Pearland

About Pearland

Pearland is a large, flourishing city in the Houston metropolitan area, less than 20 miles south of Houston’s city center. Pearland became one of the state’s fastest-growing cities in the early 2000s thanks to a major population explosion that grew the city from less than 40,000 in 2000 to nearly 120,000 in 2015. New businesses have been attracted to the city’s expanding population and convenient amenities, adding a strong economy to the many factors attracting new people.

The History of Pearland

The city that’s now known as Pearland began as a mere siding switch on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad. In the 1890s, a post office was established and the small settlement was called “Mark Belt.” Witold von Zychlinksi, a Polish noble, purchased a lot in the settlement in 1894. When he arrived, he noticed the numerous pear trees that supplied locals with abundant fruit, and he decided to call the area “Pearland.”

The Allison & Richey Land Co. set about advertising Pearland to attract new residents and businesses, promising it was an “agricultural Eden.” However, two major hurricanes and a serious freeze in the early 1900s decimated the local agriculture and slowed growth for some time. Oil was discovered in the area in 1934, followed shortly by the construction of Hastings Oilfield. That helped spur minor growth, but the town still remained very small until the mid-20th century.

Beginning in the 1970s, Pearland began to see significant growth. Between 2000 and 2010 alone, the local population expanded by nearly 150 percent. Today, Pearland is a bustling suburban city with thriving commercial and business sectors.

Jobs in Pearland

Many businesses and major organizations have been attracted to Pearland’s growing workforce and local amenities. This is good news if you’re hoping to find a new job once you arrive in the city. You’ll notice that Pearland has specifically drawn many health care-based companies to the area, and many locals make a short commute to the nearby Texas Medical Center for work. The Kelsey-Seybold Clinic also operates a major administrative facility in the city, while medical manufacturers Cardiovascular Systems and Merit Medical Systems provide research and development jobs.

Pearland also has many retail jobs, thanks to the numerous commercial developments dotting the community. Large retail centers in the city include Pearland Town Center, Shadow Creek Town Center, The Crossing and the Spectrum District. Walmart is one of the city’s largest retail employers, followed by HEB Grocery, The Home Depot and Target.

Pearland Schools

The majority of schools in Pearland fall into the Pearland Independent School District. You can also enroll your child in one of the local private schools, which include Montessori and faith-based campuses. If you’re looking for a higher education campus, you can find a few small campuses in the city, including San Jacinto College, Alvin College and a satellite campus for the University of Houston-Clear Lake

Resources for Moving to Pearland

Here’s some handy information to make your move to Pearland as easy as possible:

• Utilities: Texas’ deregulated energy market means you have the freedom to choose your own electricity provider. Major utilities providers in Pearland include CenterPoint Energy (natural gas) and the city's utilities department (water and sewer).
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash is collected twice weekly, while recycling and yard waste are picked up once per week.
• Transportation: The Metro public transit system operates a number of park-and-ride facilities throughout the county.

Pearland Housing

Because of Pearland’s desirability and the growing demand for housing, home prices in the city tend to be above the national average. Many Pearland homes feature brick construction, spacious floor plans and grassy backyards, and there are several new construction options as well. Apartments, townhouses and condos are also available in Pearland.