Amarillo
RANK #183 / 996 NAT · #12 / 69 TX · POP 117,905
1YR FORECAST: +2.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Potter County, Texas, is defined by its High Plains landscape and the city of Amarillo, its county seat and largest population center. Located in the Texas Panhandle, about 110 miles north of Lubbock, the county offers a blend of urban amenities and natural scenery. Lake Meredith, formed by a dam on the Canadian River, extends into the northwestern part of the county, providing water recreation. The Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, with evidence of human activity dating back 13,000 years, offers a glimpse into prehistoric life. Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore Wildcat Bluff Nature Center for hiking and wildlife viewing. The average commute time in Amarillo is 17.7 minutes, shorter than the national average.
Life in Potter County is characterized by a strong sense of community and a generally conservative outlook. Public schools in the county are highly rated, including Woodlands Elementary School and Belmar Elementary School. The economy is diverse, with manufacturing, gas production, petrochemicals, and agriculture playing significant roles. Amarillo serves as a transportation and distribution hub for West Texas. Recent economic developments include investments in commercial and residential construction, as well as the emergence of data centers, though these have raised questions about water usage and electricity rates.
Below national median
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 1.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Fermi America Advanced Energy and Intelligence Campus
Fermi America and Texas Tech University System
|
$10,000M | Proposed |
|
Yellow Rose Solar Farm
Orion Renewal Energy Group
|
$1,500M | Planned |
|
Onida 2 Solar Project
Xcel Energy (Southwestern Public Service Company)
|
$600M | Proposed |
|
Rock Ridge Residential Development
Llano Real Estate
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Duos Edge AI Data Centers (2 facilities)
Duos Edge AI
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Potter County ranks #183 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 82/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +0.6% and a median household income of $47,974 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Potter County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $119,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.40 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $943/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Potter County is losing population (-1.0% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (+0.6% employment change). Home values are +1.8% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
In significant numbers — 5.2% of Potter County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.