Hempstead is a growing town on the edge of Houston’s Metro Area
Hempstead is a small Texas city undergoing a boom in new developments. The grocery store chain H-E-B purchased 500 acres of land for a new distribution campus and the construction equipment dealer Mustang Cat is scheduled to build a new $30 million, 185,000 square foot headquarters. “[H-E-B] and Mustang Cat mean more jobs for people, which is always a good part of it, and there are lots of new subdivisions going in and around town, so growth is always good for our community,” says Katy Collette, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties, who has over 15 years of experience.
Lower-priced homes with no HOA presence
Home architecture can vary from cottage and ranch styles to New Traditionals. The median home price is $207,000, lower than the national and state medians. However, prices can climb above $1 million. Collette says there is no HOA activity in Hempstead. Properties closer to downtown are on gridded streets with smaller lots and oak trees accenting lawns. Collette notes that the community is attracting a mix of families and commuters who work in the Houston Metro Area.
The Hempstead Independent School District oversees public schools
The Hempstead Independent School District earns a C-minus on Niche. Out-of-district transfers are allowed via application. Students can start at Hempstead Elementary and continue to Hempstead Middle, with both earning C-minuses. Hempstead High has a C and offers career programs in culinary arts, plant science and agricultural technology. Prairie View A&M University is 7 miles east.
Fun can be had golfing and at multiple festivals
Hempstead City Park features baseball diamonds, courts and a playground. Downtown also has a small green space with a gazebo and walking paths. Legendary Oaks Golf Club is open to the public and has a 7,000-yard layout, along with a swimming pool and tennis courts. The Red Oak Ranch hosts concerts and private events. The 39-acre John Fairey Garden, located southeast of downtown, has a collection of over 4,500 plants from North America and Asia.
The Watermelon Festival honors the town’s past as a main distributor of the fruit. The multi-day event held every summer, includes a barbecue cook-off, carnival and live music. The Waller County Fair, held in September, offers a parade, rodeo and cattle shows. "[Hempstead has] small-town charm," Collette says. "We still do parades. Our county fair is big.”
Multiple cuisines to enjoy; local and big-box shopping available
Restaurants are primarily along 10th Street and include a mix of chains and locally owned spots. Citizens Coffee & Wine Cafe is a higher-end location serving brunch, sandwiches and steaks. Breakfast Paradise has salads, breakfast items and coffee drinks. Erick’s Mexican Restaurant serves dishes from South of the Border.
Downtown has several boutiques and an Arlan’s Market. Walmart, Brookshire Brothers and Dilorio’s Farmers Market are located on Business U.S. 290. More big-box stores are 28 miles southeast in Cypress.
Weather risks in Hempstead
Maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency show a risk of flooding in parts of Hempstead. Tornadoes and severe storms can also be factors, as the area was impacted by Hurricane Beryl in 2024. A train line does cut through downtown.
Highway access, but airports are further away
Hempstead does not have public transit links, and residents are car-dependent. The entrance to U.S. Highway 290 is along 10th Street, just north of downtown. U.S. 290 leads to central Houston, roughly 53 miles southeast. Easterwood Airport is 46 miles north in College Station, while George Bush Intercontinental is 67 miles southeast. Clinics are in town, but CHI St. Joseph Health Bellville Hospital is 15 miles south.
