Houston has fewer than 1,000 residents. At that size one or two incidents swing the numbers so much that a grade wouldn't be fair, so we show the counts instead.

Violent1

Property0

Reported in 20251

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Houston

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Houston for work: only 18% work in town. The top destinations are La Crosse (15%), Winona (15%) and Rochester (6%). Half commute less than 18 miles.

La Crosse, WI

15%

Winona

15%

Rochester

Caledonia

18%Work in townlive and work in Houston 18 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 614Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Houston →

Health in Houston

Compared with Minnesota

1better than MN·5worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 26 are too close to call.

Conditions 5▼ 7 close Habits all close Care 1▲ 6 close Mind all close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

79.4%More adults treating high blood pressureMN 76.1% · better 12.2%More older adults who have lost all their teethMN 8.9% · worse

Care nearby

Gundersen Lutheran Medical CenterLa Crosse · 16.4 mi · ER

Scenic Bluffs Health Center LaxbhLa Crosse · 16.7 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Houston · CMS · HRSAHealth in Houston →

Natural hazards in Houston

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 80% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

2Does Houston flood?paid flood claims since 2007 1Disasters that paid out herefederal disaster sent FEMA money to Houston MapHouston vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Houston →

Climate in Houston

Full climate →

Houston has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 8°, and about 45 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

29° / 12°Winter

57° / 35°Spring

81° / 59°Summer

59° / 39°Fall

How much snow does Houston get?About 45 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 10, with the last in spring around Apr 29.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.2° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Houston →

Schools in Houston

All Houston schools →

School Grade C

The public schools Houston’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 67% of Minnesota’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictHOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTSchools6

Minnesota Virtual Academy ElementarElementary · Grades K–5 · 392 students Houston Elementary A-Elementary · Grades PK–6 · 247 students Minnesota Virtual Academy MiddleMiddle · Grades 6–8 · 333 students Minnesota Virtual Academy High BHigh · Grades 9–12 · 706 students Houston Secondary B-High · Grades 7–12 · 234 students Summit Learning ProgramHigh · Grades 9–12 · 22 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MN. Ratings are from neighbors.