Home to just over 4,400 people, Magnolia offers a quiet country lifestyle 45 miles from downtown Houston. "At the moment, Magnolia is seen as a more rural kind of area, even though it's growing more than it has in the past," says Nathan LaLonde, a local Realtor with Compass RE Texas, LLC. Magnolia was founded in the 1800s around a sawmill and a railroad that transported lumber and farm goods across Texas. The railroad still crosses through the oldest part of the city, and the Magnolia Historical Society preserves the original depot. Today, its major economic drivers are HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital and the Magnolia Independent School District. Culturally, the city hosts one of the nation's largest Renaissance festivals, featured in the 2024 Netflix documentary "Ren Faire."
The railroad that Magnolia was built around still crosses through the heart of the city.
The Magnolia Historical Society preserves the original depot right next to the railroad.
Magnolia's Texas Renaissance Festival is one of the nation's biggest Renaissance festivals.
Houston Methodist Hospital The Woodlands is one of the largest employers of Magnolia locals.
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A taste of the countryside in Magnolia
Magnolia is known for its country homes on 1 to 20 acres and its burgeoning master-planned communities. Indigo Lake Estates is a distinctive acreage neighborhood famous for its 1990s and early 2000s-era custom-builds costing upward of $900,000. Magnolia's master-planned options are built around playgrounds, walking trails and clubhouses with swimming pools. Only one, High Meadows Ranch, is built around a golf course. Magnolia Ridge and Audubon are the city's newest master-planned communities. Its latest addition, Kresston, will begin construction in 2024. Most new homes are to the east, in a section of the city called "new Magnolia," closest to The Woodlands. The city’s vintage cottages from the 1930s and ’40s settle close together downtown. The median home price in Magnolia is $340,530, around 17% lower than the national average of $412,300.
On the outskirts of Magnolia lies country homes situated on multiple acres of land.
Early 2000s-era homes found in Magnolia's Indigo Lake Estates offer instant lake access.
High Meadows Ranch is the only community in Magnolia with a built-in golf course.
Magnolia Ridge is one of Magnolia's newest master-planned communities.
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Plenty of local flavor in the heart of Magnolia
Local dining, from Mexican to barbecue, is centered in the downtown area around FM 1488 and Magnolia Boulevard. For major shopping, locals head to The Woodlands or Tomball. The Woodlands Mall, about 30 miles away from downtown Magnolia, features over a million square feet of retail space and 160 stores.
Magnolia's Rancho Grande Bar & Grill offers a wide array of authentic Mexican dishes.
Magnolia Diner provides locals a classic 1950s American diner experience.
Much of Magnolia's local retailers occupy the 1940s homes along Magnolia Boulevard.
Thirty miles from Magnolia, The Woodlands Mall offers over 160 retail stores to shop from.
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Outdoor recreation abounds in this small Texas town
Unity Park is a centerpiece of the community, spanning 30 acres and featuring winding forested trails. Blaze Rucker, the city's utilities clerk, says its amphitheater is the site for chili cookoffs and country music concerts that happen randomly throughout the year. The Stroll — a half-mile pedestrian walkway that connects to Unity Park — passes by local businesses, public art, retail and restaurants in the downtown area. Magnolia Youth Sports Complex offers three football, four softball and two baseball fields. The city’s forested landscape is used for hunting and horseback riding.
Unity Park is a hub among the Magnolia community that offers over 30 acres of activities.
The Stroll stretches alongside the heart of Magnolia and features pieces from local artists.
Magnolia Youth Sports Complex showcases several sports fields and even a concession stand.
Magnolia has several other parks hidden away amongst the city's vast wooded areas.
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Travel back in time at the Texas Renaissance Festival
The Texas Renaissance Festival has been a city staple since the 1970s, drawing in more than 500,000 visitors from October to December. Festivalgoers enjoy entertainment across 21 stages and more than 400 on-site vendors.
The Texas Renaissance Festival has been a staple in Magnolia since its inception in 1974.
Festivalgoers enjoy dressing as medieval patrons at Magnolia's Texas Renaissance Festival.
Roaming performers bring smiles to onlookers at the Texas Renaissance Festival in Magnolia.
Children at Magnolia's Texas Renaissance Festival eagerly await their turn for face paint.
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Magnolia is served by a top-rated school district
The Magnolia Independent School District earns an A-minus rating from Niche and is the only district offering an International Baccalaureate within Montgomery County. Texas A&M University is a popular higher education option within 50 miles. The A-plus-rated college earned the 2024 U.S. News & World Report ranking as one of the best bang-for-buck universities in Texas.
The dedicated teachers of Magnolia Elementary in Magnolia received a B grade from Niche.
Magnolia Junior High School in Magnolia is recognized for its academic achievements.
Magnolia High in Magnolia provides students a safe learning environment.
Salem Lutheran School accesses spiritual growth through the adjacent church in Magnolia.
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Located 45 miles from Houston
Magnolia is within 45 miles of downtown Houston and George Bush Intercontinental Airport on State Highway 249. Interstate 45 is about 20 miles east of the city along FM 1488, and U.S. 290 is about 20 miles to the west. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is Houston’s busiest and largest airport, offering nonstop flights with a dozen airlines to over 180 international and domestic locations.
Weather and crime in Magnolia
In true Texas fashion, Magnolia’s summers are hot and humid, and winters are mild. Located in FEMA flood zone X, its most significant environmental risk is flooding. The city has flooded from major rainfall and hurricanes, including Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and Hurricane Beryl in 2024. In 2024, Texas adopted a statewide flood plan with key policy recommendations, including expanding early warning systems.
Magnolia had just three violent crimes in 2022 and rarely has more than 10 violent crimes in any year. The overall violent crime rate in Magnolia is around 100 crimes per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the Texas rate of 431.9.
Zain Khan’s journey in sales and real estate began at just 16, selling windows for Renewal by Andersen. This early role cultivated his focus on building meaningful client relationships, a value further shaped by a pivotal encounter with Michael O'Neal, a distinguished broker with Keller Williams Kingwood. Starting with a modest apartment-locating venture, Zain’s career quickly transformed into an entrepreneurial path, leading to the founding of Goldmount Real Estate Group, which evolved into the recognized brand, Gregtxrealty.
Today, as CEO of two leading real estate firms, Zain’s mission extends beyond transactional work. Each deal is an opportunity to play a role in his clients’ lives, guiding them through significant milestones. His vision for Gregtxrealty is to set a new benchmark across Texas, with a focus on innovation, high-quality service, and exceptional client care. By establishing Gregtxrealty as a trusted and progressive brand, Zain aims to redefine what it means to find not just a property, but a true home throughout the Texas market.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
