Hispanics drive population growth in Katy, census shows

Katy's population grew over the past decade at a rate greater than the
nation as a whole but less than the state average or the averages for
surrounding counties, census data show.

According to the census, the new population of Katy is 14,102. Since
the 2000 population was 11,775, the city grew by 19.8 percent. By
contrast, the statewide rate is 20.6 percent and local countywide
rates are 20.3 percent (Harris), 32.3 percent (Waller), and 65.1
percent (Fort Bend). The national rate for the United States is 9.7
percent.

The racial makeup of Katy is also changing, as is the case throughout
the region. Whites still make up the majority of the population, but
their numbers only went from 8,275 to 8,854 (an increase of seven
percent). Most of the growth took place in the Hispanic population,
which went from 2,792 to 4,092, a jump of 46.3 percent. Significant
growth was also seen in the African-American population (46.3 percent)
and Asian-American population (256.9 percent), but both groups are
significantly less numerous in Katy.

The Census Bureau also reports that the vacant housing rate in Katy is
about 4.4 percent.

The census shows that Texas's population as a whole increased by 20.6
percent to 25,145,591. That is a much higher rate of growth than the
rest of the nation, meaning Texas will soon pick up four new seats in
the U.S. House of Representatives.

The population of the United States as a whole grew 9.7 percent to an
official tally of 308,745,538. It was the smallest increase in the
population by percentage since the 1940 census.

For more local census results and additional analysis, check out the
Houston Chronicle's interactive census feature.