The Woodlands: Economy & Jobs
The Woodlands reports a median household income of $140,701 (1.4× higher than Montgomery County median $97,701; 1.8× higher than Texas median $78,476), with homes at a median value of $511,700. The surrounding county supports 2,445,972 jobs (avg $88,554).
- $95,157 avg taxable income per return — lower than the median household income (vs Texas $91,104).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $140,701 — above the Texas median ($70,518). Poverty rate 5.6% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 3.6× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 15.5% |
| Affordability · Affordable | Yes |
| Affordability · Interpretation | affordable |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $2,147,630 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $204,361,707 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $95,157 (vs Texas $91,104) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $161,074 |
| Median Household Income | $140,701 (vs Texas $70,518) |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | affluent |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $140,701 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.0% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 22% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 27.00 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 21.5% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | moderate commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 2,445,972 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $216,600,284,450 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $88,554 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 13,557,950 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% (vs Texas 3.4%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 62 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 1,277 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 20.60 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Sod, Crop Totals, Horticulture Totals, Floriculture Totals, Bedding Plant Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 109,874 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 2,085,860 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 160,312,571 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 790 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 787 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 375 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 1,737 |
| Local Businesses · Department Stores | 39 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 502 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 408 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 123 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 3,473 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 3,951 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 534 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 1,168 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (20)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | HEB 579 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 14 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | SOUTH MONTGOMERY COUNTY WOODLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $25,206,260,286 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 5,327.73 (vs Texas $5,671) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 4,731,145 people (vs Texas 143,570) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 70.2% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 1.0% |
| Pct Walked | 21.5% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 40.6 years (vs Texas 34.5y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 23.7% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 10 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Affordable | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, hospital access, VA nearby, affordable |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12