The Michael O’Neal Group · Friendswood city guide
FriendswoodA town with real history
Want an established town with Quaker roots, a 40-acre city lake park and a city tax rate near $0.51 per $100? Friendswood belongs on your list. But Clear Creek runs through town and an estimated 3,000 homes flooded in Harvey, so the flood research comes before the floor plan.
Michael O’Neal, Broker · REALTOR® leads The Michael O’Neal Group from the Keller Williams Realty Northeast office on West Lake Houston Parkway in Humble. Meet Michael
Friendswood from above. Aerial: USGS The National Map imagery (public domain).
- $0.5142City of Friendswood tax rate per $100, 20251
Why people choose Friendswood
What sets Friendswood apart.
Quakers founded Friendswood in 1895, and the historical society keeps the Frank J. Brown Heritage Museum, the 1902 Perry Home and a Quaker Marker Trail.2
Lake Friendswood opened in 2017 with a boardwalk, fishing pier, kayak launch and a 1-mile walking trail, about a mile off FM 518.3
What stands out
- A moderate city rate with a homestead break. The city adopted $0.514172 per $100 for 2025, and Galveston CAD lists a 20% homestead exemption on city taxes.14
- Groceries in town, a mall nearby. H-E-B on West Parkwood and two Krogers, on FM 528 and North Friendswood Drive, all have pharmacies, and Baybrook Mall carries a Friendswood address.56
- Park and ride on the Gulf Freeway. METRO's Southeast park and ride routes run on the I-45 HOV lane to downtown, and Route 297 goes to the Texas Medical Center.7
Interactive neighborhood map
Friendswood and its neighbors, on one map.
Tap the gold dot for Friendswood’s HAR figures and tax units; colored dots are groceries, parks and hospitals with verified coordinates. Gray dots are nearby neighborhoods to compare.
- Friendswood
- Nearby neighborhood
- Golf course
- Grocery, park or hospital
Neighborhood dots are approximate centers; we don’t draw subdivision, city or district boundaries. Filter rules: Golf nearby: Nearest golf course 1 mile or less (straight line from the neighborhood center). Near parks: A mapped park 1.5 miles or less from the neighborhood center. Larger homes: HAR 2025 median home size of 2,800 sq ft or more. Established: HAR 2025 median year built before 1995. Newer homes: HAR 2025 median year built 2010 or later. Larger lots: HAR 2025 median lot of 9,000 sq ft or more.
Daily life
What everyday life in Friendswood looks like.
From the area’s own records and each place’s official page. Places without verified coordinates are described here but not mapped.
Street work in progress
Blackhawk Boulevard improvements toward FM 2351 and FM 528 were set for bidding in 2026.12
Groceries
Nearest H-E-B stores in our list (straight line from Friendswood’s center): Friendswood H-E-B, 1.2 mi; El Dorado H-E-B, 3.3 mi.
Healthcare
Nearest hospitals with an emergency room (straight line): Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, 4.3 mi; UTMB Health Clear Lake Campus Hospital, 4.4 mi.
Neighborhood comparison
Friendswood and nearby neighborhoods, side by side.
Tap Compare on Friendswood and one or two neighbors to line up HAR figures, dues and tax units.
Friendswood
Friendswood is a city in northwest Galveston County and southern Harris County, with Clear Creek dividing the two counties. Quakers founded it in 1895, and it incorporated in 1960.
HAR has no 2025 neighborhood figures for this section. Ask for recent sales.
- West Ranch Municipal District No. 1 (where it applies): $0.2000 per $100 (2025)
Pearland
Pearland is a city south of Houston along SH 288 and the Sam Houston Tollway.
HAR has no 2025 neighborhood figures for this section. Ask for recent sales.
- Independence Park, 0.9 mi
- Brazoria County MUD 17: $0.2000 per $100 (2025) and 1 more
Webster
Webster is a 6.7 square mile city in Harris County on I-45 and NASA Parkway, next to Johnson Space Center, with Clear Creek as its southern border.
- $263KHAR 2025 median value
- 1,530Median sq ft
- 1972Median year built
Clear Lake and League City
Bay living, from Clear Lake to the Gulf.
HAR has no 2025 neighborhood figures for this section. Ask for recent sales.
League City
League City is the largest city in Galveston County, on the south shore of Clear Lake along I-45 between Houston and Galveston, with part of the city in Harris County.
HAR has no 2025 neighborhood figures for this section. Ask for recent sales.
Lago Mar
Texas City in Galveston County, on the west side of I-45 north of FM 1764, between Houston and Galveston; a later east side lies east of I-45 south of the Holland Road extension.
- $353KHAR 2025 median value
- 2,215Median sq ft
- 2021Median year built
- Galveston County MUD No. 57: $0.9000 per $100 (2025) and 1 more
Meridiana
Brazoria County just off State Highway 288 at Meridiana Parkway, south of Pearland, in Iowa Colony and Manvel.
HAR has no 2025 neighborhood figures for this section. Ask for recent sales.
- Meridiana master homeowners association (legal name not published on the developer site): $1,330 per year (2026)
- Brazoria County MUD No. 55: $0.9000 per $100 (2025) and 2 more
Southdale
Southdale is a subdivision in the east part of the City of Bellaire (ZIP 77401), first built right after World War II as small houses for veterans.
- $941KHAR 2025 median value
- 3,422Median sq ft
- 2000Median year built
- Evelyn's Park, 0.5 mi
Lake Olympia
Lake Olympia is a group of neighborhoods, mostly built in the late 1980s and 1990s, around a lake in southeast Missouri City, in Fort Bend County, reached from Lake Olympia Parkway,…
- 1993Median year built
- Palmer Plantation MUD 1: $0.3700 per $100 (2026) and 2 more
Sienna
Missouri City, eastern Fort Bend County, adjacent to Sugar Land; Sienna Parkway is the main road, reached from State Highway 6, with the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road running north toward Beltway 8 and Loop 610.
HAR has no 2025 neighborhood figures for this section. Ask for recent sales.
- Sienna Residential Association (SRA): $1,580 year (2026)
- Sienna Plantation Municipal Utility District No. 12: $0.5400 per $100 (2024)
Home figures: HAR.com 2025 Facts, as HAR shows them. Dues and tax rates: official sources with the year. Aerials: USGS The National Map (public domain).
Five things you might not know
Friendswood details worth knowing.
- 01
Two counties split by Clear Creek
Friendswood ISD describes the city as lying in parts of northern Galveston County and southern Harris County, divided by Clear Creek. TSHA places it on FM 518, about 20 miles south of Houston.8
- 02
A Quaker colony
The Galveston County Museum says Quakers led by T. Hadley Lewis and Frank J. Brown founded Friendswood in 1895, and calls it the only permanent town in Texas that started as a Quaker colony. A post office opened in 1899.2
- 03
From fig farms to suburb
The town stayed a small farming community built on Magnolia figs through the 1940s, became increasingly suburban after 1950 and incorporated in 1960.2
- 04
Growth after NASA arrived
TSHA ties the city's growth to NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center, located about ten miles away in 1962. Its counts rise from 1,675 residents in 1968 to 22,814 in 1990.9
- 05
Heritage sites
The Friendswood Historical Society maintains the Frank J. Brown Heritage Museum, the 1902 Perry Home, a historic barber shop and the Quaker Marker Trail.2
Getting around
From Friendswood to the rest of Houston.
Main routes: FM 518, FM 528, FM 2351 and I-45 (Gulf Freeway).1314
Straight-line distance, not road miles. Traffic changes by the hour, so we don’t publish drive times; the route link opens Google Maps with current traffic, which is an estimate, not a guarantee.
Neighborhood matchmaker
Which nearby neighborhood fits you best?
Compare Friendswood with nearby neighborhoods in five questions. Matches use only HAR 2025 neighborhood figures, official tax rates and straight-line distances, never anything about who lives there.
Friendswood market dashboard
What the market around Friendswood is doing.
HAR doesn’t publish monthly market-area figures for Friendswood alone. HAR’s Friendswood and Pearland market areas cover the communities around Friendswood; we don’t claim Friendswood sits inside either one. These are HAR’s own monthly single-family figures, read Nov. 6, 2026; HAR’s market areas have their own boundaries, so read them as the bigger picture.
Friendswood
HAR market area · single-family
- $445,000Median sold price, Sep 2026
- 65Homes sold, Sep 2026
- 297Active listings, Oct 2026
- 3.5Months of inventory, Oct 2026
- 25Median days on market, Sep 2026
- +9.2%Active listings vs. a year ago
Pearland
HAR market area · single-family
- $381,000Median sold price, Sep 2026
- 108Homes sold, Sep 2026
- 525Active listings, Oct 2026
- 3.8Months of inventory, Oct 2026
- 25Median days on market, Sep 2026
- +1.4%Active listings vs. a year ago
Monthly trends
Source: HAR.com market area price trends (single-family sold and active tables). Reporting month shown on each point.
Neighborhood comparisons
HAR.com neighborhood pages, “2025 Facts” (checked Oct. 14, 2026). Neighborhood medians, not sale prices or appraisals. HAR market areas and neighborhoods have different boundaries, so compare like with like.
Greater Houston for context (September 2026): $325,000 median sale price, 40,192 active listings, 5.5 months of inventory. HAR, released Oct. 14, 202617.
What it means: months of inventory near 5 to 6 is usually called balanced. Subdivision-level pending sales and price reductions aren’t on HAR’s public pages; Michael can pull them from the MLS.
Thinking about selling in Friendswood?
Get a Friendswood market report
Recent sales, pending sales, price reductions and days on market from the MLS for your subdivision.
Friendswood sellers
Find your Friendswood home’s value.
Enter your address and spin the same Home Value Wheel that’s on our homepage. It uses one system across the site: a value Michael prepared for your home, or Homebot’s automated estimate labeled as Homebot’s. It never makes up a number. For a full comparative market analysis, ask Michael.
An automated estimate is not an appraisal or a comparative market analysis. For a professional pricing review, ask Michael or request a home valuation.
- Pricing from the marketA comparative market analysis of recent sales guides your price.
- Professional photographyBecause the first showing happens online.
- MLS and HAR.com exposureWhere Houston buyers and their agents search.
- Tracked inquiries and follow-upInterested buyers do not go cold.
- Buyer feedback and reportingWhat buyers and agents say after showings.
- Digital coordination and e-signingDocuments, deadlines and signatures tracked through closing.
- Launch videoShort pieces made for social media, where buyers see a home first.
- Aerial imageryDrone photos of the lot, the setting and the neighborhood.
- Matterport 3D toursAn immersive 3D tour buyers can walk through online, when it suits the home.
- Floor plansA floor plan with the listing photos, so buyers understand the layout.
- StagingStaging help when it will change how the home shows.
- Digital advertising and social contentPaid and organic campaigns that reach more local buyers.
No one can guarantee a buyer, a price or a timeline. What we control is how well your home is priced, presented and followed up.
Homeownership costs
What it costs to own in Friendswood.
The city adopted $0.514172 per $100 for 2025, and Galveston CAD lists a 20% homestead exemption on city taxes.14
Nothing is pre-filled for insurance. Get quotes for the specific address, including flood, even outside a mapped zone.
No rate is filled in for you. For reference, Freddie Mac’s average 30-year rate was 7.32% the week of Oct. 22, 2026. Lenders quote by credit and loan type.
True Cost of Homeownership calculator (adds exemptions, mortgage and PMI) · Mortgage calculator
Rates: each unit’s adopted rate from official sources, with its year1. Our record also lists Clear Creek ISD for parts of the area; the estimate uses Friendswood ISD. The appraisal account shows which applies. Galveston County units: Galveston County (2025), Galveston County Road and Flood (2025).
Before you move here
The Good, The Bad & The Reality.
Want an established town with Quaker roots, a 40-acre city lake park and a city tax rate near $0.51 per $100? Friendswood belongs on your list. But Clear Creek runs through town and an estimated 3,000 homes flooded in Harvey, so the flood research comes before the floor plan.
The Good
- A town with real historyQuakers founded Friendswood in 1895, and the historical society keeps the Frank J. Brown Heritage Museum, the 1902 Perry Home and a Quaker Marker Trail.2
- A 40-acre city lakeLake Friendswood opened in 2017 with a boardwalk, fishing pier, kayak launch and a 1-mile walking trail, about a mile off FM 518.3
- A moderate city rate with a homestead breakThe city adopted $0.514172 per $100 for 2025, and Galveston CAD lists a 20% homestead exemption on city taxes.14
- Groceries in town, a mall nearbyH-E-B on West Parkwood and two Krogers, on FM 528 and North Friendswood Drive, all have pharmacies, and Baybrook Mall carries a Friendswood address.56
- Park and ride on the Gulf FreewayMETRO's Southeast park and ride routes run on the I-45 HOV lane to downtown, and Route 297 goes to the Texas Medical Center.7
The Bad
- Clear Creek's Harvey recordCommunity Impact reported 500-year flood events along Clear Creek through Friendswood in Harvey (2017) and about 3,000 homes in floodwater by preliminary estimate.1920
- The county line changes the school districtClear Creek divides Galveston and Harris counties here, and Friendswood ISD serves only the Galveston County part of the city, so a Harris County address is in another district.818
- Two different tax billsThe Galveston side pays Galveston County ($0.32266), Friendswood ISD ($1.03) and Consolidated Drainage ($0.11555) for 2025; the Harris side pays Harris County ($0.4175 for 2026), its flood control and hospital districts and Clear Creek ISD ($0.969).14
- Windstorm paperwork on the Galveston sideGalveston County is a first-tier coastal county, so a home there built since 1988 needs a WPI-8 to qualify for TWIA wind and hail coverage.21
- Many resales are decades oldThe city grew from 1,675 residents in 1968 to 22,814 in 1990, and Wedgewood Village dates to 1985, so roofs, plumbing and foundations deserve a close look.922
The Reality
- Michael’s bottom lineFriendswood is a town you pick for its history, its lake park and its tax rate, and then you underwrite the flood risk house by house. Start with which side of Clear Creek the home is on, because that settles the county, the school district and the windstorm question. Then ask for the seller's flood disclosure and any claims history before you get attached.
- You may love it ifBuyers who want an established town with history and mature neighborhoods
- You may love it ifBuyers who want a city lake park and trails near home
- You may love it ifBuyers who want I-45 and METRO park and ride routes toward downtown
- Consider elsewhere ifIf you want regional shopping, two hospitals and SH 288 toll lanes inside one city, compare Pearland.
- Consider elsewhere ifIf you want bay and waterfront living with Clear Creek ISD across much of the mainland, look at Clear Lake and Galveston Bay.
- Consider elsewhere ifIf you want brand-new construction around a swimmable lagoon, see Lago Mar.
Michael’s Take · broker opinion, based on the sourced facts above
My take: Friendswood is a town you pick for its history, its lake park and its tax rate, and then you underwrite the flood risk house by house. Start with which side of Clear Creek the home is on, because that settles the county, the school district and the windstorm question. Then ask for the seller's flood disclosure and any claims history before you get attached.
Schools
Schools for a Friendswood address.
Clear Creek divides Galveston and Harris counties here, and Friendswood ISD serves only the Galveston County part of the city, so a Harris County address is in another district.818
- Clear Creek Independent School DistrictDistrict listed for Friendswood in our recordsSchool Zone Finder (by address)
School assignments and attendance boundaries can change. Confirm the assigned schools directly with the district before making a housing decision. We don’t publish ratings or rankings.
Flood research
Flood research for a Friendswood address.
Community Impact reported 500-year flood events along Clear Creek through Friendswood in Harvey (2017) and about 3,000 homes in floodwater by preliminary estimate.1920
Research flood information for an address
- FEMA Flood Map Service CenterOfficial effective flood map for the address
- Galveston County Floodplain Permitting (flood zone determinations)County flood resources
- Our flood map guideHow to read the official maps
- 2025
Two different tax bills
The Galveston side pays Galveston County ($0.32266), Friendswood ISD ($1.03) and Consolidated Drainage ($0.11555) for 2025; the Harris side pays Harris County ($0.4175 for 2026), its flood control and hospital districts and Clear Creek ISD ($0.969).1
No map can say a property won’t flood. Check the official map, the seller’s disclosure, flood insurance and the elevation of the specific home. Michael is a broker, not a flood engineer or insurance agent.
Compare
Friendswood vs. nearby choices.
HAR 2025 values where HAR publishes them, straight-line distances and links to each full guide. Nothing here is a rating.
| Measure | Friendswood | Other |
|---|
Pearland · Clear Lake and Galveston Bay · Lago Mar · Webster · League City · Central Houston luxury comparison · Houston area map · Relocation guide
The O’Neal Insider
What’s happening near Friendswood?
Texas Renaissance Festival
Texas Renaissance Festival grounds · 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Organizer: Texas Renaissance Festival
77th Annual H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade
Downtown Houston · 9 a.m.
Organizer: City of Houston Special Events Office
From The O’Neal Insider events calendar (checked Oct. 21, 2026). Past events hide automatically. All events · Restaurants and things to do
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Local events, new businesses and the housing market around Friendswood, every Tuesday. One subscription; no spam.
Questions buyers actually ask
Friendswood questions, answered.
Which local taxing units apply in Friendswood besides Galveston County?
Our records show City of Friendswood at $0.5142 per $100 (2025); Friendswood ISD at $1.0300 per $100 (2025); Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District at $0.1155 per $100 (2025); West Ranch Municipal District No. 1 (where it applies) at $0.2000 per $100 (2025). Rates and years are as each office lists them; the GCAD account for a specific address shows which units apply.
Sources: galvestoncad.org.
What did HAR’s Friendswood market area show this fall for buyers looking at Friendswood?
On Nov. 6, 2026, HAR showed a Sep 2026 median sold price of $445,000 for single-family homes in its Friendswood market area, with 65 sales that month, 297 active listings in Oct 2026 and about 3.5 months of inventory. HAR’s area has its own boundaries; ask for a subdivision-level report before pricing or offering.
Source: HAR.com market area price trends (read Nov. 6, 2026).
More questions and answers are in the resource center below.
Tools
Plan your move to Friendswood.
Relocating?
Get the Greater Houston Relocation Guide
Central Houston and seven other regions, compared with the same sourced facts.
Have questions about Friendswood?
Talk directly with Michael O’Neal.
- Broker and owner of The Michael O’Neal Group, Keller Williams Realty Northeast, 20665 W. Lake Houston Pkwy, Humble (TREC broker #624124)
- The Michael O’Neal Group has helped 2,035 families over 13 years
- RealTrends Verified: No. 1 team in Kingwood by volume and sides, 2025 sales data (profile)
- HAR Client Experience Ratings: 4.90 out of 5 from 90 surveys (imported Oct. 20, 2026; read the reviews)
- Works with buyers and sellers across Greater Houston from the team’s office in Humble
How the team helps
- Pricing from Friendswood’s own recent sales
- Checking the tax units, any deed restrictions and the resale certificate before the option period ends
- Listing preparation and professional marketing
- Buyer representation and showings
- Relocation help for out-of-town buyers
- Transaction coordination from contract to close
The website assistant answers from our sourced Friendswood guide and hands property-specific or current MLS questions to Michael’s team.
Home search
Explore Friendswood homes.
Set your filters and the live MLS search opens through HAR.com’s IDX for The Michael O’Neal Group, with every listing’s official details and brokerage attribution.
Research
Friendswood homeowner resource center.
Everything we’ve researched, with every source and checked date: city rules and services, documents, tax units, parks and amenities, schools, flood resources and FAQs. Search it or pick a topic.
Friendswood at a Glance
Two counties split by Clear Creek. Friendswood ISD describes the city as lying in parts of northern Galveston County and southern Harris County, divided by Clear Creek. TSHA places it on FM 518, about 20 miles south of Houston. Friendswood ISD: district demographics Texas State Historical Association: Friendswood, TX
A Quaker colony. The Galveston County Museum says Quakers led by T. Hadley Lewis and Frank J. Brown founded Friendswood in 1895, and calls it the only permanent town in Texas that started as a Quaker colony. A post office opened in 1899. Galveston County Museum: Friendswood community history Texas State Historical Association: Friendswood, TX
From fig farms to suburb. The town stayed a small farming community built on Magnolia figs through the 1940s, became increasingly suburban after 1950 and incorporated in 1960. Galveston County Museum: Friendswood community history
Growth after NASA arrived. TSHA ties the city's growth to NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center, located about ten miles away in 1962. Its counts rise from 1,675 residents in 1968 to 22,814 in 1990. Texas State Historical Association: Friendswood, TX
Heritage sites. The Friendswood Historical Society maintains the Frank J. Brown Heritage Museum, the 1902 Perry Home, a historic barber shop and the Quaker Marker Trail. Galveston County Museum: Friendswood community history
A city lake park. Lake Friendswood, a 40-acre city lake and park about a mile off FM 518, opened in 2017 with a boardwalk, fishing pier, kayak launch and a 1-mile walking trail; access is through the West Ranch subdivision. Community Impact: Lake Friendswood to open to the public (Jan. 2017)
Established and newer neighborhoods. Community Impact's profiles describe Wedgewood Village on Blackhawk Boulevard as built in 1985 and West Ranch along Clear Creek as a master-planned community with recreation centers, pools and trails that was still under construction in 2018. Community Impact: featured neighborhood Wedgewood Village (July 2015) Community Impact: featured neighborhood West Ranch (Apr. 2018)
Farm roads to I-45. TxDOT routes FM 518 east via Friendswood to League City and Kemah and FM 2351 southwest via Friendswood to the Brazoria County line, and names part of FM 528 the Ralph L. Lowe Parkway in the city. TxDOT highway designation file: FM 518 TxDOT highway designation file: FM 2351 TxDOT highway designation file: FM 528
A regional mall with a Friendswood address. Baybrook Mall, 500 Baybrook Mall Drive, Friendswood, has stores such as Apple and Sephora and a Star Cinema Grill. Baybrook Mall
Homes and the Friendswood Market
HAR does not show a single 2025 neighborhood record we could match to Friendswood, so we do not publish home statistics here.
Community Impact listed Perry Homes, Village Builders and Toll Brothers building in West Ranch in 2018. Current builders in the city were not confirmed from a developer source. Community Impact: featured neighborhood West Ranch (Apr. 2018)
Median closed price, recent closed sales, price per square foot, days on market and active inventory for Friendswood are MLS figures that HAR’s public pages do not publish by neighborhood. Ask for a current MLS report for the sections you are considering.
Live HAR.com search for Friendswood; if it shows no homes, none are listed under that name right now. Widen the search or ask us.
Property Taxes, HOA and MUD in Friendswood
| Taxing unit | Adopted rate | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Friendswood | $0.514172 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Galveston County | $0.322660 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Galveston County Road and Flood | $0.003000 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District | $0.115550 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Friendswood ISD | $1.030000 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Clear Creek ISD | $0.969000 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| West Ranch Municipal District No. 1 (where it applies) | $0.200000 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Harris County (Harris County side) | $0.4175000 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Harris County Flood Control District (Harris County side) | $0.0526600 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Harris County Hospital District (Harris County side) | $0.1952800 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
Galveston CAD's 2025 table lists a 20% homestead exemption for City of Friendswood taxes and a $140,000 school homestead exemption for Friendswood ISD. The Harris County tax office lists the same 2025 city rate, $0.514172. Galveston Central Appraisal District: 2025 tax rates and exemptions Harris County Tax Office: jurisdiction tax rates
The county and drainage lines depend on which side of Clear Creek the home is on. Community Impact's 2018 West Ranch profile listed Galveston County Consolidated Drainage and West Ranch Management District 1 on that subdivision's bill; Galveston CAD's 2025 table lists West Ranch Municipal District No. 1 at $0.20. Community Impact: featured neighborhood West Ranch (Apr. 2018) Galveston Central Appraisal District: 2025 tax rates and exemptions
For FY 2026-27, Community Impact reported that the city adopted $0.52483 per $100 (Sept. 2026) and Friendswood ISD approved $1.0249 (Aug. 2026). The county tables showed no 2026 rate for either when checked, so the 2025 rates are listed. Community Impact: Friendswood passes FY 2026-27 tax rate (Sept. 2026) Community Impact: Friendswood ISD approves FY 2026-27 tax rate (Aug. 2026) Harris County Tax Office: jurisdiction tax rates
HOA and deed restrictions
No assessment amount is published by an official source, so we do not show one. The resale certificate for the address shows what it owes.
Friendswood has no citywide association; each subdivision has its own association, dues and deed restrictions. A 2015 Community Impact profile of Wedgewood Village and a 2018 profile of West Ranch gave dues estimates that did not come from the associations, so get the resale certificate. Community Impact: featured neighborhood Wedgewood Village (July 2015) Community Impact: featured neighborhood West Ranch (Apr. 2018)
Rates are per $100 of taxable value; a tax bill also depends on the appraised value, exemptions and which units cover the address. Look an address up: Galveston Central Appraisal District property search, Galveston County Tax Office, Harris Central Appraisal District property search, Harris County Tax Office, True Cost of Homeownership calculator.
Schools Serving Friendswood
- Friendswood ISD
- Clear Creek ISD School Zone Finder (by address)
Friendswood ISD says it serves students living in Galveston County within the City of Friendswood and is mostly bounded by Clear Creek (the Harris County line), Brazoria County and League City. Homes on the Harris County side are outside it; Community Impact's Wedgewood Village profile listed Clear Creek ISD schools. Confirm the district for the exact address. Friendswood ISD: attendance zones Community Impact: featured neighborhood Wedgewood Village (July 2015)
School assignments and attendance boundaries can change. Confirm the assigned schools directly with the district before making a housing decision.
Flood and Drainage Research for Friendswood
Friendswood is in the Clear Creek watershed, which HCFCD says spans parts of Harris, Galveston, Brazoria and Fort Bend counties. HCFCD lists a Friendswood Regional Stormwater Detention Basin (CI-62) among its Clear Creek projects. Harris County Flood Control District: Clear Creek watershed
Community Impact reported that Hurricane Harvey (2017) caused 500-year flood events along Clear Creek through Friendswood, that preliminary estimates put about 3,000 Friendswood homes in floodwater, and that roughly 1,000 residents were rescued by boat. Community Impact: Pearland, Friendswood invest in repairs after Hurricane Harvey (Sept. 2017)
Galveston County is a first-tier coastal county, so a home on the Galveston County side needs a windstorm certificate of compliance (WPI-8) to qualify for TWIA wind and hail coverage unless it was built before Jan. 1, 1988. In Harris County, TWIA covers only certain cities east of SH 146. Texas Department of Insurance: TWIA overview
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Galveston County Floodplain Permitting (flood zone determinations)
- Harris County Flood Control District - Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool
- How to read Houston flood maps
Flood zones are mapped parcel by parcel, and no guide can tell you whether a particular house has flooded or will flood. Ask the seller for the flood disclosure and any elevation certificate, and price flood insurance before your option period ends.
Everyday Places Near Friendswood
Groceries
- Friendswood H-E-B 701 West Parkwood, Friendswood (pharmacy with drive-thru)
- Kroger Autumn Creek 3135 E FM 528 Rd, Friendswood (pharmacy)
Pharmacies
- Kroger Old Friendswood 151 N Friendswood Dr, Friendswood (grocery with drive-thru pharmacy)
Shopping
- Baybrook Mall 500 Baybrook Mall Drive, Friendswood mailing address
Hospitals and urgent care
- HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake 500 Medical Center Blvd, Webster (outside the city)
- Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital 18300 Houston Methodist Drive, Houston (Clear Lake, outside the city)
- Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital 11800 Astoria Blvd, Houston (outside the city)
Parks and trails
- Walter Hall Park 807 SH 3 N, League City (Galveston County park)
Each place links to its own site and was confirmed operating on Nov. 3, 2026. Listed by location, not a ranking or a recommendation.
Getting Around from Friendswood
FM 518 runs east from SH 288 via Friendswood to League City and Kemah, FM 2351 runs from SH 146 near Shoreacres southwest via Friendswood to the Brazoria County line, and FM 528 runs from SH 6 to I-45. TxDOT highway designation file: FM 518 TxDOT highway designation file: FM 2351 TxDOT highway designation file: FM 528
I-45 (Gulf Freeway) is the main route toward downtown; TxDOT widened I-45 from NASA Parkway to FM 518 with a 2022 completion target. Community Impact: I-45 widening from NASA Parkway to FM 518 (Oct. 2021)
METRO's Southeast park and ride routes use the I-45 HOV lane: Routes 244, 247 and 249 serve the Monroe, El Dorado, Fuqua and Bay Area lots to downtown, and Route 297 runs to the Texas Medical Center. METRO: Park and Ride bus
Inside the city, Blackhawk Boulevard improvements toward FM 2351 and FM 528 were set for bidding in 2026. Community Impact: road projects in Pearland and Friendswood (Nov. 2025)
We name routes rather than quote drive times, which change with the hour and the exact address. Straight-line miles to both airports are on the fact sheet below.
Friendswood Questions Buyers Ask
What are the pros and cons of living in Friendswood?
The pros are a Quaker heritage town with a 40-acre city lake park, a city rate of $0.514172 per $100 (2025) with a 20% homestead exemption, H-E-B and two Krogers in town and Baybrook Mall at a Friendswood address. The cons are Clear Creek's flood history (about 3,000 homes in Harvey by preliminary estimate), a school district and tax picture that change at the county line, and Galveston County's windstorm rules.
Sources: Galveston County Museum: Friendswood community history Community Impact: Lake Friendswood to open to the public (Jan. 2017) Galveston Central Appraisal District: 2025 tax rates and exemptions Checked Nov. 3, 2026
Is Friendswood in Galveston County or Harris County?
Both. Friendswood ISD describes the city as lying in northern Galveston County and southern Harris County, divided by Clear Creek. The side of the creek decides the county, the appraisal district and, in most cases, the school district.
Sources: Friendswood ISD: district demographics Friendswood ISD: attendance zones Checked Nov. 3, 2026
How much do homes in Friendswood cost?
HAR does not publish one 2025 facts record for the whole city that we could read, so we do not quote a citywide median market value here. Ask for an MLS report for the subdivisions you are considering.
Sources: Checked Nov. 3, 2026
What is the property tax rate in Friendswood?
For 2025, Galveston CAD lists the city at $0.514172, Friendswood ISD at $1.03, Galveston County at $0.32266, Consolidated Drainage at $0.11555 and road and flood at $0.003 per $100. On the Harris County side, Clear Creek ISD is $0.969 (2025) and Harris County adopted $0.4175 for 2026, plus its flood control and hospital districts. West Ranch Municipal District No. 1 adds $0.20 where it applies.
Sources: Galveston Central Appraisal District: 2025 tax rates and exemptions Harris County Tax Office: jurisdiction tax rates Checked Nov. 3, 2026
Which school district serves Friendswood?
Friendswood ISD serves students who live in Galveston County within the city. Homes north of Clear Creek on the Harris County side are outside it, and Community Impact's Wedgewood Village profile lists Clear Creek ISD schools there. Confirm with the district by address.
Sources: Friendswood ISD: attendance zones Community Impact: featured neighborhood Wedgewood Village (July 2015) Checked Nov. 3, 2026
What are HOA fees in Friendswood?
There is no citywide HOA. Dues and deed restrictions come from each subdivision's own association, and we found no association-published figures to list, so request the resale certificate early.
Sources: Community Impact: featured neighborhood Wedgewood Village (July 2015) Community Impact: featured neighborhood West Ranch (Apr. 2018) Checked Nov. 3, 2026
Where do Friendswood residents buy groceries?
Friendswood H-E-B is at 701 West Parkwood, Kroger Autumn Creek is on FM 528 and Kroger Old Friendswood is on North Friendswood Drive, all with pharmacies. Baybrook Mall, with a Friendswood address, handles mall shopping.
Sources: H-E-B: Friendswood H-E-B Kroger: Autumn Creek Kroger: Old Friendswood Checked Nov. 3, 2026
How do you commute from Friendswood to downtown or the Medical Center?
FM 518, FM 528 and FM 2351 connect the city toward I-45 and SH 288. METRO's Southeast park and ride routes use the I-45 HOV lane to downtown, and Route 297 runs to the Texas Medical Center.
Sources: TxDOT highway designation file: FM 518 TxDOT highway designation file: FM 528 TxDOT highway designation file: FM 2351 Checked Nov. 3, 2026
Are there newer homes in Friendswood?
West Ranch, along Clear Creek, was still under construction in 2018 with Perry Homes, Village Builders and Toll Brothers, per Community Impact. Much of the rest of the city grew between 1968 and 1990 by TSHA's counts, so many resales are older.
Sources: Community Impact: featured neighborhood West Ranch (Apr. 2018) Texas State Historical Association: Friendswood, TX Checked Nov. 3, 2026
Did Friendswood flood in Hurricane Harvey?
Community Impact reported 500-year flood events along Clear Creek through Friendswood in Harvey (2017), with about 3,000 homes affected by preliminary estimates. That says nothing about a single house, so check its FEMA zone, elevation certificate and the seller's flood disclosure.
Sources: Community Impact: Pearland, Friendswood invest in repairs after Hurricane Harvey (Sept. 2017) Checked Nov. 3, 2026
What should I check before making an offer in Friendswood?
Confirm the county and the school district from the address, and whether a municipal district such as West Ranch's appears on the bill. Pull the flood disclosure, the FEMA zone and any insurance claims history with Clear Creek in mind, and on the Galveston County side ask for the windstorm certificate. For a home built before 1978, expect the federal lead paint disclosure.
Sources: Friendswood ISD: attendance zones Galveston Central Appraisal District: 2025 tax rates and exemptions Community Impact: Pearland, Friendswood invest in repairs after Hurricane Harvey (Sept. 2017) Checked Nov. 3, 2026
Keeping It Real with Michael O’Neal
Why Live in Friendswood? The Good, The Bad & The Reality
Want an established town with Quaker roots, a 40-acre city lake park and a city tax rate near $0.51 per $100? Friendswood belongs on your list. But Clear Creek runs through town and an estimated 3,000 homes flooded in Harvey, so the flood research comes before the floor plan.
Neighborhood Reality Check
Why You’ll Love It
- A town with real history
- A 40-acre city lake
- A moderate city rate with a homestead break
What Might Surprise You
- Clear Creek's Harvey record
- The county line changes the school district
- Two different tax bills
Everyday Convenience
- Nearest H-E-B: Friendswood H-E-B, 1.2 mi
- ER: Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, 4.3 mi
- Shopping: Baybrook Mall, 2.9 mi
- Park: Independence Park, 4.7 mi
Straight-line miles.
Michael’s Take
Friendswood is a town you pick for its history, its lake park and its tax rate, and then you underwrite the flood risk house by house.
Compare nearby:
Five Reasons People Love Living in Friendswood
- 1A town with real history
Quakers founded Friendswood in 1895, and the historical society keeps the Frank J. Brown Heritage Museum, the 1902 Perry Home and a Quaker Marker Trail.
- 2A 40-acre city lake
Lake Friendswood opened in 2017 with a boardwalk, fishing pier, kayak launch and a 1-mile walking trail, about a mile off FM 518.
Community Impact: Lake Friendswood to open to the public (Jan. 2017)
- 3A moderate city rate with a homestead break
The city adopted $0.514172 per $100 for 2025, and Galveston CAD lists a 20% homestead exemption on city taxes.
Galveston Central Appraisal District: 2025 tax rates and exemptions Harris County Tax Office: jurisdiction tax rates
- 4Groceries in town, a mall nearby
H-E-B on West Parkwood and two Krogers, on FM 528 and North Friendswood Drive, all have pharmacies, and Baybrook Mall carries a Friendswood address.
H-E-B: Friendswood H-E-B Kroger: Autumn Creek Kroger: Old Friendswood
- 5Park and ride on the Gulf Freeway
METRO's Southeast park and ride routes run on the I-45 HOV lane to downtown, and Route 297 goes to the Texas Medical Center.
Five Things You Should Know Before Moving to Friendswood
- 1Clear Creek's Harvey record
Community Impact reported 500-year flood events along Clear Creek through Friendswood in Harvey (2017) and about 3,000 homes in floodwater by preliminary estimate.
Community Impact: Pearland, Friendswood invest in repairs after Hurricane Harvey (Sept. 2017) Harris County Flood Control District: Clear Creek watershed
- 2The county line changes the school district
Clear Creek divides Galveston and Harris counties here, and Friendswood ISD serves only the Galveston County part of the city, so a Harris County address is in another district.
Friendswood ISD: district demographics Friendswood ISD: attendance zones Community Impact: featured neighborhood Wedgewood Village (July 2015)
- 3Two different tax bills
The Galveston side pays Galveston County ($0.32266), Friendswood ISD ($1.03) and Consolidated Drainage ($0.11555) for 2025; the Harris side pays Harris County ($0.4175 for 2026), its flood control and hospital districts and Clear Creek ISD ($0.969).
Galveston Central Appraisal District: 2025 tax rates and exemptions Harris County Tax Office: jurisdiction tax rates
- 4Windstorm paperwork on the Galveston side
Galveston County is a first-tier coastal county, so a home there built since 1988 needs a WPI-8 to qualify for TWIA wind and hail coverage.
- 5Many resales are decades old
The city grew from 1,675 residents in 1968 to 22,814 in 1990, and Wedgewood Village dates to 1985, so roofs, plumbing and foundations deserve a close look.
Texas State Historical Association: Friendswood, TX Community Impact: featured neighborhood Wedgewood Village (July 2015)
Who Might Love Friendswood?
- Buyers who want an established town with history and mature neighborhoods
- Buyers who want a city lake park and trails near home
- Buyers who want I-45 and METRO park and ride routes toward downtown
- Buyers who want groceries and pharmacies inside the city limits
Who Might Prefer Somewhere Else?
- If you want regional shopping, two hospitals and SH 288 toll lanes inside one city, compare Pearland.
- If you want bay and waterfront living with Clear Creek ISD across much of the mainland, look at Clear Lake and Galveston Bay.
- If you want brand-new construction around a swimmable lagoon, see Lago Mar.
Everyday Convenience in Friendswood
- Errands on the farm roads Everyday shopping sits along West Parkwood (FM 518), FM 528 and North Friendswood Drive, where the H-E-B and both Krogers are. H-E-B: Friendswood H-E-B Kroger: Autumn Creek Kroger: Old Friendswood
- Hospitals in nearby areas The hospitals we list are in Webster, Clear Lake and southeast Houston: HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, Houston Methodist Clear Lake and Memorial Hermann Southeast. HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital
- Street work in progress Blackhawk Boulevard improvements toward FM 2351 and FM 528 were set for bidding in 2026. Community Impact: road projects in Pearland and Friendswood (Nov. 2025)
Main routes: FM 518, FM 528, FM 2351 and I-45 (Gulf Freeway). TxDOT highway designation file: FM 518 TxDOT highway designation file: FM 528 TxDOT highway designation file: FM 2351
| Nearest H-E-B | Friendswood H-E-B 1.2 mi |
|---|---|
| Nearest H-E-B | El Dorado H-E-B 3.3 mi |
| Pharmacy | In-store pharmacy at Friendswood H-E-B 1.2 mi |
| Hospital with an ER | Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital 4.3 mi |
| Major shopping | Baybrook Mall 2.9 mi |
| Parks and nature | Independence Park 4.7 mi |
| Airport | George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) 33 mi |
| Airport | William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) 11 mi |
Distances are straight-line from the approximate center of Friendswood, not driving distance or time; your street and route change the real trip. Each place links to its official site; a list is not a recommendation.
The Real Estate Reality
| Tax rate: City of Friendswood | $0.514172 per $100 (2025) | official rate; not a tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Tax rate: Galveston County | $0.322660 per $100 (2025) | official rate; not a tax bill |
| Tax rate: Galveston County Road and Flood | $0.003000 per $100 (2025) | official rate; not a tax bill |
Median closed sale price, recent closed sales, price per square foot, days on market and inventory for Friendswood come from the MLS, and HAR’s public pages do not publish them by neighborhood, so we do not show them here. Ask for a current MLS report for the streets you are considering. Full sources are on the Friendswood Fact Sheet.
Michael’s Take Broker opinion, based on the sourced facts above
My take: Friendswood is a town you pick for its history, its lake park and its tax rate, and then you underwrite the flood risk house by house. Start with which side of Clear Creek the home is on, because that settles the county, the school district and the windstorm question. Then ask for the seller's flood disclosure and any claims history before you get attached.
Friendswood vs. Nearby Neighborhoods
Friendswood vs. Pearland
Choose Pearland and you gain: Two hospitals, Pearland Town Center and SH 288 toll lanes toward the Texas Medical Center inside one city.
You give up: A higher city rate ($0.63 per $100 for 2025), no transit inside the city, and its own Clear Creek flood history.
Friendswood vs. Clear Lake and Galveston Bay
Choose Clear Lake and Galveston Bay and you gain: Bay parks and a choice of cities such as League City at $0.36355 per $100 (2025), with Clear Creek ISD across much of the mainland.
You give up: Storm surge exposure near the bay and the same coastal windstorm rules.
Friendswood vs. Lago Mar
Choose Lago Mar and you gain: New construction from around $300,000 and a 12-acre swimmable lagoon.
You give up: Dickinson ISD instead of Friendswood ISD and a $0.90 MUD rate in some sections.
Questions buyers ask about Friendswood
Is Friendswood a good place to live?
It suits buyers who want an established town with Quaker history, a city lake park, groceries in town and a moderate city tax rate with a homestead exemption. The main checks are Clear Creek's flood history, which county and school district the address is in, and windstorm paperwork on the Galveston County side.
Sources: Galveston County Museum: Friendswood community history Community Impact: Lake Friendswood to open to the public (Jan. 2017) Galveston Central Appraisal District: 2025 tax rates and exemptions Checked Nov 3, 2026
What are the downsides of living in Friendswood?
An estimated 3,000 homes flooded in Harvey (2017) along Clear Creek, and the county line changes the school district and the tax bill. Galveston County's windstorm rules apply on that side, and much of the city grew between 1968 and 1990, so many resales are decades old.
Sources: Galveston County Museum: Friendswood community history Community Impact: Lake Friendswood to open to the public (Jan. 2017) Galveston Central Appraisal District: 2025 tax rates and exemptions Checked Nov 3, 2026
Researched and checked Nov 3, 2026. Facts link to their sources; Michael’s take is his opinion.
Every neighborhood has its advantages and tradeoffs. Before you buy, let’s talk about what actually matters to you.
Michael O’Neal
Broker | REALTOR® · The Michael O’Neal Group
Keller Williams Realty Northeast
Call or text: 832-797-3780 · themichaelonealgroup.com
Neighborhood fact sheet
Friendswood Fact Sheet
The key facts on one sheet. Every figure links to its source, and each card shows the date it was last checked (sheet updated Nov 3, 2026).
Check the address. Property taxes, flood zone, HOA dues and school assignments are set for each address and can differ between homes in the same neighborhood. Before relying on anything on this sheet, look the address up in the official tools linked here.
Homes
Friendswood became increasingly suburban after 1950 and incorporated in 1960. Census estimates put the city's median year built at 1991, with about 83% of housing units single-family detached homes.
HAR does not keep one neighborhood record that matches Friendswood, so we do not show HAR medians here. Ask us for a recent-sales report for the streets you are considering.
Galveston County Museum: Friendswood community history · U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2020-2024 5-year, B25035 Median Year Structure Built (Friendswood city, Texas) · U.S. Census Bureau: ACS 2020-2024 5-year, DP04 Selected Housing Characteristics (Friendswood city, Texas)
Checked Nov 4, 2026
Property taxes
| Taxing unit | Adopted rate | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Friendswood | $0.514172 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Galveston County | $0.322660 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Galveston County Road and Flood | $0.003000 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District | $0.115550 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Friendswood ISD | $1.030000 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Clear Creek ISD | $0.969000 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| West Ranch Municipal District No. 1 (where it applies) | $0.200000 per $100 | 2025 | Source |
| Harris County (Harris County side) | $0.4175000 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
| Harris County Flood Control District (Harris County side) | $0.0526600 per $100 | 2026 | Source |
Official rates we could confirm, per $100 of taxable value. A tax bill also depends on which units cover the address, its appraised value and its exemptions. All tax details on this page.
- Galveston Central Appraisal District property search
- Galveston County Tax Office
- Harris Central Appraisal District property search
- Harris County Tax Office
- True Cost of Homeownership calculator
Checked Nov 3, 2026
HOA dues
Associations and deed restrictions differ by subdivision here. Ask the seller for the resale certificate and the recorded restrictions for the specific address.
Schools
- Friendswood ISD
- Clear Creek ISD School Zone Finder (by address)
School assignments and attendance boundaries can change. Confirm the assigned schools directly with the district before making a housing decision. School notes on this page.
Flood research
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Galveston County Floodplain Permitting (flood zone determinations)
- Harris County Flood Control District - Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool
- How to read Houston flood maps
Flood zones are mapped parcel by parcel, and no guide can tell you whether a particular house has flooded or will flood. Ask the seller for the flood disclosure and any elevation certificate. Flood notes on this page.
Nearby essentials
Hospitals with an emergency room
Shopping
- Baybrook Mall 2.9 mi
- Pearland Town Center 12 mi
Parks and nature
- Independence Park 4.7 mi
- Centennial Park 6.5 mi
- Clear Lake Park 8.5 mi
Straight-line distance from the approximate center of Friendswood, not driving distance or time. Each name links to its official site. A list is not a recommendation or a ranking.
See Friendswood on the area map
Checked Oct 28, 2026
Explore the area: South and Southeast Houston communities
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Friendswood?
Every neighborhood has its advantages and tradeoffs. Let me help you understand the market, the costs and what to look for before making a decision.
Michael O’Neal
Broker | REALTOR® · The Michael O’Neal Group
Keller Williams Realty Northeast
Call or text: 832-797-3780 Text Michael
Personal help
Questions about Friendswood?
Everything on this page is free to read. When you want help with a specific home, a shortlist or your own home’s value, tell us what you need.
832-797-3780
Researched and checked Nov. 3, 2026. Every fact links to its source. Related: Clear Lake Galveston · All Houston communities · Area map
Sources for the sections above
- City of Friendswood
- Galveston County Museum: Friendswood community history
- Community Impact: Lake Friendswood to open to the public (Jan. 2017)
- Harris County Tax Office: jurisdiction tax rates
- H-E-B: Friendswood H-E-B
- Kroger: Autumn Creek
- METRO: Park and Ride bus
- Friendswood ISD: district demographics
- Texas State Historical Association: Friendswood, TX
- HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake
- Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital
- Community Impact: road projects in Pearland and Friendswood (Nov. 2025)
- TxDOT highway designation file: FM 518
- TxDOT highway designation file: FM 528
- HAR.com, Friendswood market area price trends (read Nov. 6, 2026)
- HAR.com, Pearland market area price trends (read Nov. 6, 2026)
- HAR.com monthly MLS report
- Friendswood ISD: attendance zones
- Community Impact: Pearland, Friendswood invest in repairs after Hurricane Harvey (Sept. 2017)
- Harris County Flood Control District: Clear Creek watershed
- Texas Department of Insurance: TWIA overview
- Community Impact: featured neighborhood Wedgewood Village (July 2015)
Community facts: city, district and association records, the Galveston County appraisal district and tax office, HAR.com and each place’s official page (records checked Oct. 21-Nov. 3, 2026). Market areas: HAR.com (read Nov. 8, 2026). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors, tiles OpenFreeMap; imagery USGS The National Map.