$175,145Average Value$147Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Downtown Odessa locals are surrounded by public art.
Murals along Downtown Odessa
Downtown Odessa is at the heart of a city known for its oil industry, but it is quickly earning a reputation for its art and community engagement. “Downtown, like the rest of the city, is replete with a stunning collection of public art,” says Randy Ham, executive director of Odessa Arts who has lived in the city since 1998. “Ferdinand,” a mural by artist Ernesto Maranje, is only one example. This colorful portrait of a Texas longhorn was the 2023 Gold recipient of the National Mural Award for the Southwest. It adorns the parking garage of the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, which hosts some of Downtown’s largest events. It is painted on the side of the parking garage for the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. The Marriott is home to some of the city’s largest events, including the West Texas Jazz Party. “A lot of people don’t know this, but Odessa, Texas, is home to the world’s longest-running jazz party,” Ham says. The weekend-long celebration of jazz, hosted by the West Texas Jazz Society, started in 1967. The hotel is a short walk from local restaurants, such as the Permian Basin Hamburger Co., the Ector County Library, city parks and green space.
Downtown Odessa locals love their traditional Permian Basin Burgers Company.
Burger joint is community staple in Odessa
The colorful streets of Downtown Odessa are filled with independent restaurants and boutiques. Permian Basin Hamburger Co. is a community staple. “It’s a neat little place built into one of the more historic buildings in Odessa,” says Amber Stewart, managing librarian for the Southwest History and Genealogy Department, who has lived in the city since 2001. The popular lunch spot opened in 1976 and still serves the same burgers and fries today. Ham recommends Homemade Wines, which, as the name suggests, makes its own wines. “The owners are ardent supporters of Downtown and are very active,” he says. “They don’t just open their doors and hope people come in.” Local shops include Copper Key Gift, which sells jewelry and home decor, and Ye Old Bookworm, a used bookstore. The closest grocery store is Lowe’s Market. Target, Walmart and Lowe’s are all within 5 miles of Downtown Odessa.
Odessa Medical Regional Center provides great care to the Downtown Odessa neighborhood.
Hospitals provide healthcare to surrounding towns
Downtown Odessa is commuter-friendly. “I’m the guy who’s going to tell you it’s walkable,” says Ham, who parks in the Marriott parking garage and walks through Downtown to get to his office. “It’s great because I get to interact and see people on my way to the office and on my way back.” There are a lot of drivers, and 2nd Street connects with Interstate 20. EZ-Rider has bus stops along Grant Avenue and 2nd Street. Most people fly out of Midland International Air & Space Port. The area has two hospitals: Medical Center Hospital and the Odessa Regional Medical Center. “The Odessa medical community plays host to the smaller towns that maybe don’t have the same level of care that they get in Odessa,” Ham says.
First Friday is a don't miss event in Downtown Odessa.
First Friday draws large crowd
Every month, Downtown Odessa partners with Odessa Arts to put on First Friday ODTX. “Downtown is flooded with people, both from out of town and from our community,” Ham says. This event started in August 2023 with 11 participating businesses and has grown exponentially. As of July 2024, there are more than 40 shops, restaurants and organizations helping put on one of the most engaging events in the city. Each celebration features something new, whether it’s a different band performing or a different business hosting an activity or sale. Copper Key Gifts once ran a jewelry-making class, while Homemade Wines had a paint-and-sip. “You name it, it happens Downtown on the first Friday of the month,” Ham says.
Events are hosted on the stage at Noel Heritage Plaza.
Parks throughout Downtown Odessa
Parks are scattered throughout the Downtown area. Odessa College Downtown, managed by the community college about 2 miles away, is an outdoor venue with a splash pad, green space and a performance center open to the public. Progressive Park is next to the Odessa Regional Medical Center and features an ADA-compliant playground. “That park is a nice little respite for children whose families are maybe going through medical procedures,” Ham says. Besides having an extensive collection of books, the Ector County Library hosts book clubs and story times. The library is next to Noel Heritage Plaza, which Stewart says, “is the prettiest park of them all.” She says that folks will often go there for prom and graduation pictures – she’s even seen a proposal happen there.
Most Downtown residences are single-family homes
While sidewalks line most of Downtown Odessa, they are less common along residential streets. Instead, grassy lawns with a single oak tree stretch to the curb. Many of the homes in the neighborhood are mid-20th-century ranch styles that can be seen throughout the city. There are some Cape Cod influences and new traditional houses built after 2000. Prices for a three- to four-bedroom can range from $100,000 to $225,000, with newer construction making up the more expensive properties. Most people live in single-family homes, although there are some apartments available. Monthly rent for a one- to two-bedroom apartment typically falls between $1,000 to $1,500. The Federal Emergency Management Agency classifies part of Downtown Odessa as a Special Flood Hazard Area, meaning that flood insurance is recommended for everyone in the area and required for anyone with a federally backed mortgage.
Downtown Odessa
Downtown Odessa residential area is a quiet and safe area.
1/2
Local stadium is famous for “Friday Night Lights”
Ector County Independent School District serves the city of Odessa. Downtown, students can be zoned for Dowling Elementary School, which receives a C from Niche. Bowie Junior High School has a C-minus. Odessa High School also has a C. Odessa High and its rival, Permian High School, which earns a C-plus, play at Ratliff Stadium, where “Friday Night Lights” was filmed. Odessa College is about 2 miles away and has nearly 120 associate and certificate degree programs.
Oil and gas industry boom in Odessa
Odessa is at the center of the Permian Basin, which is rich in petroleum, potassium, and natural gas. “It’s great for job opportunities, especially with the oil fields,” Stewart says. In fact, one-fourth of the city’s major employers are in the oil and gas industry. 1PointFive, whose parent company is Occidental Petroleum, is building its $1 billion carbon capture in the city.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Tim Lester,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
Progressive Park
Noel Heritage Plaza
Transit
Airport
Midland International Air And Space Port
19 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Downtown Odessa
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Downtown Odessa, Odessa sell after 16 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Downtown Odessa, Odessa over the last 12 months is $239,430, up 62% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming corner lot property featuring a beautiful rock exterior, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and 2 spacious living areas. Includes a basement and an unfinished studio apartment w/ one full bathroom, private entry access from alley—perfect for a rental or guest suite. Also on the property is a versatile 1,200 SF warehouse with a half bath, ideal for converting into an additional apartment, workshop, or
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Tim Lester,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,390
Median Age
36
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$29,588
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$48,201
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
66.8%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
11%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0.1%
% Population in Labor Force
64.4%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
15''
Average Winter Low Temperature
33°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
45/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
60/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
