A new University of Houston poll shows that most Houstonians are generally satisfied with Mayor John Whitmire’s leadership, but when it comes to day-to-day city issues like crime, traffic and the state of local streets, residents are far from thrilled.
Some of the glaring standouts from the survey were that more than half of Houstonians think the city (and the United States) is heading in the wrong direction. This is contrasted, though, when it comes to how they feel about Whitmire; 59% of residents, for example, approve of the job he’s doing as mayor, while 41% disapprove.
According to the survey conducted by UH’s Hobby School of Public Affairs, 59% of registered Houston voters approve of Whitmire’s performance at City Hall. However, the results show a clear undercurrent of dissatisfaction about the city’s direction.
Key concerns: Quality of life and infrastructure
Despite 58% of residents saying Houston’s quality of life is “good,” nearly the same percentage feel the city is on the wrong track, pointing to rising housing costs, worsening traffic and crumbling roadways.
“The city has its work cut out for it,” said Renée Cross, senior executive director of the Hobby School.
Streets, in particular, emerged as a major sticking point. Nearly half of those surveyed named poor road conditions as one of Houston’s top three challenges. And for many, it’s more than just potholes: 60% of Black voters said street conditions had a negative impact in their neighborhoods, compared to 55% of Latino residents and 44% of white voters.
By the numbers
Whitmire, a longtime Democratic lawmaker elected mayor in 2023, enjoys strong bipartisan support.
Approve of performance
- 71% Republicans
- 56% Democrats
Other key findings:
Approve of Fire/EMS: 81%
Approve of Public Works: 28%
Approve of City services (Trash collection/Police protection): 50%
Support raising the city’s revenue cap to help fund additional fire, police resources: 39%
Biking Debate Reflects Citywide Divide
The survey results come at a tense time for transportation infrastructure in Houston. Whitmire has faced backlash for recent decisions to remove protected bike lanes from Heights Boulevard and Austin Street. Critics say the move compromises cyclist safety, while supporters argue it prioritizes traffic flow and public safety.
Jones said that although the cycling community is vocal and influential, its views may not reflect the priorities of most Houstonians.
“The majority of people in this city care more about getting to work on time and public safety,” he said. “They’re not as focused on recreational bike lanes.”
Still, advocates note that many who rely on bikes or motorcycles for commuting are low-income workers. A 2015 Rice University Kinder Institute report found that 42% of Houstonians who bike, ride motorcycles or take taxis to work earn less than $25,000 a year.
Lina Hidalgo
County Attorney Lina Hidalgo’s approval is more sharply divided along party lines. She received high marks from 80% of Democrats but only 13% of Republicans. Mark Jones, a senior research fellow with the Hobby School, says Houston’s demographic makeup—largely Democratic—likely boosts Hidalgo’s citywide ratings.
“She’s underwater with independents and overwhelmingly disliked by Republicans,” Jones said. “That skews her favorability upward when looking only at Houston, which doesn’t reflect the more mixed political landscape of the broader Harris County area.”
Big Picture: National Mood Less Optimistic
Even with moderate satisfaction at the city level, Houstonians remain skeptical about the country’s direction overall. Only 26% said they believe the United States is headed in the right direction, while a significant 74% said it’s not.
The UH Hobby School survey offers a snapshot of a city trying to move forward—balancing optimism in leadership with deep concerns about equity, infrastructure and livability.
