Southeast Montgomery
RANK #787 / 996 NAT · #40 / 69 TX · POP 629,989
1YR FORECAST: -0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
Montgomery County, Texas, is recognized as the "Birthplace of the Lone Star Flag," a point of local pride. Located approximately 40 miles north of downtown Houston, the county offers a blend of suburban and rural living. Commute times to Houston vary, with options like The Woodlands Express and METRO Park and Ride services available in some areas. The community maintains a relaxed pace, with a strong sense of local connection. Natural amenities are a significant draw, including Lake Conroe for water sports and fishing, and the Sam Houston National Forest and W. Goodrich Jones State Forest for hiking and bird watching.
Life in Montgomery County appeals to families seeking highly-rated public schools, such as those in Conroe, Montgomery, and Magnolia ISDs. The county has experienced substantial population growth, attracting residents who may commute to Houston or work remotely. The economy is expanding with new commercial and residential developments. Key sectors seeing investment include business services, often supporting energy operations, along with retail, healthcare, distribution, and manufacturing.
Below national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Montgomery County Power Station
Entergy Texas Inc.
|
$1,000M | Operating |
|
Montgomery County 2025 Capital Improvement Bond
Montgomery County
|
$825M | Proposed |
|
Data Journey Bunker Campus
Data Journey
|
$500M | Planned |
|
400-acre Residential Development near Lake Conroe
J. Alan Kent Development
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Amazon Delivery Station (Porter)
Amazon
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Blackfin Pipeline
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 20/100, Montgomery County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $95,946 combined with job growth of +2.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Montgomery County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $293,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,416/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Montgomery County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.1% clip. Home values shifted -0.6% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.52% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Montgomery County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.