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Odessa, TX


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Odessa, Texas

Introduction to Odessa, Texas

Odessa, Texas, in Ector county, is 242 miles E of El Paso, Texas. The city is in the Odessa - Midland area. There are 90,943 residents in Odessa.

Odessa History

Odessa was first settled in around 1881 when the Texas and Pacific Railway was extended across the south plains. In fact, the city's cattle industry flourished due to the railroad. Odessa became a major cattle-shipping center during the mid-1890s. The city was named after Odessa, Ukraine. Oil was discovered in this region in 1926. The city was also the one-year home of George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, former Presidents of United States.

Odessa and nearby Attractions

  • Water Wonderland
  • Monahans Sandhills State Park
  • Ellen Noel Art Museum of the Permian Basin
  • Presidential Museum
  • Parker House Museum

Things To Do In Odessa

There are several parks and playgrounds in Odessa including Bellaire Park, Crump Park, Optimist Park, and Polyantha Park. The Ellen Noel Art Museum of the Permian Basin and Parker House Ranching Heritage Museum are worth visiting. Shopping can be enjoyed at the Music City Shopping Center, Town and Country Shopping Center, Rock Hill Shopping Center, Great Oil Basin Shopping Center, and Sherwood Shopping Center. In addition, the city hosts several annual events including the Fiesta West Texas, Shrimpfest, Permian Basin Fair and Exposition, and Southwest Shakespeare Festival.

Odessa Transportation

It takes a few minutes to reach Midland International Airport.

Odessa Higher Education

Odessa College, American Commercial College of Texas, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, and Aladdin Beauty College are the local institutes offering higher eductional facilities.

High Points

Odessa strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Texas):

CategoryTrophy
Affordability of Rents
(vs. Peers)		Top 2%trophyOdessa Affordability of Rents
Affordability of Property Taxes
(vs. Peers)		Top 10%Odessa Affordability of Property Taxes
Short Commute Times
(vs. Peers)		Top 12%Odessa Short Commute Times
Racial Diversity
(vs. Peers)		Top 14%Odessa Racial Diversity

Comparative Profile of Odessa, TX

Comparing Odessa to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Texas (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Racial Diversity99
Children Under 5 Years Old98
Female Share of the Population66
Senior Citizens54
Male Share of the Population55
Age of the Population33
Well-Paid Single Men25

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Average Household Size75
Portion of People Married64

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
People Above Poverty24
College Educated Adults27
People in Middle Class or Better24
Median Family Income25

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Short Commute Times99
Working at Home56
Walking and Biking to Work27
Public Transportation Use17

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Affordability of Rents107
Affordability of Property Taxes106
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals710
Seasonal and Vacation Housing74
People Living Alone56
Housing Recently Built53

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Property Crime44
Low Violent Crime32

Detailed pages on related topics: Odessa colleges • Odessa travel • Odessa mortgage and property.

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Additional Details

Odessa CareersOdessa Careers
Odessa career and employment information.
Odessa CollegesOdessa Colleges
Odessa colleges and trade schools.
Odessa Hotels & TravelOdessa Hotels & Travel
Odessa hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.
Odessa MortgageOdessa Mortgage
Odessa property, mortgage, and real estate.

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