A majority of Harris County voters express concern over crime, poorly maintained roads, and flooding, while 57% feel the county is on the wrong track.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A new University of Houston survey shows that many Harris County voters are increasingly worried about quality-of-life issues and the direction the county is heading.
According to the Hobby School of Public Affairs report, 57% of registered voters believe Harris County is on the wrong track, with concerns about violent crime, street conditions, flooding and housing affordability leading the way.
Some of the top issues include:
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20% named crime as their biggest concern, and 45% listed it among their top three.
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39% cited poorly maintained roads and 37% pointed to flooding as major issues.
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High housing costs were a leading concern for Black voters (45%) and young voters ages 18-34 (48%), compared to 31% of white voters and 26% of seniors.
The poll also reflects political and demographic divides, specifically over how to address a looming county budget shortfall:
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38% of voters support cutting programs and services, while just 30% favor raising taxes and fees. 32% remain unsure.
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74% of Republican voters support cuts, compared to only 16% of Democrats and 31% of independents.
Researchers also found Black and Latino voters reported greater negative impact from crime, homelessness, illegal dumping, and lack of sidewalks.
When it comes to elections, 67% of voters said they believe the 2026 Harris County elections will be conducted fairly, but confidence dropped for state (59%) and national (55%) elections.
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Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is the county’s most popular elected official, with a net approval rating of 33%.
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County Judge Lina Hidalgo has the lowest net approval at 4%.
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Commissioners Adrian Garcia and Rodney Ellis had the highest ratings at 26% and 25%, respectively. Rodney Ellis has an approval rating of 25% while Lesley Briones and Tom Ramsey place at 19% each.
The survey polled 2,300 registered Harris County voters from July 9 through July 18 and has a margin of error of ±2.04%. Additional reports from the Hobby School will examine residents’ views on weather, sports, entertainment and the race for Congressional District 18.