RELOCATING?

We are so excited to welcome you to The Woodlands and surrounding communities – a place we’ve called home for over 25 years. To help you get acquainted with this city that we love, we have pulled together some helpful videos and links to all of our favorite things about The Woodlands and surrounding communities!

Relocation Guide

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A BRIEF HISTORY

#1 ​Best City to Live in America • #2 Best City to Buy a House in America • #2 Best City to Raise a Family in America according to Niche 2021 and 2022

Nestled among the lush landscape of towering pine trees and natural foliage lies a thriving community and visitor’s paradise. Founded in 1974 by George Mitchell, The Woodlands, located about 28 miles north of Houston, is one of the top master-planned communities in the nation that celebrates diversity, modern innovation, and the spirit and pride of neighborhood life. True to its name, this metropolitan area firmly planted in the more than 28,000 acres of protected forests and scenic bodies of water surrounding it has expanded to include nine residential villages and a flourishing network of businesses, culture and entertainment. With its rapid growth, the area’s need for a government resulted in The Woodlands Township being established in 1993, followed closely by The Town Center Improvement District in 1994.

Today, with 147 parks, 220 miles of hiking and biking trails, pools, pristine golf courses and water sport destinations, there are plenty of ways to enjoy this wooded oasis. It’s not just a premier destination for visitors though. The Woodlands is also a thriving business community with over 117,000 residences and approximately 2,2000 corporations including everything from start-ups to international enterprises. In short, it is a unique and nature-centric community where generations live, work, learn and play.

EDUCATION

Exceptional education and lifelong learning has always been a top priority of The Woodlands.

Today, you will find exemplary pre-schools and childcare centers, acclaimed public and private schools, and a handful of outstanding colleges and universities offering associates, undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Children in The Woodlands will attend schools in the Conroe, Magnolia and Tomball Independent School Districts. Lone Star College and Sam Houston State University are located within The Woodlands.

CONROE ISD POINTS OF PRIDE

  • Conroe ISD is the 11th largest district in the State and the 65th largest in the United States
  • It serves approximately 67,000 students across 65 campuses
  • Conroe ISD is the largest district in the State to ever achieve the highest rating of Exemplary in 2010
  • Graduation rate of 95.3% is one of the highest in the State
  • Conroe ISD was selected by the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Institute for Productivity in Education (IPE) as one of nine public school districts in Texas to receive the title of 2015 Honor Roll District
  • Conroe ISD received a 1.1 rating from the Education Resource Group (ERG) for high academic performance by students and efficiency in spending. The District is 1 of 10 school districts in Texas to receive this top ranking.

MAGNOLIA ISD POINTS OF PRIDE

  • It is one of the fast growing districs in the state of Texas

TOMBALL ISD POINTS OF PRIDE

  • Back-to-back highest rated school district in NW Harris County (2017-2018 and 2018-2019)

SPRING ISD POINTS OF PRIDE

  • The district takes pride in always improving and evolving, including strengthening and expanding its special education and gifted and talented services as well as its award-winning performing and visual arts program to serve even more students.

KLEIN ISD POINTS OF PRIDE

  • In Klein ISD, every student enters with promise & exits with a purpose.

Private Schools of The Woodlands

The John Cooper School – PreK-Grade 12

The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. The School’s mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become creative thinkers, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifetime learners.

The Woodlands Christian Academy – PreK-Grade 12

The Woodlands Christian Academy is an independent, Christ-centered college preparatory school that integrates learning with biblical faith and challenges our students to reach their highest potential – spiritually, academically, physically, and socially – for the Glory of Jesus Christ.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School – PreK-Grade 8

Founded in 2001 as part of the Catholic community of St. Anthony of Padua, we serve students in PreK-8th grades.  Members of our school are encouraged to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and to accept responsibility as his Disciples serving others by sharing the gifts and talents received from God.

Espirit International School – 18months Old-Grade 12

Esprit International School is an independent, non-sectarian school with a diverse student population enrolling children ages 18m – 12th Grade. The school’s philosophy is inspired by the educational thought of Dr. Maria Montessori, and the models for the classrooms and for the development learning materials were created by her.

Center for Teaching and Learning – Grades K-8

The Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) provides an intimate, personalized environment tailored to each student’s needs. We group students in multi-age classrooms and limit class sizes to twenty students. This allows teachers to build stronger relationships with individual students and differentiate instruction accordingly. We use paper-and-pencil tests less frequently than traditional schools, instead relying on alternative forms of assessment such as projects and portfolios that paint a more complete picture of each student’s abilities and needs.

Cunae International School – PreK-12th

In an ever globalising world, education is vital to individual success.  At Cunae International School, through a local and international collaborative effort, Cunae strives to implement educational best practices and create a diverse environment to benefit all students.  By way of inspiration, enrichment and support, we foster the academic and social development of the child so that they can reach their full potential, and develop the skills and knowledge for a global mind of the future

Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy (LPCA) – PreK-12th

At Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy (LPCA) we want to partner with parents to inspire their children to be college-worthy, character witnesses of Christ.  We will accomplish this through an environment that allows parents to spend more time with their children via the university style schedule and through a college preparatory curriculum based on a biblical worldview.  Students will enter the college of their choice with the knowledge, skills sets, and preparedness to excel in today’s college environment.

The Woodlands Preparatory School – Grade K-12

The Woodlands Preparatory School builds a solid foundation for students to be successful in today’s global society. Committed to excellence in academics, the highly qualified staff provides a rigorous and well-rounded education with a special focus on mathematics, English, and science to equip students for higher education. An emphasis on leadership, personal responsibility, integrity, respect, and empathy prepares students to meet the challenges of life.

The Woodlands Methodist School – Grade K-4

The Woodlands Methodist School is a non-profit ministry of The Woodlands United Methodist Church. Our purpose is to reflect the highest values while providing the best of care and a quality education for children. Everyday classroom experiences are interpreted in ways consistent with the Bible and Christian values, though children of all faiths are welcome.  Low student-teacher ratios allow us to provide an enriching learning environment that meets the needs of each student at his or her developmental level.

Interfaith Child Development Center – 12mo-Grade 4

 Interfaith Child Development Center inspires children to grow, discover and develop a love of learning. Our challenging educational environment encourages and nurtures creativity, individuality and compassion. Interfaith Child Development Center welcomes you to our fully accredited facility located in the heart of The Woodlands, Texas. Established in 1976, the Center has consistently offered loving and nurturing care for over 38 years.

 Sacred Heart Catholic School – PreK-Grade 8

Sacred Heart Catholic School commits to teach as Jesus did; instilling a love of our Catholic faith and love of neighbor. Sacred Heart Catholic School creates a caring, respectful environment which promotes academic excellence, develops responsible citizenship and fosters lifelong learning.

Fusion Academy Grade 6-12th

Guided by a fundamental belief in the immense potential within every person, our mission is to help each student flourish – emotionally, socially, and academically – through positive, mentoring relationships and a personalized education experience.

The Rubicon Academy K-8th

Our highly educated instructors expand on the children’s natural curiosity: building on their character, knowledge, and critical thinking skills with patience and encouragement.

Concordia Lutheran High School 9th-12th

At Concordia Lutheran High School, our mission is Building Lives of Excellence upon the Foundation of Christ. We are, first and foremost, as well as intentionally, a Christian school.   The NLSA (National Lutheran Schools Association) recognized the high standard of academic excellence coupled with quality extracurricular programming and honored Concordia with an Exemplary School Status.

Great Oak School PreK – Grade 3

Great Oak is a school inspired by Waldorf education that offers a distinctive pedagogy recognized for its unique and innovative characteristics.

WEATHER

AVERAGE HUMIDITY
WOODLANDS 74.08% TX 76.95% US 77.52%

AVERAGE PRECIPITATION
WOODLANDS 46.75 in TX 35.00 in US 38.67 in

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
WOODLANDS 67.7˚F TX 66.0˚F US 54.5˚F

ECONOMIC CLIMATE

The Woodlands is the largest city in Texas based on official 2017 estimates from the US Census Bureau with a population of 109,608.

The Woodlands Area, including the cities of Shenandoah and Oak Ridge North as well as the master-planned community of The Woodlands has enjoyed unprecedented commercial growth in the last several years. The area’s economic base is well diversified with over 4,000 employers, including all sectors, located in the area. These businesses range from owner-operated establishments to global corporate headquarters. The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership was established in 1997.

The EDP partners fund a mission to promote job growth and economic vitality in The Woodlands Area by recruiting new businesses and supporting existing businesses in job retention and expansion.

The Woodlands Area is home to a variety of leading companies.

TOP EMPLOYERS:

  • Conroe Independent School District 4,487 Education
  • Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center 2,927 Healthcare
  • Wildcat PPE 2,415 Manufacturing
  • Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital 1,647 Healthcare
  • CHI St. Luke’s Health – The Woodlands Hospital 1,600 Healthcare
  • ExxonMobil 1,527 Energy
  • Lone Star College – Montgomery 1,431 Education
  • Alight Solutions 1,200 Professional & Business Services
  • Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands 1,188 Healthcare
  • McKesson Specialty Health 1,040 Healthcare

WORLDPOPULATIONREVIEW.COM​:

Residents include a diverse mix of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, Manufacturing, and Health Care & Social Assistance.

Based on the data from the 2017 ACS, there was 43,178 households in the city with an owner-occupancy rate of 71.8% and a homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%. Of the owner households, 82.7% were married couples, 52.4% female and 49.3% were non-families. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.25. The overall median age was 39.7 years. Males made up 48.96% of the population, and females 51.04%.

The median income for households was $115,083, while the mean household income was $160,928. The overall poverty rate was 4.09%, with full-time workers being 1.02%, part-time being 4.24% and 8.03% for those not working. The median house had 7.3 rooms and a value of $351,000.

DID YOU KNOW, THE MEDIAN PROPERTY VALUE IS 1.61 TIMES LARGER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE?

EVENTS

From festivals spent enjoying the cascade of fireworks across the night sky to welcoming the holiday season with cheer and open arms, these are the biggest celebrations you won’t want to miss.

SPRING

WATERWAY ARTS FESTIVAL – Taking place each April along The Waterway promenade, this is one of The Woodlands’ most popular annual events and includes original artwork by over 200 artists, live music, performing arts, family-friendly activities and food stations.

INSPERITY INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT – Founded in 2004, Insperity Invitational Gold Tournament was rated the number one tournament on the Champions Tour in 2008 by the PGA Tour Officials, golf professionals and PGA Tour Staff.

SUMMER

MEMORIAL DAY – Celebrate military servicemen and women with this annual event at Town Green Park. The festival kicks off with the National Anthem, and continues into the evening with live music, children’s activities and a fireworks display.

RED, HOT & BLUE FESTIVAL – Make Independence Day a party to remember with the annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival, featuring a full day of events and multiple fireworks shows in and around town.

IRONMAN TEXAS – Everything is bigger in the Lone Star State. Whether it be the epic belt buckle medals or the athlete’s aspirations that take on this storied IRONMAN race. For over 10 years, IRONMAN Texas has called those with the Texan spirit at heart. Those willing to fight for what they want. Those willing to come and take the IRONMAN finish line for themselves. Athletes will take on a 2.4-mile, point-to-point swim, a PR pace 112-mile ride on closed toll roads and experience one of the most spirited 26.2 mile runs in North America.

FALL

LABOR DAY – Enjoy family fun at The Woodlands’ annual Labor Day celebration at Waterway Square, which includes children’s activities,
live music and a fireworks show.

YMCA ANNUAL DRAGON BOAT TEAM CHALLENGE – The longstanding community tradition of rowing for a cause. Teams will race colorful, dragon-headed boats across Lake Woodlands, participate in games and enjoy friendly competition in support of the community-strengthening programs provided by The Woodlands Family YMCA. Proceeds benefit The Woodlands Family YMCA Annual Campaign, which ensures that everyone, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive at the Y.

CONCERT IN THE PARK – The Concert in the Park series at Northshore Park features FREE concerts that are held seasonally on Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Blankets, lawn chairs, coolers and pets are permitted.

WINTER

LIGHTING OF THE DOVES – This annual winter festival kicks off the holiday season with an evening of fun activities at Town Green Park leading to a countdown of the official lighting of the doves throughout the park and around The Woodlands, setting the town alight with holiday cheer.

ICE SKATING – Located inside The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Event Center, this seasonal indoor ice rink features mood lighting and a state-of-the-art sound system. Glide along to the tunes and enjoy the winter wonderland fun! Open from mid-November through mid-January.

SHOPPING AND DINING

Shop ’til you drop and then dine-in or carry-out at some of our favorite local spots.

MARKET STREET

Southern Living magazine calls The Woodlands “One of America’s Best Shopping Destinations,” and Market Street is one of the biggest reasons why The Woodlands received that accolade. Stroll and explore luxury boutique shopping in an open-air main street atmosphere. From new spots to local favorites, grab a bite after a day of shopping without leaving the liveliness of Market Street.

HUGHES LANDING

 

Upscale dining with patio views of Lake Woodlands, Restaurant Row at Hughes Landing also features live music during the Summer and Fall Rock the Row Concert Series. Enjoy the boutique shops here or tide the free trolley service to the Town Center area. If you’re looking to stay overnight and experience everything The Woodlands has to offer, the award-winning Embassy Suites The Woodlands at Hughes Landing is an ideal choice!

THE WOODLANDS MALL

A distinguished fashion center with more than 160 shops and restaurants under one roof anchored by Nordstroms and Macys.

THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY

The Woodlands Waterway can be considered the lifeblood of the city. It winds through The Township’s center. Restaurants overlook The Waterway with some of the best patios in the area. Weekend brunches, daily happy hours, live music, and award-winning chefs bring vibrancy to these dining spots. This district offers vibrant nightlife, performing arts, dining, hotels, and outdoor green space.

HOTELS

When guests book a room in The Woodlands, they can rest easy knowing all of the hotels offer prime locations, amenities and value.

THE WOODLANDS WATERWAY MARRIOTT HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER​

Located right on The Woodlands Waterway, this recently renovated full-service hotel is the embodiment of red-carpet service.

THE WESTIN AT THE WOODLANDS

Step into elevated, modern luxury with everything from shoe shining to limousine service. Guests are greeted with colorful art, blow-glass light fixtures, sleek interiors and pillow-top mattresses.

THE WOODLANDS RESORT

Popular for family vacations, and destination conferences and retreats, The Woodlands Reseort is a true oasis in the woods. Enjoy resort grounds, lagoon-style pools, tennis courts, restaurants, bars and a lazy river.

HYATT CENTRIC THE WOODLANDS

Overlooking exciting Market Street, this boutique full-service hotel has an event space, award-winning cuisine, signature cocktails,
fitness center and infinity pool.

EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON THE WOODLANDS AT HUGHES LANDING

Here, guests enjoy an extravagant, complimentary breakfast in the morning and end their day with complimentary appetizers and cocktails.

HILTON​ GARDEN INN THE WOODLANDS

ideal for both business and leisure travelers looking for a full-service hotel near Market Street, The Woodlands Mall, and Waterway Square, Hilton Garden Inn delivers hospitality and convenience.

THE ARTS

The Woodlands art and culture scene is home to one of the largest and most dynamic collections of public art in Texas, including more than 100 pieces comprised of benches, sculptures, mosaics and murals. In addition to local venues, The Woodlands area is just 30 miles from The Houston Theatre District, home to the Houston Symphony and Broadway Across America.

Arts

THE GLADE GALLERY

Glade provides a unique and accessible fine arts experience with a hosted fine art gallery and antiquities, the first of its kind in The Woodlands.

Curated museum-like exhibits showcase local and international artists with acclaimed private and public art collections, along with non-profit programs delivered by the Glade Arts Foundation.

The center often holds art and wine mixers and performing arts concerts in an intimate environment, bringing conversations about arts to the forefront.

PUBLIC ART

The Woodlands is home to one of the largest collections of public art in the State of Texas. From mosaics and sculptures to a growing collection of art benches, there are many pieces to view, enjoy, and interact with.

Theatre

A truly historic theatre built in 1934, it is the home base for performances offered by Stage-Right Productions, Sounds of Texas Music Series and Christian Youth Theatre.

THE CRIGHTON THEATER – CONROE

The restored Crighton Theatre is the centerpiece of downtown and over the years, hundreds of stage productions by Stage Right Productions and numerous professional performances by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society and The Sounds of Texas Music Series have been held here.

Movies

Whether rain or shine, catching the latest releases is always a great idea! There are many local theaters, here are just a few of them.

CINEMARK 17 AT MARKET STREET
CINEPOLIS LUXURY CINEMA
XSCAPE AT 1488

RECREATION

From sports activities to enjoying nature, The Woodlands offers endless possibilities to get outside and have fun!

89 playgrounds; 76 tennis courts; 63 lakes and ponds; 68 pavilions; 43 sportsfields; 35 basketball and volleyball courts; 14 community swimming pools; 5 public golf courses; 5 spraygrounds; 2 boathouses; 2 recreation centers offering numerous programs annually; more than 60 annual special events. Here are just a few of the many clubs and recreation activities available in our area.

SPORTS CLUBS

TEXAS TREEVENTURES

This high-rope course is a series of physical challenges and thrill-based elements designed for youth and adults.

RIVA ROW BOAT HOUSE

Opened as the first public boat rental location in The Woodlands, TX in 2009, guests can choose from 8 family-friendly rental options including single and tandem kayaks, single and tandem pedal kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, elliptical stand-up paddle boards, water bikes, and swan boats.

CAMPOUTS AT TERRAMONT PARK AND ROB FLEMING PARK

Guests can come out and enjoy a fun evening of camping and making lasting memories.

ATTRACTIONS
CLOSE BY

While there is plenty to do locally in The Woodlands, the surrounding communities also offer exciting attractions.

LAKE CONROE​

This 22,000-acre lake boasts a total of 157 miles of shoreline. Lake Conroe is the perfect spot for rest and relaxation or an exciting adventure. Stay at the new Margaritaville Lake Resort and enjoy a taste of the island lifestyle.

HUNTSVILLE STATE PARK

This 2,083.2-acre wooded recreational area offers hiking and biking trails, swimming, fishing and camping.

HOUSTON

The Woodlands and surrounding communities are a short drive away from one of the country’s most culturally diverse cities. Four major league sports teams, home to fine arts galleries, museums, and performing arts venues, several universities including The University of Houston and Rice University, and the Houston zoo. Visit the many different areas of Houston and sample award-winning food of Houston’s eclectic restaurant scene.

OLD TOWN SPRING

Old Town Spring is the historic location of a 19th-century railroad hub that grew into Spring, Texas and is now home to over 100 local businesses.

GEORGE BUSH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Just 30 minutes from The Woodlands, IAH is a United Airlines hub with worldwide flights daily.

HEATHCARE

The Woodlands area is about 45 minutes from the nation’s number-one medical center in Houston. Additionally, top notch hospitals and medical facilities can be found right here in The Woodlands.

CHI ST LUKE’S HEALTH – THE WOODLANDS HOSPITAL

HOUSTON METHODIST THE WOODLANDS HOSPITAL

TEXAS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL THE WOODLANDS

MCKESSON SPECIALTY HEALTH

ENCOMPASS HEALTH​

MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER OF THE WOODLANDS

KELSEY-SEYBOLD CLINIC​

NEXUS SPECIALTY HOSPITAL