Homes & rentals in The Woodlands, Texas
A master-planned community about 28 miles north of Houston, known for its forested neighborhoods, parks and trails. Here’s what to know about buying, selling or renting in The Woodlands, plus the official links to check before you sign anything.
I-45 & Hardy Toll RoadThe Woodlands TownshipConroe ISD (mostly)Montgomery & Harris counties
Year George P. Mitchell opened The Woodlands as a planned community
Source: Wikipedia
Residents in The Woodlands census area
Source: 2020 U.S. Census
North of Houston
Source: Wikipedia
Urban parks across the community
Source: Wikipedia
Planned from the start, built around the trees.
George P. Mitchell opened The Woodlands in 1974 as a master-planned community. Today it covers about 44 square miles, is organized into eight villages, and is home to more than 114,000 people.
The Woodlands isn’t an incorporated city. It’s a special-purpose district governed by The Woodlands Township, which has an elected seven-member board. The Township handles trash pickup, parks and recreation, covenant enforcement, and fire and rescue services.
Most of The Woodlands is in Montgomery County, but part of it reaches into Harris County. It has 151 urban parks, and the Spring Creek Greenway runs along its southern edge.
Close by
- The Woodlands Waterway, running to Lake Woodlands
- Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion: concerts, including the Houston Symphony
- Market Street shopping and dining
- The Woodlands Mall
- Spring Creek Greenway: forested trails along Spring Creek
Sources: Wikipedia.
Where The Woodlands sits on the map.
Interstate 45 runs along the east side of The Woodlands, with the Hardy Toll Road nearby, so it’s a straight shot to Houston when traffic cooperates.
Interstate 45
Runs along the east side of The Woodlands. It goes south to Spring and Houston, and north to Shenandoah and Conroe.
Hardy Toll Road
A toll alternative to I-45 for trips south toward Houston.
Your commute
Downtown Houston is about 28 miles away, but drive times 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 Woodlands-area home.
Property taxes
Your tax bill is set by every taxing unit the home sits in: county, school district and any special districts. The home’s record on the Montgomery Central Appraisal District site lists them. The Woodlands Township levies its own property tax too, and homes in the Harris County part are appraised by the Harris Central Appraisal District instead.
MUD taxes
Some neighborhoods 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 Woodlands is in Conroe ISD, with some neighborhoods in Magnolia ISD and Tomball ISD. The exact address decides it, so always confirm with the district.
Covenants & HOAs
The Woodlands Township enforces community covenants, and village and neighborhood rules can apply too. Read them before you buy, especially if you plan to add a fence, a pool or a shed, 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 Woodlands-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.
The Woodlands TownshipTownship services, covenants and taxesConroe ISDSchools and attendance zonesMagnolia ISDSchools and attendance zonesTomball 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 CountyHarris Central Appraisal DistrictFor homes in the Harris County partShenandoah, right next doorOur Shenandoah area page
Renting in The Woodlands
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 The Woodlands?
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 The Woodlands.
Is The Woodlands a city?
No. The Woodlands is a special-purpose district and census-designated place governed by The Woodlands Township, which has an elected board. It isn’t an incorporated city.
Does The Woodlands Township charge a property tax?
Yes. The Township levies its own property tax, on top of the county, school district and any other special districts. The appraisal district record lists every taxing unit for a home.
Is all of The Woodlands in Montgomery County?
Most of it is, but part of The Woodlands is in Harris County. Homes there are appraised by the Harris Central Appraisal District, so check which county a home is in before you look up taxes.
Which school district serves The Woodlands?
Most of The Woodlands is in Conroe ISD, with some neighborhoods in Magnolia ISD and Tomball ISD. The exact address decides it, so check with the district before you buy or lease.
How do I file a homestead exemption?
File with the appraisal district for the county the home is in. Our Montgomery County homestead guide and Harris County homestead guide walk you through it.
Ready to look at homes in The Woodlands?
Search every home for sale and for lease on HAR, or call us for a no-pressure conversation about your plans.