Business
While The Woodlands area is going into 2026 with an overall 2% decline in employees among major nonretail employers, experts at the 2026 Economic Outlook Conference said the region’s top employer, health care, is poised for further growth. The 2026 Economic Outlook Conference was held Feb. 6 by The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce. Jevon Gibb, CEO of The Woodlands Area Data shows local job ‘pause’ in 2026 Economic Development Partnership, described the area as being in a “pause,” but noted it is poised for long-term growth. The EDP report shows 33% growth over 10 years, with a slight drop since 2025. “This is driven by two major things,” Gibb said. “One, the national economy, ... [and] the second is a combination of interest rates and real estate in The Woodlands area.”
The breakdown
The area’s major nonretail employment sectors remain the same as last year, with health care leading local jobs. Major employers are defined as those with at least 100 employees, according to the EDP. “We see health care as our largest growth source,” Gibb said. “This makes sense with 45% population growth over the last 10 years. ... We see a growth rate somewhat slower within education.”
Major nonretail employers by sector
Job growth in The Woodlands area
Number of employees
Health care 13,420 Education 7,791
40,358
45K 40K 35K 30K 0
30,330
Professional and business services 4,102 Energy 3,707
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
2026
SOURCE: THE WOODLANDS AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: THE WOODLANDS AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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