Tomball, Texas

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Tomball, Texas | settlement_type = City | nickname = | motto = "Tomball. Texan for Fun!"<ref>"http://www.tomballtoday.com/newsarchives/archivedetails.cfm?id=667 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714125655/http://www.tomballtoday.com/newsarchives/archivedetails.cfm?id=667 |date=2014-07-14 }} "City launches social media sites to reach out to tourists - Jul 21, 2011"</ref>

| subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{US}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = {{Flag|Texas}} | subdivision_type2 = Counties | subdivision_name2 = Harris

| unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 33.91 | area_land_km2 = 33.69 | area_water_km2 = 0.22 | area_total_sq_mi = 13.09 | area_land_sq_mi = 13.01 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.08 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_footnotes = | population_total = 12341 | population_density_km2 = 349.62 | population_density_sq_mi = 905.51 | population_est = 13,585 | pop_est_as_of = 2022 | timezone = Central (CST) | utc_offset = −6 | timezone_DST = CDT | utc_offset_DST = −5 | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = 187 | coordinates = {{coord|30|5|56|N|95|37|8|W|type:city_region:US-TX|display=it}} | postal_code_type = ZIP codes | postal_code = 77375, 77377 | area_codes = 281, 346, 621, 713, 832 | blank_name = FIPS code | blank_info = 48-73316<ref name="GR2" /> | blank1_name = 1GNIS feature ID | blank1_info = 1348633<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1348633}}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://tomballtx.gov/}} | footnotes = | blank2_info = 21px|link=Texas State Highway 249 | blank2_name = State highways }} '''Tomball''' ({{IPAc-en|'|t|ɒ|m|b|ɔː|l}} {{respell|TOM|bawl}}) is a city in Harris County in the U.S. state of Texas, a part of the Houston metropolitan area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Woman gunned down in her driveway in 'monstrous' attack caught on video: 'We need justice for Liz' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-gunned-driveway-monstrous-attack-caught-video-justice/story?id=60907735 |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> The population was 12,341 at the 2020 U.S. census.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Tomball city, Texas| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Tomball city, Texas|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/tomballcitytexas/PST040219|access-date=2021-01-03|website=www.census.gov|language=en}}</ref> In 1907, the community of Peck was renamed Tomball for local congressman Thomas Henry Ball, who had a major role in the development of the Port of Houston.<ref>{{cite web |title = Thomas H. Ball – Tomball, TX |url = http://www.tomball.com/about/about_tom_ball.php |access-date = 2012-12-19 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120617050007/http://www.tomball.com/about/about_tom_ball.php |archive-date = 2012-06-17 |url-status = dead }} (biography).</ref>

==History== thumb|right|Tomball Train Depot European settlement began in the Tomball area in the early 19th century, where newcomers found an open, fertile land that received adequate rainfall—perfect conditions for farming and raising cattle. It was on a land granted in 1838 to William Hurd's heirs. In 1906 the area began to boom. Railroad line engineers often noticed that the Tomball area was on the boundary between the low hills of Texas and the flat coastal plains of the Gulf, making it an ideal location for a train stop. The railroad could load more cargo on each car, because the topography gently sloped toward the Galveston ports and provided an easier downhill coast. Thomas Henry Ball, an attorney for the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railroad, convinced the railroad to run the line right through downtown Tomball. Soon after, people came in droves to this new train stop. Hotels, boarding houses, saloons, and mercantile stores all began to spring up in the area. At first, people called the area Peck, after a chief civil engineer of the railroad line. However, on December 2, 1907, the town was officially named Tom Ball, later to be shortened to one word, for Mr. Ball.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ci.tomball.tx.us/about/history.html |title=History of City of Tomball |access-date=2012-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528201821/http://www.ci.tomball.tx.us/about/history.html |archive-date=2012-05-28 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Spirits of the Border V: The History And Mystery of the Lone Star State |volume=5 |page=454  |first1=Ken |last1=Hudnall  |first2=Sharon |last2=Hudnall |publisher=Omega Press |date=August 15, 2005 |isbn=9780962608797 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GtsmF3aJfW0C&q=thomas+henry+ball&pg=RA1-PA454 |access-date=2012-12-19 }} </ref>

Tomball was the subject of considerable scandal during the 1914 Texas gubernatorial primary election; Thomas Ball, the town's namesake, ran as a Prohibitionist Democrat, but was defeated by the Constructionist Democrat James Ferguson. Some of Ferguson's supporters visited Tomball and found it to be a town littered with alcoholics; they brought back photos of Tomballians staggering out of at least four saloons. The Ferguson campaign publicized these pictures to show the supposed contradiction between the town's prohibitionist namesake and its decidedly non-prohibitionist behavior; Ball resigned from the race as a result and later stated, "If they had not named that town after me, I would have been the next governor of Texas."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santana |first=Tamra |date=2013-06-03 |title=Thomas Henry Ball |url=https://communityimpact.com/austin/news/2013/06/03/thomas-henry-ball/ |access-date=2026-04-22 |website=Community Impact |language=English}}</ref>

Geophysical prospecting predicted the discovery of the Tomball Oil Field before the discovery well was drilled on 27 May 1933. Production was from the Cockfield Formation at a depth of about {{convert|5000|ft|m}}. The discovery produced an oil boom with many oil companies subsequently showing interest in the area. By 1935, 2,750,000 barrels of oil had been produced from 200 wells. Humble Oil Company, struck a deal with the town through which they would provide water and natural gas free of charge to the residents in exchange for rights to drill on the land. This agreement lasted until 1988.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hlavaty |first1=Craig |title=The quirky story behind the discovery of oil in Tomball in the 1930s |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/tomball/news/article/Tomball-Oil-Humble-Oil-Exxon-1933-Agreement-11273019.php |website=chron.com |publisher=Houston Chronicle |access-date=30 August 2020 |date=2017}}</ref><ref name="oo">{{cite book |last1=Olien |first1=Diana |last2=Olien |first2=Roger |title=Oil in Texas, The Gusher Age, 1895-1945 |date=2002 |publisher=University of Texas Press |location=Austin |isbn=0292760566 |pages=213}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Eby |first1=J. |editor1-last=Nettleton |editor1-first=L.L. |title=The Geophysics of the Tomball Oil Field, Harris County, Texas, in Geophysical Case Histories, Volume 1=1948 |date=1949 |publisher=Society of Exploration Geophysicists |pages=95–104}}</ref>

Tomball incorporated in 1933. Because of the 1933 incorporation, Houston did not incorporate Tomball's territory into its city limits.

<ref name="Annexbitter">Lee, Renée C. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4243441.html Annexed Kingwood split on effects]." ''Houston Chronicle''. Sunday October 8, 2006. A21. Retrieved on July 6, 2011. "Some of the area communities that incorporated as cities and escaped annexation by Houston:" Print version exclusively has the information cited; the information is ''not'' included in the online edition.</ref>

==Geography==

thumb|upright=1.2|Map of Tomball Tomball is located at {{coord|30|5|56|N|95|37|8|W|type:city}} (30.098905, –95.618899).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|30.9|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|30.5|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.5|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 1.54%, is water.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Tomball city, Texas| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=June 26, 2012}}</ref>

===Climate===

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Tomball has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=670914&cityname=Tomball%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Tomball, Texas]</ref>

{{Weather box |location = David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport near Tomball, 1981–2010 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010.}} extremes 1888–present{{efn|Official records for the entire Houston area were kept at the Weather Bureau in downtown Houston from July 1888 to May 1969, and at George Bush Intercontinental Airport since June 1969.<ref>[http://threadex.rcc-acis.org/ ThreadEx]</ref>}} |collapsed = Y |single line = Y |Jan high F = 61.5 |Feb high F = 65.6 |Mar high F = 72.1 |Apr high F = 78.7 |May high F = 85.7 |Jun high F = 90.4 |Jul high F = 93.1 |Aug high F = 93.8 |Sep high F = 89.2 |Oct high F = 82.6 |Nov high F = 71.7 |Dec high F = 64.5 |year high F= 79.1 |Jan mean F = 51.5 |Feb mean F = 55.1 |Mar mean F = 60.8 |Apr mean F = 67.9 |May mean F = 75.8 |Jun mean F = 80.8 |Jul mean F = 82.1 |Aug mean F = 82.6 |Sep mean F = 78.0 |Oct mean F = 70.1 |Nov mean F = 60.0 |Dec mean F = 52.9 |year mean F = 68.2 |Jan low F = 41.4 |Feb low F = 44.7 |Mar low F = 49.5 |Apr low F = 57.1 |May low F = 65.9 |Jun low F = 71.2 |Jul low F = 71.2 |Aug low F = 71.4 |Sep low F = 66.7 |Oct low F = 57.5 |Nov low F = 48.3 |Dec low F = 41.2 |year low F= 57.2 |Jan record high F = 84 |Feb record high F = 91 |Mar record high F = 96 |Apr record high F = 95 |May record high F = 99 |Jun record high F = 107 |Jul record high F = 105 |Aug record high F = 109 |Sep record high F = 109 |Oct record high F = 99 |Nov record high F = 89 |Dec record high F = 85 |year record high F= 109 |Jan record low F = 5 |Feb record low F = 6 |Mar record low F = 21 |Apr record low F = 31 |May record low F = 42 |Jun record low F = 52 |Jul record low F = 62 |Aug record low F = 54 |Sep record low F = 45 |Oct record low F = 29 |Nov record low F = 19 |Dec record low F = 7 |year record low F= 5 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 3.55 |Feb precipitation inch = 3.03 |Mar precipitation inch = 3.59 |Apr precipitation inch = 3.39 |May precipitation inch = 4.77 |Jun precipitation inch = 5.22 |Jul precipitation inch = 3.84 |Aug precipitation inch = 4.70 |Sep precipitation inch = 4.57 |Oct precipitation inch = 5.30 |Nov precipitation inch = 4.72 |Dec precipitation inch = 3.80 |year precipitation inch= 50.48 |unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |Jan precipitation days = 9 |Feb precipitation days = 8 |Mar precipitation days = 9 |Apr precipitation days = 7 |May precipitation days = 8 |Jun precipitation days = 10 |Jul precipitation days = 10 |Aug precipitation days = 8 |Sep precipitation days = 8 |Oct precipitation days = 8 |Nov precipitation days = 8 |Dec precipitation days = 10 |year precipitation days= 101 |source 1 = NOAA (precipitation days 2000–2017 at Bush International)<ref name = NCEI> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/datatools/normals |title = Data Tools: 1981-2010 Normals for Hooks Memorial Airport |publisher = National Centers for Environmental Information |access-date = 2017-07-10}}</ref><ref name=NOAA> {{cite web | url = http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=hgx | title = NOWData: Monthly Summarized Data for Bush Intercontinental Airport | publisher = National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration | access-date = 2017-07-10}}</ref> }}

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1940= 668 |1950= 1065 |1960= 1713 |1970= 2734 |1980= 3996 |1990= 6370 |2000= 9089 |2010= 10753 |2020= 12341 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }} [[Image:Tomball Pop9089.JPG|thumb|right|Tomball city limit sign located at the Harris County line on SH 249, showing the city's population in 2000]]

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Tomball city, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Tomball city, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US4873316&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Tomball city, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4873316&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Tomball city, Texas|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4873316&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |7,357 |7,908 |style='background: #ffffe6;' |8,328 |80.94% |73.54% |style='background: #ffffe6;' |67.48% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |435 |661 |style='background: #ffffe6;' |833 |4.79% |6.15% |style='background: #ffffe6;' |6.75% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |30 |52 |style='background: #ffffe6;' |27 |0.33% |0.48% |style='background: #ffffe6;' |0.22% |- |Asian alone (NH) |58 |118 |style='background: #ffffe6;' |177 |0.64% |1.10% |style='background: #ffffe6;' |1.43% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |4 |7 |style='background: #ffffe6;' |12 |0.04% |0.07% |style='background: #ffffe6;' |0.10% |- |Other race alone (NH) |17 |20 |style='background: #ffffe6;' |50 |0.19% |0.19% |style='background: #ffffe6;' |0.41% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |93 |157 |style='background: #ffffe6;' |430 |1.02% |1.46% |style='background: #ffffe6;' |3.48% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |1,095 |1,830 |style='background: #ffffe6;' |2,484 |12.05% |17.02% |style='background: #ffffe6;' |20.13% |- |'''Total''' |'''9,089''' |'''10,753''' |style='background: #ffffe6;' |'''12,341 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6;' |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, Tomball had a population of 12,341. The median age was 40.7 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 84.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 80.4 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A73316&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 19, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 5,057 households in Tomball, of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 40.3% were married-couple households, 18.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 5,448 housing units, of which 7.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.5%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

96.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 3.3% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A73316&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=February 19, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A73316&in=state%3A48|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 19, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 8,918 || 72.3% |- | Black or African American || 855 || 6.9% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 69 || 0.6% |- | Asian || 181 || 1.5% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 19 || 0.2% |- | Some other race || 824 || 6.7% |- | Two or more races || 1,475 || 12.0% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 2,484 || 20.1% |}

===2000 census=== At the census of 2000,<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 9,089 people living in the city. The population density was {{convert|895.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 10,009 housing units at an average density of {{convert|395.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 86.73% White, 4.91% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 5.57% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.05% of the population.

There were 14,687 households, out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.9% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,787, and the median income for a family was $45,764. Males had a median income of $38,059 versus $26,799 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,331. About 4.5% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.

==Education== ===Primary and secondary schools=== ====Public schools==== Pupils who live in Tomball attend schools in the Tomball Independent School District.

The district contains eleven elementary schools (Tomball, Decker Prairie, Lakewood, Timber Creek, Creekside Forest, Creekview, Canyon Pointe, Willow Creek, Wildwood, Grand Oakes and Rosehill Elementary Schools).<ref name="Elementary20082009">"[http://www.tomballisd.net/content/documents.aspx?documentId=28c82176-a503-487e-8d1d-1a242d9f167f Elementary Zones 2008-2009]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}." ''Tomball Independent School District''. Accessed September 13, 2008.</ref> The schools also include a bilingual program.<ref name="Elementary20082009bilingual">"[http://www.tomballisd.net/content/documents.aspx?documentId=609743fb-c945-4f93-b3b1-614e4ce7e9fd Bilingual Zones 2008-2009]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}." ''Tomball Independent School District''. Accessed September 13, 2008.</ref> There are also three intermediate schools (Northpointe, Tomball Intermediate, and Oakcrest Intermediate; Beckendorf closed in 2009), four junior high schools (Creekside Park, Tomball, Willow Wood and Grand Lakes Junior High Schools), and three high schools (Tomball High School, Tomball Memorial High School, and Tomball Star Academy) within Tomball ISD. They also have the Connections Academy which includes the 18+ program.

In 2019, the Texas Education Agency released the 2018–2019 accountability ratings for school districts across the state and Tomball ISD earned an overall "A" rating. TISD earned 92 of 100 possible points overall.<ref>[https://txschools.gov/districts/101921/overview TOMBALL ISD] ''Texas Education Agency''. Accessed April 27, 2021.</ref>

====Private schools====

Concordia Lutheran High School (9–12) is a private school in Tomball.

St. Anne Catholic School is a Pre-K–8 Catholic school of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Established in 1984, it originally held its classes at St. Anne Church; that year it had 16 Kindergarten students and 13 first grade students. It had had 380 students in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|author=Peyton, Lindsay|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/spring/news/article/St-Anne-Catholic-School-plans-for-30th-6020344.php|title=St. Anne Catholic School plans for 30th anniversary|agency=The Spring Observer|work=Houston Chronicle|date=2015-01-16|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref> That year Joseph Noonan became the principal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/tomball/news/article/St-Anne-Catholic-School-welcomes-new-principal-9745094.php|title=St. Anne Catholic School welcomes new principal, 335 students|agency=The Potpourri|work=Houston Chronicle|date=2015-08-24|access-date=2017-03-25}}</ref>

Other private schools in the greater Tomball area include Step by Step Christian School established in 1982, Rosehill Christian School (K–12), Salem Lutheran School, Cypress Christian School (K–12), and Great Oak School a Waldorf School (Pre-K–8). Cypress Christian, established in 1978, originally held its classes at Cypress Bible Church. It now has over 650 students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cypresschristian.org/about|title=About - Cypress Christian School|website=www.cypresschristian.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> In 2018, Dr. Jeffery Potts joined CCS as Head of School. Dr. Potts was on the news for creating a School Marshall Program, where he armed teachers with guns at his previous school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-private-school-arming-administrators-with-guns|title=Texas private school arming administrators with guns|date=2018-02-28|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref>

===Colleges and universities===

Lone Star College (originally the North Harris Montgomery Community College District) serves the community. The territory in Tomball ISD joined the community college district in 1982.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20021222065728/http://www.nhmccd.edu/l.cfm?id=01004 History]." North Harris Montgomery Community College District. December 22, 2002. Retrieved on April 5, 2010.</ref> Tomball is served by Lone Star College–Tomball, a member of the Lone Star College System.

===Public libraries=== A branch of the Harris County Public Library, located in Tomball College, is a joint project between the college and HCPL.

==Government and infrastructure== Harris County operates a tax office at 101 South Walnut Street in Tomball.<ref>"[http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/locations/locations.asp Branch Office Locations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404021604/http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/locations/locations.asp |date=2008-04-04 }}." ''Harris County Tax Office''. Accessed October 13, 2008.</ref>

The North Harris County Regional Water Authority form by State legislation as a taxing entity, which is located in Voting District No. 2.<ref>"[http://www.nhcrwa.com/maps/vd_2.pdf Voting District No. 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812122136/http://www.nhcrwa.com/maps/vd_2.pdf |date=2007-08-12 }}." ''North Harris County Regional Water Authority''. Retrieved on April 25, 2009.</ref> The Texas House of Representatives bill that created the water authority, HB 2965, was signed into law on June 18, 1999. On January 15, 2000 voters voted to confirm the creation of the authority in a special election.<ref>[http://www.nhcrwa.com/ Home page]. ''North Harris County Regional Water Authority''. Retrieved on April 25, 2009.</ref> It taxes the cities water customers, however it does not provide water services to Tomball, as Tomball has its own water supply.

Over 1,000 autogyros in the world are used by authorities for military and law enforcement, but the first US police authorities to evaluate an autogyro are the Tomball police, on a $40,000<ref>Supgul, Alexander. [http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/scitech/110322-tomball-police-gyroplane Tomball Police Equipped with Gyroplane] 22 March 2011. Accessed 13 September 2011.</ref> grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, together with city funds,<ref>Hauck, Robert S. [http://www.justnet.org/Documents/Aviation/Airbeat%20July%20August%202011%20-%20Tomball.pdf Broadening horizons]{{Dead link|date=December 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} ''AirBeat Magazine'' July/August 2011. Accessed September 13, 2011.</ref> costing much less than a helicopter to buy ($75,000) and operate ($50/hour).<ref>[http://www.shephard.co.uk/news/rotorhub/alea-2011-autogyro-debuts-in-the-sky-over-texas/9585/ ALEA 2011: Autogyro debuts in the sky over Texas] 22 July 2011. Accessed September 13, 2011.</ref><ref>Hardigree, Matt. [https://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/09/tomball-police-autogyro/ Flying the Police Aircraft of the Future], ''Wired (magazine)'' [http://jalopnik.com/5795803/flying-the-police-aircraft-of-the-future Video] September 13, 2011. Accessed September 13, 2011.</ref> Although it is able to land in {{convert|40|knot|adj=on}} crosswinds,<ref>[http://www.chron.com/default/photo/Desmon-Butts-president-of-Texas-AutoGyro-and-1545172.php Desmon Butts] ''Houston Chronicle''</ref> a minor accident happened due to a wind gust.<ref>"[https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief2.aspx?ev_id=20140122X85936&ntsbno=CEN14TA116&akey=1 CEN14TA116]" "[https://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20140122X85936 Probable Cause]" ''NTSB'', April 23, 2014. Accessed: May 16, 2014.</ref>

Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) operates The Retreat at Westlock, a public housing complex for seniors, in an unincorporated area away from the Tomball city limits, along Texas State Highway 249.<ref name="Properties">"[http://hchatexas.org/about-us/our-properties/ Our Properties]." Harris County Housing Authority. Retrieved on January 1, 2019. "The Retreat at Westlock Address: 24055 SH 249, Tomball TX 77377"</ref> and near Farm to Market Road 1960. It has {{convert|166762|sqft|sqm}} of space, and has 140 units. Residents may be aged 65 or older. The complex began taking occupants in May 2017, and completion was scheduled by fall 2017. Prior to the development of the complex, residents of area subdivisions expressed opposition to the addition of low income housing in their areas. The HCHA set a ban on visitors under age 62 from being present at The Retreat at Westlock for periods longer than three days each, due to the opposition from the surrounding areas; it is, as of 2017, the only HCHA property with this rule.<ref name="HillGlynnA">{{cite web|author=Hill, Glynn A.|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/tomball/news/article/Harris-County-Housing-Authority-set-to-open-11250624.php|title=Harris County Housing Authority set to open senior facility in Tomball|publisher=The Potpourri (Tomball Edition) at the Houston Chronicle|date=2017-06-27|access-date=2019-01-01}}</ref>

The Harris Health System (formerly Harris County Hospital District) designated the Acres Homes Health Center for the ZIP code 77375. The designated public hospital is Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital in northeast Houston.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmc.edu/hchd/LOCATE.HTM|title=Clinic/Emergency/Registration Center Directory By ZIP Code|publisher=Harris County Hospital District|date=2001-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011119141023/http://www.tmc.edu/hchd/LOCATE.HTM|accessdate=2021-04-08|archive-date=2001-11-19}} See ZIP code 77375. [https://www.harrishealth.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/community-assessment/pregnancy-birth-data/2012/infant-mortality-rate-2012.pdf See this map for relevant ZIP code].</ref>

===City government===

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Position ! Official ! Notes |- |Mayor |Lori Klein Quinn |Elected May 2022, Serving 1st Term |- | Mayor | Gretchen Fagan | Elected May 2007, Serving 4th Term (Councilwoman from 2004–2007) |- | Councilman, Position 1 | John Ford | Elected May 2017, Mayor Pro-Tem, Serving 1st Term |- | Councilman, Position 2 | Mark Stoll | Elected June 2009, Serving 4th Term |- | Councilman, Position 3 | Chad Degges | Elected January 2014, Serving 2nd Term |- | Councilman, Position 4 | Derek Townsend | Elected May 2009,<ref>"http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/05/09/tomball_magnolia_potpourri/news/po_as_elections_5_13.txt "Townsend wins" ''Tomball Potpourri''</ref> Serving 4th Term |- | Councilman, Position 5 | Lori Klein Quinn | Elected May 2014, Serving 2nd Term |- | City Manager | ''Vacant'' | since 13 March 2021 |- | Assistant City Manager | David Esquivel, PE | April 2018 |- | City Attorney | Loren Smith | |- | City Secretary | Doris Speer | |- | Fire Chief | Randy Parr | |- | Police Chief | Jeffrey Bert | June 29, 2020 |- | Director of Public Works | Beth Jones, PE |June 2018 |- | Director of Community Development | Craig Meyers, PE |} On September 7, 2010, the Tomball City Council voted down a proposal to make English the official language of the city, and it voted down a measure that would have forbidden undocumented immigrants from owning and/or renting property and operating and/or owning businesses.<ref>O'Hare, Peggy. "[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7190647.html Tomball votes down housing ban on illegal immigrants]." ''Houston Chronicle''. September 7, 2010. Retrieved on September 8, 2010.</ref>

===Postal service=== [[Image:Tomball PostOffice.jpg|thumb|right|Tomball Post Office]] The United States Postal Service operates the Tomball Post Office at 122 North Holderrieth Boulevard, 77375-9998.

==Healthcare== The city is served by Tomball Regional Medical Center, located at 605 Holderrieth Boulevard. It is a full-service 357-bed facility hospital providing special expertise in cardiovascular disease, cancer care, emergency services, digital diagnostic imaging, physical rehabilitation, sports medicine, and comprehensive wound and lymphedema care. Tomball Regional Medical Care is owned by HCA Healthcare Incorporated. thumb|HCA Houston Healthcare – Tomball

==Transportation== The city of Tomball is primarily served by FM 2920 (Main Street) east to west and State Highway 249 (Tomball Parkway) north to south.

David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport, a general aviation airport, is located outside of the Tomball city limits in northwest Harris County. On June 27, 2007, the Texas State Legislature approved Tomball's request to annex Hooks Airport even though the airport does not border the Tomball city limits. Since the airport is in the city of Houston's extraterritorial jurisdiction, the city of Tomball had to get permission from Houston to annex the airport.<ref>"[http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2007_4378136 Tomball gets OK to annex airport / Legislation clears one hurdle in city's quest to buy Hooks]." ''Houston Chronicle''. July 5, 2007.</ref>

== Economy == Tomball benefits from a robust retail corridor along SH-249 as well as a growing commercial complex just south of the recently constructed Highway 99 (the "Grand Parkway"). The city's budget is heavily reliant on the sales tax revenue, which contributes 45% of the General Fund. Property taxes account for 17% of the fund. Public safety (police, fire, emergency services district #15, and dispatch together) accounts for 43% of General Fund expenditures.<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Tomball Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget |url=https://tomballtx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8538/City-of-Tomball-Fiscal-Year-2026-Adopted-Budget |access-date=April 10, 2026 |website=Tomball, TX Official Website}}</ref> Local events, such as the German Heritage Festival and German Christmas Market (both known colloquially as "Germanfest") every March and December, contribute to seasonal swings in tax revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rhythm of Business in Tomball, Texas {{!}} Old Town Tomball, TX |url=https://tomballtimes.com/news/tomball-seasonal-trends-growth-2025/ |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=The Tomball Times |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people== * [[File:Nneka Ogwumike 2024 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Nneka Ogwumike]]Jenny Adams, track and field athlete * Jake Bates, NFL kicker for the Detroit Lions * Jimmy Butler, NBA basketball player for the Golden State Warriors * Ray Collins, NFL defensive tackle * Brooke Daniels, Miss Texas USA 2009 * Mike Eli, singer/songwriter of Eli Young Band * Clint Fagan, MLB umpire * Karlie Hay, Miss Teen USA 2016 * Charlie Hayes, former MLB infielder * Ke'Bryan Hayes, MLB infielder for the Cincinnati Reds * Keith Heinrich, former NFL player * Chris Herrmann, MLB catcher * Asher Hong, gymnast * Justin Jackson, NBA basketball player * Ben Keating, racing driver and business owner * Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel<ref name="Duttweiler-2023">{{Cite web |last=Duttweiler |first=Darcie |date=2023-05-24 |title=Inside Birdie's Journey: A Tale of Evolution and Culinary Innovation: How a Power Couple Brought East Coast Vibes to Texas |url=https://tribeza.com/restaurants/austin-birdies-restaurant-fine-casual-dining-tracy-malechek-arjay-ezekiel/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Tribeza |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Sharpe-2022">{{Cite web |last=Sharpe |first=Patricia |date=2022-01-18 |title=Are You Ready for Fine-Casual Dining? |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/fine-casual-dining-birdies-austin/ |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Texas Monthly |language=en}}</ref> * Venric Mark, former college football player * Jimmy Needham, contemporary Christian musician * Chiney Ogwumike, WNBA player for the Los Angeles Sparks * Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA player for the Seattle Storm and President of the WNBPA * Troy Patton, MLB pitcher * David Phelps, Southern Gospel tenor * Gary Porter, former quarterback and coach * Debbie Riddle, former member of the Texas House of Representatives * Dave Smith, former MLB pitcher * Valoree Swanson, member of the Texas House of Representatives * Nick Tremark, former MLB outfielder * Roger Vick, former NFL player * Sherron Watkins, former executive at Enron

==Sister city== Tomball's sister city is Telgte, Germany. The two cities participate in foreign exchange student programs.<ref>[http://www.tomballsistercity.org/history.htm Tomball Sister City Organization]</ref> The high school also receives exchange students from other areas, such as Armenia.

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.ci.tomball.tx.us/ City of Tomball official website] *{{Handbook of Texas|id=hgt06|name=Tomball, Texas}}

Category:Cities in Harris County, Texas Category:Cities in Texas Category:1906 establishments in Texas