RANK #575 / 996 · POP 863,832 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%
El Paso County, Texas, stands out for its dramatic desert landscape, framed by the Franklin Mountains, which offer extensive trails for hiking, biking, and rock climbing within Franklin Mountains State Park, one of the largest urban parks in the nation. The county, located in far West Texas and operating on Mountain Time, shares a border with New Mexico and Mexico, creating a distinctive cultural blend. Commutes within the county are generally manageable, though construction can cause delays. Public transportation, including bus services and a streetcar in the city of El Paso, connects various communities like Anthony, Canutillo, and Socorro.
Life in El Paso County offers a blend of affordability and a strong community feel, often described as family-oriented. The region's economy is diverse, with major employers including Fort Bliss, a significant military installation. Beyond the military, the economy is expanding into sectors such as advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and logistics, leveraging its position as a trade corridor with Mexico. The public school systems, including large districts like El Paso ISD and Socorro ISD, serve the county's population.
Below national median
Housing looks undervalued at 3.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Meta El Paso Data Center Campus
Meta
|
$10,000M | Under Construction |
|
McCloud Natural Gas Plant
El Paso Electric
|
$366M | Proposed |
|
Advanced Manufacturing District
El Paso (City)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Pellicano Drive Widening Project
El Paso County
|
$50M | Legal Coordination |
|
Montwood Drive Extension
El Paso County
|
$50M | Construction |
|
Connect El Paso Data Center
Oppidan
|
$27M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
El Paso County has a Boom Town Index score of 42/100, ranking #575 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.5% and a median household income of $55,417, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in El Paso County is $153,600 with median rent at $978/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3608, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.5%. Home values changed +1.1% in the past 12 months.