Pasadena is the largest city in Harris County, outside of Houston, with a population of over 150,000. The northern part of the city is dominated by the petrochemical plants and oil refineries that line the Houston Ship Channel, the largest petrochemical complex in the U.S. Among them are Chevron’s 466-acre refinery and a BASF Corporation chemical plant, two major employers in Pasadena. To train future workers, there’s the LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical Energy and Technology, the largest petrochemical training facility in the region, at Pasadena’s San Jacinto College campus. “You have a lot of factory and plant workers [in Pasadena],” says Daniel Nolan, a Realtor with Fathom Realty who grew up in the city. “Generally, it is a community with blue-collar, hardworking people.” Pasadena benefits from its easy access to Beltway 8 and Interstate 45 and proximity to Downtown Houston, about 15 miles away. Parts of the city are close to water, including Clear Lake, and it’s about 45 miles south to Galveston’s beaches.
El Jardin Beach is Pasadena's beach that is located on Galveston Bay.
Many large oil refineries are located in Pasadena.
The Houston Ship Channel is an important part of commerce in Pasadena.
The LyondellBasell Center is a premier training hub for energy technology professionals.
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Planned waterside neighborhoods and decades-old communities
Many houses in Pasadena date back to the 1950s and ‘60s and are set in tidy subdivisions. There are also a number of more recently built townhouse communities and condominium complexes. After 2000, the city experienced a residential construction boom with master-planned communities such as Pine Brook and Brookwood being built on the south side. These communities remain popular for their custom homes, community amenities and location near Armand Bayou. Many homes for sale in Pasadena aren’t purchased by newcomers but rather by buyers who already have roots in the community. “We like to stay close to our family here,” Nolan says. “The big thing is the values stay up because no one wants to leave their family. I sell homes to people who could’ve bought a brand-new house farther away, but they want to be close.” The median single-family home price is around $250,000, significantly less than Houston’s median price of $340,000.
Craftsman style homes in Pasadena often come with spacious front yards.
Architectural styles in Pearland vary, reflecting the area's rich history and diverse population
Pasadena, TX, offers a mix of ranch-style, colonial, and modern homes.
Many houses are located in family-friendly neighborhoods with tree-lined streets.
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Bayou trails and water parks along the Galveston Bay
Armand Bayou Nature Center sits on Pasadena’s extended south side and is one of the largest urban preserves in the country, with 2,800 acres of bayou, wetlands and prairie grassland. There are 5 miles of walking trails, as well as guided kayak tours and a children’s learning center. The city has around 50 parks including Burke Crenshaw Park, a popular spot for fishing, baseball and birdwatching. Strawberry Park on Parkside Drive is open year-round but comes alive in the summer when the on-site waterpark opens.
Residents can enjoy a walk or run at Burke Crenshaw Park, located in southern Pasadena.
Ella & Friends Park, located a short drive from Pasadena, is a public dog park open daily.
A fisherman casts a line at Burke Crenshaw Park, located in Pasadena.
Many of Pasadenas parks feature open green spaces and walking trails.
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Celebrating Pasadena’s past, from rodeos to strawberries
Texas pride runs strong in Pasadena, especially during the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo in the fall. The city’s most prominent annual event features live music, bull riding and a barbecue cookoff. Another citywide tradition is the Strawberry Festival in May, which celebrates Pasadena’s legacy as the “Strawberry Capital of the South” with carnival rides and an abundance of strawberry shortcakes. The city’s convention center and fairgrounds, home to the rodeo, is getting a $50 million renovation, begun in early 2024.
Mexican markets and the long-standing Macroplaza Mall
Of the 150,000 people who call Pasadena home, 68% are Hispanic or Latino, and this population has shaped the city’s culture and its local businesses. Pasadena has dozens of Mexican restaurants, taquerias and Latin markets, and one of the city’s movie theaters, America Cinemas Pasadena, exclusively shows films with Spanish dubbing and subtitles. The Macroplaza Mall has been Pasadena’s central retail hub for years, but many shops in the mall are now closed. Big-box retailers and supermarkets line Fairmont Parkway and Beltway 8’s frontage road.
Pasadena's economy thrives on industry, but the mall reflects its growing retail sector.
America Cinemas showcases both Hollywood blockbusters and popular Spanish-language films.
Kroger is the go to spot for fresh produce and groceries in Pasadena.
The city of Pasadena features many authentic mexican restaurants such as Taqueria Agaves.
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A-rated high schools at Pasadena Independent School District
Pasadena Independent School District, which receives a B rating from Niche, serves most of the city. The district’s three top high schools — Pasadena Memorial High School, J. Frank Dobie High School and Dr. Kirk Lewis Career and Technical High School — receive A-minus ratings for their early college education and career training programs. Parts of the city are served by Deer Park ISD and Clear Creek ISD which both earn A grades on Niche. San Jacinto College’s central campus is in Pasadena, and the University of Houston, Clear Lake campus, is situated between the Armand Bayou Nature Center and NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Pasadena High School is home to the Mighty Eagles.
Pasadena Memorial High School serve grades 9-12.
San Jacinto Intermediate earns a B rating from niche.com.
Clear Lake City Elementary is a National School of Character.
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Pollution from the Houston Ship Channel
Due to its sizeable petrochemical industry, Pasadena is at risk for particulate matter pollution, which Anthony D'Souza, the Research and Policy Coordinator for Air Alliance Houston, says is one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution. Strong odors from the Houston Ship Channel are also common in parts of the city. Pasadena has a history of tornadoes, including an EF3 storm in 2023 that destroyed many areas. About 20% of the city is at risk for flooding throughout the year. Like the rest of Houston, Pasadena has hot, humid summers and mild winters.
According to an FBI report, Pasadena experienced 915 violent crimes and 4,090 property crimes in 2022, putting the crime rate at double the state average. However, the Pasadena Police Department reported a steady decline in crime since 2022, including a 50% decrease in car theft and a 16% decrease in all other thefts between 2022 and 2024.
Connected to Houston and Galveston via I-45, Beltway 8 and Highway 225
Pasadena is about 15 miles southeast of Downtown Houston and around 45 miles from Galveston. Major thoroughfares nearby include Interstate 45, Beltway 8 and State Highway 225, which runs adjacent to the petrochemical plants in the north of the city and links with Houston's inner loop, I-610. The closest commercial airports are in Houston: William P. Hobby Airport is about 6 miles from Pasadena, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport is around 30 miles away. METRO buses no longer serve Pasadena, but buses still depart from neighboring South Houston daily and travel to both airports and downtown Houston. Pasadena hospitals include HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast.
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