Reviewed by the Houston Zip Codes Data TeamUpdated March 30, 2026Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, USPS, FEMA, NOAA
ZIP code 77085 is located in South Houston / Fondren Road, Harris County, Texas. It is a residential zip code in the Central Time Zone with an estimated population of 16,947. The area code for ZIP code 77085 is 713.
📍 ZIP code 77085 is in South Houston / Fondren Road, Harris County, Texas.
What is zip code 77085?
77085 is a zip code covering South Houston / Fondren Road in Houston, Texas (Harris County). It has a population of 16,947, a median household income of $66,651, and a median home value of $174,000.
16,947
Population
$67K
Median Income
$174K
Median Home
Harris County · Area Code 713 · 6.5 sq mi
77085 — South Houston / Fondren Road
South Houston · Fondren Road · Willowridge
South Houston / Fondren Road is a smaller Houston neighborhood with 16,947 residents, a median household income of $66,651, and homes valued at a median of $174,000.
Key Statistics
Population
16,947
2,607 per sq mi
Below Houston avg (38,923)
Median Income
$67K
Per capita: $29,243
Below avg ($85K)
Median Home
$174K
2.6x income ratio
Below avg ($302K)
College Educated
15.6%
4.9% graduate degree
Below avg (35%)
South Houston / Fondren Road (77085): Neighborhood Profile
South Houston / Fondren Road covers ZIP code 77085, a suburban-scale slice of the Houston metro with 16,947 residents spread over 6.5 square miles. At about 2,607 people per square mile, it reads as a car-oriented community of subdivisions, arterial retail, and pockets of green space rather than a dense urban grid. This is a working- and middle-income area. The median household income of $66,651 runs about 21% below the $84,833 Houston median, a profile common to neighborhoods anchored by service, trade, and hourly employment.
The population skews prime working age (median age 38) and family-oriented, with an average household of 3.02 people. With a diversity index of 47.1/100, 77085 is somewhat less diverse than the typical Houston ZIP. The largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (63.6%) and Black (27.9%).
Put in context, 77085's median home value of $174,000 sits 42% below the Houston-area median home value of $301,548. Both figures remain below the U.S. median home value (near $340,000 nationally), underscoring the relative affordability that continues to draw movers to the Houston metro. Educational attainment — 15.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, versus the 35% metro average — tracks the area's more working-class economic base.
Demographics & Diversity
38
6% above Houston avg (36)3.02
5,613 total households47.1/100
4% below Houston avg (49)6.5 sq mi
2,607 people/sq mi713
52 ft
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Data Visualizations
Racial & Ethnic Breakdown
- White
- Hispanic
- Black
- Asian
vs Houston Average
Commute Mode (28 min avg)
- Drive Alone
- Carpool
- Transit
- WFH
Housing & Real Estate
Median Home Value
$174,000
Below avg ($301,548)
Median Rent
$1,431/mo
26% of median income
Below avg ($1,465)
Ownership Rate
63.7%
Vacancy Rate
3.2%
5,800 total units
The housing market in 77085 (South Houston / Fondren Road) features a median home value of $174,000, which is -42% below the Houston metro average. With a home-price-to-income ratio of 2.6x, the area offers accessible homeownership. The homeownership rate of 63.7% is above the city-wide average of 58%.
Affordability & Cost of Living in 77085
At a home-price-to-income ratio of 2.6, ownership in 77085 is unusually attainable. The median home of $174,000 is only 2.6 times the local median income — comfortably inside the 3x threshold lenders and financial planners treat as affordable. As a rough yardstick, a household would want income near $58,000 to buy at the local median under conventional guidelines.
Renting is reasonably balanced: at $1,431/month, median rent absorbs about 26% of median income, inside the 30% comfort threshold. Ownership and renting are roughly balanced here (63.7% owner-occupied), giving the area a mix of long-term owners and a steady renter population. Annualized, the typical renter pays about $17,172 per year for housing.
Flood & Weather Risk
X500
0.2% annual chanceModerate
Based on FEMA mappingC
Inland zone3
FEMA-declared eventsFlood insurance is not required but recommended in this zone.
77085 sits at 52 ft elevation with 50" average annual rainfall. Houston averages 50+ inches of rain per year, and this area has experienced significant flooding from storms like Hurricane Harvey (2017) and Tropical Storm Imelda (2019).
Local Amenities
56
Restaurants11
Parks3
Grocery Stores0
Hospitals3
Pharmacies3
Gyms & Fitness77085 (South Houston / Fondren Road) has an estimated 56 restaurants, 11 parks, and 3 grocery stores within its boundaries. For hospital access, residents typically travel to adjacent zip codes with major medical centers.
What It's Like to Live in 77085
Commutes are about average for Houston at 28 minutes one-way. Like most of the metro, this is a driving neighborhood: 77.5% of workers commute by car alone and transit use sits at just 0.6%.
Day to day, residents have roughly 56 restaurants, 3 grocery stores, 11 parks, and 3 gyms within or near the ZIP. There are 3 pharmacies locally, though major hospital care means a trip to an adjacent ZIP. Notable nearby draws include Fondren Road Corridor, Willowridge Community.
Who does 77085 suit best? On the data, it fits families looking to put down roots and first-time buyers watching their budget. Flood risk is moderate here, so reviewing the specific property's FEMA designation is still worthwhile.
Education & Schools
Educational attainment in 77085 shows 45.6% of adults have completed high school, 15.6% hold a bachelor's degree (below the Houston average of 35%), and 4.9% have earned an advanced degree.
Commute & Transportation
Average Commute
28 min
Below avg (28 min)
Climate & Geography
Summer High (July)
96°F
36°C
Winter Low (January)
43°F
6°C
Houston vs Other Texas Cities
Cost of living, home prices, and income compared.
| City | Population | Cost Index | Median Home | Median Income | Median Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 2.3M | 100 | $301,548 | $84,833 | $1,465/mo |
| Austin | 1.0M | 117 | $475,000 | $85,000 | $1,650/mo |
| Dallas | 1.3M | 105 | $315,000 | $60,000 | $1,400/mo |
| San Antonio | 1.5M | 92 | $240,000 | $55,000 | $1,200/mo |
Houston's cost of living index of 100 is used as the baseline. Source: Census ACS 2020–2024 & BLS regional data.
Nearby Attractions
Zip Codes Near 77085
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Houston zip codes with comparable income, home values, and demographics to 77085.
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People Also Ask
What zip code is South Houston / Fondren Road, Texas?
South Houston / Fondren Road is served by zip code 77085 in Houston, Texas, located in Harris County.
What county is zip code 77085 in?
Zip code 77085 is in Harris County, Texas, within the Houston metropolitan area.
What is the population of zip code 77085?
The estimated population of zip code 77085 (South Houston / Fondren Road) is 16,947, based on U.S. Census Bureau data.
Is 77085 in Houston, Texas?
Yes, zip code 77085 is located in the Houston, Texas metropolitan area, in Harris County.
FAQ — 77085 (South Houston / Fondren Road)
Frequently asked questions about zip code 77085 in Houston, TX.
What is the population of 77085?
The population of zip code 77085 in Houston, TX is approximately 16,947 people, with a median age of 38 and an average household size of 3.02. There are 5,613 total households across 6.5 square miles.
What is the median household income in 77085?
The median household income in 77085 (South Houston / Fondren Road) is $66,651, which is below the Houston average of $84,833. Per capita income is $29,243.
What schools are in 77085?
Top-rated schools in 77085 (South Houston / Fondren Road) include schools in the local ISD. The area has a 45.6% high school graduation rate and 15.6% bachelor's degree rate.
What is the average commute time in 77085?
The average commute in 77085 is 28 minutes. 77.5% drive alone, 12.1% carpool, 0.6% use transit, and 9.8% work from home.
What neighborhoods are in 77085?
77085 includes South Houston, Fondren Road, Willowridge. These neighborhoods are in South Houston / Fondren Road, Houston, Texas, in Harris County. The area covers 6.5 square miles.
What is the flood risk in 77085?
Zip code 77085 (South Houston / Fondren Road) is in FEMA flood zone X500 with a moderate flood risk level. It falls within Hurricane Evacuation Zone C. Flood insurance is recommended but not required. The area has experienced 3 FEMA-declared flood events since 2000, sits at 52 ft elevation, and receives approximately 50 inches of annual rainfall.
Is 77085 a good place to live?
It depends on priorities, but the data paints a clear picture. ZIP 77085 (South Houston / Fondren Road) is a working area with very accessible home prices, 28-minute average commutes, and moderate flood risk. It tends to suit families best. Median household income is $66,651 and the median home value is $174,000.
How expensive is it to live in 77085?
Housing is the main cost driver. The median home value is $174,000 (42% below the Houston average) and median rent is $1,431 per month, which is about 26% of the local median income. The home-price-to-income ratio is 2.6, making ownership very accessible for typical local earners.
Is 77085 a safe area from flooding?
ZIP 77085 is mapped in FEMA flood zone X500 with a moderate overall flood-risk rating, and it falls in Hurricane Evacuation Zone C. The area has recorded 3 FEMA-declared flood events since 2000, sits at 52 feet of elevation, and flood insurance is recommended but not federally required.
What kind of people live in 77085?
The median resident is 38 years old and the typical household has 3.02 people, giving 77085 a family-heavy character. 15.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree (below the 35% metro average). The population is less diverse than the metro average, led by Hispanic or Latino (63.6%) and Black (27.9%) residents.
All demographic data on this page is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates. ZIP code boundary and delivery data is sourced from the United States Postal Service (USPS). Data is updated periodically and may not reflect the most current figures. ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) used by the Census Bureau may differ slightly from USPS ZIP code boundaries.