Amarillo

by The Linguist

Amarillo is a city located in the Texas Panhandle region. With a population of 199,826 as of the 2020 census, it is the 14th most populous city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle.

History

Amarillo was first settled in 1887 as a railroad town along the Fort Worth and Denver City Railroad. The city was originally named Oneida but was later changed to Amarillo, Spanish for “yellow”, due to the yellow wildflowers that were abundant in the area. Amarillo grew rapidly as a commercial hub for the cattle industry and oil and helium production.

Demographics

The racial makeup of Amarillo is 73.9% White, 8.9% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, and 4.3% from two or more races. 28.5% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The median age in Amarillo is 34.5 years old. 22.9% of the population is under 18 years old, while 13.4% is over 65 years old. For every 100 females in Amarillo, there are 95.8 males.

Economy

Some of the major industries and employers in Amarillo include:

  • Meatpacking – Companies like Tyson Foods and JBS USA have large meatpacking plants in Amarillo.
  • Healthcare – BSA Health System is the primary healthcare provider in Amarillo.
  • Oil and gas – Amarillo is situated above the Panhandle-Hugoton Gas Field, a major source of natural gas.
  • Helium – Amarillo has one of the only helium extraction plants in the world.
  • Call centers and customer service – Companies like Xcel Energy and At&t; have major call centers located in Amarillo.
  • Retail – Many national retail chains have locations in Amarillo, including Walmart, Target, and Best Buy.

For more information on the Amarillo economy, check out the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation.

Government

Amarillo has a council-manager form of government. The city council consists of a mayor and 4 council members elected to represent 4 wards. The city government website provides information on city services, departments, and elected officials.

Landmarks and Attractions

Some of the most popular landmarks and attractions in Amarillo include:

  • Cadillac Ranch – An iconic public art installation featuring 10 Cadillacs buried nose-first in the ground along historic Route 66. More info.
  • The Big Texan Steak Ranch – Home of the famous 72 oz steak eating challenge. They also feature a brewery, hotel, and steakhouse. Website.
  • Palo Duro Canyon – The second largest canyon in the U.S. at 120 miles long and 800 feet deep. Great hiking and mountain biking. State Park website.
  • Amarillo Botanical Gardens – 2 acres of gardens with a tropical conservatory. Details.
  • Amarillo Zoo – Home to over 100 species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Amarillo Zoo site.
  • Wonderland Amusement Park – Familiy amusement park with roller coasters, rides, and water park. Website.
  • American Quarter Horse Museum – Celebrates the history of the American Quarter Horse breed. Museum website.

Sports

The Amarillo area is home to a few professional and college sports teams:

  • Amarillo Sod Poodles – Minor league baseball team, plays at Hodgetown stadium. Affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Team website.
  • Amarillo Venom – Indoor football team, member of Champions Indoor Football league. Plays at Amarillo Civic Center. Venom website.
  • West Texas A&M; University – NCAA Division II sports including football, basketball, and more. Member of the Lone Star Conference. WT Athletics site.

Education

The city of Amarillo is served by these school districts:

  • Amarillo Independent School District – Over 35,000 students, 49 schools. Website.
  • Canyon Independent School District – Located in nearby Canyon, TX and serves over 10,000 students. Site.
  • Bushland Independent School District – Smaller district with around 1,300 students. Website.

Post-secondary education options include:

  • West Texas A&M; University – Public university with around 10,000 students. Offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs. WTAMU website.
  • Amarillo College – Public community college with over 10,000 students annually. Awards associate’s degrees and certificates. Amarillo College site.

Transportation

Amarillo is served by these transportation options:

  • Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport – Provides air service for the region. Major carriers include American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Airport website.
  • Interstate 40 – Major east-west interstate highway that passes through Amarillo.
  • Interstate 27 – Interstate highway that connects Lubbock to Amarillo.
  • Historic Route 66 – Iconic highway passes through Amarillo on its way between Chicago and Los Angeles.
  • Amarillo City Transit – Operates local bus service throughout Amarillo. Transit website.
  • BNSF Railway – Major rail line with an intermodal hub in Amarillo.

Facebook

The City of Amarillo has an official Facebook page where they share news, events, and information about the city. Check out their Facebook page.

Living in Amarillo

Some pros of living in Amarillo are the low cost of living, abundance of sunny days, and friendly small town vibe. The city also has a variety of family-friendly attractions and events. Some downsides are the remote location, geographic isolation, and limited public transportation options.

The Amarillo area features diverse neighborhoods ranging from downtown lofts to suburban subdivisions to acreages on the outskirts of town. The city has an active arts and cultural scene fueled by local artists, musicians, and community theaters.