57 / 100

Potter County, TX

RANK #431 / 996  ·  POP 117,905  ·  TX

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.9%

Potter County's economy is holding up, but population decline raises questions about long-term trajectory.

[01] Why Potter County?

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.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
1.6x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+2.0%

Below national median

Home Prices
+1.8%

Above national median

Climate & Terrain
2.6

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing looks undervalued at 1.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Potter County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
117,905
-0.96% YoY
Median Household Income
$47,974
Median Home Value
$119,900
+1.8% 12mo
Median Rent
$943
Average Annual Pay
$59,781
+4.6% YoY
Employment
77,805
+0.6% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.4001
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
5.2%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$199,900
Days on Market
84
Slower market
Months of Supply
5.0
Buyer's market
Listings w/ Price Drops
16.4%
Building Permits (2024)
1,214
Single-Family Permits
562

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$12,650M
TOTAL
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.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.0% 34 percentile
Population Growth -1.0% 4 percentile
Income Growth +6.4% 11 percentile
Vacancy Rate 2.9% 2 percentile
Home Price Change +1.8% 57 percentile
Rent Growth +4.7% 76 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 89 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Potter County, TX a good place to move to?

Potter County has a Boom Town Index score of 57/100, ranking #431 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.6% and a median household income of $47,974, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Potter County affordable?

The median home value in Potter County is $119,900 with median rent at $943/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4001, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Potter County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -1.0% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.6%. Home values changed +1.8% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Potter County?

Yes — 5.2% of Potter County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Cache County, UT 67 Jackson County, MI 67 Creek County, OK 67 Columbia County, GA 67 Macomb County, MI 67 Van Buren County, MI 67 Warren County, NJ 67 Russell County, AL 67