Jobs & Economy in Conroe
Conroe's own job base is anchored by Conroe ISD -- Montgomery County's largest employer, with more than 10,000 employees and a national ranking on Forbes' Best Large Employers list -- while most of the broader area's corporate employment sits just south in The Woodlands, whose 2026 major-employer survey counted 84 companies and 40,358 jobs, down 2% from 41,103 in 2025.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreConroe ISD: The Largest Local Employer, With National Recognition
Conroe ISD is the largest employer in Montgomery County, with more than 10,000 employees, per Conroe Economic Development Council data. The district ranked 69th nationally on Forbes' 2025 list of America's Best Large Employers -- the highest-ranking school district in the country and one of only two districts to make the top 200 -- and placed eighth among all Texas-based employers on that same list, behind names like Houston Methodist and H-E-B.
The Woodlands' Corporate Base Sits Right Next Door
The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership's 2026 major-employer survey counted 84 companies employing 40,358 people -- a real, if slightly softening, corporate job base (down 2% from 41,103 jobs in 2025) immediately adjacent to Conroe, home to major corporate campuses that give Conroe residents access to substantial white-collar employment without living inside The Woodlands' own higher-priced housing market.
Manufacturing, Oil-Field Services, and Growing Healthcare
An estimated 24,000 manufacturing jobs exist across Montgomery County, with many tied to oil-field services -- about 9% of the county's total employment, per H-GAC (Houston-Galveston Area Council) profile data. Healthcare is also described as a growing sector locally, as institutions affiliated with Houston's Texas Medical Center have opened or are planning hospitals in Montgomery County, adding to the area's existing hospital base (see the healthcare topic page).
Unemployment: A Real Data Gap Worth Disclosing
The most recent Montgomery County-specific unemployment figure found this research pass was 3.6% as of April 2025, per FRED-sourced data -- a real figure, but not current to 2026. Texas's statewide unemployment rate ran 4.3%-4.4% through May-June 2026, per BLS/FRED data. Montgomery County has historically run below the statewide rate, but a current, independently confirmed 2026 county-specific figure was not located this pass -- stated plainly rather than estimated.
Key takeaways
- Conroe ISD is Montgomery County's largest employer (10,000+ employees), ranked 69th nationally and 8th among Texas employers on Forbes' 2025 Best Large Employers list -- the highest-ranking school district in the country.
- The Woodlands' 2026 major-employer survey counted 84 companies and 40,358 jobs (down 2% from 41,103 in 2025) -- a substantial corporate job base immediately adjacent to Conroe.
- Montgomery County has an estimated 24,000 manufacturing jobs (~9% of county employment), heavily tied to oil-field services; healthcare is a growing sector as Texas Medical Center-affiliated institutions expand into the county.
- Montgomery County's most recent sourced unemployment figure was 3.6% (April 2025); Texas's statewide rate ran 4.3%-4.4% through mid-2026. A current, county-specific 2026 figure was not independently confirmed this pass.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Conroe overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert