Midland, Texas Demographics

An In-Depth Look at the Population Statistics and Makeup of Midland

Midland is a city located in western Texas in the Permian Basin. With a population of over 173,000 as of 2019, it is the largest city in the Permian Basin and serves as the county seat of Midland County. This blog post will take an in-depth look at Midland’s demographics including population trends over time, age and gender breakdowns, racial and ethnic diversity, household data, education levels, income and poverty rates, occupation statistics, and more.

Midland’s Population Growth Story

Midland has seen rapid population growth in recent decades thanks to multiple booms in the oil and gas industry.

Population History

• In 1980, Midland’s population sat at about 82,000 residents
• By 2000 it had grown to about 94,000, a 15% increase over 20 years
• The 2010 census counted over 111,000 residents as the shale oil and gas boom ramped up
• Estimates show the 2019 population at 173,000 – an incredible 55% jump in just 9 years!

Several factors have driven this growth:

• Job opportunities in the energy industry attracting new residents
• High wages compared to state/national averages
• Low unemployment during boom times
• Spillover from nearby Odessa’s rapid growth

This growth has put strains on housing, infrastructure, and other systems designed for a much smaller city. However, if oil prices and production remain strong, Midland is likely to continue expanding at a rapid clip.

Age and Gender

Midland has an average age of 32.8 years according to 2019 census estimates. This is significantly lower than the Texas average of 34.8 years and U.S. average of 38.5 years. The male population sits at 50.5% compared to 49.5% female.

The working-age population between 18-65 makes up approximately 62% of all residents. Seniors over age 65 account for just 11% of the population – less than half of the national average. This demonstrates Midland’s popularity amongst younger adults seeking jobs, raising families, and settling down.

Racial and Ethnic Diversity

The majority – 68% – of Midland’s residents are White. 31% identify as Hispanic or Latino of any race. Other racial groups include:

• Black or African American: 7%
• Two or more races: 2%
• Asian: 1%
• American Indian: 0.4%

Like many Texas cities, Midland has grown more diverse as both the Latino population expands and job-seekers arrive from across the U.S. and abroad. However, it remains less diverse than the state overall.

Changing Demographics

Migration patterns are impacting Midland’s makeup. While 68% are white today, in 1980 87% of residents were white. Rapid Latino growth is the main driver reshaping Midland. In 1980 just 12% were Hispanic/Latino compared to 31% as of 2019. Meanwhile, Black, Asian, and mixed-race groups see incremental gains. These trends contribute to Midland shedding its reputation as an oil town dominated by white men.

Households and Families

There are over 57,000 households in the city with an average size of 2.9 people. Families make up 73% of households.

29% of households have children under 18 while another 25% includes someone aged 65 or older. Non-family households primarily consist of people living alone – 28% of households are single person.

Homeownership is 63% – lower than rates across Texas and the U.S. This reflects Midland’s large transient renter population that comes and goes with the oil industry.

With higher wages and a lower cost of living compared to other metro areas, Midland attracts family households. Its median age also points to many residents starting or raising families.

Housing Growth Struggles

Demand is greatly outpacing housing supply with thousands moving to Midland every year during the 2010s boom years. This has led to major housing shortages, fast-rising rents/prices, and overcrowding problems.

Developers struggle to build new inventory fast enough even as newcomers accept lower standards of living to gain a foothold. City planning initiatives seek to add 25,000 new units but funding and construction cannot hit targets. Housing issues dampen future growth prospects.

Education Levels

Amongst Midland adults 25 and over:

• 16% did not complete high school
• 24% finished high school as their highest education level
• 7% completed an associate’s degree
• 26% obtained a bachelor’s degree
• 10% earned a graduate/professional degree

Midland lags Texas and U.S. averages for bachelor’s and graduate degree holders – reflecting a blue-collar town where ample high-paying energy jobs exist without one. However, the economy increasingly demands technical skills and education – even on oil rigs. This points to further gains in college completion rates.

Public school systems face extreme overcrowding with swollen enrollment from families moving to Midland. Bond issues fund massive expansions and new schools – but staffing shortages plague districts.

University of Texas Permian Basin

UT Permian Basin is the main university serving Midland residents. Its campus lies between Midland and Odessa. It offers over 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, especially in fields like business, education, engineering, and the sciences aligning with key industries across the Permian Basin region.

As one of the fastest growing Texas public universities, UT Permian Basin serves as an anchor institution for Midland higher education and workforce development.

Income, Poverty, and Jobs

Thanks to plentiful high-paying energy sector jobs, Midland residents enjoy strong economic health – especially relative to state and national averages. However, the boom/bust oil cycle also impacts poverty rates as layoffs occur during downturns.

Economic Overview

• Median household income: $71,800
• Per capita income: $47,900
• Poverty rate: 10.3%

Midland’s median income far outpaces Texas and U.S. levels. And low 8% unemployment paired with $100K+ salaries for manyoil jobs produces enviable earning power here. However, temporary workers and low-skilled staff see worse pay/job security – expanding income inequality.

Top Industries and Occupations

The mining, quarrying, oil, and gas extraction industry drives Midland’s economy – employing 1 out of every 5 workers with average pay over $130K. Additional top private sector industries include:

• Construction
• Health care
• Retail trade
• Accommodation and food services
• Professional and technical services

Management, business, science, and arts occupations engage 34% of Midland’s workforce. This covers many white collar oil/gas positions like engineers, executives, finance workers, and attorneys.

Blue collar jobs like construction, maintenance, production, and transportation account for 23% of workers. Service sector roles in food, retail, admin support and more employ 22%.

As Midland diversifies beyond oil and gas, expect professional services and specialized trade skills to see the fastest job growth this decade. But energy ranks will swell and shrink with each boom and bust for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

Midland’s population explosion has transformed this West Texas city over a relatively short period. With the majority young working professionals and families, Midland caters to these demographics across housing, amenities, education, and lifestyle offerings.

While still less diverse than Texas overall, racial and ethnic makeups have shifted substantially as Latino and Asian groups become larger portions of Midland. This evolution paired with non-energy sector job growth plants seeds for shedding the one industry “oil town” reputation over time.

Regardless, oil and gas prosperity fuels Midland for now and years to come barring any long-term crude price collapses. This produces enviable wage and job opportunity conditions for those willing to endure boom/bust cycles. Infrastructure and government services strain under the weight of ballooning populations – speeding up urbanization.

Yet Midland retains a small town Texas feel in many aspects while leveraging oil wealth to fund growth across economic sectors and raise resident living standards. These qualities likely sustain expansion despite mounting challenges from housing shortages, overcrowded schools, and inequality.

The 2020s shape up as a pivotal decade where Midland solidifies itself as a leading urban hub across West Texas as opposed to a temporary boom city reliant on drilling rigs. Only time will tell – but further population records seem imminent if recent trends persist into the current decade even as demographic statistics shift.