Plumbing repair · Baytown, Texas
Plumbing repair in Baytown, TX
Leak, backed-up drain, no hot water, or a frozen line? The largest share of Baytown's homes (15%) was built 1970 to 1979[1]. Request a licensed plumber who works here. Baytown, in Harris County and Chambers County — ZIPs 77521, 77520, 77523, counts 86,561 residents (2025 estimate)[2].
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The Baytown plumbing picture in brief
- Population (2025 est.)
- 86,561[2]+1.2% since 2020
- County
- Harris / Chambers[2]city spans more than one county
- Land area
- 40.0 sq mi[3]
- Decade the most homes date from
- 1970 to 1979[1]15% of housing units
- Homes built before 1980
- 49%[1]the 3rd-highest share of the 15 Houston-area suburbs we cover
- Homes built 1980–1999
- 23%[1]2020–2024
- Homes built 2010 or later
- 15%[1]the 7th-lowest share of the 15 Houston-area suburbs we cover
- Winter-storm & freeze days, harris zone
- 4[4]2016–2025
- Flood & flash-flood reports within 10 mi
- 12[4]12 flash floods, 2016–2025; flood-prone homes need working drainage and backflow prevention
- FEMA flood-insurance claims, local ZIPs
- 4,628[5]1,825 in the last 10 years; 3,606 paid
What the local data means for plumbing in Baytown
Baytown counts 86,561 residents (2025 estimate), growing at a middle-of-the-pack 1.2% since 2020[2]. On the map that's 40.0 square miles holding 2,164 residents per square mile, the 6th densest of the suburbs here; it spans Harris County and Chambers County, with ZIP codes 77521, 77520, 77523[3].
With 15% of homes built since 2010 and 49% before 1980[1], Baytown's plumbing runs from brand-new supply lines and fixtures to aging pipe, original valves and water heaters past their rated life.
3 ZIP codes cover Baytown — 77521 (47% of the city's land), 77520 (38% of the city's land), 77523 (15% of the city's land)[7].
The tracked suburbs closest by are La Porte (8.3 mi SW), Pasadena (13.4 mi SW) and League City (20.8 mi SW)[3].
49% of Baytown's 34,125 housing units predate 1980 and 15% went up in 2010 or later[1] — the 3rd-highest pre-1980 share of the 15 Houston-area suburbs we cover; nearby, La Porte (42%), Pasadena (57%), and League City (14%) predate 1980. Houses that old can still have galvanized supply pipe or cast-iron drains — especially the 21% built before 1960.
The biggest single slice — 15% — was built 1970 to 1979, and the median home dates to 1981[1]. Neighbours from the same era tend to hit the same plumbing problems at the same time.
Freeze risk: the harris forecast zone logged 4 winter-storm, ice or hard-freeze days in 2016–2025; the latest was Jan 17, 2018[4].
Water from the sky is plumbing work too: 12 flood or flash-flood reports within 10 miles over 2016–2025[4], and FEMA logged 4,628 flood-insurance claims across Baytown's ZIPs[5]. Homes that take water need working drainage, sump pumps and backflow prevention.
38% of homes heat with utility gas, and 48% of households rent[1]. Tenants: report plumbing failures to the landlord in writing.
Out of the 15 suburbs on this site, Baytown has the 3rd-highest pre-1980 housing share (49%)[1], the 3rd-oldest housing (by median year built) (1981)[1], and the 3rd-lowest gas-heat share (38%)[1].
Baytown storm calendar
Within 10 miles of Baytown, 2016–2025: 12 flash-flood reports[4]. Peak: 67% in April, June, and August. Busiest year 2017 (4); 5 of 10 years had none. Busiest month August 2017 (3). Latest: flash-flood report, Apr 29, 2024, 8.2 mi out.
| Month | Flash flood | Flood & heavy rain | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb | 1 | – | 1 |
| Mar | 1 | – | 1 |
| Apr | 3 | – | 3 |
| Jun | 2 | – | 2 |
| Aug | 3 | – | 3 |
| Sep | 2 | – | 2 |
Finding plumbing help around Baytown
Requests go to Plumbing repair contractors serving the Baytown area — ZIP codes 77521, 77520, 77523.
Before you pick up the phone: before the plumber arrives
Baytown by the numbers
| Measure | Baytown | Median of 15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built before 1960 | 20.5% | 9.7% | 11 pts higher |
| Built before 1980 | 49% | 28% | 20 pts higher |
| Utility-gas heat | 38% | 50% | 12 pts lower |
| Flood reports (10 mi) | 12 | 15 | 3 fewer |
| Built 2010 or later | 15% | 19% | 4 pts lower |
| Renter-occupied | 48% | 43% | 4 pts higher |
| Median year built | 1981 | 1993 | 12 years older |
Largest differences first. Medians are the middle value across the covered Houston-area suburbs, from the same sources.
| City | Flood reports | NFIP claims | Freeze days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baytown | 12 | 4,628 | 4 |
| La Porte 8.3 mi | 18 | 4,801 | 4 |
| Pasadena 13.4 mi | 25 | 13,636 | 4 |
| League City 20.8 mi | 32 | 19,518 | 1 |
| Friendswood 22.6 mi | 30 | 6,059 | 1 |
| Texas City 23.3 mi | 12 | 12,018 | 1 |
| ZIP | Claims | Paid | Busiest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 77521 | 2,098 | $142,977,426 | 2017 (1052) |
| 77520 | 1,937 | $58,100,707 | 1983 (502) |
| 77523 | 593 | $25,165,348 | 2017 (287) |
ZIPs extend past city limits.
| Date | Type | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2024 | Flash Flood | 7.5 mi |
| Apr 29, 2024 | Flash Flood | 1.9 mi |
| Apr 29, 2024 | Flash Flood | 8.2 mi |
| Sep 15, 2023 | Flash Flood | 8.6 mi |
| Sep 18, 2019 | Flash Flood | 3.8 mi |
| Feb 26, 2019 | Flash Flood | 1.9 mi |
| Aug 28, 2017 | Flash Flood | 7.3 mi |
| Aug 27, 2017 | Flash Flood | 6.5 mi |
| Built | Units | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 or later | 635 | 1.9% | ±201 |
| 2010 to 2019 | 4,626 | 13.6% | ±635 |
| 2000 to 2009 | 4,489 | 13.2% | ±698 |
| 1990 to 1999 | 2,993 | 8.8% | ±450 |
| 1980 to 1989 | 4,769 | 14.0% | ±805 |
| 1970 to 1979 | 5,264 | 15.4% | ±792 |
| 1960 to 1969 | 4,343 | 12.7% | ±606 |
| 1950 to 1959 | 3,620 | 10.6% | ±468 |
| 1940 to 1949 | 2,399 | 7.0% | ±384 |
| 1939 or earlier | 987 | 2.9% | ±296 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates; margins of error are the Census Bureau's 90% intervals.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Housing units | 34,125 |
| Detached single-family | 20,029 (59%) |
| Occupied homes | 30,964 |
| Owner-occupied | 16,191 (52%) |
| Renter-occupied | 14,773 (48%) |
| Median home value | $197,300 |
ACS 2020–2024 estimates.
| Main heating fuel | Homes | Share | Margin of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 18,606 | 60.1% | ±1,169 |
| Utility gas | 11,728 | 37.9% | ±984 |
| Bottled or tank gas (propane, butane, etc.) | 298 | 1.0% | ±125 |
| No fuel used | 188 | 0.6% | ±109 |
| Other fuel | 79 | 0.3% | ±79 |
| Fuel oil, kerosene, etc. | 45 | 0.1% | ±48 |
| Wood | 20 | 0.1% | ±33 |
| ZIP (ZCTA) | Share of Baytown's land | Share of the ZIP inside the city |
|---|---|---|
| 77521 | 47% | 35% |
| 77520 | 38% | 67% |
| 77523 | 15% | 7% |
Dated heat and freeze records for the HARRIS forecast zone: see the county list.
Common Baytown plumbing questions
Are Baytown homes likely to have old galvanized pipes?
Only an inspection can say, but age is the clue: 21% were built before 1960 and 49% before 1980[1].
How often do pipes freeze in Baytown?
The record for Baytown's forecast zone shows 4 winter-storm or freeze days over 2016–2025, in 2 different years[4].
Which ZIP codes are covered in Baytown?
77521, 77520, and 77523[7], in Harris County. Nearby suburbs with their own pages: La Porte (8.3 mi), Pasadena (13.4 mi), and League City (20.8 mi)[3].
I rent in Baytown. Who arranges the repair?
48% of occupied Baytown homes are rented[1], the 4th-highest share of the 15 Houston-area suburbs we cover. Tell your landlord or property manager in writing first; your lease says who arranges repairs.
Sources
- Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year (keyless bulk)
- Census population estimates, Vintage 2025
- Census Gazetteer 2025
- NOAA Storm Events Database
- OpenFEMA NFIP claims
- Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (link unverified)
- Census 2020 ZCTA–place file
Data pulled Sep 28, 2026. Full citations and method.