Population
Located in West Texas, Odessa is a mid-sized city with a population of around 120,000 residents according to recent estimates. Odessa serves as the county seat of Ector County and is located primarily in Ector County, with a small section of the city extending into Midland County. The city’s population ranks it as the 29th largest city in the state of Texas.
Odessa has seen its population grow steadily over the past several decades. In 1980, around 90,000 people called Odessa home. By 2000, the population had grown to about 95,000 residents and it has continued growing since then. The oil boom in West Texas has attracted new residents and businesses to Odessa in recent years.
The racial makeup of Odessa is diverse, with around 31% White, 7% Black or African American, 1% Native American, 1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, around 54% from other races, and 5% from two or more races. Around 80% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
With its steady population growth over the past 40 years, Odessa has continued to expand its city limits and annex new territory. Recent population projections predict Odessa’s population could top 200,000 residents by 2050 if current growth patterns persist.
To learn more about the population of Odessa, check out its demographics data on Wikipedia.
Economy and Major Employers
Odessa’s economy is centered primarily around the oil industry, with many residents working in energy and petrochemical sectors. The Permian Basin oil fields are among the largest in the United States, and Odessa’s economy is closely tied to Permian Basin oil drilling and production.
Some of the major employers in Odessa include:
- Odessa Regional Medical Center
- Ector County Independent School District
- City of Odessa
- Hunt Consolidated
- XTO Energy
- LaSalle Southwest Corrections
- AT&T
- Walmart
- BASinFORMATX
In addition to oil and natural gas, business services and healthcare make up a significant portion of Odessa’s economy. The healthcare sector has seen strong growth, fueled by the needs of the city’s growing population.
Like many cities, Odessa saw economic declines during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, economic indicators show Odessa made strong recoveries in 2021. Job growth, unemployment rates, and housing sales have all rebounded healthily since the initial economic shocks of the pandemic.
Oil and gas will likely remain the dominant industry in Odessa for the foreseeable future. However, the city has made strides in recent years to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas. Growing sectors like healthcare, education, construction, professional services, and renewable energy may bolster the city’s economic resilience going forward.
To learn more about Odessa’s economy and major employers, check out the City of Odessa website.
Attractions and Local Culture
Despite its mid-size population, Odessa offers a number of fun attractions and cultural institutions for visitors and residents to enjoy. Some of the top attractions in Odessa include:
- Ellen Noël Art Museum – This art museum houses permanent collections and hosts rotating exhibits. The Ellen Noël Art Museum also provides art classes and events.
- Ector Theatre – Built in 1951, this historic theater shows classic movies and hosts live performances.
- Odessa Meteor Crater – Located outside of town, visitors can see the site where a meteorite crashed into the earth thousands of years ago.
- The Globe Theater – This replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in England puts on Shakespearean plays and other classic works.
- White-Pool House – Constructed in 1887, White-Pool House is a historically preserved home people can tour to see 19th century life in early Odessa.
- Downtown Odessa Murals – Downtown Odessa features a variety of colorful murals celebrating the city’s culture and history.
Odessa also has a Performing Arts Center that hosts touring musical acts, theatrical performances, and other events. For outdoor lovers, there are parks with hiking trails, playgrounds, and more.
Culturally, Odessa is proud of its cowboy culture and connection to the oil industry. Musicians like Roy Orbison got their start in Odessa clubs. The city pays homage to the landscape and culture of West Texas through its art and entertainment.
For more information on things to see and do in Odessa, check out the Visit Odessa tourism website.
Sports
Odessa is home to a few sports teams for spectators to enjoy. The most notable is the Odessa Jackalopes ice hockey team. The Jackalopes play in the North American Hockey League at the Ector County Coliseum.
For baseball fans, Odessa has the Odessa Nuggets who play in the independent Pecos League. The Odessa College Wranglers offer additional college baseball and other collegiate sports.
West Texans also regularly attend events held at the Ector County Coliseum such as rodeos, motocross races, cage fights, and demolition derbies. The Coliseum can seat up to 5,000 spectators.
Learn more about the Jackalopes hockey team and purchase tickets at the Jackalopes website.
Odessa for Visitors
Are you considering a trip to Odessa? The city offers a variety of accommodation options including hotels, motels, RV parks, and campgrounds. Mid-priced chain hotels like Marriott, Hilton, and Holiday Inn Express have convenient locations around the city. Budget motels and independent accommodations are plentiful as well.
Dining options span from quick bites to upscale cuisine. Familiar chain and fast food restaurants can be found throughout the city. For a taste of local West Texas fare, many restaurants specialize in steaks, barbecue, chili, and Mexican dishes inspired by Odessa’s Southwestern food culture.
The main airport serving Odessa is Midland International Air and Space Port, located halfway between Odessa and Midland. The airport offers daily flights to Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas and other major hubs. Alternatively, Odessa can be reached by car via Interstate 20. It’s about a 5.5 hour drive west from Dallas/Fort Worth.
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