Midland odessa by World Views

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Ector County, Texas Ector County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, its population was 137,130. Its county seat is Odessa. The county was founded in 1893 and is named for Mathew Ector, a Confederate general in the American Civil War. Ector County comprises the Odessa, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Midland– Odessa Combined Statistical Area. Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 902 square miles (2,340 km2), of which 898 square miles (2,330 km2) is land and 4 square miles (10 km2) (0.07%) is water. Ector County has an average rainfall of about 14 inches per year and a warm, sunny, semiarid climate. Most of the county is relatively flat with small areas slightly rolling. The area is known for its stark flat landscape. There are few naturally occurring trees with most of them being mesquite

trees which more resemble county was 73.69% White, large bushes. 4.61% Black or African American, 0.83% Native Adjacent counties • Andrews County American, 0.64% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, (north) • Midland County 17.38% from other races, and 2.81% from two or (east) • Upton County more races. 42.36% of the population were Hispanic (southeast) or Latino of any race. • Crane County (south)

Ward County There were 43,846 (southwest) households out of which • Winkler County (west) 38.90% had children under the age of 18 living 1. Demographics with them, 54.10% were Historical population married couples living Census Pop. %± together, 13.70% had 1890 224 — 1900 381 70.1% a female householder 1910 1,178 209.2% 1920 760 −35.5% with no husband present, 1930 3,958 420.8% and 27.70% were non1940 15,051 280.3% 1950 42,102 179.7% families. 24.00% of all 1960 90,995 116.1% 1970 91,805 0.9% households were made up 1980 115,374 25.7% of individuals and 8.90% 1990 118,934 3.1% 2000 121,123 1.8% had someone living alone 2010 137,130 13.2% Est. 2012 144,325 5.2% who was 65 years of age U.S. Decennial Census or older. The average 2012 Estimate As of the census of 2000, household size was 2.72 there were 121,123 people, and the average family size was 3.25. 43,846 households, and 31,700 families residing in In the county, the the county. The population population was spread out density was 134 people per with 30.40% under the age square mile (52/km²). There of 18, 10.50% from 18 were 49,500 housing units to 24, 27.90% from 25 to at an average density of 55 44, 20.20% from 45 to 64, per square mile (21/km²). and 10.90% who were 65 The racial makeup of the years of age or older. The •

median age was 32 years. (unincorporated) For every 100 females 2. Other places there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age • Arcade (ghost town) 18 and over, there were • Badger (ghost town) 90.90 males. • Douro (ghost town) The median income for a • Judkins (ghost town) household in the county • Metz (ghost town) was $31,152, and the • North Cowden (ghost town) median income for a family was $36,369. Males • Prairie Home (ghost town) had a median income of City $30,632 versus $21,317 • Scharbauer (ghost town) for females. The per capita income for the county was • Smith Chapel (ghost town) $15,031. About 16.10% of families and 18.70% of • Turnbaugh Corner (ghost town) the population were below the poverty line, including Odessa (pronunciation: / 23.90% of those under age ˌoʊˈdɛsʌ/) is a city in 18 and 14.30% of those and the county seat of age 65 or over. Ector County, Texas, United States. It is located 2. Communities primarily in Ector County, although a small portion 1. Cities and towns of the city extends into • G a r d e n d a l e Midland County. Odessa’s (unincorporated) population was 99,940 at • Goldsmith the 2010 census making it • Odessa (partly in the 31st-most populous city Midland County) in Texas. It is the principal • West Odessa city of the Odessa, Texas • P e n w e l l Metropolitan Statistical (unincorporated) Area, which includes • Pleasant Farms all of Ector County. The (unincorporated) metropolitan area is • N o t r e e s also a component of the

larger Midland–Odessa combined statistical area, which had a population of 266,941 as of a July 1, 2009 estimate. History Odessa was founded in 1881 as a water stop and cattle-shipping point on the Texas and Pacific Railway. The first post office opened in 1885. Odessa became the county seat of Ector County in 1891 when the county was first organized. It became an incorporated city in 1927, after oil was discovered in Ector County on the Connell Ranch southwest of Odessa. With the opening of the Penn Field in 1929, and the Cowden Field in 1930, oil became a major draw for new residents. In 1925, the population was just 750; by 1929, it had risen to 5,000. Due to increased demand for oil during the second world war, the city’s population had expanded to 10,000. 3. Geography Odessa is located along the southwestern edge of the Llano Estacado in

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West Texas. It is situated above the Permian Basin, a large sedimentary deposit that contains significant reserves of oil and natural gas.

Lone Star Brass, Permian Basin String Quartet, and West Texas Winds. These ensembles are made up of principal musicians in the orchestra, who come to the According to the United area from across the United States. States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.9 The Globe of the Great square miles (96 km2), Southwest, located on 36.8 square miles (95 the campus of Odessa km2) of it is land and 0.1 College, the community square miles (0.26 km2) college in Odessa, features of it (0.19%) is covered by an authentic replica of water. William Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. It hosts 4. Culture plays and other community groups throughout the 1. Performing arts year, as well as an annual Shakespeare festival. The Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale Built in 1951, the Ector (MOSC) was founded Theater served as one in 1962 has performed Odessa’s finest theaters in the Permian Basin for until it closed. Today, the over 51 years, and is the renovated 700-seat theater region’s largest orchestral provides the community organization, presenting with classic movies, live both Pops and Masterworks theatrical productions, and concerts throughout concerts. the year. Composed of The Permian Playhouse professional musicians has provided music, dance, from the area, as well as drama, suspense, and Lubbock, San Angelo, comedy for over 40 years. and other surrounding cities, the MOSC also is 2. Sports home to three resident chamber ensembles, the Odessa is home to the

West Texas Roughnecks, a team in the Indoor Football League. The Odessa Jackalopes junior A ice hockey team plays its home games at Ector County Coliseum. High school football is also popular. Ratliff Stadium, which was featured in the movie Friday Night Lights, is home to the Odessa Bronchos and the Permian Panthers. It is one of the largest high school stadiums in the state, listed as seventh in capacity within Texas. 3.

Media

Radio

KLFB 88.1 FM (Religious) • KFRI 88.7 FM (Christian Contemporary) • KBMM 89.5 FM (Religious) • KFLB-FM 90.5 FM (Christian Contemporary) • KXWT 91.3 FM (Public Radio) • KAWZ 91.9 FM (Religious) • KNFM 92.3 FM (Country) • KZBT 93.3 FM (Hip•

Hop) • KTXO 94.7 FM (Rhythmic Oldies) • KQRX 95.1 FM (Rock) • KMRK-FM 96.1 FM (Country) • KMCM 96.9 FM (Oldies) • KODM 97.9 FM (Adult Contemporary) • KHKX 99.1 FM (Country) • KBAT 99.9 FM (Rock) • KMMZ 101.3 FM (Regional Mexican) • KFLB 101.7 FM (Religious) • KFZX 102.1 FM (Classic Rock) • KCRS 103.3 FM (Top-40) • KTXC 104.7 FM (Regional Mexican) • KCHX 106.7 FM (Adult Contemporary) • KWEL 107.1 FM (Talk) • KQLM 107.9 FM (Spanish) • • •

KCRS 550 (News/Talk) KERB 600 (Spanish) KXOI 810 (Spanish)

• • • • • •

KFLB 920 AM (Religious) KWEL 1070 AM (Talk) KLPF 1150 AM (Religious) KOZA 1230 AM (Spanish) KRIL 1410 AM (Classic Country) KMND 1510 AM (Sports) 2.

Television

KMID (ABC) • KOSA-TV (CBS) • KWES-TV (NBC) • KUPB (Univision) • KPEJ-TV (Fox) • KWWT (MeTV) • KPBT-TV (PBS) • KMLM-DT (God’s Learning Channel) • K O S A D T V 2 (MyTV) • KWESDTV2 (The CW) • K W E S D T V 3 / KTLE-LP (Telemundo) • K U P B D T V 2 (LATV) AM • KPEJDTV2 (Estrella TV) AM • K W W T D T V 2 (Movies!) AM • K W W T D T V 3 (Antenna TV) •

•

KWWTDTV4 (This TV) 3.

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Newspaper

Odessa American daily ($.75) and Sunday($1.50)

Tourism Odessa’s Presidential Museum and Leadership Library, on the campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, is the only facility of its kind in the United States— dedicated to the office of the Presidency, not any particular holder of the Oval Office. There are also displays about the Presidents of the Republic of Texas. The museum was pushed to fruition by the late State Representative George “Buddy” West of Odessa. The building itself is name for West and his wife, Shirley. After fighting financial hardships, the Presidential Museum closed its doors to the public as of 21 August 2009. In February 2010, additional funding allowed the doors to reopen, with negotiations pending for the University of Texas of

the Permian Basin to take old west and the railroads. control of the museum. The Parker House Museum The White-Pool House is Odessa’s newest addition east of downtown is the to the historical records oldest surviving structure of Odessa. In 1935, the in Odessa. It was built in Parker family moved into 1887 and opened as an this modest house located historic house museum in on 1,290 acres (5.2 km2). 1984. It represents the lifestyle Texon Santa Fe Depot, of a prominent ranching recently relocated to family, who served the West Odessa, serves as a communities of Andrews museum in honor of the and Ector Counties since 1907.

Odessa Meteor Crater, an impact crater 550 feet (170 m) in diameter, is located southwest of the city. Odessa has a Stonehenge replica on the campus of the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Completed in 2004, the replica is horizontally equal to the Stonehenge in England, but only 70% of the vertical height of the original.

5. Demographics Historical population Census Pop. %± 1930 2,407 — 1940 9,573 297.7% 1950 29,495 208.1% 1960 80,338 172.4% 1970 78,380 −2.4% 1980 90,027 14.9% 1990 89,699 −0.4% 2000 90,943 1.4% 2010 99,940 9.9% Est. 2012 106,102 6.2% U.S. Census Bureau Texas Almanac

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.0 square miles (114 km2). 43.9 square miles (114 km2) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) of it (0.05%) is covered by water. As of the census of 2010, 99,940 people, 35,216 households, and 27,412 families resided in the city.

The population density was 2,276.5 people per square mile (954.2/km²). There were 43,687 housing units at an average density of 995.1 per square mile (384.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.4% White, 5.7% Black, 1.1% Asian, 1.0% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 14.2% from other races, and 2.5% from two

or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 50.6%. Of the 53,216 households, 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were not families. About 25.7% of all

households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65, and the average family size was 3.21. In the city, the population was distributed as 29.8% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females,

there were 93.2 males. For and 000.1% of those age every 100 females age 18 65 or over. and over, there were 88.6 6. Government males. The median income for a household in the city was $24,000 and for a family was $27,869. Males had a median income of $50,000 versus $19,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,096. About 16.0% of families and 18.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18

Local government

According to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s various funds had $136.8 million in revenues, $126.4 million in expenditures, $319 million in total assets, $155 million in total liabilities, and $123.6 million in cash and investments.

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is: City Department City Manager Billing and Collection Director Building Inspection Director Building Services Director City Secretary Assistant City Manager-Community Services City Engineer Director Equipment Services Director Director of Finance Fire Chief Human Resources Director Information Technology Director City Attorney Municipal Court Director Parks & Recreation Director Planning & Zoning Director Police Chief Public Safety Communications Director Public Works Director Purchasing Director Risk Management Director Solid Waste Director Street Director Traffic Engineering Director Utilities Director

Director Richard Morton Agapito Bernal Ralph M. McCain Dale Baker Norma Grimaldo Michael Marrero Ajay Shakyaver Doug Hildebrand Felicia Nzere Roger Boyd Clifton Beck Leisha Meine-Bailey Larry Long Kathryn Wells-Vogel Steve Patton Marwan Khoury Timothy Burton Dianne Rimer Matthew S. Squyres Phillip J. Urrutia Darrell E. Wells Oscar Maldonado Pat Sullivan Hal Feldman Matthew Irvin

State representation

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the Odessa District Parole

Office in Odessa. 3.

F e d e r a l representation

The United States Postal Service operates three post offices, Odessa, Northeast Odessa, and West Odessa in Odessa. 7. Education 1. •

Universities colleges

and

University of Texas of the Permian Basin

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) began in 1973. UTPB was an upper level and graduate university until the Texas Legislature passed a bill in spring 1991 to allow the university to accept freshmen and sophomores. As of 2006, the university was holding discussions with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission about construction of a new High-Temperature Teaching and Test Reactor which, if successful, would finish licensing and construction around 2012. It would also be the first university-based research

reactor to be built in the US in roughly a decade, and be one of the few HTGRtype reactors in the world. In January 2006, UTPB’s School of Business was awarded accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). AACSB is generally regarded as the premier accreditation agency for the world’s business schools. According to the University, only 30% of business schools in the United States, and 15% of world business schools, have received AACSB accreditation. • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin Campus opened as a School of Medicine in 1979, beginning in the basement of Medical Center Hospital. Since 1994, TTUHSC Permian Basin has included a School of Allied Health, offering a master’s degree in physical therapy.

Also, on the campus of Midland College, it offers a physician assistant program. Additionally, TTUHSC Permian Basin includes a School of Nursing focusing on primary care and rural health. In June 1999, the Texas Tech Health Center opened as a clinic, providing increased access to primary and specialized health care for the Permian Basin. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin also operates 21 WIC clinics located in nearby small communities. Odessa College Odessa College is a public, two-year college based in Odessa, serving the people of Ector County and the Permian Basin. It opened in 1952 and currently enrolls about 5,000 annually in its universityparallel and occupational/ technical courses, and 11,000 students annually in its Basic Education, Continuing Education, and Community Recreation courses.

Primary and • Murry H. Fly a company that develops secondary schools Learning Resource Center armaments for US Army J. Conrad helicopters to begin The Ector County • The Dunagan Library operations in Odessa. Independent School District was established in 1921, in a consolidation of seven area schools. The district now contains thirty-five campuses. It administers three high schools: Permian High School, Odessa High School, and New Tech Odessa.

Also, many private schools are located in Odessa, including Latter Rain Christian School, Odessa Christian School, Permian Basin Christian School, St. John’s Episcopal School, St. Marys Central Catholic School, Montessori Midland School Of Odessa, Rainey School of Montessori, Sherwood Christian Academy, and Zion Christian Academy. Odessa is also home to three charter schools: Compass Academy, Harmony Science Academy-Odessa, and Richard Milburn Academy-Odessa. •

Libraries Ector County Library

8. Economy Though the economy is primarily driven by the area’s oil industry, new economic steps are currently being taken to ensure the city’s existence after oil is no longer abundant in the area. Odessa is also a stop on— and a supporter of—the La Entrada al Pacifico trade corridor. In 2003, Family Dollar Corporation opened its eighth distribution center in Odessa’s new industrial business park. Coca Cola built a new distribution center in Odessa in early 2007. Growth in construction of new retail in the city’s northeast side has increased in recent years, with three new shopping centers currently planned and one in the construction phase. Many hotels have also been planned, with some in the completion phase. In November 2007, the city approved a contract with

Odessa has also taken steps to diversify the energy it provides. A new wind farm has been constructed in northern Ector County. A new clean coal plant has also been announced for a site previously entered in the Futuregen bidding. The new plant will be run by Summit Power and will be located near Penwell. This new plant could lead to the creation of 8,000 jobs to the area. There are also plans for a nuclear power plant to be run in conjunction with the nuclear engineering department at UTPB, called HT3R, or the “HighTemperature Teaching and Test Reactor”. This reactor is planned to be near Andrews. Prospective developers of a solar collector in the area also have visited recently. The Ector County Coliseum is host to the Permian Basin International Oil Show on every even-numbered year. Odessa has one regional

enclosed mall (Music City Mall), which includes Dillards, JC Penney, Sears, Burlington Coat Factory,

an indoor ice skating rink, and a television station. Additionally, more than 100 specialty retailers are

located in the mall. 1.

Largest employers

According to the city’s 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: Number of employees 1 Ector County Independent School District 3,317 2 Medical Center Hospital 1,598 3 Saulsbury Industries 1,350 4 Halliburton 997 5 Odessa Regional Medical Center 900 6 Walmart 895 7 City of Odessa 833 8 Ector County 659 9 Nurses Unlimited 584 10 Weatherford 510 #

9. Rabbit as symbol The jack rabbit has become the symbol of Odessa. Beginning in 1932, Odessa held a rodeo for roping rabbits. In one competition, cowgirl Grace Hendricks roped a rabbit from horseback in five seconds and beat her male competitors. The unusual rodeo ended in 1977 because of objections from the Humane Society. Many businesses and residences about Odessa display models of rabbits. 10. Transportation 1.

Air

Employer

Airport (ICAO code: KMAF, IATA code: MAF), which is located halfway between Odessa and Midland. • Schlemeyer Field (ICAO code: KODO, IATA code: ODO) is a general aviation airport located on Odessa’s northeast side. Midland International Airport is served by: • American Airlines operated by American Eagle • Southwest Airlines • United Airlines operated by SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines

• Odessa is served • by Midland International

Notable people Tommy Allsup,

musician • Karan Ashley, actress best known as the star of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers • Raymond Benson, author • Jim J. Bullock, actor • Marcus Cannon, professional football player • Hayden Fry, college football coach • Larry Gatlin, country music singer • Britt Harley Hager, professional football player • Daniel Ray Herrera, professional baseball pitcher • Daryl Hunt, professional football

player • Virgil Johnson, founder of The Velvets singing group • Chris Kyle, former U.S. Navy SEAL, most lethal sniper in United States military history • Brooks Landgraf, attorney and incoming member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 81 • Blair Late, singer and actor • Tryon D. Lewis, outgoing District 81 state representative from Odessa • Nolan McCarty, Chair Department of Politics, Princeton University • Chris McGaha, NHRA Pro Stock racer • Gene Mayfield, college and high-school football coach • Bill Myrick, country music singer • Bill Noël, oil industrialist and philanthropist • Jim Reese, mayor of Odessa from 1968 to 1974 • J. L. “Dusty” Rhoades, one of the founders of the American Quarter Horse Association

Robert RummelHudson, author • Wally Scott, famed glider pilot • Kelly Schmedes, professional soccer player • John Ben Shepperd, Texas attorney general from 1953 to 1957 • Kim Smith, model and actress • Toby Stevenson, Olympic pole vaulter • Gary Watkins, county judge, state representative, state district judge • Stephnie Weir, actress and comedian • Roy Williams, professional football player • Alfred Mac Wilson, United States Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient • Marvin Rex Young, U.S. Army Medal of Honor recipient • John Welch, Radio Personality National FM/ Satellite Radio Host •

11. In popular culture • The book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream, by author H. G. Bissinger,

and the subsequent movie (Friday Night Lights) are based on the 1988 football season of the Permian High School, one of the two high school football teams in Odessa. Many of the characters mentioned in the book still reside in Odessa (as of January 2007). A TV show, also by the name Friday Night Lights, aired from 2006 to 2011. It is loosely based on the book and movie, but takes place in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas. • A reality series on the TV Guide Channel followed the reporters of the local CBS affiliate, KOSA-TV. The show was titled Making News: Texas Style. • A portion of the Tommy Lee Jones film The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada was filmed in Odessa. • The truTV reality show Black Gold is based on three oil wells outside of Odessa, as well as some locations in Odessa, such as the local Hooters restaurant.

• Odessa is mentioned in James A. Michener’s Texas as a city where “ou are more likely to be murdered ... than in any other city in the nation”.

centers in the state. The city was first incorporated in 1906, and by 1910 the city established its first fire department along with a new water system.

• Odessa is used as the hometown setting for Claire Bennett and her family in Season 1 of the NBC show Heroes. The town is mentioned many times throughout the series.

Midland was forever changed by the discovery of oil in the Permian Basin in 1923 when the Santa Rita No. 1 well began producing in Reagan County, followed shortly by the Yates Oil Field in Iraan, Texas. Soon, Midland was transformed into the administrative center of the West Texas oil fields. During the second world war Midland was the largest bombardier training base in the country. A second boom period began after the Second World War, with the discovery and development of the Spraberry Trend, still ranked as the third-largest oil field in the United States by total reserves. Yet another boom period occurred during the 1970s, with the high oil prices associated with the oil and energy crises of that decade. Today, the Permian Basin produces one fifth of

Midland, Texas History Midland was originally established in June 1881 as Midway Station, on the Texas and Pacific Railway. It earned its name because of its central location between Fort Worth and El Paso, but because there were already other towns in Texas by the name of Midway, the city changed its name to Midland in January 1884 when it was granted its first Post Office. Midland became the county seat of Midland county in March 1885 when that county was first organized and separated from Tom Green County. By 1890 it had become one of the most important cattle shipping

the nation’s total petroleum and natural gas output. Midland’s economy still relies heavily on petroleum; however, the city has also diversified to become a regional telecommunications and distribution center. By August 2006, a busy period of crude oil production had caused a significant workforce deficit. According to the Midland Chamber of Commerce, at that time there were almost 2,000 more jobs available in the Permian Basin than there were workers to fill them. John Howard Griffin wrote a history of Midland in 1959, Land of the High Sky. 1.

Avery v. Midland County

In 1967 the U.S. Supreme Court heard the case of Avery v. Midland County. Midland mayor Hank Avery had sued Midland County challenging the electoraldistricting scheme in effect for elections to the County Commissioner’s Court. The county

districts geographically quartered the county, but the city of Midland, in the northwestern quarter, accounted for 97% of the county’s population. A judge, elected on an at-large basis, provided a fifth vote, but the result was that the three rural commissioners, representing only three percent of the county’s population, held a majority of the votes.

square miles (185.2 km²), of which 71.3 square miles (184.7 km²) is land and 0.2 square mile (0.5 km²) (0.28%) is water. 1.

Climate

Midland features a semiarid climate (Köppen BSh or BSk) with long, hot summers and short, moderate winters. The city is occasionally subject to cold waves during the winter, but it rarely sees extended periods of belowfreezing cold. Midland receives approximately 14.6 inches (370 mm) of precipitation per year, much of which falls in the summer. Highs exceed 90 °F (32 °C) on 101 days per year, and 100 °F (38 °C) on 16 days.

The majority of the U.S. Supreme Court held that the districting inequality violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection clause. The dissenting minority held that this example of the Warren Court’s policy of incorporation at the localgovernment level exceeded the Court’s constitutional Nicknamed “The Tall authority. City”, Midland has long been known for its 12. Geography downtown skyline. Most Midland is located at of downtown Midland’s 32°0′N 102°6′W (32.005, major office buildings were −102.099), in the Permian built during a time of major Basin in the plains of West Permian Basin oil and gas Texas. discoveries. The surge in According to the United energy prices in the midStates Census Bureau, the 1980s set about a building city has a total area of 71.5 boom for Downtown

Midland. For many years, the 22-story Wilco Building in downtown Midland was the tallest building between Fort Worth and Phoenix. Today, Midland’s tallest building is the 24-story Bank of America Building which stands at a height of 332 feet (101 m). Four buildings over 500 feet (150 m) tall were planned in the 1980s, including one designed by world famous architect I.M. Pei. The great Oil Bust of the mid-1980s killed any plans for future skyscrapers. A private development group plans to build Energy Tower at City Center, which is proposed to stand at 870 feet tall with 59 floors (6 floors underground and 53 above). If built, Energy Tower will be Texas’ 6th tallest building. Galleries Midland College is home to the McCormick Gallery, located inside the Allison Fine Arts Building, on the college’s main campus. Throughout the year, changing exhibits at the McCormick feature works of MC students and

faculty, visiting artists, and juried exhibits. The Arts Council of Midland serves as the promotional and public relations vehicle to promote the arts and stimulate community participation and support. The McCormick is also home to the Studio 3600 Series, established in 2006 to “spotlight selected art students and provide them the opportunity to exhibit key works that identify the style they have crafted over a period of time.” 2.

Performing arts

The Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale (MOSC) has performed in the Permian Basin for over 45 years, and is the region’s largest orchestral organization, presenting both Pops and Masterworks concerts throughout the year. Composed of professional musicians from the area as well as Lubbock, San Angelo and other surrounding cities, the MOSC also is home to three resident chamber ensembles, the Lone Star Brass, Permian

Basin String Quartet and West Texas Winds. These ensembles are made up of principal musicians in the orchestra, who come to the area from across the United States. The Chateau Club on Wall Street hosted some musical greats in the early seventies. Managed by D.M. Williams, Club Chateau’s house band consisted of a line up of some of the nation’s best known R&B artists from such well known singing groups as The Coasters, The Drifters, and The Shirelles. The band was led by blues great Johnny Heartsman. Heartsman was a master of the Hammond B3 organ, guitar, and flute. Local talent consisted of drummer Jeff Colvin and guitarist Larry Grubb. Heartsman hosted a Sunday afternoon jam session. It was one Sunday that young West Texan, Jay Boy Adams wandered in to the Sunday afternoon jam. Williams and Heartsman hired him on the spot. Adams was not yet twenty one. He remained as the regular

guitar player and singer for the next two years. Adams will regularly credit his time with The Heartsman Trio as his learning ground and credit Heartsman as a major influence in his musical development. The Midland Community Theatre (MCT) has been entertaining the Permian Basin since 1946 with musicals, comedies, dramas, mysteries, children’s theatre and melodramas. MCT produces 15 shows each year in three performance spaces - Davis Theatre I (485 seats) and Mabee Theatre II (155 seats), located in the Cole Theatre, and the annual fundraiser Summer Mummers in the historic Yucca Theatre. MCT has an extensive education program, including the Pickwick Players (teen performance troupe), Theatre School programs and OutReach classes. MCT operates with a professional staff of 20 and depends upon the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers in the Permian Basin to

produce shows throughout the year. MCT is a member of the American Association of Community Theatre, and hosted the 2006 AACT International Theatrefest. Twice each year, the Phyllis & Bob Cowan Performing Arts Series at Midland College presents free cultural and artistic performances of “international interest and scope to stimulate and inspire the Midland arts community,” and entertain the community at-large. The series was endowed in 1999, and has since brought a diverse selection of entertainers to Midland, including Andre Watts, the Eroica Trio, the Moscow Boys Choir, the Flying Karamazov Brothers, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 3 Mo’ Divas, Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez and the Golden Dragon Acrobats of China. 3.

Tourism

Sitting on the southern edge of the Llano Estacado and located near the center

of the Permian Basin oil fields, Midland’s economy has long been focused on petroleum exploration and extraction. Providing more information about this industry is the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, located on the outskirts of town near Interstate 20. The museum houses numerous displays on the history, science, and technology of oil and gas development. The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum houses a collection of race cars designed by Jim Hall, a long time Midland resident who pioneered the use of aerodynamic downforce in the design of Formula One cars. Midland is also home to The Museum of the Southwest. The Museum features a collection of paintings by various members of the Taos Society of Artists and Karl Bodmer as well as engravings by John J. and John W. Audubon. Located within the same museum complex are the separate Children’s Museum and the Marian W. Blakemore Planetarium. The Museum

of the Southwest is housed in the Turner Mansion, the historic 1934 home of Fred and Juliette Turner. Headquartered in Midland is the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). Associated with the CAF is the American Airpower Heritage Museum. The museum, accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, displays and preserves World War II artifacts and memorabilia, as well as a collection of original WWII nose art panels. As part of the museum tour, visitors can see 14-20 aircraft on display in the CAF hangar. A research library and archives house a significant oral history collection and give the public access to the museum’s information resources. On display at the Midland County Historical Museum are reproductions of the “Midland Man”, the skeleton of a Clovis female found near the city in 1953 . Analysis of the remains by Dr. Curtis R. McKinney using uraniumthorium analysis showed

that the bones are 11,600 ± 800 years old. Presenting his findings at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America in 1992, Dr. McKinney said, “The Midland Woman was related to the earliest ancestors of every Indian who lives today, and she is very likely the only representative of those who created the Clovis cultures.” 4.

Sports

Midland is home to the Midland RockHounds, a Texas League minor league baseball team. It is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. The Rockhounds have played their home games in Citibank Ballpark since 2002. West Texas United Sockers is an American soccer team founded in 2008. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference. The team

plays its home games at the 5. Visiting Lectures Grande Communications Twice each year, the Stadium in Midland, Texas. Davidson Distinguished Midland is home to the Lectures Series at West Texas Drillers Midland College presents (Adult Tackle Football) free public lectures of the Minor Professional by “nationally-known Football League. The speakers whose academic Drillers were established accomplishments, civic in 2009. The Drillers play leadership, and/or public their home games at Grande achievements interest, Communications Stadium enrich, and enlighten in Midland, Texas. Midland students and Midland College is a citizens.” The series was member of the Western endowed in 1996, and has Junior College Athletic since brought a diverse Conference, and fields selection of speakers to teams in baseball, men’s Midland, including Ken basketball, women’s Burns, Richard Leakey, basketball, men’s golf, Bill Moyers, Mark Russell, softball and volleyball. Sandra Day O’Connor, Midland College has won Richard Rodriguez, Shelby 20 national championships Foote, Anna Deavere in sports since 1975, as Smith, John Updike and Neil deGrasse Tyson. well as produced 192 AllAmericans.

Plans have been made to develop a 35 court tennis facility named the Bush • Tennis Center. Midland is also home to the Midland Mad Dog Rugby Club, which competes in the Texas Rugby Union as a division III team.

Media

Radio

KLFB 88.1 FM (Religious) • KFRI 88.7 FM (Christian Contemporary) • KBMM 89.5 FM (Religious) • KLVW 90.5 FM (Christian Contemporary)

KVDG 90.9 FM (Spanish) • KXWT 91.3 FM (Public Radio) • WJFM 91.7 FM (Gospel Music) • KNFM 92.3 FM (Country) • KZBT 93.3 FM (HipHop) • KACD 94.1 FM (Spanish) • KTXO 94.7 FM (Rhythmic Oldies) • KQRX 95.1 FM (Rock) • KMRK-FM 96.1 FM (Country) • KMCM 96.9 FM (Oldies) • KODM 97.9 FM (Adult Contemporary) • KHKX 99.1 FM (Country) • KMTH 99.5 FM (Public Radio) • KBAT 99.9 FM (Rock) • KMMZ 101.3 FM (Regional Mexican) • KFZX 102.1 FM (Classic Rock) • KCRS 103.3 FM (Top-40) • KTXC 104.7 FM (Regional Mexican) • KCHX 106.7 FM •

(Adult Contemporary) • KWEL 107.1 FM (Talk) • KQLM 107.9 FM (Spanish)

worldwide institution offering pro-Israel programming. Midland is also served by one local newspaper, the Midland Reporter-Telegram. • KCRS 550 AM (News/Talk) Many major motion pictures • KXOI 810 AM have been filmed in and (Spanish) around Midland, including • KFLB 920 AM Hangar 18, Waltz Across (Religious) Texas, Fandango, Blood • KWEL 1070 AM Simple, Hard Country, (Talk) Friday Night Lights, The • KLP Rookie, The Three Burials • KMND 1510 AM of Melquiades Estrada, (Sports) Everybody’s Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure 2. Television (which featured, as extras, participants in Midland is served by 9 many local television stations: the actual rescue and its coverage), and others. KMID, an ABC affiliate; KWES-TV, an NBC In the Heroes television affiliate; KOSA, a CBS series, the Midland-Odessa affiliate and a MyNetwork area is a focal point for TV affiliate on their digital many of the first season’s cable TV station; KPEJ- episodes, serving as the TV, a Fox affiliate; KPBT, home for the Bennet family a PBS affiliate; KWWT, as well as the location of a The CW Television recurring restaurant, the Network affiliate; KUPB, Burnt Toast Diner. a Univision affiliate; and KTLE-LP, a Telemundo affiliate. It also has one local religious television station: KMLM-DT, a God’s Learning Channel affiliate, which is a

13. Demographics Historical population Census Pop. %± 1910 2,192 — 1920 1,795 −18.1% 1930 5,484 205.5% 1940 9,352 70.5% 1950 21,713 132.2% 1960 62,625 188.4% 1970 59,463 −5.0% 1980 70,525 18.6% 1990 89,443 26.8% 2000 94,996 6.2% 2010 111,147 17.0% Est. 2012 119,385 7.4% U.S. Census Bureau Texas Almanac

At the 2010 census, 111,149 people, 41,268 households, and 32,607 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,558.9 people per square mile (550.6/ km²). There were 47,562 housing units at an average density of 667.1 per square mile (231.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.51% White, 8.37% African American, 0.63% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 12.49% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 28.99% of the population.

under the age of 18 living with them, 55.4% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were not families. About 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city, the population was distributed as 29.9% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to Of the 41,268 households, 64, and 12.3% who were 65 37.9% had children years of age or older. The 14. Government

median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males. In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $39,320, and for a family was $48,290. Males had a median income of $37,566 versus $24,794 for females. The per capita income for the city in 2007 was $52,294. In 2000, about 10.1% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

City Department City Manager City Attorney City Secretary Chief of Police Fire Chief Engineering Services Director Finance Director Community Services Director Director of Airports Director of Utilities Director of General Services Director of Development Services

Director Courtney Sharp Keith Stretcher Amy M. Turner Price Robinson Robert Isbell Jose Ortiz Robert McNaughton Tina Jauz Marv Esterly Stuart Purvis Robert Patrick Rick Crownover

State and federal District 31. Midland is representation represented in the Texas On the federal level, House of Representatives Republican Tom Midland residents are by represented in the US Craddick, the former Senate by John Cornyn and Speaker from District 82. Ted Cruz, and in the US House of Representatives by Mike Conaway. Midland residents are represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Kel Seliger,

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates the headquarters of Parole Division Region V in Midland; the Midland District Parole Office is in

the Region V headquarters. The United States Postal Service operates the Midland Main Post Office on the grounds of Midland International Airport. The other four post offices are Claydesta, Downtown Midland, Graves, and Village.

15. Economy As of 2014, Midland, Texas has the lowest unemployment rate in the United States at 2.3%. According to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top ten employers in the city are: # Employer 1 Midland Independent School District 2 Warren Equipment Companies Midland Memorial Hospital and Medical 3 Center 4 Dawson Geophysical 5 Midland College 6 City of Midland 7 Patterson Drilling UTI 8 AT&T Wireless 9 Midland County 10 Key Energy Services

16. Education 1.

Colleges

universities

# of Employees 2,826 1,920 1,500 1,200 1,200 962 750 600 583 500

which offers a variety Midland is the home of of over 50 programs of and Midland College (MC), study for associate degrees

and certificates to more than 6,000 students who enroll each semester. MC offers programs in health sciences, information technology, and aviation, including a professional pilot training program. MC is one of only three community colleges in Texas approved to offer a bachelor’s degree in applied technology. Dr. Steve Thomas is MC’s current president. Midland is also the home for the physician assistant program offered by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin Campus located on the campus of Midland College. The entry-level graduate program awards a master of physician assistant studies following 27 months of intensive academic and clinical training. 2.

Schools

Midland is the home to three local public high schools: Midland High School, Robert E. Lee High School and Early College High School (ECHS)

at Midland College, all 17. Transportation three of which are part of 1. Air the Midland Independent School District. • Midland is served ECHS welcomed its first by Midland International freshman class on August Airport (ICAO code: 24, 2009. The goal for KMAF, IATA code: MAF), ECHS is to award students which is located between Odessa and Midland. their associates degrees from Midland College by • Midland Airpark the time they receive their (ICAO code: KMDD, IATA high school diplomas. code: MDD) is a general Also, many private schools aviation airport located on are in Midland, including Midland’s northeast side. Hillcrest School, Hillander, Notable residents Midland Classical Notable residents of Academy, Midland Midland include former Christian School, Midland Presidents George W. Montessori, St. Ann’s and George H. W. Bush, School, and Trinity School actors Tommy Lee Jones, of Midland, among others. Kathy Baker, and Woody Midland is also home Harrelson, former Texas to three charter schools: Longhorn and NFL running Richard Milburn Academy, back Cedric Benson, Premier High School, and Olympic gold medalist Midland Academy Charter Doug Russell, retired US School. Army general Tommy Franks, and former LPGA 3. Libraries golfer Judy Rankin. • Midland County Library • Haley Memorial Library & History Center • Murray L. Fasken Learning Resource Center at Midland College

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