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First readWhat to know+
Topic: Harris County voter survey on local issuesPublished: 2025Source: UH Hobby School of Public AffairsVoters Surveyed: 2,300 registered Harris County votersReading Time: About 2 minutes
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Good first step: Read Full Harris County 2025 Survey Results
Search 'UH Hobby School Harris County 2025 survey' to find the full results and see what your neighbors said about the budget, CenterPoint, and more.
The University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs asked 2,300 Harris County registered voters what they think about the biggest issues facing their county. The results cover everything from the $270 million budget gap to crime, flooding, road conditions, county official ratings, and more. Four separate reports break down the findings in detail.
The Hobby School surveyed Harris County voters between July 9 and July 18, 2025, using text messages that linked to an online survey in English or Spanish. The margin of error for the full group of 2,300 is plus or minus 2.04 percent. Key findings include: 57 percent of voters feel Harris County is heading in the wrong direction. Crime tops the list of countywide concerns at 20 percent, followed by high cost of living and high property taxes at 13 percent each. Roads in bad condition (45 percent), crime (45 percent), and flooding (37 percent) rank as the top three challenges. When it comes to closing the budget gap, 38 percent prefer cutting programs and services, 30 percent prefer raising taxes and fees, and 32 percent are unsure. Sheriff Ed Gonzalez leads county officials in approval at 55 percent. Two-thirds of likely voters feel confident that Harris County elections will be run fairly and accurately. A separate report looks at the November 2025 Congressional District 18 Special Election.
Use the four reports to see how your precinct's views compare to the county as a whole. If you attend a county commissioners court meeting or a community town hall, the survey data can help you ask informed questions about budget priorities, road repairs, or flood preparedness. You can also share findings with neighbors to spark a grounded, fact-based conversation about what matters most in your community.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
This survey connects directly to decisions being made about Harris County's 2026 budget, ongoing road and flooding infrastructure, CenterPoint's grid hardening efforts after recent storm seasons, and the upcoming November 2025 Congressional District 18 Special Election. It also touches on potential new sports teams — a WNBA franchise and an NHL team — and the future of NRG Stadium and the Astrodome.
Harris County is heading into tough budget decisions for the 2026 fiscal year. Knowing what your neighbors actually think — across party lines and across all four commissioner precincts — helps you understand the conversation happening at county hall right now. This survey gives you real numbers, not just talking points.
