More data, more connected: Dive into the updated Houston Community Data Connections dashboard | Kinder Institute for Urban Research | Community Exchange
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More data, more connected: Dive into the updated Houston Community Data Connections dashboard | Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Free interactive dashboard with 120+ neighborhood-level indicators across Harris County, plus tools to map your own data.
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Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University
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Topic: Free neighborhood data dashboard for Harris CountySource: Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice UniversityCoverage: 120+ indicators across 143 Harris County neighborhoodsNew Feature: Upload your own data as a CSV file to create custom mapsComing Soon: Fort Bend and Montgomery counties will be added
The Houston Community Data Connections dashboard gives you free, public access to more than 120 neighborhood-level data points across Harris County. Built by Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research, it's a practical tool for anyone who wants to better understand their community — from concerned neighbors to nonprofit staff to local advocates.
The dashboard holds more than 120 indicators — measures like income, health, education, and housing — that you can filter by ZIP code, neighborhood area (called a community tabulation area, or CTA), or school district. You can pull up a full Community Overview report for any of Harris County's 143 neighborhoods and download it as a PDF or spreadsheet. A newer feature lets you upload your own data file (in CSV format, a common spreadsheet file type) and map it right alongside the existing data. The Kinder Institute also plans to expand coverage to Fort Bend and Montgomery counties.
Start by visiting the dashboard and browsing your neighborhood or ZIP code. Pull up a Community Overview report to get a snapshot of key conditions in that area. If your organization collects its own data, try the 'Load CSV' feature to visualize it on the same map — your data stays private and is never saved to their servers. Download reports as PDFs to share at meetings or attach to funding applications. If something is missing, the Kinder Institute wants to hear from you — reach out by email or phone to request new data or features.
No fixed date
Not location-specific
This tool is a strong companion for anyone involved with Houston-area nonprofits, neighborhood associations, school districts, or local government. It connects well with grant writing, community needs assessments, and equity advocacy work. The Kinder Institute partnered with United Way of Greater Houston, Spring Branch ISD, and the Greater Houston Community Foundation in building this version — so it was shaped with real community input.
Good decisions start with good information. Whether you're researching your ZIP code, preparing a grant proposal, or advocating for your neighborhood, this dashboard puts real Harris County data in your hands — for free. The Kinder Institute has been connecting communities to local data since 2016 as part of a national network of more than 30 cities.
