Sugar Land

About Sugar Land

Sugar Land is a thriving city just 20 miles from downtown Houston, home to a rapidly-growing population that has been drawn by a booming job market, plentiful amenities and upscale residential communities. The city offers a quieter, more suburban lifestyle within easy reach of the busy city of Houston, as well as plenty of local shopping, dining and entertainment.

The History of Sugar Land

Sugar Land's unusual name is derived from its history as a sugarcane plantation and major hub of the American sugar refining industry. Colonel E. H. Cunningham bought the large plantation following the previous owners' deaths, shortly after the Civil War. He constructed a sugar refining plant and began to establish a community surrounding it in 1879. In the early 1900s, the plantation changed hands once again, and the sugar refinery was renamed Imperial Sugar Co.

Until the late 1950s, Sugar Land was primarily a company town, with residences constructed for the purpose of housing sugar refinery workers. Imperial Sugar Co. worked to expand the town in the mid-20th century, establishing a new, waterfront subdivision. The next few decades saw the construction of several master-planned communities, including the town's first country club neighborhood. Throughout the 1990s, Sugar Land grew very rapidly. It welcomed many highly-educated residents who worked in energy-industry jobs in nearby Houston, and also experienced major commercial and retail growth.

In recent years, annexations and ongoing growth have continued to expand Sugar Land's population and boundaries.

Living in Sugar Land

Sugar Land has been honored with a number of national and state awards, many of which recognize the quality of life it provides its residents. It has been named one of the best places to live in Texas, as well as one of the most scenic. Local events like KidsFish and the Eggstravaganza have also earned attention from several state organizations.

As a very family-oriented community, Sugar Land offers a wide range of amenities that include youth sports leagues, community parks, recreational facilities and well-rated schools. Many of the city's master-planned communities provide residential benefits like golf courses, swimming pools, country clubs, community centers and neighborhood events.

You'll also find plenty of shopping and dining options throughout the city. Sugar Land Town Square is a popular local destination, home to many restaurants and cafes, shops and a large public plaza. The First Colony Mall is another Sugar Land highlight, with more than 130 stores and many well-known retailers.

Sugar Land Schools

Students in Sugar Land attend Fort Bend Independent School District and Lamar Consolidated Independent School District. The schools in the city are very highly-rated and provide a number of special academic programs for students. You also have the option of enrolling your child in one of the many private and charter schools in Sugar Land, including parochial, secular and college-prep campuses.

Resources for Moving to Sugar Land

If you're preparing for a move to Sugar Land, the following information will be useful:

• Utilities: Sugar Land receives its water and sewer services from the city's utility department. Like other Texas cities, Sugar Land doesn't have a designated energy provider. Instead, you have the freedom to choose your own company.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recycling are both collected on a regular schedule that's determined by your home's specific location.
• Transportation: Public transportation options in Sugar Land are very limited, but you can utilize a commuter service line between Sugar Land and Houston.

Sugar Land Housing

Homes in Sugar Land tend to be priced higher than the national average, and are also on the high end of the Texas state averages. The city's housing market is very large, however, so you have a wide range of options. Spacious family homes on generously-sized lots are the norm throughout Sugar Land, but there are also more budget-friendly options, including town houses and older homes.