Everything About Midland, Texas
History
Midland was founded in 1881 as a stop along the Texas and Pacific Railroad line. The city developed as a center of ranching and petroleum production over the next few decades. In the 1920s, oil was discovered in the Permian Basin, sparking a boom in Midland’s economy and population.
Through periods of boom and bust associated with the oil industry, Midland emerged as a major city in West Texas. Notable historical events include the opening of Midland Army Airfield during WWII for bombardier training, and Midland serving as the childhood home of former First Lady Laura Bush.
Geography
Midland is located in West Texas in the Permian Basin at an elevation of 2,694 feet. It has a total area of 71.5 square miles, all land. Midland lies approximately halfway between El Paso and Fort Worth.
The city landscape is relatively flat, dotted with mesas, draws, and scattered bushes and trees. There are also man-made canals and water storage areas throughout Midland resulting from the 1950s bid to make the desert community an “Oasis City.”
Geology
Geologically, Midland sits atop the oil-rich Permian Basin which contains profitable petroleum deposits nearly a mile below ground. The landscape around Midland is characterized by red-bed plains, mesas, and eroded remnants of the Capitan Reef – an ancient coral formation that encircles the city.
The land has a mix of soils including reddish-brown, clay-loam which supports growth of grasses, mesquites and scrub brush. Water erosion over millennia has created gentle draws throughout the landscape. Within Midland’s city limits small wetlands have formed around wastewater treatment plant outflows.
Neighborhoods
Some of Midland’s most notable neighborhoods include Downtown Midland, Golf Course Terrace, Mount Vernon, and West End Historic District. Downtown contains civic buildings and landmarks like the County Courthouse as well as dining, arts and shopping. Golf Course Terrace features 1950s-70s homes on quarter acre lots near public parks and the city’s two golf courses.
Mount Vernon consists of charming craftsman bungalows built 1905-1930 now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The West End Historic District contains opulent homes in Victorian, Neoclassical and Craftsman styles now used for offices, shops and events spaces.
Climate
Midland has an arid desert climate characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Average highs range from 56°F in January to 94°F July. Low temps range from 31°F in January to 68°F in July. Precipitation averages just 14 inches annually, with late spring and early autumn being the wettest periods. Snow rarely occurs, and summer rainfall arrives occasionally as heavy thunderstorms.
Dust storms and tumbleweeds blown by high winds are common sights around Midland. Due to very low humidity, summer heat is somewhat mitigated for outdoor activities. Still, protection from the blazing sun is essential during Midland’s long summer days.
Demographics
According to the 2020 census, Midland had a population of 181,269 making it the 21st most populous city in Texas. Historically the city has seen fluctuating population tied directly to oil booms and busts. Recent estimates show Midland ranks as one of America’s fastest growing cities.
The racial makeup is 75% White, 8.7% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.1 Pacific Islander, 9.9% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. 30.8% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race. 27.5% of households have children under 18 years and the median household income is $71,867 compared to $63,179 nationally.
Economy
Midland’s economy is primarily based around petroleum, natural gas and chemical production. Some of the largest employers include oil giants like Chevron, Halliburton and Occidental Petroleum as well oilfield servicing contractors. Recent shale drilling techniques have created an explosion of oil-related economic activity.
This has greatly benefited Midland over the past decade even as other fossil fuel dependent communities have declined. Attempts are also being made to diversify the economy by attracting distribution centers, data infrastructure and renewable energy projects. Still, Midland’s fortunes remain deeply tied to oil markets. Economic busts do occur, but seem always followed by booming cycles.
Culture
As an oil town, Midland’s culture revolves around the industry. Oil workers pour into bars and restaurants after shifts for beer, steak and recruiter schmoozing. Jacked-up F250 trucks rumble around town spewing black smoke. Billionaire oil families fund culture like the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center bringing world-class entertainment options.
Cowboy culture also runs deep in Midland where many don pearl snap shirts, boots and 10-gallon hats. Charity balls, rodeo championships, hunting leases and high school football also define life. Midland leans politically conservative like much of oil country. Residents value independence, faith and pulling themselves up by their bootstraps on their way to the next big gusher.
Colleges and universities
Midland is home to one 4-year university, the University of Texas Permian Basin. This offers bachelor’s and masters programs focused on STEM and petroleum education needed to sustain the oil fields.
Midland College offers 2-year associate degrees and technical certifications, also aligned around the oil industry’s labor needs like welding, drilling, CDL training and more. Many oil companies also partner with the colleges to offer their employees classes toward upstream and downstream industry certifications needed for professional development.
Media
Residents rely primarily on the Midland Reporter-Telegram as the newspaper of record in print and online. Local CBS, ABC, NBC and FOX affiliates provide TV news coverage focused on happenings around the Permian Basin oil patch. Texas Monthly, the state’s premier magazine, also frequently features Midland and its prominent oil families for in-depth stories around energy, culture and politics.
National news outlets have increased coverage of Midland as one of the only truly thriving fossil fuel economies in an otherwise declining industry. Documentaries often use Midland as the poster child for contemporary oil booms.
Roadways
As a regional oil hub, Midland contains intersecting roadways connecting drilling fields and pipeline infrastructure to refinement facilities and transportation networks. Key highways include I-20, SH-158 and SH-349 among others. These high-capacity roads link supplies, equipment, workers and oil products across the vast Permian Basin which spans some 86,000 square miles – about the size of Minnesota above ground or Saudi Arabia’s petroleum deposits below ground.
Midland’s spokes connect global transportation systems moving fossil fuels to downstream markets. Meanwhile, overloaded tanker trucks rumble around Midland delivering produced water, sand, pipe and chemicals at all hours causing congestion, noise, traffic accidents and road damage costing tens of millions annually.
Major Landmarks
The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum is an anchor attraction explaining the science of geology’s extensive history in the Permian Basin and Midland’s rise to prominence in “black gold”. Other landmarks include The Bush House which was home to young George W. and now a museum. The Yucca Theater is an elegant contributor to Midland’s lively downtown entertainment district.
Parks celebrate oil history like the Boomtown Park village dioramas and the isolated Cogdell water well which struck Midland’s first gusher. Various oil company headquarters also define the Midland skyline like Chevron’s campus which mimics an Aztec pyramid, the Halliburton tower sporting the company logo atop and ClayDesta center with its unusual star shape and red, white and blue color scheme.
Service Area
Parkway, Midland, TX (79711)
Garden City (79701)
Downtown (79701)
Pleasant Farms (79701)
Briarwood (79703)
Pleasant Hills (79701)
Goddard Heights (79701)
Green Tree (79706)
Heritage Fields (79701)
Carriage Hill (79705)
South Freeway Village (79703)
West End (79703)
Golf Course Addition (79701)
Longfellow (79701)
Sunrise Village (79701)
Stonegate (79706)
Commons at North Ridge (79705)
Redstone (79705)
Commons at North Park (79705)
Windlands East (79706)
Stonebridge (79706)
Commons at Hogan Park (79705)
Commons at Summerfield (79705)
Parkdale (79701)
Wind Ridge Village (79707)
Forked B Ranch Estates (79706)
Longview Heights (79707)
Palmer Park (79703)
Cuthbert Addition (79701)
Midkiff Manor (79701)
Yucca Heights (79701)
Midland Heights (79707)
Polo Park (79705)
Commons at Briarwood (79703)
Fairmont Park (79707)
Southern Estates (79706)
Lamar Park (79705)
Grassland Estates (79707)
Westridge Estates (79706)
Hillcrest Addition (79701)
Mockingbird Heights (79705)
Commons at North A (79705)
Barfield Estates (79706)
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