs of business and industry as well as residents. All of these financial institutions are conveniently located within the city.
An active and progressive Chamber of Commerce, along with several trade and professional organizations, helps Baytown businesses thrive.
The city has one daily newspaper, one radio station and cable television. The Baytown community is also served by the Houston media.
By Land, Air and Sea
Baytown is strategically located to offer the best of all possible worlds for transporting industrial products. Over-the-road transportation is facilitated by the city’s location on Interstate 10, a major highway across the southern United States that provides easy access to major north and south arteries.
Ready access to the many chemical processing plants along the Houston Ship Channel is provided by the Fred Hartman Bridge which accommodates approximately 200,000 cars daily. The new eight-lane bridge across the Houston Ship Channel has instantly accessed Baytown to every major trucking line serving the Houston area.
The city’s strategic location along the Houston Ship Channel and Trinity Bay provides access to the Port of Houston, one of the major ports of the world. The country’s first and largest multi-site Foreign Trade Zone is operated at the port, affording international shippers such benefits as reduced inventory carrying costs and deferred customer payments. The presence of the Foreign Trade Zone offers further proof to the entire area’s commitment to the success of business and industry.
Baytown is served by Union Pacific rail lines.
Baytown is located near two private airports, as well as two of the most efficient and widely used airports in the country. Bush Intercontinental Airport is located to the north of the city, and William P. Hobby Airport is located southeast of Houston.
 Twenty-three airlines serve Intercontinental Airport, including ten international lines. Ten of the 23 airlines offer all-cargo service, and 55 U.S. cities and 32 cities in 16 foreign countries are provided with non-stop service from Intercontinental Airport. The runways range from 6,000 to 12,000 feet in length, and the airport provides more than 10,000 parking spaces.
Twelve airlines fly in and out of Hobby Airport, two offering all-cargo service. Non-stop service to 25 U.S. cities originates at Hobby, and more than 3,700 parking spaces are available. The runways at Hobby range from 4,500 to 7,600 feet in length.
The commute from Baytown into Houston is the easiest among all of Houston’s surrounding communities. The two major access arteries, Interstate 10 and Highway 225, are easily approached from the Fred Hartman Bridge.
Those who prefer the more relaxed pace of water travel can take the oldest operating ferry in Texas. The Lynchburg Ferry, which began operations in 1824, still shuttles passengers across the mouth of the San Jacinto River at no cost.
Steady, Motivated and Well-Trained People
Baytown is Best because of its people. One of the city’s major strengths in attracting new business and industry has always been its dedicated, capable workforce. A pro-business attitude permeates the community, and workers are eager to do their jobs and do them well.
Baytown offers a mix of both union and non-union labor, and labor/management relations have been historically sound. Both highly skilled and unskilled laborers are readily available. There is ready access to local construction and maintenance shops.
In 1985, Baytown’s population numbered 59,460. With a projected population of more than 75,000 by the year 2010, Baytown’s workforce will be able to keep pace with anticipated business and industrial growth in the area.
The current total local workforce numbers approximately 40,000. More than 75 percent of all males in Baytown over the age of 16, and nearly half the females over 16, have joined the workforce.
Recent figures indicate that approximately 27 percent of Baytown’s workforce is employed in manufacturing, 23 percent in service, 16 percent construction and 14 percent in retail. The remainder of the workforce is employed in finance, insurance, real estate, agriculture, transportation, trade, communications, utilities and government.
Committed, Responsive and Thoughtful Government Officials
Baytown has a stable local government consisting of a city manager and city council. Council members are elected from six districts. The mayor, who sits on the council, is also elected by the city’s residents.
Approximately 500 of Baytown’s 68,000 residents are employed in departments of the city government, which includes various administrative branches, as well as the police and fire department, and departments of public works, parks and recreation, planning and traffic, health and civil defense. Sterling Municipal Library, which houses a meeting room available for civic and cultural groups, is also a part of the city government.
Among the many responsibilities of Baytown’s municipal government is providing modern water, sewer, and sanitation services. Baytown’s ongoing commitment to providing and maintaining an exceptional living environment for its residents was made even more evident when the city recently was placed among the top three in a clean city competition.
The Baytown Police and Fire Departments maintain their skills by continuing education and training. In addition, both departments receive continuous training in all types of emergencies and are highly skilled in handling such situations. The Baytown Police Department operates its own Police Academy which serves regional law enforcement.
Baytown has a balanced economy with the valuation on all city property totaling more than $2.1 billion.
Baytown’s city government is responsive to the needs of both business and residents, and it is progressive in its planning for the future.
Incentives, Low Taxes and a Cooperative Attitude
The Baytown Economic Development Foundation has been established to ensure that Baytown is the best move for your business. We have seen the value of industry in our community and are committed to building on our already strong base.
Baytown has numerous attractions for business and industry. The community has literally grown up with industry. We have a ready and able local workforce. Our access to the Port of Houston, two major commercial airports, two private airports, virtually every major trucking line, and two major rail lines make transportation convenient and easy. In addition, the city’s proximity to Houston offers many advantages for local business and industry.
Intense competition to attract business and industry requires that we offer much more than our competitors. Developing attractive incentives and assisting business and industry is the major function of the Baytown Economic Development Foundation. The cooperation of local elected officials has greatly enhanced our efforts to attract new business and industry to the area.
A few of the many areas in which we can facilitate your move to Baytown are –
Site Location
We know our community and its resources. We can help you locate a site or an existing structure that will fulfill your needs.
Financial Assistance
Because the foundation comprises individuals from every segment of the Baytown community, we can help you find the type of financing you need. We are able to work closely with you to obtain favorable financing arrangements for government entities and conventional lenders. Whether you need fixed asset financing, working capital, development financing or venture capital, we can help you obtain it at the lowest possible interest rate. We realize your success determines our success.
Low Taxes
The State of Texas has no personal or corporate income tax. Neither does the City of Baytown. Local tax rates are comparable to similar communities along the upper Texas Gulf Coast. For major employers, city and county officials are amenable to working per-case plans for tax abatement.
Business Consultation
The foundation stands ready to assist both new and existing companies in solving any problem encountered. Acting directly with Lee College Small Business Development Center or as a clearinghouse, the foundation is able to marshal resource programs and people to meet the needs of local business.
Job Training
Comprehensive job training, retraining and updating programs specially suited to industry are available. Programs include instruction, training and cost subsidization.
It’s our job to make your job easier and to make Baytown your best move!
| Population and Retail Sales Comparisons (2007 Estimates) |
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Total |
|
General |
|
|
Furniture/ |
|
|
| City |
Population |
Estimated |
Merchandise |
Food |
Auto |
Appliances |
Eat/Drink |
Total Retail |
| |
1/1/07 |
Households |
$000 |
$000 |
$000 |
$000 |
$000 |
Sales $000 |
| Baytown |
72,633 |
25,767 |
364,917 |
172,849 |
255,073 |
23,694 |
186,910 |
2,132,980 |
| Port Arthur |
55,424 |
21,170 |
242,407 |
118,676 |
147,031 |
15,244 |
128,005 |
1,429,860 |
| Galveston |
59,285 |
24,359 |
309,355 |
149,048 |
186,056 |
19,703 |
161,297 |
1,823,293 |
| Texas City |
44,328 |
16,367 |
212,117 |
101,268 |
129,720 |
13,634 |
109,377 |
1,241,876 |
| Temple |
55,050 |
22,535 |
306,565 |
148,281 |
188,974 |
20,275 |
160,600 |
1,834,580 |
Effective Buying Comparisons |
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2007 Total |
2007 Median |
2007 Effective Buying Income |
| |
Average |
Household |
Percent of Households by EBI Group |
| City |
Household |
Effective Buying |
|
|
|
|
| |
Expenses ($) |
Income ($) |
$15,000-24,999 |
$25,000-34,999 |
$35,000-49,999 |
$50,000+ |
| Baytown |
46,827 |
49,433 |
14.3 |
10.5 |
15.3 |
49.5 |
| Port Arthur |
38,148 |
31,133 |
15.3 |
11.5 |
14.3 |
31.8 |
| Galveston |
42,360 |
34,608 |
14.5 |
12.4 |
15.5 |
34.2 |
| Texas City |
42,900 |
43,940 |
14.5 |
13.1 |
13.5 |
44.4 |
| Temple |
46,089 |
43,782 |
12.0 |
12.2 |
17.2 |
43.4 |
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