RANK #353 / 1001 NAT · #18 / 72 TX · POP 146,070
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Randall County, Texas, stands out for Palo Duro Canyon State Park, often called the "Grand Canyon of Texas." This natural landmark, the second-largest canyon in the United States, offers dramatic geological features, including multicolored rock layers and steep mesa walls. Located in the Texas Panhandle, with its county seat in Canyon, the area is about 15 miles south of Amarillo. Commutes within the county and to nearby Amarillo are generally manageable, though a study suggests average travel times to work in Potter and Randall County are closer to 20-25 minutes. The community offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to city amenities. Outdoor recreation abounds with over 30 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding within Palo Duro Canyon State Park, alongside camping and glamping options. The county also features Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge, providing additional recreational opportunities.
Life in Randall County is characterized by a family-friendly environment and highly-rated public schools, with an average math proficiency score of 56% and reading proficiency score of 62%, exceeding statewide averages. Most residents own their homes, and the cost of living is lower than the U.S. average. The local economy sees growth in sectors like healthcare, retail, and educational services. Major investment is also flowing into data centers and energy sectors, contributing to the county's economic landscape.
Randall County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.5% YoY, population +1.6%, wages +2.8%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 16.8x — home prices are high 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Matador (AI Data Center Campus)
Fermi America (co-founded by Rick Perry)
|
$5,000M | Proposed |
|
Claude Data Center
Hoffman Construction
|
$750M | Under Construction |
|
Randall Solar
Unknown
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Lano Realty Townhome Development
Lano Realty
|
$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 64/100, Randall County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.7%, and median household income stands at $83,864 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in TX.
By national standards, Randall County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $238,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.35 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,170/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Randall County's population is growing — up +1.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.7%). Home values shifted +2.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.07% of Randall 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.