Montgomery County, Texas

Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston•Sugar Land•Baytown Metropolitan Area. The county was created by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 14, 1837. The county was named for the town of Montgomery, Texas. In 2000, its population was 293,768. In 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated Montgomery County's population to be 447,718, a 52.4% growth rate in the nine years from the last U.S. Census—making the county the 24th fastest-growing county in the United States. The seat of the county is Conroe.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,077 square miles (2,789 km²), of which, 1,044 square miles (2,704 km²) of it is land and 33 square miles (85 km²) of it (3.04%) is water.

Major highways

• Interstate 45
• U.S. Highway 59
• State Highway 105

See List of Highways in Montgomery County for more roadways in Montgomery County.

Adjacent counties

• Walker County (north)
• San Jacinto County (northeast)
• Liberty County (east)
• Harris County (south)
• Waller County (west)
• Grimes County (Northwest)

National protected area

• Sam Houston National Forest (partial)

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 293,768 people, 103,296 households, and 80,157 families residing in the county. The population density was 281 people per square mile (109/km²). There were 112,770 housing units at an average density of 108 per square mile (42/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.25% White, 3.49% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.86% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. 12.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 103,296 households out of which 40.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.20% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.40% were non-families. 18.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.83 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the county, the population was spread out with 29.50% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 30.60% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 8.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $50,864, and the median income for a family was $58,983. Males had a median income of $42,400 versus $28,270 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,544. About 7.10% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.90% of those under age 18 and 10.10% of those age 65 or over.

In 2010 Montgomery County was ranked number 3 on The Daily Caller's list of America's 100 most conservative-friendly counties.^[3]

Politics

Montgomery County is one of the most heavily Republican counties in Texas, giving 78% of its vote to George W. Bush in 2004 and giving 76% of its vote to John McCain in 2008. The Daily Caller newspaper named Montgomery County the third most conservative county in the U.S. and referred to The Woodlands as "a conservative’s vision of earthly paradise".^[4] The county has not been won by any Democratic presidential candidate since 1964.^[5]

United States Congress

Texas Legislature

Texas Senate

Texas House of Representatives

Communities

Cities

Census-designated places

• Pinehurst
• Porter Heights
• The Woodlands

Unincorporated areas

• Dobbin
• Imperial Oaks
• New Caney
• Porter
• Tamina
• Spring
• The Woodlands

Education

Public Schools

Several school districts operate public schools in the county:

• Conroe ISD
• Magnolia ISD
• Montgomery ISD
• New Caney ISD
• Richards ISD (partial)
• Splendora ISD
• Tomball ISD (partial)
• Willis ISD (partial)

Private Schools

Pre-K to 12

• Covenant Christian School
• Christ Community School
• The Woodlands Christian Academy
• The John Cooper School
• St. Anthony Of Padua Catholic School
• The Woodlands Preparatory School

The county also is home to two campuses of the Lone Star College System: Montgomery and The University Center. The county operates the Montgomery County Memorial Library System.

Transportation

Lone Star Executive Airport, a general aviation airport, is located in Conroe.

The closest airport with regularly scheduled commercial service is George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in Harris County. William P. Hobby Airport in Houston in Harris County also operates regular commercial service.

References

1. ^ "Montgomery County: Population Growth". http://www.censusscope.org/us/s48/c339/chart_popl.html.
2. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
3. ^ Palko, Chris (March 19, 2010). "America’s top 20 conservative-friendly counties". The Daily Caller. http://dailycaller.com/2010/03/19/americas-top-20-conservative-friendly-counties/2/. Retrieved 19 March 2010
4. ^ Palko, Chris. America’s top 20 conservative-friendly counties, The Daily Caller, March 19, 2010.
5. ^ Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - Data Graphs

External links

• Montgomery County Texas Info
• Montgomery County government's website
• Montgomery County in Handbook of Texas Online from University of North Texas
• Montgomery Count vs. Harris County Line
• History of the Lake Creek Settlement and the Founding of the Town of Montgomery, Texas
• Early History of Montgomery County, Texas
• Montgomery County Monitor - News, Video, Photos, Live Scanner Feeds and Public Information
• Lonestar College - The Lone Star College System, formerly known as the North Harris Montgomery Community College District, is accredited through the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Coordinates: 30°18′N 95°30′W / 30.30°N 95.50°W

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