RANK #212 / 1001 NAT · #8 / 72 TX · POP 115,975
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +33%
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.
Potter County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.5% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.5x — 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 79/100, Potter County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.2%, and median household income stands at $53,249 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in TX.
By national standards, Potter County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $147,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,022/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
It's a mixed picture in Potter County. The population is declining (-0.6% YoY), but employers are actually hiring — job growth is at +1.2%. Home values moved +2.5% in the last year. That tension between shrinking population and expanding employment often signals a county in transition.
In significant numbers — 5.87% 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.