Conroe, TX: One of US' Fastest Growing Cities

From quiet to bustling, this Texas city is proving all the doubters wrong

Situated just north of Houston lies the inauspicious city of Conroe. Once considered a rural outpost alongside I-45, Conroe is blossoming into a traditional suburb much like the nearby neighbor, The Woodlands. With a population now surging above 80,000, it is worth taking a closer look at what makes Conroe such a prized location, one worthy of being among the fastest growing cities in America.

Attracting large employers

One of the principal reasons for any relocation is for a new job. It just so happens Conroe is attracting attention from big name players in a variety of sectors. Among the top employers to either headquarter or expand to Montgomery County are Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Exxon Mobil and Aon Hewitt, a human resources, insurance and risk management firm based out of London.

The presence of oil and energy companies in Texas is not surprising—after all, the industry is a major financial player for local and state governments—seeing how oil business boosts other areas like education and medicine is perhaps not as clear.

In 2016, two of the top five employers in the region were Conroe Independent School District and Memorial Hermann (The Woodlands). Combined with smaller medical facilities in Conroe proper, the medical profession accounts for more than eight thousand jobs.

But oil and medicine are not the only ones bringing new jobs. Here is a complete list of top employers in Conroe with more than 100 employees.

Low cost of living

Also sparking resident growth is the attraction of a lower-than average cost of living for shelter, food, transportation, healthcare and utilities.

With less expenditures, it makes sense more people in Conroe opt to buy a new home  rather than rent. In Conroe alone, more than 55 percent choose to own their home.

Find homes in Woodforest and Grand Central Park now.

The best of small town and big city living

Walking through Conroe’s downtown is like stepping back in time thanks to its well-preserved historical buildings such as the Crighton Theater. But this is not the same sleepy town of old. A city that once shut down after 5 p.m. is witnessing an active push for more after-hours activities, especially live music. That means more eclectic shops and restaurants for locals and daytrippers alike. Larger city must-haves such as Texan craft beer are also making an appearance, with breweries like B-52 and Southern Star setting up residence.

Those looking for more rustic environs do not have to look far, as Conroe is home to several golf courses as well as many individual parks chock-full off amenities, not to mention that the city is nestled between scenic Lake Conroe, which provides lots of opportunities for boating and fishing, and Sam Houston National Forest—perfect for any hiker and outdoorsman.

If all else fails, downtown Houston and all it offers is only a 40-minute drive away (traffic pending). Although we are confident there are more than enough reasons to stick around in this zip code.

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