Katy

Katy is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area. The city is located in Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties. The population was 14,102 at the 2010 census, up from 11,775 at the 2000 census.

History

The Karankawa Indians lived in the area before the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's colonists in the 1820s. Katy was once known as "Cane Island", named for the creek that runs through the area, a branch of Buffalo Bayou. The creek was filled with cane, presumed to have been planted by earlier residents for use in making baskets.

Geography

Katy is located at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Farm to Market Road 1463. The city is approximately 30 miles (48 km) west of downtown Houston and 10 miles (16 km) east of Sealy.

Economy

Katy is home to many businesses and retail centers. The city is known for the Katy Mills shopping mall, which is a major retail destination in the region. Other major employers in the city include Amazon, BP, and Academy Sports + Outdoors.

Education

The city is served by the Katy Independent School District, which operates several elementary, middle, and high schools. Katy High School is known for its strong football program. The city is also home to the University of Houston–Victoria at Katy.

Culture

Katy hosts several cultural events and festivals throughout the year, including the Katy Rice Harvest Festival and the Katy Freedom Celebration. The city is also home to the Katy Contemporary Arts Museum.

Notable people

Several notable people have hailed from Katy, including actress Renee Zellweger, football player Andy Dalton, and singer Kacey Musgraves.