According to a recent press release from Grubb & Ellis Co. Houston is ranked #1 among Top 10 U.S. Markets over the next 5 years. The report suggests the Houston economy has already bottomed out in 2009, and is slowly showing some signs of strength.

Recovery is expected to come but at a much slower pace than in the past. The local Houston economy experienced a slight increase in annual employment growth. The strong economic base of 25 Fortune 500 companies stays on pace with California and has surpassed the state of New York for the highest number.
While the oil and gas industry continue to be the backbone for Houston's economy other sectors are stabilized. Healthcare and import-export are leading the local industries, while the construction industry was the hardest hit as expected.

U.S. MARKET STRENGTH FORECAST  
Top 10 Markets 2011-2015

1. Houston 86.6
2. Los Angeles 81.9
3. Oakland/East Bay, Calif. 72.1
4. Dallas-Fort Worth 71.7
5. Seattle 70.6
6. Riverside, Calif. 69.2
7. Chicago 66.4
8. Atlanta 66.1
9. Portland, Ore. 63.9
10. Miami 61.3

*Markets were ranked from 0 to 100 against 14 property, economic and demographic variables.