Tomball, Texas
Tomball is a city in northern Harris County, in the wooded northwestern reaches of the Houston metropolitan area, about 11 miles west of The Woodlands and 27 miles northwest of downtown Houston. It grew as a railroad town and later became known for oil production after petroleum was discovered in the area, a heritage still reflected in its history and downtown. Today it is a growing suburban city with a preserved old commercial district set amid the piney woods along the metro area's northern edge.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 15,768
- Change from 2020 base
- +28.1%
- Land area
- 13.1 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Harris County and Montgomery County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Tomball crosses county lines, so the appraisal district and tax office depend on the parcel address. School, city-limit, MUD, PID, and other special-district lines can be different too. Start with the full county list below instead of treating one county as the answer.
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
County context
What to know around Tomball
County lines carry much of the property, land, water, and outdoors context around Tomball.
State Historic Site
San Jacinto's Battle Lasted 18 Minutes; Recognition Took Years
Sam Houston's army won a surprise victory in 18 minutes, but the agreements that followed were rejected and did not bring immediate Mexican recognition.
Appraisal District
Who Sets Your Property Value in Harris County
The Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) sets the taxable value of every property in the county each year.
Local History
An Oil Strike in 1931 Changed Montgomery County Forever
A wildcatter named George W. Strake struck oil southeast of Conroe in 1931, turning a struggling timber town into one of Texas's most important oil fields.
Nearby
Places near Tomball
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
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