Odessa, Texas
Odessa is a Texas city whose current Census footprint includes Ector County and Midland County. Start with the quick read below for what gives Odessa its character, then the practical property-tax, insurance, district, and local-record checks worth making before you rely on a monthly estimate.
Place essentials
Official Census snapshot- Census place type
- City
- July 2025 population
- 122,707
- Change from 2020 base
- +7.2%
- Land area
- 52 sq. mi.
- County footprint
- Ector County and Midland County
Place type, county footprint, and land area use the Census Bureau's January 1, 2025 geography. Population uses Vintage 2025 estimates through July 1, 2025; change compares that estimate with the April 1, 2020 estimates base. Geography file | Population file
Official routes
Use the office for the parcel address; a mailing city is not always the governing city.
Local checks
- Ector CAD account
- All 5 taxing-unit rates
- FEMA flood zone / playa lake proximity
- Wind/hail deductible
- Foundation inspection
What buyers should know
Oilfield economy risk: roughly one in five Permian Basin jobs ties directly to oil and gas, so home values and local employment can move sharply with crude prices. The 2015 bust saw Ector County lose nearly 10% of jobs in a year — buyers with oil-sector income should model a sustained downturn.
Flood and playa lakes: Odessa has multiple low-lying playa lake areas that flood quickly in heavy rain; past flood events in 2004 and 2007 damaged homes across the county. Pull the FEMA flood map for the specific address and consider flood insurance even outside a high-risk zone.
Wind and hail coverage: West Texas supercell storms produce frequent large hail, and carriers now commonly write 2% wind/hail deductibles in this market. Get your homeowner's policy quotes before making an offer so the deductible exposure is factored into your budget.
County context
What to know around Odessa
County lines carry much of the property, land, water, and outdoors context around Odessa.
County History
Ector County Is Named for a Confederate General and Texas Judge
Texas created Ector County in 1887 from Tom Green County land and named it for Mathew D. Ector, a Confederate general who later served as a Texas appeals judge.
Property Tax Basics
Two Offices Handle Your Property Tax in Ector County
The appraisal district sets your property value; the tax assessor-collector handles payments — they are two separate offices.
County Origins
Midland County got its name from the railroad running halfway across Texas
Midland County was organized in 1885 and named for its location at the midpoint of the Texas and Pacific Railway between Fort Worth and El Paso.
Nearby places
Other local pages to compare
Nearby counties
Local notes for nearby counties
Next steps for Odessa
Compare nearby places
Put Census population, land area, county footprints, and official office routes side by side.
Open comparison ->Estimate property tax
Use the official local rates and appraisal value for this parcel.
Open estimator ->Build a buyer timeline
Track homestead, appraisal notice, protest, and tax-bill dates.
Build timeline ->Read insurance guide
Check flood, windstorm, roof, deductibles, and coverage questions.
Read guide ->