Midland is a city located in the Permian Basin in West Texas. With a population of 142,344 as of the 2020 census, it is the 21st most populous city in Texas and the 148th most populous city in the United States. Midland serves as the county seat of Midland County.
Population and Demographics
According to the 2020 census, Midland had a population of 142,344 residents. This represents a 24.7% increase from the 2010 census population of 114,830. The racial makeup of Midland is 78.1% White, 8.7% Black or African American, 1.1% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 7.9% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race make up 51.2% of the city’s population.
The median age in Midland is 32.5 years old. 23.6% of the population is under 18 years old, while 13.4% is aged 65 or older. There are slightly more females (50.6%) than males (49.4%).
The average household size in Midland is 2.75 people. The median household income is $74,852, while the per capita income is $42,283. Approximately 12.9% of families and 16.9% of the overall population live below the poverty line.
Economy and Major Employers
The economy of Midland is heavily dominated by the oil industry, as the city lies in the heart of the Permian Basin which contains rich oil and gas deposits. Some of the major employers in Midland include:
- ConocoPhillips – Headquarters in Midland; oil and natural gas exploration and production company
- Permian Basin Petroleum Association – Major regional oil and gas trade association based in Midland
- Pioneer Natural Resources – Major oil and gas exploration company with large operations in the Permian Basin, headquartered in Midland
- Apache Corporation – Large oil and gas exploration and production company with regional operations based in Midland
- Chevron – Global oil company with a substantial Permian Basin presence and operations in Midland
- Xcel Energy – Provider of electricity and natural gas to Midland
The Midland metropolitan statistical area, encompassing Midland County, has a gross domestic product (GDP) of over $50 billion as of 2020, making it one of the most productive metro economies in the US on a per capita basis.
Tourism and Attractions
Although Midland is mostly known as an oil industry hub, there are some popular tourist attractions and events that draw visitors as well:
- George W. Bush Childhood Home – Tour the home where former President George W. Bush lived as a child from 1951-1955.
- Museum of the Southwest – Art museum housing collections of Native American and Western American art.
- Midland County Horseshoe – Large horseshoe-shaped amphitheater complex hosting concerts and community events.
- Summer Mummers – Popular annual summer musical comedy revue running from early June to late July.
Outdoor attractions like the Midland State Park provide opportunities for camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and paddling. Midland also has a strong arts scene, with the Midland Community Theatre hosting regular productions in downtown Midland.
Landmarks
Some of the most famous landmarks in Midland include:
- DoubleTree Hotel – Unique inverted pyramid-shaped skyscraper hotel downtown.
- Midland County Courthouse – Historic courthouse building completed in 1930.
- Permian Basin Petroleum Museum – Showcases the oil and gas industry history of the Permian Basin region.
- Hogan Park and Hogans Fountain – Large downtown park featuring a water fountain and public art.
For sports fans, the hometown Midland RockHounds Double-A minor league baseball team plays at Momentum Bank Ballpark in Midland.
Government
Midland is governed by a Council-Manager form of government, with a City Council setting policy and appointing professional City Staff led by the City Manager to carry out operations and administration. The current City Manager is Robert Patrick.
The Midland City Council consists of eight members – one mayor, one mayor pro-tem, and six council members representing individual city districts. The current Mayor of Midland is Patrick Payton, who was elected in 2020.
Residents of Midland vote in national, state, and county elections. Midland is represented in the US House of Representatives by the 11th Congressional District of Texas.
You can follow the latest news and events in Midland by liking the City of Midland Facebook page. The page shares updates on city government, local events, job openings, and more.