Midland, Texas
A view of downtown Midland, Texas.
A downtown Midland aerial view, showcasing its urban development.
Momentum Bank Ballpark, home of the Midland RockHounds.
A pumpjack silhouetted against a sunset, a quintessential symbol of the region's oil industry.
Nickname: "The Tall City" Motto: "Feel the Energy!"
Location in Midland County, Texas
Midland is a city situated within the expansive West Texas landscape, serving as the county seat for Midland County. A portion of its territory also extends into Martin County. The population of Midland, as recorded in the 2020 United States census, stood at 132,524 individuals. Nestled within the heart of the Permian Basin, a region renowned for its significant American oil and natural gas production, Midland has carved out its identity as a pivotal hub for the energy sector.
Midland forms the core of the Midland, Texas metropolitan statistical area, a designation encompassing all of Midland County. This metropolitan area reported a population of 169,983 in the 2020 U.S. Census. Furthermore, it is an integral component of the larger Midland–Odessa combined statistical area, which boasted a total population of 340,391 as of the same census. The residents of Midland are colloquially known as "Midlanders."
The city's origins trace back to 1885, established as a strategic midway point along the Texas and Pacific Railway route connecting Fort Worth and El Paso. Midland holds a notable distinction as a former home and the hometown of influential figures within American politics: former Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as former First Lady Laura Bush. The Bush Family Home State Historic Site, a testament to this legacy, is located within Midland.
History
See also: Timeline of Midland, Texas
Main Street, 1894
The genesis of Midland can be traced to June 1881, when it was initially founded as Midway Station. Its placement on the Texas and Pacific Railway was deliberate, intended to mark the precise halfway point between the bustling city of Fort Worth and the remote outpost of El Paso. However, the chosen name, "Midway," was already in use by other communities in Texas. To resolve this, and upon receiving its first official post office, the town was officially renamed Midland in January 1884.
By March 1885, Midland had ascended to the status of county seat for the newly organized Midland County, which was then formally separated from Tom Green County. In the ensuing years, by 1890, the city had solidified its position as a crucial center for cattle shipments within the state. The formal incorporation of Midland as a city occurred in 1906. The early 20th century saw the establishment of its first fire department and the implementation of a new water system by 1910, marking significant steps in its civic development.
The discovery of oil in the Permian Basin in 1923 proved to be a watershed moment for Midland. The initial success of the Santa Rita No. 1 well in Reagan County, swiftly followed by the exploitation of the Yates Oil Field in Iraan, propelled Midland to become the administrative nucleus of the West Texas oil fields. During the tumultuous years of World War II, the city played a vital role in the war effort, hosting the nation's largest bombardier training base. A second wave of prosperity washed over Midland following the war, fueled by the discovery and development of the Spraberry Trend, an oil field that remains the third-largest in the United States by total reserves. The city experienced yet another period of rapid growth and economic expansion during the 1970s, a boom directly linked to the soaring oil prices that characterized the energy crises of that decade. Today, the Permian Basin continues to be a powerhouse, contributing approximately one-fifth of the nation's total output of petroleum and natural gas.
While Midland's economy remains intrinsically tied to the petroleum industry, the city has also diversified, emerging as a significant regional center for telecommunications and distribution. The intense crude oil production cycles, particularly evident in August 2006, have historically led to considerable workforce shortages. Reports from the Midland Chamber of Commerce at that time indicated a deficit of nearly 2,000 available jobs compared to the number of workers to fill them, highlighting the dynamic and often volatile nature of the region's economy.
In 1959, the renowned author John Howard Griffin documented the history of this unique Texan city in his book, Land of the High Sky.
Avery v. Midland County
In 1967, the landmark case of Avery v. Midland County reached the U.S. Supreme Court, originating from a dispute over electoral representation within Midland County. The lawsuit was initiated by Midland's mayor, Hank Avery, who challenged the existing electoral districting scheme for the County Commissioner's Court. Under this system, the county was divided into four geographic quadrants, but the northwestern quadrant, which contained the city of Midland, held an overwhelming 97% of the county's population. A fifth vote was cast by a judge elected on an at-large basis. The crux of the legal challenge was that the three rural commissioners, collectively representing a mere 3% of the county's population, wielded a majority of the voting power on the court.
The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that this districting scheme violated the Equal Protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. A dissenting minority on the Court, however, argued that this decision represented an overreach by the Warren Court, asserting that its policy of incorporation extended to the local government level exceeded its proper constitutional authority. This case underscored the principle of "one person, one vote" and its application to local governance.
Geography
Sandstorm, 1894
Midland is strategically situated in the Permian Basin, a vast geological formation in West Texas, characterized by its flat, expansive plains.
According to data from the United States Census Bureau, the city encompasses a total area of 71.5 square miles (185.2 km 2 ). Of this, a significant 71.3 square miles (184.7 km 2 ) is composed of land, with only a negligible 0.2 square miles (0.5 km 2 ), or 0.28%, being covered by water.
Climate
Midland experiences a hot semi-arid climate (classified under the Köppen system as BSh), which closely borders on a hot arid climate (BWh) and a cool semi-arid climate (BSk). The summers are typically hot to sweltering, while the winters are generally cool to mild. While extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures are uncommon, the city can occasionally experience cold waves during the winter months. Conversely, chinook winds descending from the mountains can sometimes bring unseasonably warm or even hot conditions during the winter.
Midland typically receives around 13.5 inches (340 mm) of precipitation annually, with a notable portion of this rainfall occurring during the summer months. The city experiences an average of 115 afternoons per year where temperatures exceed 90 °F (32.2 °C), and on approximately 24 of these days, the mercury climbs above 100 °F (37.8 °C). In winter, mornings can drop to 32 °F (0 °C) or below on about 58 days.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high °F (°C) | 84 | 92 | 97 | 104 | 108 | 116 | 112 | 113 | 107 | 101 | 90 | 85 | 116 |
| (29) | (33) | (36) | (40) | (42) | (47) | (44) | (45) | (42) | (38) | (32) | (29) | (47) | |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 77.7 | 81.8 | 88.7 | 94.7 | 101.0 | 104.9 | 103.2 | 102.3 | 98.4 | 92.9 | 83.0 | 77.3 | 107 |
| (25.4) | (27.7) | (31.5) | (34.8) | (38.3) | (40.5) | (39.6) | (39.1) | (36.9) | (33.8) | (28.3) | (25.2) | (42) | |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 58.6 | 63.6 | 71.9 | 80.5 | 88.5 | 95.0 | 95.8 | 94.8 | 87.6 | 79.0 | 67.1 | 59.2 | 78.5 |
| (14.8) | (17.6) | (22.2) | (26.9) | (31.4) | (35.0) | (35.4) | (34.9) | (30.9) | (26.1) | (19.5) | (15.1) | (25.8) | |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 45.7 | 50.2 | 58.0 | 66.2 | 75.4 | 82.6 | 84.4 | 83.2 | 76.2 | 66.5 | 54.3 | 46.4 | 65.8 |
| (7.6) | (10.1) | (14.4) | (19.0) | (24.1) | (28.1) | (29.1) | (28.4) | (24.6) | (19.2) | (12.4) | (8.0) | (18.8) | |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 32.7 | 36.7 | 44.2 | 51.8 | 62.2 | 70.3 | 72.9 | 71.7 | 64.8 | 54.0 | 41.5 | 33.6 | 53.0 |
| (0.4) | (2.6) | (6.8) | (11.0) | (16.8) | (21.3) | (22.7) | (22.1) | (18.2) | (12.2) | (5.3) | (0.9) | (11.7) | |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 18.2 | 20.1 | 25.3 | 33.5 | 45.8 | 59.5 | 65.2 | 62.9 | 50.0 | 34.8 | 23.7 | 18.5 | 13.6 |
| (−7.7) | (−6.6) | (−3.7) | (0.8) | (7.7) | (15.3) | (18.4) | (17.2) | (10.0) | (1.6) | (−4.6) | (−7.5) | (−10.2) | |
| Record low °F (°C) | −8 | −11 | 9 | 20 | 32 | 47 | 49 | 52 | 36 | 16 | 10 | −1 | −11 |
| (−22) | (−24) | (−13) | (−7) | (0) | (8) | (9) | (11) | (2) | (−9) | (−12) | (−18) | (−24) | |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.66 | 0.58 | 0.68 | 0.70 | 1.57 | 1.80 | 1.62 | 1.72 | 1.66 | 1.21 | 0.72 | 0.59 | 13.51 |
| (17) | (15) | (17) | (18) | (40) | (46) | (41) | (44) | (42) | (31) | (18) | (15) | (343) | |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 4.3 |
| (4.1) | (1.8) | (0.0) | (0.25) | (0.0) | (0.0) | (0.0) | (0.0) | (0.0) | (0.0) | (1.3) | (3.6) | (11.05) | |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 3.6 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 5.1 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 5.5 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 49.3 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 3.1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 56.6 | 54.7 | 46.2 | 44.9 | 50.6 | 53.1 | 51.2 | 53.7 | 61.2 | 59.9 | 58.7 | 57.6 | 54.0 |
| Average dew point °F (°C) | 24.3 | 27.3 | 30.2 | 37.0 | 47.7 | 57.0 | 58.8 | 59.0 | 56.7 | 46.8 | 35.4 | 26.8 | 42.3 |
| (−4.3) | (−2.6) | (−1.0) | (2.8) | (8.7) | (13.9) | (14.9) | (15.0) | (13.7) | (8.2) | (1.9) | (−2.9) | (5.7) |
Source: National Weather Service / NOAA (relative humidity and dew point 1961–1990) [10] [11] [12] [13]
Notes
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
Cityscape
• See also: Category:Buildings and structures in Midland, Texas
Affectionately known as "The Tall City," Midland has long been recognized for its distinctive downtown skyline. The majority of the prominent office buildings in the city's core were erected during periods of significant oil and gas discoveries within the Permian Basin. The surge in energy prices in the mid-1980s acted as a catalyst for a substantial construction boom in the downtown area. For an extended period, the 22-story Wilco Building held the distinction of being the tallest structure situated between Fort Worth and Phoenix, Arizona. Today, that title belongs to the 24-story Bank of America Building, which stands at 332 feet (101 m). In the ambitious economic climate of the 1980s, plans were drawn for four buildings exceeding 500 feet (150 m) in height, one of which was designed by the renowned architect I.M. Pei.
However, the severe economic downturn in the energy sector, often referred to as the oil bust of the mid-1980s, effectively stifled any further plans for the construction of super-tall skyscrapers. A private development consortium had proposed the ambitious Energy Tower at City Center, envisioned to reach a height of 870 feet with 59 floors (comprising six subterranean levels and 53 above ground). Had it been realized, this project would have ranked as the sixth-tallest building in the entire state of Texas.
•
The Bank of America Building, Midland's tallest structure.
•
Midland Tower, one of the city's historic high-rise buildings.
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The venerable Petroleum Building, notable for its Neo-Gothic facade, was constructed in 1928.
•
A view encompassing Independence Plaza and the Summit Building. Independence Plaza ranks as Midland's fourth tallest building.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
| 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% | |
| 2020 | 132,524 | 19.2% |
U.S. Census Bureau [16] Texas Almanac [17]
2020 census
| Midland city, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition