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TEXAS 7 : Western Houston; northwestern suburbs

Mostly white, wealthy Houston suburbs and western Harris County make up the 7th, one of the most highly educated districts in the state. From the southwest Houston suburbs, the district extends 30 miles west along Interstate 10 to Katy and includes smaller towns north and west of Houston. About half the district's residents live within Houston city limits, but the city's suburbs continue to expand. Katy has seen steady population growth, adding to the Republican advantage.

Removed from downtown Houston's oil and gas companies, the 7th nonetheless has several important corporate residents, including Compaq Computer Corp. The Galleria, a huge shopping and office complex, provides jobs and a major retail presence. Like other areas around Houston, the district rebounded slowly after the oil industry's troubles in the 1980s. But an increasing emphasis on high-tech firms and corporate headquarters enabled the 7th to enjoy sustained economic growth during the 1990s.

One of the most reliably Republican districts in the nation, the 7th is typified by white-collar executives, good schools and religious conservatism. The district's Republican character runs deep: GOP candidates at all levels routinely rack up 70 percent or more of the vote in general elections. Those Democrats who do mount challenges - not a universal occurrence - receive scant electoral support.

Major Industry
Technology manufacturing, retail, health care

Population
565,007 (1990)

Cities
Houston (pt.), 282,679; Mission Bend (unincorporated), 10,750; Katy (pt.), 6,453 (1990)

People
97% urban; 6% age 65+ (ranks 27 of 30 in state; bottom third nationally); 55% married couples, 30% married couples with children; 41% college educated (ranks first of 30 in state; top third nationally); 74% white collar (ranks second of 30 in state; top third nationally), 15% blue collar (ranks 29 of 30 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)

Race
80% white, 6% black, 5% Asian; 16% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$40,331 (ranks third of 30 in state; top third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
President George Bush represented the 7th from 1967 to 1971; A one-mile section of western Houston is decorated each year with the largest display of holiday lights in North America, called "Angels in the Park."

© 2002 The Washington Post Company