Get to know Amarillo, TX

Originally called Oneida, The Yellow Rose of Texas got its name from the yellow wildflowers that grow along Amarillo Lake and Amarillo Creek.  The city grew into one of the busiest cattle-shipping areas in the nineteenth century.  The discovery of natural gas and oil in the early 1900s brought companies to the area and acted as the only helium provider in the world for a time.  The economic depression spurred by the Dust Bowl hurt the city until the Amarillo Air Force Base opened in 1951, flooding the area with servicemen and their families.  Amarillo is considered the economic center for the region of the Texas Panhandle.  The meat packing industry is a huge force in the city with about one-quarter of the country’s beef supply processed in the area.  The Amarillo Independent School District is another of Amarillo’s largest employers.  According the Weather Channel, Amarillo holds the title as America’s Windiest City.  Amarillo is also known for its natural attractions, like Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Alibates Flint Wuarries National Monument.

Quick Facts

Population: 198,645

Median Household Income:$ 47,735

Median Property Value: $118,00