MIDLAND COUNTY
County Offices
500 North Loraine Street
Midland 432-742-7777
www.co.midland.tx.us
Chamber of Commerce
303 West Wall Street
Midland 432-683-3381
www.midlandtxchamber.com
Named for its midway location between Forth Worth and El Paso along the Texas & Pacific Railway, the oil-rich region of Midland is well-served by a network of convenient urban loops and major thoroughfares that include Interstate 20. Midland International Airport serves 900,000 passengers annually, providing connections to worldwide hubs. The City of Midland dominates the county, although a small portion of Odessa reaches into its boundary as well. These two vibrant urban centers are so closely aligned that the metropolitan region surrounding them is referred to as Midland/Odessa.
Services
Newcomers to Midland County will find a comprehensive network of outstanding educational opportunities designed to serve residents of all ages. Top-performing public school districts and a number of private schools ensure options for selecting the right learning environment. Opportunities for post-secondary education are available locally at Odessa College, Midland College, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. For more than 40 years, Midland College has been providing hands-on training and career education along with a wide range of two-year programs and associate degrees. Undergraduate, graduate, pre-professional, and professional degrees can all be earned close to home. Highlighted in leading publications like Washington Monthly and U.S. News & World Report, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin strives for excellence from every perspective, from nationally recognized academic programs to on-campus childcare options. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center of the Permian Basin is focused on higher education in the allied health sciences, medicine, and nursing.
Healthcare resources in Midland County are equally impressive, anchored by Midland Memorial Hospital. The health system includes two hospital campuses, medical offices, imaging centers, a cancer treatment center, and several other specialty centers. Licensed today for 468 beds, Midland Memorial Hospital excels in innovative programs that include the Heart Institute, Total Joint Center, women’s and children’s healthcare services, and various rehabilitation programs. The multi-campus system of Odessa Regional Medical Center maintains its flagship hospital campus in Odessa, renowned for comprehensive care and state-of-the-art clinical excellence. Also in Odessa, Medical Center Hospital serves a 17-county region as a teaching hospital and healthcare system. Hundreds of professionals in private practice represent every specialty, including Texas Tech Physicians who operate outpatient clinics in both Odessa and Midland. The premier medical teaching facilities in Midland and Odessa ensure access to a caliber of healthcare usually found only the largest metropolitan areas.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to Midland County will discover a bustling urban center that combines first-rate amenities with the intangible advantages of hometown friendliness and charm. Residents enjoy outdoor activity around the four seasons, supported by acres of lush parks filled with developed facilities. Golfing, tennis, hiking, cycling, sports play, skateboarding, swimming, and fishing are just a few of the popular leisure activities. Opportunities for spectator sports are abundant with AA Oakland Athletics affiliate Midland Rockhounds, Odessa Jackalopes of the North American Hockey League, West Texas Wildcatters indoor football, Midland/Odessa Sockers of the United Soccer League, minor league football with West Texas Drillers, and the popular Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo. In true Texas tradition, spirits run especially high at competitive clashes between local and regional high schools. Synonymous with Texas high school football, Midland/Odessa inspired the book and movie, Friday Night Lights. For those whose favorite sport is shopping, Midland County has everything from convenient “big box” stores, malls, and plazas to exclusive shops, unique boutiques, and antique dealers.
Welcoming neighborhoods and strong community involvement are hallmarks of Midland County, where a relaxed style of living blends with big-city conveniences. Nightspots with live music and dance, art galleries, celebrated historic sites, wonderful libraries, and fine museums are just a few of the cultural and entertainment advantages. The arts scene is vibrant with talented groups like the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale and Midland Community Theatre, but music and crafts are also featured in annual events like the Tall City Blues Fest. Cultural treasures and the past are proudly displayed at the George W. Bush Childhood Home, the Commemorative Air Force/American Airpower Heritage Museum, Haley Memorial Library & History Center, Ellen Noel Art Museum, and the unique Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. Astronomers and star-gazers will enjoy the Marion Blakemore Planetarium, equipped with one of the finest high-definition projectors in the world. The finest of Broadway, music, and stellar entertainment is showcased at the award-winning Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center on the University of Texas campus. With its urban advantages and residential neighborhoods that cater to every imaginable budget and housing preference, Midland County offers a rare quality of life that becomes more endearing with each passing year.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Midland
City Offices
432-685-7100
www.midlandtexas.gov
Chamber of Commerce
432-683-3381
www.midlandtxchamber.com
Providing an exceptional quality of life that includes top-rated healthcare, respected public schools, and Midland College, the City of Midland dominates Midland County and edges Martin County. In addition to local attractions and amenities, Midland residents enjoy easy access to the full spectrum of advantages in the Midland/Odessa region including abundant options for home settings and locations. Well-known neighborhoods include the Central residential area, the Museum District, the Loop, and Outside the Loop. More than 30 parks of all sizes and classifications beautify the city, crowned by a regional park that sprawls over 1,172 acres. Hogan Golf Course and scores of other developed facilities including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center are encompassed within the vast recreational network. One of the most unique family destinations is Cinergy Midland, combining food and beverage service with stadium-style theatre seating and entertainment options that include laser tag and a massive arcade/gaming area.
Odessa
City Offices
432-335-3200
www.odessa-tx.gov
Chamber of Commerce
432-332-9111
http://odessachamber.com
Primarily located in Ector County but stretching on its far eastern side into Midland County, Odessa is strategically located at the convergence of US Highway 385 and Interstate 20. Scores of lush parks are highlighted by unique attractions like a Skate Park, McKinney Park Sprayground, family Aquatic Centers, four community centers, a performance stage, and the Ratcliff Ranch Golf Links. Cultural enrichment is encouraged and promoted by the Odessa Council for the Arts & Humanities, overseeing a network of artisans and performers showcased in venues like Permian Playhouse, the Globe of the Great Southwest theatre, and historic Ector Theatre. Star-studded national entertainment is showcased at the dazzling Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center. With premier healthcare services, outstanding public schools, and local colleges, Odessa is a popular hometown choice.
