Editing The Woodlands, Texas

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{travel guide|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = The Woodlands, Texas
| official_name            = 
| settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place|CDP]] and [[special-purpose district|SPD]]
| nickname                 = 
| website                  = {{URL|thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov}}
| image_skyline            = {{multiple image
| border                 = infobox
| total_width            = 290
| image_style            = border:1;
| perrow                 = 1/2/2/2
| image1                 = Anadarko, The Woodlands, Texas.jpg
| image2                 = Woodlands Waterway.jpg
| image3                 = The woodlands5 texas.jpg
| image4                 = The Woodlands College Park Front Image.jpg
| image5                 = WasteConnections.jpg
}}
| imagesize                = 300px
| image_map                = File:Montgomery County TheWoodlands.svg
| image_caption            = '''Top to bottom, left to right''': The Woodlands Town Center, The Woodlands Waterway, Town Center, [[The Woodlands College Park High School]], Waste Connections
| map_caption              = The Woodlands in Montgomery and Harris counties
| pushpin_map              = USA Texas#USA
| pushpin_label = The Woodlands
| pushpin_map_caption      = Location in Texas##Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief          = yes
| image_flag               = 
| flag_size                = 
| image_seal               = The Woodlands Texas logo.png
| seal_size                = 200px
| blank_emblem_type        = Logo
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Texas|Counties]]
| subdivision_name         = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Texas}}
| subdivision_name2        = [[Montgomery County, Texas|Montgomery]], [[Harris County, Texas|Harris]]
| leader_title             = Board of Directors<ref name="The Woodlands Township">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?nid=169|title=Board of Directors| publisher=The Woodlands Township| access-date=April 2, 2020}}</ref>
| leader_name              = Brad Bailey (Chairman) <br> Craig Eissler (Vice Chairman) <br/> Linda Nelson (Secretary) <br/> Richard Franks (Treasurer) <br/> Ann Snyder <br/> [[Shelley Sekula-Gibbs]]  <br/> Cindy Heiser
| leader_title1            = General Manager
| leader_name1             = Monique Sharp
| unit_pref                = US
| area_total_sq_mi         = 
| area_total_km2           = 113.6
| area_land_sq_mi          = 
| area_land_km2            = 112.1
| area_water_sq_mi         = 
| area_water_km2           = 1.5
| population_as_of         = 2020
| population_total         = 114,436
| population_footnotes     = <ref name=CensusProfileTheWoodlands>{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/profile/The_Woodlands_CDP,_Texas?g=160XX00US4872656| title=The Woodlands CDP, Texas| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=September 1, 2024}}</ref>
| pop_est_as_of            = 2021
| population_est           = 119,000
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_density_km2   = 1020.8
| population_urban         = 402,454 ([[List of United States urban areas|US: 103rd]])<ref name="urban area">{{cite web |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-clarifications|title=2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications|author=United States Census Bureau|website=Federal Register|date=December 29, 2022}}</ref>
| population_density_urban_km2   = 709.1 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 1,836.5
| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;6
| timezone_DST             = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;5
| coordinates              = {{coord|30|10|39|N|95|30|14|W|region:US-TX|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m              = 
| elevation_ft             = 160
| established_title        = Established
| established_date         = 1974
| postal_code_type         = 
| postal_code              = 77380-77386
| area_code                = [[Area code 281|281]]/[[Area code 346|346]]/[[Area code 621|621]]/[[Area code 713|713]]/[[Area code 832|832]]/[[Area code 936|936]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 48-72656<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census 1]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1867568<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| footnotes                = 
}}

'''The Woodlands''' is a [[Special district (United States)|special-purpose district]] and [[census-designated place]] (CDP) in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]] in the [[Greater Houston|Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land]] metropolitan statistical area. The Woodlands is primarily located in [[Montgomery County, Texas|Montgomery County]], with portions extending into [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]]. The Woodlands is governed by The Woodlands Township, an organization that provides municipal services and is administered by an elected board of directors. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the township had a population of 114,436 people.<ref name=CensusProfileTheWoodlands/>

In 2021, The [[Howard Hughes Corporation]] estimated the population of The Woodlands was 119,000.<ref name=":1">[https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12189/Demographics_123117_FINAL The Woodlands, Texas Demographics], The Howard Hughes Corporation, January 1, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.</ref> The United States Census Bureau defines an [[urban area]] separate from the Houston urban area with The Woodlands as a principal city: The Woodlands–[[Conroe, Texas|Conroe]], TX urban area had a 2020 population of 402,454, making it the [[List of United States urban areas|103rd largest in the United States]].<ref name="urban area" />

The Woodlands is located {{convert|28|mi|km}} north of [[Houston]] along [[Interstate 45]]. Though it began as an [[exurb]]an development and a [[bedroom community]], it has also attracted corporations and has several corporate campuses, most notably [[Occidental Petroleum|Occidental Petroleum Corporation]],  [[Chevron Phillips Chemical]], [[Huntsman Corporation]], [[Woodforest National Bank]], [[Baker Hughes]], [[McKesson Corporation|McKesson Specialty Health]], and [[Halliburton]]. The community won a Special Award for Excellence in 1994 from the [[Urban Land Institute]].<ref name="ULI">ULI Awards for Excellence Winners, 1979–2006. Urban Land Institute. [https://web.archive.org/web/20050309094232/http://www.uli.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Archives6&Template=%2FCM%2FHTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=12066 (Link from Google Cache)]</ref>

==History==
===Early history===
The area that is now The Woodlands was used by the [[Akokisa]] and [[Bidai]] peoples, who relied on the fresh water of [[Spring Creek (Harris County, Texas)|Spring Creek]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Montgomery |first=Robin Navarro |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1532412 |title=The history of Montgomery County |date=1975 |publisher=Jenkins Pub. Co |isbn=0-8363-0129-3 |location=Austin, Tex. |oclc=1532412}}</ref> In 1984, construction in the Indian Springs neighborhood near the creek discovered Bidai artifacts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Springs in The Woodlands |url=https://www.thewoodlandstx.com/indiansprings/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=www.thewoodlandstx.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Foundation and growth ===
The Woodlands was conceived after the oil industry investor [[George P. Mitchell]] attended a symposium by the [[Rouse Company]] subsidiary American City Corporation and developer of [[Columbia, Maryland]], on how to develop new towns using the [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development|HUD]] [[National Urban Policy and New Community Development Act of 1970|Title VII]] program.<ref>{{cite book|title=New City Upon a Hill|author=Joseph Rocco Mitchell, David L. Stebenne|page=95}}</ref> It was dedicated by George P. Mitchell in 1974 and managed by The Woodlands Corporation as an extension of Mitchell Energy & Development.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Woodlands|url=http://livinghudson.com/properties/the-woodlands/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314175447/http://livinghudson.com/properties/the-woodlands/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 14, 2018|website=Living Hudson|publisher=Hudson Housing|access-date=March 14, 2018}}</ref> Mitchell, an oil businessman, planned to establish a conference center, hotels, office parks, retail malls, schools, large distribution centers, and golf courses. Houses would range from moderately priced to expensive and large. Bill Schadewald of the ''[[Houston Business Journal]]'' said that Mitchell wanted the development to "entice city slickers looking for far-flung suburban quality of life".<ref name="Thennow3">Schadewald, Bill. "Looking back 'Then and Now' at 40 years of Houston business". ''[[Houston Business Journal]]''. Friday December 24, 2010. [http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/print-edition/2010/12/24/looking-back-then-and-now-at-40.html?page=3 3]. Retrieved September 13, 2011.</ref> Schadewald said that local sources stated that the [[United States Department of Housing and Urban Development|HUD]] [[National Urban Policy and New Community Development Act of 1970|New Town program]], a federally funded program, had a "low survival rate" and questioned whether The Woodlands would succeed.<ref name="Thennow3" />

The Woodlands Corporation was acquired on July 31, 1997, by a partnership between [[Morgan Stanley]] and Crescent Real Estate Equities.<ref name="SEC Filings 7/31/97">{{Cite web |title=SEC Info - Crescent Real Estate Equities Co - '10-Q/A' for 9/30/97 |url=http://www.secinfo.com/dsvrp.88U1.htm#Dates |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=www.secinfo.com}}</ref> In December 2003, [[The Rouse Company|Rouse Company]] acquired Crescent's interest,<ref name="SEC Filings 11/12/03"> SEC Edgar document through SECinfo.com. [http://www.secinfo.com/dsvrp.2eRc.d.htm (Link from Google Cache)]</ref> and Rouse was bought by [[General Growth Properties]] on November 12, 2004. In 2011, The Woodlands was sold to the Howard Hughes Development Corporation.<ref name="WashPost">{{Cite web |title=Washington Post 200: Rouse Co./ General Growth |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/business/post200/2005/RSE.html |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref>

The land was previously occupied by the Grogan-Cochran Lumber Mill,<ref name="Texas Transportation Archive">''With Grogan at Bivins and Magnolia (Gulf Coast Lumberman, 1939)''. Texas Transportation Archive. http://www.ttarchive.com/Library/Companies/GroganAtBivins-Magnolia.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929002839/http://www.ttarchive.com/Library/Companies/GroganAtBivins-Magnolia.html |date=September 29, 2007 }}</ref> hence Grogan's Mill and Cochran's Crossing neighborhoods, called "villages". The original planning utilized many of the planning concepts and design consultants employed in other well-regarded new communities of that era such as [[Columbia, Maryland]], [[Irvine Ranch, California]], and [[Reston, Virginia]]. The original development plan included environmental design principles espoused by [[Ian McHarg]], a distinguished landscape architect, teacher and author of the seminal work ''Design With Nature''.

In 2012, the [[U.S. Census Bureau]] designated the area around The Woodlands and [[Conroe, Texas|Conroe]] as a "large urbanized transit area", defined as having over 200,000 residents, making it eligible to receive federal transportation funds.<ref>Lee, Renée C. [http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Growth-transforms-rural-areas-north-of-Houston-to-3925086.php "Growth transforms rural areas north of Houston to urban centers"]. ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Saturday October 6, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2012.</ref>

===Incorporation as a city===
Mitchell's original plan was for The Woodlands to be annexed by the city of Houston. However, as the community developed and grew, there was little support for that idea. In the middle part of the 2000s, some residents organized to prevent any annexation, as had happened to the [[Kingwood, Houston|Kingwood]] development almost a decade before. To counteract any possible move by the city, a movement began to create an independent city government.{{Citation needed|date=May 2008}} However, the formation of an independent government would require authorization by the State of Texas and the City of Houston, as Houston held extraterritorial jurisdiction over the area.<ref>{{cite web |title=FAQs: When will The Woodlands become a city? Why are we not a city now? |url=https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=64 |publisher=The Woodlands Township |access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref>

In 2007, two state legislators representing The Woodlands, [[Tommy Williams (Texas politician)|Sen. Tommy Williams]] and Rep. Robert Eissler, introduced two bills that were enacted in the 2007 Legislature – House Bill 4109<ref name="HB4109">[https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB4109 80th Texas Legislature, House Bill 4109]. Retrieved 26 October 2020.</ref> and Senate Bill 1012.<ref name="SB 1012">[https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=SB1012 80th Texas Legislature, Senate Bill 1012]. Retrieved 26 October 2020.</ref> HB 4109 called for a vote to allow expansion of an existing improvement district (now The Woodlands Township) and to allow The Woodlands to collect sales tax,<ref name="Chron5">Isensee, Laura (19 June 2007). [https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands-news/article/Woodlands-governing-groups-prepare-for-November-1793411.php Woodlands governing groups prepare for November election.] ''Houston Chronicle''. Retrieved 26 October 2020.</ref> while SB 1012 allowed for the creation of regional agreements between governments. The passage of these bills allows an opportunity for The Woodlands to incorporate itself until 2057. Since 2019, there has been formal discussion of The Woodlands to become an incorporated city.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Ben |title=The Woodlands at a crossroads as study concludes in 2020 |url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/the-woodlands/government/2020/01/14/the-woodlands-at-a-crossroads-as-study-concludes-in-2020/ |website=Community Impact Newspaper |access-date=26 October 2020 |date=14 January 2020}}</ref> However, as a result of the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic]], these plans were put on hold and resumed in April 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holt |first1=Vanessa |title=The Woodlands incorporation study off the table in 2020 due to coronavirus emergency |url=https://communityimpact.com/houston/the-woodlands/government/2020/03/25/the-woodlands-incorporation-study-off-the-table-in-2020-due-to-coronavirus-emergency/ |website=Community Impact Newspaper |access-date=26 October 2020 |date=25 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Forward |first1=Jeff |title=The Woodlands officially restarts incorporation efforts |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/woodlands/article/The-Woodlands-officially-restarts-incorporation-16139976.php |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=25 June 2021 |date=29 April 2021}}</ref> In 2020, residents of The Woodlands formed the TownshipFuture PAC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Woodlands residents form new TownshipFuture PAC|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Woodlands-residents-form-new-TownshipFuture-PAC-15238017.php|last=Forward|first=Jeff|date=2020-04-30|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref> In a referendum on November 2, 2021, residents voted against incorporation by a wide margin, keeping The Woodlands as a township for the foreseeable future.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bauman |first1=Anna |title=Voters reject proposal to incorporate The Woodlands as a city |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/article/Proposal-to-incorporate-The-Woodlands-as-a-city-16586912.php |website=[[Houston Chronicle]] |access-date=29 December 2021 |date=3 November 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:TheWoodlandsCDPMap.gif|thumb|Map of the Woodlands CDP as of the 2000 census]]
The Woodlands is primarily in [[Montgomery County, Texas|Montgomery County]], with a small portion in [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]], bordering [[Houston]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], The Woodlands has an area of {{convert|113.6|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|112.1|km2|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|1.5|km2|order=flip}}, or 1.32%, are water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4872656| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): The Woodlands CDP, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=February 6, 2018| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213110624/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4872656| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Woodlands is in a heavily forested area, and much of the community has retained trees for shade and decoration. The terrain is essentially flat, with the exception of topographic variations ranging from 125 to 175 feet [[Metres above sea level|above sea level]] between Spring Creek and Flintridge Drive.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.topoquest.com | title=USGS Map Name: Oklahoma, TX. Map MRC: 30095B5; Map Center: N30.16201° W95.53026°; Datum: NAD83 Zoom: 8m/pixel. | access-date=May 11, 2013}}</ref>

=== Villages ===
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2024}}
The Woodlands is organized into eight [[village]]s, which are subdivided into neighborhoods. Each village features varying amenities including parks, hike and bike trails, golfing, commercial centers, and a range of residential properties from single family to estates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://georgescoffeeclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/the-name-game.pdf|title=History of The Woodlands: The Name Game|last=Galatas|first=George|publisher=The Woodlands Community Magazine|date= November 2011|access-date=July 9, 2021}}</ref>
The Town Center includes shopping and eating facilities, corporate offices, and a waterway modeled after the [[San Antonio River Walk]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Galatas |first1=Roger |title=The Woodlands History: Town Center Emerges from Vision to Reality |url=http://georgescoffeeclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/town-center-emerges-from-vision-to-reality.pdf |publisher=The Woodlands Community Magazine |access-date=9 July 2021 |date=May 2011}}</ref> The Research Forest district includes a Park and Ride facility and The Woodlands Township Town Hall.<ref name=map>{{cite web |title=The Woodlands Parks and Pathways |url=https://thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1071/Parks-and-Pathways-Map?bidId= |publisher=The Woodlands Township |access-date=6 June 2021}}</ref>

* Alden Bridge<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Village of Alden Bridge - The Woodlands, TX|url=https://www.thewoodlandstx.com/aldenbridge/|website=TheWoodlandsTX.com}}</ref>
* Cochran's Crossing<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Village of Cochrans Crossing - The Woodlands, TX|url=https://www.thewoodlandstx.com/cochranscrossing|website=TheWoodlandsTX.com}}</ref>
* College Park<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Village of College Park - The Woodlands, TX|url=https://www.thewoodlandstx.com/collegepark/|website=TheWoodlandsTX.com}}</ref>
* Creekside Park<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Village of Creekside Park - The Woodlands, TX|url=https://www.thewoodlandstx.com/creeksidepark/|website=TheWoodlandsTX.com}}</ref>
* [[Grogan's Mill]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Village of Grogan's Mill - The Woodlands, TX|url=https://www.thewoodlandstx.com/grogansmill/|website=TheWoodlandsTX.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Village of Grogan's Mill|url=https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/755/Village-of-Grogans-Mill|website=The Woodlands Township|access-date=September 23, 2019|archive-date=September 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922225441/https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/755/Village-of-Grogans-Mill|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Indian Springs<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Village of Indian Springs - The Woodlands, TX|url=https://www.thewoodlandstx.com/indiansprings/|website=TheWoodlandsTX.com}}</ref>
* Panther Creek<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Village of Panther Creek in The Woodlands|url=https://www.thewoodlandstx.com/panthercreek/|website=TheWoodlandsTX.com}}</ref>
* Sterling Ridge<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Village of Sterling Ridge - The Woodlands, TX|url=https://www.thewoodlandstx.com/sterlingridge/|website=TheWoodlandsTX.com}}</ref>

===Climate===
The Woodlands has a [[humid subtropical]] climate, typical to the [[Southeast Texas]] region and [[Greater Houston]]. Temperature ranges are within the top decile for census-designated places in the United States. Winter daily highs average approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15C), daily lows 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4C); summer daily highs average 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34C), daily lows 72 (22C) degrees Fahrenheit.<ref>{{Cite web| url=http://www.anyplaceamerica.com | title=Data for Lake Conroe Forest Dam. | access-date=May 11, 2013}}</ref> It is part of Wind Zone 2 per the [[FEMA]] mapping chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1501-20490-5921/fema_p85_apndx_g.pdf|title=FEMA P85 appendix g |publisher=Federal Emergency Management Agency }}</ref>

===Protected Areas===
The Woodlands has 151 urban parks within its boundaries, with all residents being within a ten-minute walk of a park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parks and Recreation {{!}} The Woodlands Township, TX |url=https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/25/Parks-and-Recreation |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov}}</ref>

The areas surrounding Spring Creek are protected as part of the George Mitchell Nature Preserve, a section of the larger Spring Creek Greenway, the "longest, connected, urban forested corridor in the nation."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spring Creek Greenway {{!}} Bayou Land Conservancy {{!}} United States |url=https://www.bayoulandconservancy.org/spring-creek-greenway |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Bayou Land |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=George Mitchell Nature Preserve {{!}} The Woodlands Township, TX |url=https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/1478/George-Mitchell-Nature-Preserve |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov}}</ref>

The northern part of the CDP borders on the W. Goodrich Jones State Forest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Learn and Explore {{!}} W. Goodrich Jones State Forest TFS |url=https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/jones-state-forest/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=tfsweb.tamu.edu |language=en}}</ref> This forest, managed by the [[Texas A&M Forest Service]], serves as a vital habitat for the endangered [[red-cockaded woodpecker]].{{cn|date=August 2024}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1980=8443
| 1990=29205
| 2000=55649
| 2010=93847
| 2020=114436
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census by Decade|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 1850–1900<ref name=1900CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1900 Census of Population - Population of Texas By Counties And Minor Civil Divisions |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1900/bulletins/demographic/49-population-tx.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1910<ref name=1910CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1910 Census of Population - Supplement for Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1910/abstract/supplement-tx-p1.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1920<ref name=1920CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1920 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1920/bulletins/demographics/population-tx-number-of-inhabitants.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1930<ref name=1930CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1930 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1930/population-volume-1/03815512v1ch10.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1940<ref name=1940CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1940 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1940/population-volume-1/33973538v1ch09.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br>
1950<ref name=1950CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1950 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1950/population-volume-1/vol-01-46.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1960<ref name=1960CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1960 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1960/population-volume-1/33255142v1p45ch02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1970<ref name=1970CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1970 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00496492v1p45s1ch02.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 1980<ref name=1980CensusTX>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - Number of Inhabitants - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/texas/1980a_txab-01.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 1990<ref name=1990CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=1990 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cph-2/cph-2-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2000<ref name=2000CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=2000 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/2003/dec/phc-3-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref><br> 2010<ref name=2010CensusTX>{{Cite web|title=2010 Census of Population - Population and Housing Unit Counts - Texas |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/2010/cph-2/cph-2-45.pdf|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

{{See also|Demographics of Houston|Hispanics and Latinos in Houston}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''The Woodlands CDP, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – The Woodlands CDP, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US4872656&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – The Woodlands CDP, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4872656&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – The Woodlands CDP, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4872656&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|48,674
|73,680
|style='background: #ffffe6; |74,477
|87.47%
|78.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |65.08%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|952
|2,191
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,946
|1.71%
|2.33%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3.45%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|147
|253
|style='background: #ffffe6; |215
|0.26%
|0.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.19%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|1,551
|4,581
|style='background: #ffffe6; |9,085
|2.79%
|4.88%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |7.94%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|26
|54
|style='background: #ffffe6; |78
|0.05%
|0.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.07%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other Race]] alone (NH)
|76
|176
|style='background: #ffffe6; |602
|0.14%
|0.19%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.53%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|526
|1,415
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,065
|0.95%
|1.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.43%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|3,697
|11,497
|style='background: #ffffe6; |20,968
|6.64%
|12.25%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |18.32%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''55,649'''
|'''93,847'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''114,436'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

The Woodlands first appeared as a [[census designated place]] in the [[1980 U.S. census]].<ref name=1980CensusTX/> At the [[2010 United States census|2010 U.S. census]], there were 93,847 people living in The Woodlands. In 2021, its population was estimated at 119,000 per a survey by The [[Howard Hughes Corporation]].<ref name=":1" /> According to the [[2020 United States census]], there were 114,436 people, 41,210 households, and 31,063 families residing in the CDP.

The racial makeup of The Woodlands in 2020 was 77.3% [[White Americans|white]] (non-Hispanic and Hispanic or Latino), 4.2% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 6.7% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander|Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander]], 9.1% [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]], 17.9% [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]], and 67.9% white alone, not Hispanic or Latino.<ref name="census">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4872656.html|title=The Woodlands CDP QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029034741/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48/4872656.html|archive-date=October 29, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

{{Asof|2017}} about 10% of the residents of The Woodlands were of Mexican origins; they numbered at over 10,000.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tallet|first1=Olivia P.|title=Wealthy Mexicans living in The Woodlands feel unwelcome, return home|url=http://www.kvia.com/news/texas/wealthy-mexicans-living-in-the-woodlands-feel-unwelcome-return-home/525225476|access-date=March 14, 2018|publisher=ABC 7 KVIA|date=June 4, 2017|archive-date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314174947/http://www.kvia.com/news/texas/wealthy-mexicans-living-in-the-woodlands-feel-unwelcome-return-home/525225476|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2000, wealthy Mexicans began buying houses in The Woodlands for vacation purposes. Large numbers settled in The Woodlands from 2006 to 2014 as the [[Mexican Drug War]] occurred.<ref name="Tallet">{{cite news|author=Tallet, Olivia P.|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/calle-houston/article/Trump-effect-has-Mexicans-leaving-The-Woodlands-11143200.php|title=The 'Trump Effect'|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]] |date=2017-05-26|access-date=2017-07-17}} - Also published in the ''[[Washington Times]]'' via [[Associated Press]] as [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/4/some-mexican-residents-in-texas-feel-unwelcome-ret/ "Some Mexican residents in Texas feel unwelcome, return home"], June 4, 2017. [http://blog.chron.com/lavoz/2017/05/atraidos-antes-por-the-woodlands-ahora-los-mexicanos-deciden-regresar-a-su-pais/ Spanish version: "Atraídos antes por The Woodlands, ahora los mexicanos deciden regresar a su país"]</ref> By 2006 the numbers of middle and upper class Hispanics and Latinos, including Mexican nationals, increased. Some of the residents were assigned to Houston by their companies. Some of them moved to The Woodlands to escape increased crime and political tensions from the Mexican presidential election and find better schools for their children.<ref name="Tallet" /><ref>Insensee, Laura. [http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands-news/article/The-Woodlands-lures-more-Hispanics-to-area-1867022.php "The Woodlands lures more Hispanics to area"] ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926015008/http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands-news/article/The-Woodlands-lures-more-Hispanics-to-area-1867022.php |date=2015-09-26 }}). ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Wednesday November 29, 2006. Retrieved September 26, 2015.</ref>

At the 2013–2014 school year, 22% of the students at [[Conroe Independent School District]] elementary and junior high schools in The Woodlands were Hispanic or Latin American. This was an increase from 10.5% in the 2005–2006 school year, and the percentages grew particularly in Glen Loch, Lamar, and Tough elementary schools. The 2013-2014 percentage in Conroe ISD schools in The Woodlands was below the overall Conroe ISD Hispanic average of 34.2%.<ref name="BalchBridget">Balch, Bridget. [http://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Hispanic-population-in-The-Woodlands-continues-to-6344063.php "Hispanic population in The Woodlands continues to grow"]. ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. June 23, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.</ref>

The Hispanic and Latin American community has ''Viva! The Woodlands Magazine'', a [[Spanish language]] magazine that covers The Woodlands, as well as the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Many churches in The Woodlands area have some services in Spanish.<ref name="BalchBridget" />

In 2000, there were 55,649 people, 19,881 households, and 15,546 families.<ref name="2000 US Census">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US4872656&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US48%7C16000US4872656&_street=&_county=The+Woodlands&_cityTown=The+Woodlands&_state=04000US48&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2005_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry=|title=American FactFinder - Community Facts|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=August 11, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212052630/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=16000US4872656&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US48%7C16000US4872656&_street=&_county=The+Woodlands&_cityTown=The+Woodlands&_state=04000US48&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=160&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2005_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry=|archive-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="GR2" /> The population density was {{convert|2,328.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.There were 21,014 housing units at an average density of {{convert|897.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup was 92.36% White, 1.75% Black, 0.29% Native American, 2.80% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.43% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 28% of the population.

There were 19,881 households, out of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.2% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.21. At the [[2000 United States census|2000 U.S. census]], 31.8% were under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.6% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males; for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.5 males.

The median income for a household according to the 2020 census was $130,011. The per capita income is $67,290. About 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line. 
97.8% of residents 25 years or older are high school graduates or higher. 64.3% of residents 25 years or older have a bachelor’s degree or higher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-context=st&-qr_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_S1901&-ds_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_&-CONTEXT=st&-tree_id=307&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=16000US4872656&-format=&-_lang=en|title=American FactFinder - Results|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212060540/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-context=st&-qr_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_S1901&-ds_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_&-CONTEXT=st&-tree_id=307&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=16000US4872656&-format=&-_lang=en |archive-date=February 12, 2020 }}</ref>

=== Religion ===
{{See also|Religion in Houston}}
{{Asof|2016}}, there were almost 50 centers of worship in The Woodlands, occupying a total of {{convert|330|acre|ha}} of land.<ref name="BalchChurches2">{{cite web|title=Churches grow with Woodlands population|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Churches-grow-with-Woodlands-population-9055698.php|author=Balch, Bridget|date=2016-08-02|access-date=2018-09-12|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]}} - Also published as: [https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Live-work-and-pray-Churches-grow-in-The-6319433.php "Live, work and pray: Churches grow in The Woodlands"].</ref> As of 2011, the community is majority [[Christianity|Christian]].<ref name="ShellnutnewHindutempleopen2">Shellnutt, Kate. [http://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/New-temple-will-serve-north-Houston-Hindus-2081265.php "New temple will serve north Houston Hindus"]. ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. June 26, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2014.</ref>

{{Asof|2018}}, The Woodlands [[United Methodist Church]] had about 13,000 members in its congregation. It was established in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|title=Villager Q&A;: Senior Pastor Ed Robb discusses church growth and leadership|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Villager-Q-A-Senior-Pastor-Ed-Robb-discusses-13212598.php|author=Stueckemann, Jane|date=2018-09-07|access-date=2018-09-12|newspaper=[[The Villager (The Woodlands, Texas)|The Villager]]}}</ref> Pastor [[Kerry Shook]] established Fellowship of The Woodlands Church, now known as Woodlands Church, in 1993.<ref name="Meinholz2">{{cite web|title=Fellowship of The Woodlands opens church in Atascocita|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Fellowship-of-The-Woodlands-opens-church-in-9622702.php|author=Meinholz, Susan|date=2007-09-12|access-date=2018-09-12|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> Its permanent church building opened on August 19, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fellowship of The Woodlands Church moves into new home|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Fellowship-of-The-Woodlands-Church-moves-into-new-9948282.php|author=Bosse, Sondra|date=2001-08-09|access-date=2018-09-12|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> Church Project, which holds services in a former [[Kroger]], had an average weekly attendance of 1,500 in 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Garris|first=Jonathan|date=February 11, 2014|title=Church Project continues to grow congregation|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|url=https://www.chron.com/life/health/article/Church-Project-continues-to-grow-congregation-9600080.php|access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref> {{Asof|2018}} Christ Church United Methodist has about 3,000 members.<ref name="Forward2">{{cite news|author=Forward, Jeff|date=2018-05-06|title=Hindu Temple, Christ Church in midst of expansions in The Woodlands|newspaper=[[The Villager (The Woodlands, Texas)|The Villager]]|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Hindu-Temple-Christ-United-church-in-midst-of-12892122.php|access-date=2018-09-13}}</ref> Circa 2012 Covenant United Methodist Church began its worship services at Timber Creek Elementary School, and by 2016 bought {{convert|5|acre|ha}} of land near the entrance of Village of Creekside Park for a permanent 700-seat facility.<ref name="BalchChurches2" /> On December 25, 2001, the Korean Community Church in The Woodlands, with Presbyterian [[Korean language|Korean-language]] services and [[Nondenominational Christianity|non-denominational]] English services, opened. It opened to serve ethnic Koreans in The Woodlands, [[Conroe, Texas|Conroe]], [[Huntsville, Texas|Huntsville]], [[Kingwood, Houston|Kingwood]], and [[Spring, Texas|Spring]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Korean church opens in Woodlands|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Korean-church-opens-in-Woodlands-9751513.php|author=Durham, Erika E.|date=2003-03-13|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|access-date=2019-10-17}}</ref> Other Protestant, Christian and non-denominational Christian churches in The Woodlands include HopePointe Anglican Church, Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, and Unity of The Woodlands.<ref name="Forward2" />

Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Parish, the first [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] church in The Woodlands, was established circa 1980, with its 400 parishioners initially meeting at Knox Junior High School before moving into its permanent building in 1981. {{Asof|2013}} it had 3,800 families in its congregation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Catholic church in The Woodlands to celebrate renovation|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Catholic-church-in-The-Woodlands-to-celebrate-4897899.php|author=Peyton, Lindsay|date=2013-10-15|access-date=2018-09-12|newspaper=[[The Villager (The Woodlands, Texas)|The Villager]]}}</ref> St. Anthony of Padua, another Catholic church, had 3,020 families in its congregation in 2006,<ref name=DooleyMembershipBoom>{{cite web|author=Dooley, Tara|url=https://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/Catholic-archdiocese-seeing-membership-boom-1490961.php|title=Catholic archdiocese seeing membership boom|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2006-03-25|access-date=2020-06-02}}</ref> and 5,700 families in its congregation in 2013. It operates St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School.<ref name="BalchChurches2" />

There are two Jewish places of worship, traditional and reformed. Congregation Beth Shalom, established circa 1984 led by Rabbi Edwin C. Goldberg, has about 175 families,<ref>{{cite web|title=Woodlands synagogue to welcome new spiritual leader|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Woodlands-synagogue-to-welcome-new-spiritual-9776515.php|author=Trumble, Janet|date=2004-01-20|access-date=2018-09-12|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> and is affiliated with [[Reform Judaism]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Stueckemann, Jane|date=2018-09-11|title=Symbols of Faith: Torah represents covenant with God for synagogue in The Woodlands|newspaper=[[The Villager (The Woodlands, Texas)|The Villager]]|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Symbols-of-Faith-Torah-represents-covenant-with-13221414.php|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref> Its affiliated organizations are the Association of Reformed Congregations and the [[Union of American Hebrew Congregations]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Jewish families prepare to celebrate Jewish New Year|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Jewish-families-prepare-to-celebrate-Jewish-New-9931240.php|author=Fredericks, Melinda|date=2000-09-28|access-date=2018-09-12|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]}}</ref> Chabad of The Woodlands was established in 2011 by Rabbi Mendel and Leah Blecher.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Villager Q & A: Rabbi Mendel Blecher of Chabad of The Woodlands|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Villager-Q-A-Rabbi-Mendel-Blecher-of-Chabad-of-12704471.php|last=Dillon|first=Patricia|date=2018-02-23|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> It is a branch of the worldwide [[Chabad|Chabad Lubavitch]] movement, offering traditional-style services to contemporary Jewish families.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chabad of The Woodlands celebrates new Torah|url=http://jhvonline.com/chabad-of-the-woodlands-celebrates-new-torah-p26519-96.htm|website=jhvonline.com|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> Chabad of The Woodlands inaugurated and sponsors the annual [[Hanukkah]] on Market Street celebration,<ref>{{cite web|title=Community gathers to light menorah, celebrate Hanukkah|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/events/article/Community-gathers-to-light-menorah-celebrate-12434658.php|author=Dillon, Patricia|date=2017-12-15|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|access-date=2019-10-17|agency=[[The Woodlands Villager]]}}</ref> and established the first Jewish preschool in the area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Woodlands' first Jewish-focused preschool aims to keep traditions alive|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Woodlands-first-Jewish-focused-preschool-aims-14056918.php|author=Stueckmann, Jane|date=2019-06-27|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|access-date=2019-10-17|agency=[[The Woodlands Villager]]}}</ref>

In 2011, there were 350 Hindu families in The Woodlands. In a 15-year period ending in 2011, the Hindu population in the Woodlands increased by 300%, and Kate Shellnut of the ''[[Houston Chronicle]]'' stated that according to "Hindu leaders" every year the Hindu population in The Woodlands grows by 20 to 25 families.<ref name="ShellnutnewHindutempleopen2" /> The [[Hindu Temple of The Woodlands]], a Hindu temple serving the northern part of [[Greater Houston]], was scheduled to open in 2010.<ref name="ShellnutnewHindutempleopen2" /> Another Hindu temple, Char Dham Hindu Temple, was founded by Surya Sahoo.<ref>Thornton, Carrie. [http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/woodlands/news/woodlands-hindu-temple-causes-residential-concerns/article_a91d107a-5c55-5877-85ba-9b81ec0ea8fd.html "Woodlands Hindu Temple causes residential concerns"]. ''[[The Villager (The Woodlands, Texas)|The Villager]]'' (The Woodlands). February 3, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2014.</ref>

Masjid al-Ansaar (Woodlands Islamic Center) of the [[Islamic Society of Greater Houston]] (ISGH) was created in 2009, and in 2019 it had 300 parishioners.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mosque in The Woodlands celebrates 10 years|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Mosque-in-The-Woodlands-celebrates-10-years-14515843.php|author=Swinnerton, Jamie|date=2019-10-11|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|access-date=2019-10-23|agency=[[The Woodlands Villager]]}}</ref> It is in an [[unincorporated area]] outside of The Woodlands.<ref>{{cite web|title=Islamic Centers|url=https://isgh.org/islamic-centers/|publisher=Islamic Society of Greater Houston|access-date=2019-10-23|quote=Masjid al-Ansaar (Woodlands Islamic Center) Address: 15217 Sunset Trail Conroe TX. 77384}}</ref>

=== Ethnic groups ===
{{see also|History of Mexican Americans in Houston}}
{{Asof|2017}} about 10% of the residents of The Woodlands were of Mexican origins; they numbered at over 10,000. In 2000 wealthy Mexicans began buying houses in The Woodlands for vacation purposes. Large numbers settled in The Woodlands from 2006 to 2014 as the [[Mexican Drug War]] occurred. In 2017 many wealthy Mexicans in Texas were moving back to Mexico and fewer were moving to The Woodlands. The [[Rice University]] [[James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy|Baker Institute]] director, Tony Payán, stated that uncertainty regarding the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump Administration]]'s attitudes towards immigration and the decline in value of the [[Mexican peso]] were factors.<ref>{{cite news|author=Tallet, Olivia P.|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/lifestyle/calle-houston/article/Trump-effect-has-Mexicans-leaving-The-Woodlands-11143200.php|title=The 'Trump Effect'|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2017-05-26|access-date=2017-07-17}} - Also published in the ''[[Washington Times]]'' via [[Associated Press]] as "[http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/4/some-mexican-residents-in-texas-feel-unwelcome-ret/ Some Mexican residents in Texas feel unwelcome, return home]," date June 4, 2017. [http://blog.chron.com/lavoz/2017/05/atraidos-antes-por-the-woodlands-ahora-los-mexicanos-deciden-regresar-a-su-pais/ Spanish version: "Atraídos antes por The Woodlands, ahora los mexicanos deciden regresar a su país"]</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:CBIAdminHQWoodlands.jpg|thumb|[[CB&I]] administrative headquarters]]
By 2000, a significant amount of corporate office space was under construction. Of the {{convert|4800000|sqft|sqm}} of office space under construction in [[Greater Houston]], over one third was in The Woodlands.<ref name="BivinsWoodlands">Bivins, Ralph. [http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2000_3195216 "The Woodlands becomes a leader in office construction"]. ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. February 13, 2000. Business 8. Retrieved November 12, 2009.</ref>

On February 11, 1999, [[Anadarko Petroleum]] announced that it would purchase a {{convert|7.5|acre|m2|adj=on}} tract from The Woodlands Land Company, to build a {{convert|800000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, 32-story headquarters building, to open in mid-2002.<ref>[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-53854782.html "Anadarko to Build New Headquarters in the Woodlands"].{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}" PR Newswire. February 11, 1999. Retrieved August 15, 2009.</ref> As of 2000, the Anadarko building was the largest office project in The Woodlands.<ref name="BivinsWoodlands" />
In January 2012, Anadarko announced the imminent construction of a sister tower on site, 31 stories high, of which ten will be for parking. According to a press release from the company, site work had already begun and construction of the tower would be complete by 2014. The building is at the corner of Woodloch Forest Dr and Lake Robbins Dr. With its completed sister tower, [[Hackett Tower]] is the tallest building in Montgomery County and between Houston and Dallas.[[File:TheWoodlandsMallEntrance.JPG|thumb|[[The Woodlands Mall]]|alt=]][[Chicago Bridge & Iron]]'s (CB&I) worldwide administrative office was in The Woodlands.<ref>[http://www.cbi.com/about/worldwide.offices.aspx "Worldwide Offices"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012030119/http://www.cbi.com/about/worldwide.offices.aspx |date=October 12, 2008 }}. [[Chicago Bridge & Iron]]. Retrieved August 14, 2009.</ref> In 2018 [[McDermott International]], which acquired CB&I, announced that it would sell the headquarters facility in The Woodlands to [[Howard Hughes Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Mann, Joshua|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2018/09/05/mcdermott-to-sell-former-cb-i-hq-in-the-woodlands.html|title=McDermott to sell former CB&I HQ in The Woodlands to Howard Hughes|newspaper=[[Houston Business Journal]] |date=2018-09-06|access-date=2018-09-11}}</ref>

In 2000, work began on a {{convert|100000|sqft|sqm}} building for [[Maersk Sealand]].<ref name="BivinsWoodlands" />

In 2011, [[ExxonMobil]] announced plans to construct a new complex on a 385-acre plot of land near the intersection of the [[Hardy Toll Road]] and [[Interstate 45]], which is in the Houston ETJ and might be annexed by Houston. About 10,000 employees in the Houston area will relocate to the campus starting in 2014, with full occupancy by 2015.<ref name="chron">{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7600502.html|title=Exxon Mobil will fuel boom with new complex - |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=June 7, 2011 |access-date=November 4, 2014}}</ref>

Other companies based in The Woodlands include [[Woodforest National Bank]], [[Lexicon Pharmaceuticals]], [[McKesson Corporation]], and [[Huntsman Corporation]].

Many wealthy [[Mexico|Mexicans]] who settled in The Woodlands due to rising crime in Mexico had also established businesses in The Woodlands.<ref>Moreno, Jenalia. [http://www.chron.com/news/article/Woodlands-a-haven-for-Mexican-entrepreneurs-2144458.php "Woodlands a haven for Mexican entrepreneurs"]. ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Saturday August 27, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2011.</ref>

==Arts and culture==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2024}}
[[File:Market Street Sign in The Woodlands.jpg|thumb|Market Street, a shopping center in The Woodlands.]]

Cultural events include:
* The [[Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion]], the summer location of the Houston Symphony.{{cn|date=December 2022}}
* The Woodlands Waterway, which stretches from [[The Woodlands Mall]] to Lake Woodlands, and has lighted sidewalks.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Woodlands officials celebrate completion of Waterway|url=https://abc13.com/3329027/|last=Newspaper|first=Community Impact|date=2018-04-11|website=ABC13 Houston|language=en|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref>
* Market Street, a shopping district with a movie theater, shops and restaurants.
* The Woodlands Mall, which borders the waterway and is adjacent to Market Street, forming a large shopping district.
* Every April, The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival draws 220 international juried artists.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival|url=https://visitthewoodlands.com/woodlands-waterway-arts-festival/|website=The Woodlands, Texas {{!}} Official Guide to Stay, Shop & Dine in The Woodlands, Texas|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-02}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*The Woodlands Concert Band, established in 2001, performs at local events, and is composed of amateur and professional musicians.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Woodlands Concert Band membership swells; group lost most of music during Harvey|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Woodlands-Concert-Band-membership-swells-group-12853846.php|website=Chron by the [[Houston Chronicle]]|date=April 21, 2018}}</ref>

Each village in The Woodlands has its own shopping center.

[[File:Forest Bridge in The Woodlands.jpg|thumb|A bridge leading through the forest in The Woodlands]]

==Government==
The Woodlands Township is a [[Special district (United States)|special-purpose district]] created by the 73rd Texas Legislature in 1993,<ref>[http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=943 The Woodlands Township Enabling Legislation]. Retrieved May 22, 2014.</ref> and is run by a seven-member board of directors who are elected directly by the residents of the township in an at large election, for two year staggered terms.<ref>[http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3492 Candidate Filing Packet: General Election – November 5, 2013] The Woodlands Township Board of Directors {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008101438/http://thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3492 |date=October 8, 2013 }} Retrieved May 22, 2014.</ref> Even though The Woodlands is not a city nor a traditional township government, it still provides limited municipal government services such as trash pickup, parks and recreation, covenant enforcement, fire and rescue services, streetscaping, economic development, and enhanced law enforcement and security patrols.<ref name="thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov">[http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/faq.aspx "The Woodlands Township FAQ"]. Retrieved May 22, 2014.</ref>

==Education==
Most students in the Montgomery County portion attend schools in the [[Conroe Independent School District]]. Children residing in the May Valley neighborhood{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} in Sterling Ridge Village<ref name=Villagemap>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1071/Parks-and-Pathways-Map?bidId=|title=The Woodlands Parks and Pathways|publisher=The Woodlands Township|accessdate=2022-04-27}}</ref> attend schools in the [[Magnolia Independent School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48339_montgomery/DC20SD_C48339.pdf |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Montgomery County, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2022-04-27}} - [https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1188/The-Woodlands-Township-Boundary-Map-with-Streets?bidId= Compare to The Woodlands boundary map]</ref> Children from the Creekside Park Village<ref name=Villagemap/> in [[Harris County, Texas|Harris County]] attend the [[Tomball Independent School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st48_tx/schooldistrict_maps/c48201_harris/DC20SD_C48201.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Harris County, TX|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2022-04-27}} - [https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1188/The-Woodlands-Township-Boundary-Map-with-Streets?bidId= Compare to The Woodlands boundary map]</ref>

[[Montgomery County Memorial Library System]] operates two libraries in The Woodlands, the South Branch and the George and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Library. Most schools have the honored rank of an exemplary school, the highest school ranking in Texas. Texas students are administered the STAAR test, a review of general knowledge, which can determine students' promotion to the next grade level.

===Primary and secondary schools===

====Public schools====
[[The Woodlands High School]] (TWHS) serves the western portion of The Woodlands in Montgomery County. TWHS was ranked 626 on ''[[Newsweek]]'s'' 2012 list of America's Best High Schools.<ref name="thedailybeast.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/|title=The Daily Beast|website=The Daily Beast}}</ref>

[[The Woodlands College Park High School]], which opened in 2005, serves the eastern portion of The Woodlands in Montgomery County. TWCP was ranked 382 on ''[[Newsweek]]'s'' 2012 list of America's Best High Schools.<ref name="thedailybeast.com"/> College Park is also home to the [[Conroe ISD Academy of Science and Technology]], a science and technology based magnet program. Refer to the Conroe School District for specific feeders. [[Magnolia High School (Texas)|Magnolia High School]] serves pupils residing in May Valley, and [[Tomball High School]] serves pupils residing inside the Harris County portion.

;Junior high schools
*Montgomery County: Knox Junior High School, McCullough Junior High School
*Harris County:  Creekside Park Junior High School

In 2023 TISD had plans to move middle school grades of the Creekside Village area to Tomball, but parents protested.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Partain|first1=Claire|last2=Green|first2=Ralph|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/woodlands/article/woodlands-creekside-park-parents-protest-tomball-18477743.php|title=Hundreds of Woodlands' Creekside Park parents to protest new Tomball ISD school location with walkout|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2023-11-10|access-date=2023-12-20}}</ref> The district shifted and decided instead to move the fifth grade to an addition at Creekside Park Junior High School. The directors of The Woodlands Township had asked that TISD not move the middle school students to Tomball.<ref>{{cite news|last=Partain|first=Claire|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/woodlands/article/creekside-park-new-plan-school-expansion-18493713.php|title=Tomball ISD drops plan for new intermediate school after Woodlands parents protest, presents new plan|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2023-12-19|access-date=2023-12-20}}</ref>

====Private schools====
By 2015, many private preparatory schools began campus expansions as The Woodlands had an increase in population and corporate office relocations.<ref>{{cite news|author=Olabi, Nora|url=http://www.chron.com:80/neighborhood/woodlands/news/article/Woodlands-growth-drives-prep-school-expansions-6316440.php|title=Woodlands growth drives prep school expansions|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2015-06-09|access-date=2018-09-12}}</ref>
*[[The John Cooper School]]
*[[The Woodlands Christian Academy]]
*St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School (K-8)<ref>[https://staopcs.org/ Home]. St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School. Retrieved March 25, 2017. "7901 Bay Branch Drive • The Woodlands, Texas"</ref> (of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston]])

The closest Catholic high school is [[Frassati Catholic High School]] in north Harris County; the planners of the school intended for it to serve The Woodlands.<ref name=Dominguezbreaks>{{cite web|author=Dominguez, Catherine|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/spring/news/article/New-Catholic-high-school-breaks-ground-9432116.php|title=New Catholic high school breaks ground|newspaper=[[The Spring Observer]] |date=2012-08-29|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>

{{Asof|2019}}, the [[British International School of Houston]] in [[Greater Katy]] has a school bus service to The Woodlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nordangliaeducation.com/our-schools/houston/british-international/admissions/school-bus-transportation|title=School Bus Transportation|publisher=[[British International School of Houston]]|access-date=2019-03-30}}</ref>

===Colleges and universities===
[[Lone Star College–Montgomery|Lone Star College]] (originally the North Harris Montgomery Community College District) and [[Sam Houston State University]]-The Woodlands Center<ref>[http://www.shsu.edu/woodlands/]. Sam Houston State University. January 15, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014.</ref> serve the community. The territory in Conroe ISD joined the community college district in 1991, and the territory in Tomball ISD had joined the district in 1982.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021222065728/http://www.nhmccd.edu/l.cfm?id=01004 "History"]. North Harris Montgomery Community College District. December 22, 2002. Retrieved April 5, 2010.</ref> The headquarters of the Lone Star College System are located in The Woodlands and in [[unincorporated area|unincorporated]] [[Montgomery County, Texas]].<ref>[http://www.lonestar.edu/contact-directory.htm "Contact Directory"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405092849/http://www.lonestar.edu/contact-directory.htm |date=April 5, 2010 }}. Lone Star College System. Retrieved April 5, 2010.</ref> The district moved to its current location on March 17, 2003.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030323122817/http://nhmccd.edu/ Home]. North Harris Montgomery Community College District. March 23, 2003. Retrieved April 5, 2010.</ref> [[Our Lady of the Lake University]], a private non-profit university based in San Antonio, moved its Houston Campus to The Woodlands in 2011.

==Media==
In 2007, ''The Bracelet of Bordeaux'' was filmed in The Woodlands. The cast and crew were largely composed of local residents, and the film was part of a larger effort to generate interest in using The Woodlands and Houston as shooting locations for major motion pictures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the-bracelet-of-bordeaux/|title=The Bracelet of Bordeaux|website=Rotten Tomatoes}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==
Law enforcement in Montgomery County is provided by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and the [[Texas Highway Patrol]]. The Harris County portion is covered by Harris County Constable Precinct #4.

The Woodlands Township runs two transit services in The Woodlands: The Woodlands Express, which provides commuter service to the Central Business District of [[Houston]], the Texas Medical Center, and Greenway Plaza from three [[park and ride]] lots in The Woodlands,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?NID=994|title=The Woodlands Express Park and Ride |publisher=The Woodlands Township, Texas}}</ref> and the free daily Town Center Trolley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.btd.org/montgomery-county/|title=Home - Brazos Transit District|publisher=Brazos Transit District}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{Main|List of people from The Woodlands, Texas}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ The Woodlands Township], local government website

{{The Woodlands, Texas}}
{{Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA}}
{{Harris County, Texas}}
{{Montgomery County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Woodlands, Texas}}
[[Category:The Woodlands, Texas| ]]
[[Category:Planned communities in the United States]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Montgomery County, Texas]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Harris County, Texas]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Texas]]
[[Category:Greater Houston]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1974]]