Homes & rentals in Magnolia, Texas
A small city in southwest Montgomery County, named for the magnolia trees that grow here. Here’s what to know about buying, selling or renting in Magnolia, plus the official links to check before you sign anything.
FM 1488 & FM 1774Magnolia ISDTexas Renaissance Festival nearbyMontgomery County
Year the settlement began, as Mink’s Prairie
Source: Wikipedia
Year Magnolia was incorporated as a city
Source: Wikipedia
Residents inside city limits
Source: 2020 U.S. Census
The two roads that meet in the middle of town
Source: Wikipedia
Named for the trees, with room to spread out.
Magnolia started in 1845 as Mink’s Prairie and was incorporated as a city in 1968. It’s named for the magnolia trees that grow in the area.
The city itself is small, just under 5 square miles, but many homes with a Magnolia address sit outside the city limits in the surrounding area. That’s why it matters whether a home is inside the city or out in the county: taxes, services and rules can differ.
Around town you’ll find everything from established neighborhoods to newer subdivisions and acreage.
Close by
- Texas Renaissance Festival on FM 1774 in Todd Mission (fall season)
- Pinehurst and Tomball, to the southeast
- Montgomery and Lake Conroe, to the north
- Magnolia ISD campuses throughout the area
Sources: Wikipedia; Texas Renaissance Festival.
Where Magnolia sits on the map.
Magnolia sits where FM 1488 and FM 1774 cross, with Highway 249 close by.
FM 1488
Runs east to west through Magnolia, toward The Woodlands and Conroe to the east.
FM 1774
Also called Magnolia Boulevard. It runs north to Todd Mission and the Renaissance Festival, and south toward Pinehurst and Highway 249.
Your commute
Drive times to Houston, The Woodlands or Tomball vary a lot with traffic. Test your commute at rush hour before you buy.
What to check before you make an offer.
Two homes a mile apart can have very different monthly costs. These are the things we look at for every Magnolia-area home.
Property taxes
Your tax bill is set by every taxing unit the home sits in: county, school district, city and any special districts. The home’s record on the Montgomery Central Appraisal District site lists them.
MUD taxes
Some neighborhoods, especially newer ones, are in a Municipal Utility District (MUD), which adds its own tax. We check it for every home you’re serious about.
Flood zones
Look up any address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, read the seller’s disclosure, and get a flood insurance quote before your option period ends.
School district
Most of the Magnolia area is in Magnolia ISD. Near the edges, homes with a Magnolia mailing address can be in another district. The exact address decides it, so always confirm with the district.
HOAs & deed restrictions
Many subdivisions have HOA dues, rules and deed restrictions. Read them before you buy, especially if you plan to add a shed, a pool or a fence, or to park an RV or boat.
Homestead exemption
If it will be your primary home, file for your homestead exemption. Our Montgomery County homestead guide walks you through it.
Check the facts at the source.
We’d rather send you to the official source than guess. Bookmark these links. We use them for every Magnolia-area home.
We share facts and official sources about each community and let you decide what’s right for you. Hometown Realtors of Texas follows all fair housing laws.
City of MagnoliaCity services, permits and newsMagnolia ISDSchools and attendance zonesMontgomery Central Appraisal DistrictProperty values, taxing units and exemptionsMontgomery County Tax OfficePay or look up property tax billsMontgomery County floodplainCounty floodplain permits and informationFEMA Flood Map Service CenterLook up the flood zone for any addressTexas School Report CardsOfficial state data for any Texas school or districtOur homestead exemption guideHow to file in Montgomery County
Renting in Magnolia
We help renters find a lease that fits and understand the application before paying any fees. That covers homes, townhomes, and furnished or short-term leases when they’re available.
Own a home in Magnolia?
We’ll price it from recent sales or real lease comps, tell you which fixes are worth the money, and market it where local buyers and renters are looking.
Questions people ask about Magnolia.
Is every Magnolia address inside the city?
No. Many homes with a Magnolia mailing address are outside the city limits, in unincorporated Montgomery County. The MCAD record shows whether the City of Magnolia is one of the home’s taxing units.
Which school district serves Magnolia?
Most of the area is in Magnolia ISD, but the exact address decides it. Check with the district before you buy or lease.
Are there MUD taxes here?
Some neighborhoods are in a Municipal Utility District (MUD) and some aren’t. The home’s record on the Montgomery Central Appraisal District site lists every taxing unit, and we pull that for any home you’re considering.
How do I file a homestead exemption?
Once you own the home and live in it as your primary residence, you can apply with the Montgomery Central Appraisal District. Our homestead guide walks you through it.
Ready to look at homes in Magnolia?
Search every home for sale and for lease on HAR, or call us for a no-pressure conversation about your plans.