Where is Prairie View, Texas

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: August 5, 2026

Prairie View is a city in southeast Texas and part of the Houston metropolitan area in Waller County. It is about 50 miles northwest of downtown Houston and 8 miles east of Hempstead. The city is best known as the home of Prairie View A&M University, one of Texas's historic public universities, and for its location among the rolling prairie landscapes west of Houston.

Location Map of Prairie View, Waller County, Texas

Where is Prairie View Located in Waller County, Texas

About Map: The map shows the location of Prairie View in Waller County, in the U.S. state of Texas.

Prairie View Map, Texas

About Prairie View Map: The Google Map highlights the location of Prairie View in Waller County, Texas. Use the zoom, satellite, and street-view options to explore the city's neighborhoods, roads, and nearby places.

Where is Prairie View Located?

Prairie View is a city located in Waller County, Texas, the United States. It lies in southeast Texas within the western part of the Houston metropolitan area, about 50 miles northwest of downtown Houston and roughly 8 miles east of Hempstead. Katy is around 30 miles southeast, while College Station is about 60 miles northwest. Prairie View is positioned near 30.094° North latitude and 95.992° West longitude. The 2020 Census recorded 7,386 residents. The city covers about 7.15 square miles, or 18.52 square kilometers. Prairie View grew around Prairie View A&M University, which was established in 1876 as the Alta Vista Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. The university later became Prairie View A&M University and remains the city's most important institution. The campus is a historically significant part of Texas education and is one of the state's public historically Black universities. A unique fact about Prairie View is its close identity with the university, whose history reaches back to the Reconstruction era. The surrounding Waller County countryside includes open prairie, farms, ranches, and wooded areas. The city is also close to major Houston-area employment and transportation corridors. US-290 and nearby State Highway 6 provide convenient connections to Houston, Hempstead, Brenham, College Station, and other communities in southeast Texas.

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Prairie View City Facts

CityPrairie View
StateTexas
CountyWaller County
CountryUnited States
RegionSoutheast Texas and Houston Metropolitan Area
Incorporated1969
Founded1876
Total Area7.15 sq mi (18.52 sq km)
Land Area7.14 sq mi (18.49 sq km)
Water Area0.01 sq mi (0.03 sq km)
Elevation230 ft (70 m)
Population (2023 estimate)About 7,500
Population (2020 Census)7,386
Population Density1,034 people per sq mi
Time ZoneCentral Time (CST/CDT)
ZIP Codes77445, 77446
Area Code936 and 832
Major HighwaysUS-290, SH-6, and FM-1488
Public TransitWaller County regional transportation services
Major AttractionsPrairie View A&M University, Waller County Courthouse, and nearby Waller County prairie landscapes
Official Websitehttps://www.prairieviewtx.us/

Distance from Prairie View, TX to Nearby Cities

  • Hempstead, TX – 8 miles (13 km)
  • Waller, TX – 8 miles (13 km)
  • Brookshire, TX – 20 miles (32 km)
  • Brenham, TX – 30 miles (48 km)
  • Katy, TX – 30 miles (48 km)
  • Sealy, TX – 25 miles (40 km)
  • Bellville, TX – 30 miles (48 km)
  • College Station, TX – 60 miles (97 km)
  • Houston, TX – 50 miles (80 km)
  • Sugar Land, TX – 55 miles (89 km)
  • The Woodlands, TX – 40 miles (64 km)
  • Conroe, TX – 50 miles (80 km)
  • Bryan, TX – 60 miles (97 km)
  • Richmond, TX – 45 miles (72 km)
  • Huntsville, TX – 65 miles (105 km)
  • Galveston, TX – 105 miles (169 km)
  • Beaumont, TX – 135 miles (217 km)
  • Austin, TX – 150 miles (241 km)

Top Attractions in Prairie View

  • Prairie View A&M University – A historic public university founded in 1876 and one of Texas's two public historically Black universities.
  • Prairie View A&M University Historic Campus – The university campus contains historic buildings, academic facilities, monuments, and spaces connected to the institution's long history.
  • Waller County Historical Museum – A nearby historical resource documenting the people, agriculture, communities, and development of Waller County.
  • Waller County Courthouse – The county courthouse in nearby Hempstead is an important civic and architectural landmark in the area.
  • Hempstead Historic Downtown – The nearby downtown area features historic buildings, local businesses, and sites connected to Waller County's early development.
  • Waller County Fairgrounds – A regional gathering place for agricultural events, livestock shows, community activities, and the annual county fair.
  • Houston Premium Outlets – A major shopping destination in nearby Cypress, offering a wide selection of stores and restaurants.
  • Brazos River – The river lies west of Prairie View and provides opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation in the wider region.

Airports Near Prairie View, TX

  • George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) – 45 miles
  • William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – 70 miles
  • Easterwood Airport (CLL) – 65 miles
  • West Houston Airport (IWS) – 40 miles
  • Huntsville Regional Airport (UTS) – 70 miles

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the official Prairie View city website and local government records.

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