Kingwood Neighborhood Guide
The Livable Forest on Lake Houston
Kingwood home sales, last 12 months: 833 homes sold, at a typical price around $350,000 (October 2025 through September 2026). Source: HAR MLS closed sales. Data as of October 2026.
Property taxes: A $350,000 home here pays about $8,420 a year at current rates, or about $6,010 with the homestead exemption. Some Kingwood-area addresses also pay a MUD. See MUD and PID taxes. Data as of October 2026.
921 reviews and ratings across five sites as of October 30, 2026: Google 216 (5.0), Zillow 153 (5.0), Yelp 147 (4.9), RateMyAgent 56 (5.0), HAR 349 surveys (4.99).
Greenbelt trailsLake accessGolfMaster-planned villages
Updated November 5, 2026
Living in Kingwood
Kingwood is a master-planned community about 29 miles northeast of Downtown by car, on the west shore of Lake Houston. King Ranch and Friendswood Development Company, an Exxon subsidiary, launched it in the early 1970s, building its neighborhoods, called villages, among the existing pines and oaks. That approach earned it the nickname "The Livable Forest." The City of Houston annexed Kingwood in 1996, but it keeps its own identity, with a town center, trails and community association.
Why buyers choose Kingwood
- Greenbelt trails. About 75 miles of hike-and-bike trails wind through the villages, connecting homes, schools and parks.
- Lake Houston. Boating, fishing and waterfront homes, plus nature trails at East End Park.
- Schools. Kingwood is served by Humble ISD, including Kingwood High School and Kingwood Park High School; a few Montgomery County sections with Kingwood 77339 addresses are in New Caney ISD (West Fork High School). Check zoning for each address.
- Golf and clubs. Kingwood Country Club and Deerwood Golf Club are inside the community.
- Airport access. About 17 miles to Bush Intercontinental Airport via US-59/I-69.
What's in and near Kingwood
- Kingwood Town Center shops, restaurants and events
- The greenbelt trail system
- Lake Houston and East End Park
- Kingwood High School and Kingwood Park High School (Humble ISD)
- Lone Star College-Kingwood
- Kingwood Country Club and Deerwood Golf Club
Where to eat and shop in Kingwood
Kingwood's dining favorites include several long-running local restaurants. Amedeo's Italian Restaurant on Loop 494 celebrated 40 years in 2025 and is known for homemade lasagna, veal marsala and a deep wine list. Chimichurri's South American Grill on West Lake Houston Parkway serves grilled steaks and South American dishes, and Sharky's Waterfront Grill next door offers seafood and a lakeside patio. Miya Ramen Bistro on Kingwood Drive is a locally owned spot for classic and fusion ramen, and Bill's Cafe on Loop 494 serves breakfast through dinner with weekend live music.
For local shopping, Kingwood Town Center and Kingwood Drive have several independent stores. My Happy Place in Town Center is a locally owned gift and decor boutique. Toys & Candy on the Park is a family-owned toy and candy shop with thousands of toys, hundreds of sweets and a playroom for kids, and Melissa Sue's Boutique on Kingwood Drive is a women's clothing boutique.
Getting around
| Destination | Distance | Drive time (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Bush Intercontinental Airport | 16.7 mi | about 30 min; 45–60 min at rush hour |
| Downtown Houston | 29.2 mi | about 40 min; 60–80 min at rush hour |
| Texas Medical Center | 33.1 mi | about 45 min; 68–90 min at rush hour |
| Hobby Airport | 34.9 mi | about 56 min; 84–112 min at rush hour |
| The Galleria | 35.9 mi | about 49 min; 74–98 min at rush hour |
| Energy Corridor (I-10 at Eldridge) | 45.4 mi | about 62 min; 93–124 min at rush hour |
Drive times are estimates. Off-peak minutes come from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM) without traffic, checked November 2026; rush-hour ranges assume 1.5 to 2 times as long, which is common on Houston freeways. Actual times vary with traffic, weather and time of day.
Driving distances from central Kingwood.
Homes in Kingwood
Mostly single-family homes, from 1970s and 1980s houses on wooded lots to newer construction, plus golf course and lakefront homes. Each village has its own association, and parts of Kingwood flooded during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, so check flood history, elevation and insurance costs for each address. For current prices, see the homes for sale and recent sales on this page.
Median household income by ZIP code: 77339, $84,102; 77345, $150,742 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates). ZIP code figures can include areas beyond the neighborhood.
Public schools serving Kingwood
School districts: Humble ISD (most (the Kingwood community)); New Caney ISD (some Montgomery County subdivisions with Kingwood 77339 addresses). These are the main zoned schools, hand-checked; zoning can change from one street to the next.
| Middle | Kingwood Middle School — Humble ISD. Feeds Kingwood Park HS. Creekwood Middle School — Humble ISD. Split between Kingwood HS and Kingwood Park HS. Riverwood Middle School — Humble ISD. Feeds Kingwood HS. |
|---|---|
| High | Kingwood High School — Humble ISD. Serves much of Kingwood and part of Atascocita. Kingwood Park High School — Humble ISD. Serves parts of Kingwood (Kingwood Middle area). West Fork High School — New Caney ISD. Opened 2022 on Sorters McClellan Rd (77339); serves New Caney ISD areas. |
The rebuilt Foster Elementary opened in August 2026. Humble ISD's Guy M. Sconzo Early College HS (formerly Quest) is application-based, not zoned. Confirm any address with Humble ISD enrollment (no online address lookup found; call 281-641-1000), New Caney ISD Attendance Zones (2026-27 street listing and maps). School ratings and how to read them are on our Houston school information page. Checked November 2026.
Flood risk in Kingwood at a glance
- Floodplain share: about 39% of the area outlined on this page's map is in FEMA's 1% annual chance (100-year) floodplain, and about 10% more is in the 0.2% annual chance (500-year) zone. Source: our calculation from FEMA's current effective National Flood Hazard Layer, November 2026.
- Hurricane Harvey (August 2017): flood insurance claims recorded by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program, by ZIP code: ZIP 77339: 857; ZIP 77345: 597. ZIP codes include areas beyond the neighborhood, and many flooded homes had no flood insurance.
- Check a specific address: Harris County Flood Education Mapping Tool. Floodplains follow bayous, creeks and low ground, so one street can differ from the next; ask for the seller's disclosure and an elevation certificate, and get a flood insurance quote during your option period.
Kingwood questions buyers ask
Is Kingwood part of Houston?
Yes. Houston annexed Kingwood in 1996, so most of it is inside Houston city limits, though it feels like a separate suburb about 29 miles northeast of Downtown.
Why is Kingwood called the Livable Forest?
Kingwood was planned in the 1970s around mature pine forest and greenbelts, with more than 75 miles of trails connecting its villages, schools and parks.
How did Kingwood get its name?
Kingwood was developed starting in the early 1970s as a joint venture of King Ranch and Friendswood Development Company, and its name combines the two.
Is Kingwood safe?
Kingwood is served by the Houston Police Department's Kingwood division. Review HPD's recent crime statistics for the streets you're considering, and visit at different times of day.
How much do homes cost in Kingwood?
In the 12 months through September 2026, about 830 homes sold with Kingwood addresses on the MLS at a typical (median) price around $350,000 and an average near $405,000.
Did Kingwood flood during Hurricane Harvey?
Yes. The San Jacinto River and Lake Houston rose to record levels during Harvey in 2017, flooding thousands of Kingwood homes and businesses and Kingwood High School. Flood control work, including San Jacinto River dredging, followed. Check each home's flood zone, elevation certificate and flood history, and get a flood insurance quote during your option period.
What school district serves Kingwood?
Kingwood is in Humble ISD, including Kingwood High School and Kingwood Park High School, except a few Montgomery County sections with 77339 addresses that are in New Caney ISD. Confirm zoning for any address.
What county is Kingwood in?
Kingwood is mostly in Harris County, with a portion in Montgomery County.
What ZIP codes are in Kingwood?
Kingwood addresses mostly use ZIP codes 77339 and 77345.
How far is Kingwood from Bush Intercontinental Airport and Downtown?
About 16.7 miles to Bush Intercontinental and 29 miles to Downtown by car, mostly via I-69 (US-59).
Is Kingwood a good place to live?
Kingwood appeals to buyers who want mature trees, greenbelt trails and established neighborhoods within the City of Houston. Homes average about $405,000 (12 months through September 2026), and the community is served by Humble ISD. The main trade-offs are the commute to Downtown, about 25 to 30 miles, and flood risk near the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston, so check flood maps for any home you consider.
What are property taxes like in Kingwood?
Kingwood homes pay City of Houston, Humble ISD, Harris County (or Montgomery County for a few sections) and related taxes, which together usually add up to roughly 2% to 2.5% of assessed value before exemptions. Most villages also have community association fees. If the home will be your primary residence, file for the homestead exemption: it lowers your taxable value, and starting the year after the home qualifies, its appraised value for taxes generally can't rise more than 10% a year.
Does Kingwood have HOA fees?
Yes. Each Kingwood village has its own community association, and the Kingwood Service Association maintains the shared greenbelts, trails and parks. Annual fees vary by village, so ask for the specific association's dues and any pool or amenity fees during the option period.
How many miles of trails does Kingwood have?
Kingwood's greenbelt trail system covers roughly 75 miles of paved hike-and-bike paths running through wooded easements between neighborhoods, which is a big part of its "Livable Forest" identity. Many residents can walk or bike to schools, parks and pools without using main roads.
What is there to do in Kingwood?
Residents use the greenbelt trails, East End Park along Lake Houston, and boating on Lake Houston. Kingwood Town Center has restaurants, shops and community events, and Deerbrook Mall and the Lake Houston area are a short drive away.
Should I live in Kingwood or Atascocita?
Kingwood is inside the City of Houston (annexed in 1996), with older, heavily wooded villages and an extensive trail network. Atascocita, just south across Lake Houston, is unincorporated Harris County with more newer construction and no city tax but its own MUD taxes. Both are served by Humble ISD.
Where are the best places to eat in Kingwood?
Popular choices include Amedeo's Italian Restaurant (Italian, open since 1985), Chimichurri's South American Grill (South American grill), Sharky's Waterfront Grill (seafood with a lakeside patio), Miya Ramen Bistro (ramen) and Bill's Cafe (American, weekend live music).
Where can I shop local in Kingwood?
Kingwood Town Center and Kingwood Drive have several independent shops, including My Happy Place (locally owned gifts and decor), Toys & Candy on the Park (family-owned toy and candy store) and Melissa Sue's Boutique (women's clothing).
Is every home with a Kingwood address in Humble ISD?
No. Kingwood proper, inside the City of Houston, is served by Humble ISD, including Kingwood High School and Kingwood Park High School. Some nearby subdivisions that use "Kingwood" in their name or mailing address sit north of the city limits in Montgomery County and are served by New Caney ISD instead. Confirm the school district and taxing entities for a specific address on the listing and with the district before buying.
Who is a good realtor in Kingwood?
Compean Group is one to consider: AgentPronto ranks it #3 on its list of top agents for Houston (November 2026; AgentPronto compares agents on transaction data, specialties and client reviews). Kingwood is one of the areas where the Compean Group works most often, and Evan and the team know this local market well. With more than 1,000 homes sold and hundreds of 5-star reviews on Google, Zillow, Yelp, RateMyAgent and HAR, we are ready to help you buy or sell. The rest of this guide has much more to get your search started.
Sales figures are MLS closed sales for the 12 months from October 2025 through September 2026. Driving distances are approximate. The Average Sales Price and Total Listings box further down this page is calculated automatically from homes currently listed for sale in the area and updates daily, so it can differ from these closed-sale figures.
Client results nearby
- Helping an appraiser see the updates on a 1978 home (Atascocita and Humble, 77346)
Related Guides and Local News
- AI vs. an experienced agent: why you still need a human in a Houston home sale
- Houston home prices by neighborhood: 12 months of sales
- Houston property taxes and MUD taxes in 2026
- Houston flood zones and flood insurance: the maps to check
- Texas homestead exemption: how much you save and how to file
- Mortgage rates, seller credits and buydowns
- No state income tax: what moving to Houston saves
Local news
- Amedeo's Italian Restaurant celebrates 40 years in Kingwood (Community Impact, July 2025)
- Apricot Lane Boutique opens in Kingwood Town Center (Community Impact, Jan 2026)
- Cakery bakery sets November opening for Kingwood location (Community Impact, Oct 2026)
- Kingwood's Pet Ranch, open since 1978, passes to new local owners (Community Impact, Oct 2026)
- Northpark Drive overpass and other Lake Houston-area road projects move forward (Community Impact, Sept 2026)
Free guide
The Kingwood Neighborhood Guide (PDF)
A short buyer's guide with the average price and price range, months of inventory, distances to major attractions, dining, nightlife, and what sets Kingwood apart from other Houston suburbs.
Request a copy or call (832) 777-3904.
Buying or selling in Kingwood? Evan Compean and the Compean Group team have handled 1,000+ sales in 15 years.
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