Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does Houston have?
The Census counts 1,023,112 housing units in Houston for a population of about 2,300,419 — roughly 2.2 people for every housing unit.
That is the largest of the five Texas cities with a page here; the next, San Antonio, counts 603,213.
Who arranges chimney work on a Houston home?
About 42% of occupied Houston homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 58% rented.
With 58% of occupied Houston homes rented, the person who notices the smell, the stain or the smoke is more often than not a tenant, and the person who authorizes a repair is someone else. Say which you are when you send a request, so the findings reach whoever has to act on them.
Tenure also decides who keeps the paperwork. A Houston chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 42% you are on.
Which cities near Houston have their own page here?
Austin, about 146 miles away, San Antonio, about 190 miles away, Dallas, about 223 miles away, and El Paso, about 670 miles away — measured from Houston.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
Austin's median build year is 1993 against Houston's 1981, a 12-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Keep the fireplace closed if it can remain closed without touching wildlife.
- Record when sounds occur from a safe distance.
What to avoid
- Do not climb onto the roof or enter the chimney.
- Do not alter gas components, venting, or safety controls.
- Do not use a test fire to diagnose the problem.
Possible causes to assess
- Wildlife entry
- Nesting or other obstruction
- Missing or damaged termination
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Animal and nest removal in HoustonA few common questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photo?
A photo can document a symptom and help prepare a visit. It cannot confirm concealed conditions or establish that a chimney or fuel-burning appliance is safe.