Magnolia is a city in southwestern Montgomery County, Texas, United States within the Houston metropolitan area. It is named for the magnolia trees that grow in the area. The population was 2,359 at the 2020 census.
The first settlement in the Magnolia area was a town named Mink Prairie, founded in about 1845 when a farmer named Mink built a homestead. By 1850, the town's name was shortened to Mink. After the Civil War, Mink's population swelled due to an influx of settlers from Kentucky and Tennessee, resulting in a post office being built in 1885. In 1902, the International-Great Northern Railroad (now operated by Union Pacific), decided to build a railroad to the north of Mink, causing most of the residents of Mink to move closer to the railroad line. The new town was named Melton in honor of a wealthy landowner who lived in the area. However, the postal service kept confusing the name with a different town called "Milton," prompting local officials to change the name to Magnolia. In 1903, the Mink post office moved to the new town of Magnolia, as the old town of Mink would soon become abandoned.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Magnolia has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
As of the 2020 census, Magnolia had a population of 2,359 and a median age of 35.2 years. 27.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.5 males age 18 and over. The population density was . There were 860 households and 616 families residing in the city.
85.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 14.4% lived in rural areas.
Of the 860 households, 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 50.0% were married-couple households, 13.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 924 housing units, of which 6.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%.
The Montgomery County Memorial Library System operates the Malcom Purvis Branch in the city.
As an incorporated city with a population of over than 5,000, Magnolia is designated as a general law city under the Constitution of Texas. It is governed at the local level by an elected mayor and five council members. As of May 2024, the mayor is Matthew "Doc" Dantzer. Council member Richard Carby also serves as mayor pro tem. The other council members are Daniel Miller, Buck Perino, Brandon Jacobs, and Jack L Huitt, Jr.
In 2011 the citizenry voted to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages. Magnolia was the last "dry" city in Montgomery County.
On April 9, 2013, the Magnolia City Council adopted a 20-year comprehensive plan entitled, "Magnolia on the Move." In the plan, the city outlines its vision for dealing with the projected business and residential growth in the area.
In 2015, the city adopted a Unified Development Code (UDC) to outline the specific steps development should take to comply with the comprehensive plan. The UDC includes specific restrictions on development, including restrictions on the height of signs, the materials used to construct buildings, and the protection of live oak and magnolia trees.
In the Texas Senate, Magnolia is part of District 4, represented by Republican Brandon Creighton. In the Texas House of Representatives, Magnolia is part of District 3, represented by Cecil Bell Jr.
In the United States Senate, Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz represent the entire state of Texas. In the United States House of Representatives, Magnolia is part of District 8, represented by Republican Morgan Luttrell.
The United States Postal Service Magnolia Post Office is located at 815 Goodson Road.
The city of Magnolia is part of the Magnolia Independent School District.
The Texas Legislature designates Magnolia ISD (and therefore all of Magnolia) as a part of Lone Star College (originally the North Harris Montgomery Community College District). The territory in Splendora ISD joined the community college district in 2000.
Magnolia is located at the intersection of FM 1488 and FM 1774 (also known as Magnolia Boulevard).