SPACE City Panel

Welcome to the SPACE City Panel —your window into how Houstonians adapt, innovate, and thrive. Developed by the Hobby School of Public Affairs in partnership with the National Opinion Research Center, this groundbreaking longitudinal survey gathers insights from a diverse group of residents across the greater Houston region. We ask them about their communities, perceptions, well-being, and expectations through online, mail, and phone surveys.

Why Houston?

As the nation’s fourth largest city and a “global lab” for public policy, Houston’s communities are uniquely positioned to reveal how people respond to today’s biggest challenges—whether it’s extreme weather, economic swings, or the transition to a sustainable future. By tracking residents’ attitudes and experiences over time, the SPACE City Panel delivers timely data to inform policymakers, local organizations, business leaders, and the public.

Join us in exploring the resilience, opinions, and ambitions of this vibrant metropolis. With quarterly surveys on community engagement, economics, sustainability, and more, the SPACE City Panel spotlights the voices that shape Houston today and inspire it tomorrow.

Each quarter, the 1,500 SPACE City Panelists selected to reflect the greater Houston area, spanning nine counties in the Houston MSA, answer questions about two of the four rotating modules:

Rotating Modules

With information collected over time, Hobby School researchers and partners can construct extensive profiles of residents to provide quick and highly informed responses to topics important to Houstonians. These topics include but are not limited to natural disasters and recovery, education, economic hardships and vulnerability, immigration, and energy and climate change.

The SPACE City Panel's focus on public engagement, community resiliency, economics, and sustainability delivers timely, in-depth insights into how the nation’s fourth-largest city responds to ever-evolving today's pressing issues.

Beyond the quarterly surveys, the SPACE City Panel also offers custom opportunities for researchers, government agencies, businesses, and community organizations to add questions or explore specific issues and trends over time. Policymakers, businesses, community leaders, and residents can rely on the SPACE City Panel's to understand, serve, and shape Houston’s vibrant future.