North Houston Districts

Many of the neighborhoods and communities to the north of the city offer a small town atmosphere, with multiple lakes, town squares and abundant green space. You'll find rolling hills and forests near communities like Conroe and Kingwood. 

Northside/Acres Homes

Northside/Acres Homes is a predominantly African-American community that got its name when World War I–era landowners sold home sites that were divided by the acre, not by the plot.

Aldine

Aldine was built on the International-Great Northern Railroad. Located near George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), the community is in central Harris County on the northern edge of Houston, off Farm-to-Market Road 525. Aldine’s location offers easy access to the Hardy Toll Road. Aldine ISD serves students in this area.

Champions

The Champions-F.M. 1960 area has stylish neighborhoods, many tucked away and hidden among tall pine trees. Easy access to downtown Houston, as well as an abundance of golf courses and country clubs, makes this area a popular choice. Spring ISD serves students in the area.

Conroe

Conroe was named after a Southern Cavalry officer who founded a sawmill there in 1881. Today, towering pine trees and lakeside living make the city an attractive option for outdoors and golf enthusiasts who also desire reasonably quick access to downtown Houston. Housing options range from traditional neighborhood homes to luxurious lakefront condos. Montgomery County is a recognized academic leader in the Gulf Coast area, and Conroe ISD serves area students.

Crosby/Huffman

With 150 miles of pine forests and open grassland, Crosby and Huffman outline the east side of Lake Houston, about 35 minutes from downtown. State-of-the-art health care at the world-renowned Houston Medical Center is located nearby. Crosby ISD serves Crosby students and Huffman students attend Huffman ISD schools.

Cypress

More than 120,000 residents call this large suburb home. It’s one of the most affluent ZIP codes in Harris county. The area has numerous golf courses and superior schools, and will soon be the trailhead of the planned Cypress Creek Greenway Project, which will feature hike-and-bike trails, horseback riding, canoeing, and more. Students are served by Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.

Cypress Fairbanks

The Cypress Fairbanks region—Cy-Fair, as it’s known to locals—is approximately 20 miles from Houston’s downtown business district. This largely unincorporated region of Harris County gains a strong sense of community from an association with the top-rated Cypress Fairbanks ISD. The school district is a major attraction for new residents. 

North Houston District

The North Houston District, a 12-square-mile activity center at Interstate 45 and North Sam Houston Parkway, is home to 20 million square feet of offi ce, retail, and industrial space, 72,000 employees, and approximately 112,000 residents. Two school districts serve the area: Aldine ISD and Spring ISD.

Humble

Located in northeast Harris County, Humble covers approximately 10 square miles. Humble is named after one of the area’s earliest settlers, Pleasant Smith “Plez” Humble. From his home, he opened and operated the city’s first post office, and reportedly also served as an attorney, served as justice of the peace, operated a fruit stand, and was a wood dealer. Petroleum has been the basis of Humble’s economy since its beginning. Humble ISD is nationally recognized by the Texas Education Agency for offering outstanding education, and is listed among the 25 fastest-growing school districts in Texas. 

Jersey Village

Jersey Village is a town of approximately 8,000 residents located about 20 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Residents have access to a golf course, a public swimming pool, and a public park with playground facilities. Residents in homes on the shores of Jersey Village’s small lake enjoy access to fishing there. Cypress-Fairbanks ISD serves area students.

Kingwood

Kingwood, known as the “livable forest,” is best known for 75 miles of greenbelt trails where residents can hike and bike throughout the woods along the lake and into a nature reserve. The city is divided into 25 neighborhoods called villages. Each has its own distinct style, price point, private pools, and other amenities. The Clubs of Kingwood offers six championship golf courses and more than 1,000 acres of fairways. Humble ISD serves Kingwood students.

Lake Houston

Located in the northeast quadrant of the city, just 21 miles from downtown on U.S. 59, the Greater Lake Houston area includes the cities of Humble, Kingwood, and Spring, all of which are currently experiencing robust population and economic growth. The area is largely forested, and due to its natural beauty, the recreation of Lake Houston and the San Jacinto River, the proximity of IAH and the Port of Houston, and the quality of its many subdivisions, the area has proved to be a strong attraction to newcomers.

Spring

Located in North Harris County, Spring is located about 20 miles north of Houston just off Interstate 45. The area was originally inhabited by the Oroquiza Indians and later became a large farming community until it became an intersection for two railroad lines. Spring ISD serves area students.

Tomball

In the 1930s, Humble Oil Company—now known as Exxon—and more than 20 other energy companies worked the fi elds around Tomball, producing large amounts of oil and natural gas. Since, Tomball has grown into a diverse and vibrant community near the big city while retaining its small-town history and sensibility. Much of Tomball’s charm comes from its award-winning festivals, shopping, eateries, and live music. Located approximately 28 miles northwest of Houston, the community is home to a smorgasbord of museums, historic homes and cemeteries, award-winning golf courses, craft breweries and wineries, hike-and-bike trails, parks, and more. Tomball ISD serves students here. Visit website. 

The Woodlands

Nestled in 28,000 acres of native forest, The Woodlands has been one of the best-selling master planned communities in Texas since 1990. Located 27 miles north of downtown Houston on Interstate 45, The Woodlands encompasses nine residential villages, commercial centers, a resort and conference center, a luxury hotel and convention center, hospitals, and health care facilities. You’ll find exceptional shopping along Market Street and at The Woodlands Mall, dining along The Woodlands Waterway, and recreational amenities and entertainment, including the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The Woodlands is home to nearly 1,900 businesses and corporations. One of The Woodlands’ newer developments in is Hughes Landing, a 200-acre development on Lake Woodlands that features 11 office buildings; shopping, dining and entertainment; a specialty grocer; an upscale hotel; a fitness center; and 800 multi-family residences. The Woodlands is a project of the Woodlands Development Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Howard Hughes Corporation. Visit website.