The city's name is pronounced "pear" land (like the fruit), not "peer-land" or "pearl-land".
In 2007, Forbes Magazine ranked Pearland as the 34 fastest growing suburb in the nation. It is therefore the fastest growing suburb in the Greater Houston area, and the 10 fastest growing in the state of Texas.
As of the census of 2000, there were 37,640 people, 13,192 households, and 10,659 families residing in the city. The population density was 957.0 people per square mile (369.5/km²). There were 13,922 housing units at an average density of 354.0/sq mi (136.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.62% White, 5.33% African American, 0.42% Native American, 3.65% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 6.12% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 16.22% of the population.
There were 13,192 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families. 15.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.8% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $64,156, and the median income for a family was $70,748 (these figures had risen to $83,706 and $92,096 respectively as of a 2007 estimate). Males had a median income of $49,359 versus $34,570 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,306. About 3.4% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.
Skyway Manor Airport, a privately-owned airport, is located within the Pearland city limits. Pearland Regional Airport, a privately-owned airport, is located in unincorporated Brazoria County south of the Pearland city limits. Both airports allow public use.
The closest publicly-owned airport is the Brazoria County Airport, located in an unincorporated area.
Commercial airline service is provided out of Houston from William P. Hobby Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Pearland is served by State Highway 288 which connects the city to Houston. FM 518, locally known as Broadway, is considered the main east-west artery of the city. State Highway 35, locally called Main Street, is the main north-south artery of the city. Given the spread out area, SH 288 serves the westernmost part of the city, while SH 35 serves the easternmost part as both connect Pearland to Houston (FM 865/Cullen Blvd also connects Houston as well in between).