The actual City of Katy, Texas, referred to as "Old Town Katy", is located on Interstate Highway 10 and U.S. Highway 90 at the intersection of Harris, Fort Bend and Waller counties. The city has a total area of 27.6 km² (10.7 mi²). As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the City of Katy's population was 11,775.

In 2005, "the Katy area" was estimated to have a population of 134,000 within a five-mile radius of Old Town Katy. Projections for the next five years estimate the area population to be over 170,000.

Katy is a colorful and affluent community located just 30 minutes due west of Houston, well known for its Southern hospitality and Texas charm. Katy represents a nice way to enjoy a safe, friendly family environment, abundant real estate, while still being close enough to the big city to enjoy the cultural diversity, entertainment, and business opportunities that go along.

Katy is historically an agricultural area with rice as the major crop and soybeans having been added as an alternate crop in the late 1950's. The Katy area has been the site of one of the United States' largest gas fields since the early forties, which has been a great benefit to the economy of the area. Most recently the development of industrial sites, both east and west of Katy, have added more growth to this thriving economy.

Despite a robust and expanding economy, Katy remains affordable. Katy real estate ranges from apartments and condominiums to large estate homes with acreage to enjoy and maintain horses - and others with championship golf courses as their backyard. Subdivisions abound with tennis courts, swimming pools, and endless amenities for their residents.

With a modest cost of living and a well-paid work force, Katy makes good economic sense for most people considering relocation. Combine local economics with a small, close-knit atmosphere and you've got a wonderful choice for raising a family. Housing prices being what they are, even a young family can find a starter home.

People residing in Katy consider the city to be divided into two sections. "Old Katy" (or Katy Proper) and "Katy Area". Old Katy is considered the actual City of Katy and sits mostly north of Interstate I-10.

All of the "Katy Area" lies in the city of Houston's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), not Katy's. This means that the areas of "Katy Area" are controlled by the city of Houston and the city has the ability to annex it in the future. The city of Katy can not annex this area unless the city of Houston releases the area's ETJ to Katy, which has occurred in several small chunks in recent years. The most recent instance of this was in 2001 when Houston ceded about 400 acres (1.6 km²) of ETJ to the City of Katy to allow the Katy Mills Mall and surrounding parking lot to be built entirely within the City of Katy.

Katy offers a wide variety of restaurant choices. In addition, there are many cafes and outdoor coffeehouses to enjoy. Katy also has numerous retail stores and several shopping malls including Katy Mills, the popular mall which is a 1.3 million-square-foot market dominant retail and entertainment destination. Katy Mills features 200 of the best names in manufacturers' and retail outlets, off price retailers and unique specialty stores, the Katy Field Day Food Court, various themed restaurants, a 20 screen, state of the art, movie theater and several high-quality, family-oriented entertainment venues.

Katy Independent School District is a flourishing suburban school district that encompasses 181 square miles in east Texas. Its eastern boundaries stretch to Houston's energy corridor approximately 16 miles west of downtown Houston and extend along Interstate 10 to a few miles west of the city of Katy. In the 2005-06 school year, the projected student enrollment has grown to more than 47,000 served by 44 schools including six high schools.

Rated academically acceptable by the Texas Education Agency, Katy ISD offers an outstanding instructional program with facilities, equipment and materials that are among the best in the state. There is a very low student-to-teacher ratio throughout the classrooms. This, along with a supportive community, contributes to the outstanding test results achieved by the students.

Due to its close proximity to Houston, Katy's broad transportation needs are well met. The Houston Airport System is only a quick drive away from downtown Katy. Katy also enjoys an outstanding police force and fire department. The current mayor of Katy is Doyle G. Callender (2001 - Present). 

With over 50-percent of the population under the age of 35, the Katy real estate area is one of the youngest residential developments in the United States. Per the 2000 Census, the Katy area, excluding the actual City of Katy, had a median age of 33 years and a median family income of $87,741.

The Katy Area includes newer developments such as Cinco Ranch, Grayson Lakes, Seven Meadows and Grand Lakes while also encompassing developments from the 1970s and early 1980s such as Nottingham, Kelliwood and Memorial Parkway.

Katy real estate ranges from apartments to large estate homes with equestrian acreage; others boast championship golf courses as their backyards. Subdivisions abound with tennis courts, swimming pools, and endless amenities for their residents.

With a modest cost of living and a well-paid workforce, Katy makes good economic sense for most people considering relocation. Combine local economics with a small, close-knit atmosphere and you've got a wonderful choice for raising a family. Katy real estate prices being what they are, even a young family can find a starter home.