Reviewed by the Houston Zip Codes Data TeamUpdated March 30, 2026Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, USPS, FEMA, NOAA
ZIP code 77478 is located in Sugar Land North, Fort Bend County, Texas. It is a residential zip code in the Central Time Zone with an estimated population of 22,699. The area code for ZIP code 77478 is 281.
📍 ZIP code 77478 is in Sugar Land North, Fort Bend County, Texas.
What is zip code 77478?
77478 is a zip code covering Sugar Land North in Houston, Texas (Fort Bend County). It has a population of 22,699, a median household income of $116,205, and a median home value of $378,700.
22,699
Population
$116K
Median Income
$379K
Median Home
Fort Bend County · Area Code 281 · 8 sq mi
77478 — Sugar Land North
Sugar Land North · Sugar Creek
Sugar Land North is a mid-sized Houston neighborhood with 22,699 residents, a median household income of $116,205, and homes valued at a median of $378,700.
Key Statistics
Population
22,699
2,837 per sq mi
Below Houston avg (38,923)
Median Income
$116K
Per capita: $61,730
Above avg ($85K)
Median Home
$379K
3.3x income ratio
Above avg ($302K)
College Educated
59.4%
22.2% graduate degree
Above avg (35%)
Sugar Land North (77478): Neighborhood Profile
Sugar Land North covers ZIP code 77478, a suburban-scale slice of the Houston metro with 22,699 residents spread over 8 square miles. At about 2,837 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. Economically it skews upper-middle: a median household income of $116,205 sits 37% above the Houston median of $84,833, the kind of figure typical of dual-income professional and managerial households.
The population skews established (median age 46.7) and mixed, averaging 2.54 people per household. With a diversity index of 66.7/100, 77478 is more racially and ethnically diverse than the typical Houston ZIP. The largest groups are White (44.2%) and Asian (33.6%).
Put in context, 77478's median home value of $378,700 sits 26% above the Houston-area median home value of $301,548. That places local home values above the national median (around $340,000), though still well under coastal-metro pricing in California or the Northeast. Educational attainment — 59.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, versus the 35% metro average — reinforces the area's higher-skill, higher-earning profile.
Demographics & Diversity
46.7
30% above Houston avg (36)2.54
8,885 total households66.7/100
36% above Houston avg (49)8 sq mi
2,837 people/sq mi281
65 ft
Racial & Ethnic Composition
Data Visualizations
Racial & Ethnic Breakdown
- White
- Hispanic
- Black
- Asian
- Other
vs Houston Average
Commute Mode (28 min avg)
- Drive Alone
- Carpool
- Transit
- WFH
Housing & Real Estate
Median Home Value
$378,700
Above avg ($301,548)
Median Rent
$1,751/mo
18% of median income
Above avg ($1,465)
Ownership Rate
76.1%
Vacancy Rate
3.1%
9,168 total units
The housing market in 77478 (Sugar Land North) features a median home value of $378,700, which is 26% above the Houston metro average. With a home-price-to-income ratio of 3.3x, the area offers accessible homeownership. The homeownership rate of 76.1% is above the city-wide average of 58%.
Affordability & Cost of Living in 77478
With a price-to-income ratio of 3.3, buying here remains realistic for local earners. The $378,700 median home is about 3.3 times median income — modestly above the classic 3x rule but well within reach for households with steady dual incomes. As a rough yardstick, a household would want income near $126,233 to buy at the local median under conventional guidelines.
Renting is comparatively comfortable here. Median rent of $1,751/month is only about 18% of median household income — a healthy cushion below the 30% cost-burden line. The neighborhood is owner-dominated (76.1% of homes are owner-occupied), which tends to correlate with longer tenancies and a more settled residential feel. Annualized, the typical renter pays about $21,012 per year for housing.
Flood & Weather Risk
X500
0.2% annual chanceModerate
Based on FEMA mappingC
Inland zone4
FEMA-declared eventsFlood insurance is not required but recommended in this zone.
77478 sits at 65 ft elevation with 49" 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
78
Restaurants11
Parks5
Grocery Stores1
Hospitals3
Pharmacies3
Gyms & Fitness77478 (Sugar Land North) has an estimated 78 restaurants, 11 parks, and 5 grocery stores within its boundaries. The area is served by 1 hospital, providing nearby emergency and specialty care.
What It's Like to Live in 77478
Commutes are about average for Houston at 28 minutes one-way. Transit use is light (0.6%), but a sizable 18.1% of residents work from home, easing rush-hour exposure.
Day to day, residents have roughly 78 restaurants, 5 grocery stores, 11 parks, and 3 gyms within or near the ZIP. Health care is close at hand with 1 hospital and 3 pharmacies in the area. Notable nearby draws include Sugar Land Town Square, Imperial Sugar Refinery, Brazos River Park.
Who does 77478 suit best? On the data, it fits 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 77478 shows 71.4% of adults have completed high school, 59.4% hold a bachelor's degree (above the Houston average of 35%), and 22.2% have earned an advanced degree.
Commute & Transportation
Average Commute
28 min
Below avg (28 min)
Climate & Geography
Summer High (July)
95°F
35°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.
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People Also Ask
What zip code is Sugar Land North, Texas?
Sugar Land North is served by zip code 77478 in Houston, Texas, located in Fort Bend County.
What county is zip code 77478 in?
Zip code 77478 is in Fort Bend County, Texas, within the Houston metropolitan area.
What is the population of zip code 77478?
The estimated population of zip code 77478 (Sugar Land North) is 22,699, based on U.S. Census Bureau data.
Is 77478 in Houston, Texas?
Yes, zip code 77478 is located in the Houston, Texas metropolitan area, in Fort Bend County.
FAQ — 77478 (Sugar Land North)
Frequently asked questions about zip code 77478 in Houston, TX.
What is the population of 77478?
The population of zip code 77478 in Houston, TX is approximately 22,699 people, with a median age of 46.7 and an average household size of 2.54. There are 8,885 total households across 8 square miles.
What is the median household income in 77478?
The median household income in 77478 (Sugar Land North) is $116,205, which is above the Houston average of $84,833. Per capita income is $61,730.
What schools are in 77478?
Top-rated schools in 77478 (Sugar Land North) include schools in the local ISD. The area has a 71.4% high school graduation rate and 59.4% bachelor's degree rate.
What is the average commute time in 77478?
The average commute in 77478 is 28 minutes. 71.4% drive alone, 8% carpool, 0.6% use transit, and 18.1% work from home.
What neighborhoods are in 77478?
77478 includes Sugar Land North, Sugar Creek. These neighborhoods are in Sugar Land North, Houston, Texas, in Fort Bend County. The area covers 8 square miles.
What is the flood risk in 77478?
Zip code 77478 (Sugar Land North) 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 4 FEMA-declared flood events since 2000, sits at 65 ft elevation, and receives approximately 49 inches of annual rainfall.
Is 77478 a good place to live?
It depends on priorities, but the data paints a clear picture. ZIP 77478 (Sugar Land North) is a upper-middle area with accessible home prices, 28-minute average commutes, and moderate flood risk. It tends to suit a mix of households best. Median household income is $116,205 and the median home value is $378,700.
How expensive is it to live in 77478?
Housing is the main cost driver. The median home value is $378,700 (26% above the Houston average) and median rent is $1,751 per month, which is about 18% of the local median income. The home-price-to-income ratio is 3.3, making ownership accessible for typical local earners.
Is 77478 a safe area from flooding?
ZIP 77478 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 4 FEMA-declared flood events since 2000, sits at 65 feet of elevation, and flood insurance is recommended but not federally required.
What kind of people live in 77478?
The median resident is 46.7 years old and the typical household has 2.54 people, giving 77478 a balanced character. 59.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree (above the 35% metro average). The population is notably diverse, led by White (44.2%) and Asian (33.6%) 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.