Houthem

Houthem is a village located in the Dutch province of North Brabant, within the municipality of Uden. It lies in the south‑central part of the Netherlands, approximately 25 kilometres southeast of the city of Eindhoven. The village covers an area of around 1.2 square kilometres and had a population of roughly 1,200 residents as of 2021.

The name Houthem is derived from the Old Dutch words “hout,” meaning wood, and “hem,” meaning home or settlement. The area has a long history of timber production and agriculture, with historical records pointing to forestry being the primary economic activity during the Middle Ages. Houthem was an independent municipality from 1811 until it merged with the municipality of Uden in 1995. In the 19th and early 20th centuries the village was served by a narrow‑gauge railway line, which linked it to nearby towns and facilitated the movement of farm produce and timber.

Today, Houthem retains a rural character with many traditional farms and orchards. The central landmark is the church of St. Joseph, a modest brick building constructed in 1873 that serves as the local place of worship. The village hosts an annual harvest festival that includes music, local produce stalls, and traditional Dutch folk dancing. Road transport connects Houthem to Uden and other neighbouring villages, while regional bus services provide access to larger urban centres. The surrounding landscape is marked by fertile fields, small woodlots, and several low‑lying wetlands that support local biodiversity.