Town in Harris County, part of the Houston metro

Living in Sheldon, TX

C+

343rd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 54 of 100
61st of 125 in the Houston area

Sheldon earns a grade of C+ on our index, 343rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and schools, and trails on education levels and getting around. It is a strong pick for remote workers.

  • Good for remote workers
  • Well connected
  • Getting around scores low (7 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (5 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Sheldon isSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthSheldon
Where Sheldon is in Texas.
Population
2,208
Median rent
$1,75625% higher than Texas
Median home value
No data
Household income
$68,750Median
Average commute
30 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Sheldon

Sheldon sits about 16 miles from downtown Houston, in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro. About 2,208 people live here. It is spread out.

The median age is 27.9, 53% of households have children, 51% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $68,750 a year (12% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Sheldon

No clear standouts in our data.

Cons of living in Sheldon

  • Higher rent. Median rent is $1,756, 25% higher than the Texas median.
  • Higher unemployment. 7.8% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.
  • Many adults uninsured. 30% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of coastal flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes as very high here.

Who Sheldon suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 66% for families.
  • Young professionalsNot the best fit: household income is 12% lower than the Texas median, with 14 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 23% for young professionals.
  • RetireesNot the best fit: 30% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 31% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 100% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,756 is 25% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 91% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,756 is 25% higher than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 51% for people on a budget.

Sheldon report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Sheldon with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade C+

    Median rent $1,756.

    52 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B-

    Median household income $68,750, 7.8% unemployed.

    57 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B

    2 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    72 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade C-

    1 grocery store, 14 restaurants, 0 parks mapped in town.

    38 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade F

    Average commute 30 min, 2.5% work from home.

    7 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    7.3% have a bachelor’s degree.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D+

    30% of adults uninsured.

    24 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade B-

    51% of homes owner-occupied.

    58 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade A+

    100% of homes have broadband.

    99 of 100 vs US towns

Where Sheldon stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 18%33 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • People below the poverty line: 0.8%13 points lower than Texas (14%)
  • Vacant homes: 0%9 points lower than Texas (9.4%)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 7.3%27 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 51%12 points lower than Texas (63%)
  • Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance: 30%11 points higher than Texas (20%)

Cost of living in Sheldon

Sheldon renters pay a median of $1,756 a month, 25% higher than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $70,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 18% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $1,261 for a one-bedroom, $1,497 for a two-bedroom and $2,017 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in SheldonStudio$1,2331 bedroom$1,2612 bedrooms$1,4973 bedrooms$2,0174 bedrooms$2,502
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent25% higher than Texas$1,756$1,403$1,413
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent33 points lower than Texas18%52%51%
Homes owned by the people living in them12 points lower than Texas51%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas197219921980

Schools in Sheldon

Sheldon has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Sheldon ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
72
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
85
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BSheldon Early Childhood AcademyElementary, Sheldon ISD85 of 100
  • BSheldon ElementaryElementary, Sheldon ISD85 of 100

Daily life in Sheldon

Everyday places mapped inside Sheldon, from Overture Maps.

The average one-way commute is 30 minutes, 11% longer than the Texas average. 3% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

Downtown Houston is about 16 miles away in a straight line. Many people who live in Sheldon work elsewhere in the metro, so test the drive at rush hour before you commit.

The median household income is $68,750, income per person is $21,476, unemployment is 7.8% and 7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
14
Cafes
1
Bars
2
Parks
0
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
1
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income12% lower than Texas$68,750$78,476$80,734
Income per person47% lower than Texas$21,476$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate3 points higher than Texas7.8%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line13 points lower than Texas0.8%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher27 points lower than Texas7.3%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher6 points lower than Texas80%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance11 points higher than Texas30%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet9 points higher than Texas100%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute11% higher than Texas30 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home12 points lower than Texas2.5%14%15%
Workers who work from home2.5%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Sheldon

Under 1838%
18 to 3428%
35 to 6431%
65 and over3.1%

Median age 27.9 years. 53% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White23%
Hispanic or Latino71%
Black5.8%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Sheldon

Sheldon has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 92°F and January lows about 41°F. There are about 84 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 65 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Sheldon40°60°80°100°63J66F72M78A84M89J92J92A88S82O71N64DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Baytown, 9 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is high, coastal flooding risk is very high, hurricane risk is very high, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is low. Before you buy, look up the FEMA flood zone for the exact address and get a flood insurance quote, since standard home policies do not cover floods.

  • River floodingHigh
  • Coastal floodingVery high
  • HurricanesVery high
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailLow
  • Heat wavesHigh
  • WildfiresHigh
  • Winter stormsLow
  • Strong windLow

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Sheldon

Nearby, Barrett gets a D, Channelview gets a D and Highlands gets an F. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. DBarrettTown, 3,273 people4 mi
  2. DChannelviewSmall city, 43,605 people5 mi
  3. FHighlandsTown, 6,335 people5 mi
  4. D-CrosbyTown, 4,617 people5 mi
  5. CCloverleafSmall city, 24,063 people6 mi
  6. B+AtascocitaCity, 99,354 people9 mi

Sheldon in the Houston area

How it ranks among 125 places in the metro.

  1. 1A+Taylor Lake Village3,721 people25 mito downtown
  2. 2A+Bunker Hill Village3,829 people9 mito downtown
  3. 3A+West University Place14,982 people6 mito downtown
  4. 58B-Alvin28,333 people30 mito downtown
  5. 59C+La Porte36,730 people22 mito downtown
  6. 60C+Manvel14,758 people21 mito downtown
  7. 61C+Sheldon2,208 people16 mito downtown
  8. 62C+Tomball13,655 people25 mito downtown
  9. 63CCloverleaf24,063 people13 mito downtown
  10. 64CRosharon1,737 people30 mito downtown

See all of the best suburbs of houston

Living in Sheldon: common questions

Is Sheldon, TX a good place to live?

Sheldon earns a grade of C+ on our index, 343rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on internet access and schools, and trails on education levels and getting around. It is a strong pick for remote workers.

How much does it cost to live in Sheldon?

Renters in Sheldon pay a median of $1,756 a month, 25% higher than the Texas median.

Are the schools good in Sheldon?

We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Sheldon. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 72 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Sheldon flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Sheldon as high, and coastal flooding as very high. Hazards rated high or very high here: river flooding, coastal flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, heat waves and wildfires. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Sheldon?

Summers in Sheldon peak at about 92°F in July, and January nights fall to about 41°F. Expect around 84 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 65 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Sheldon?

The average one-way commute is 30 min, 11% higher than the Texas average. About 2.5% of workers work from home. It is about 16 miles from downtown Houston.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.