Howard County, TX

Living in Howard County, Texas, feels a bit like stepping into a West Texas time capsule where the pace is slow, the people are direct, and the landscape stretches out under a big, open sky. The county seat, Big Spring, is the anchor, but the smaller communities of Coahoma, Forsan, and the rural stretches between them each have their own quiet rhythm. This isn’t a place for people looking for nightlife or urban amenities; it’s for those who value elbow room, a lower cost of living, and a community where your neighbors know your name—and your truck.

The Daily Rhythm: Work, Errands, and the Commute You Won’t Dread

For most people here, the day starts early. The economy is anchored by oil and gas, agriculture, and healthcare—Big Spring’s Scenic Mountain Medical Center is a major employer, and the county’s industrial base includes a few large chemical plants and a state prison. The average commute is just over 20 minutes, which means you can live on a few acres outside Coahoma and still be at your desk in Big Spring before the coffee gets cold. Errands are straightforward: you’ll do your grocery shopping at the United Supermarkets or Walmart in Big Spring, and for anything more specialized, you’re looking at a 45-minute drive to Midland or Odessa. Weekends often involve yard work, hunting, or a trip to one of the local lakes—Lake Colorado City State Park is a favorite for fishing and camping. The median household income here is $71,457, which goes a long way when the cost of living is 27% below the national average, and the median home value sits at $150,300.

Sports, Community, and the Big Spring Steers

High school football is the closest thing to a civic religion in Howard County. Friday nights in the fall revolve around the Big Spring Steers at Memorial Stadium, and the rivalry with the Coahoma Bulldogs and Forsan Buffaloes is genuine, not manufactured. If you don’t care about football, you’ll still find yourself at a game because everyone else is. Beyond the gridiron, the county’s social calendar is built around events like the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion & Rodeo, a genuine West Texas rodeo that’s been running for over 80 years, and the Howard County Fair in late summer, which is a big deal for 4-H families and anyone who raises livestock. There’s no pro sports team within two hours, but that’s not the point—the local teams are the main event, and the community shows up for them.

What’s There to Do: Honest Entertainment in a Rural Setting

Let’s be clear: you’re not moving here for the nightlife. The entertainment options are modest but genuine. The Big Spring State Park offers hiking trails and a scenic drive up a mesa with views of the entire county—it’s a popular spot for sunset photos and walking dogs. For a night out, locals head to Los Amigos for Tex-Mex or Bubba’s Smokehouse for barbecue, both in Big Spring. The Historic Spring Theater downtown shows first-run movies for a bargain price, and the Heritage Museum of Big Spring is a solid afternoon stop for anyone curious about the area’s oil-boom history. If you’re into hunting, the county is prime whitetail deer and quail country, and many residents lease land for the season. The biggest frustration for newcomers is the lack of variety—if you want a live concert or a trendy restaurant, you’re driving to Midland or Lubbock. But for those who value quiet and space, that’s a feature, not a bug.

Pros and Cons of Living Here: The Unvarnished Truth

• Pro: Affordability. With a cost of living index of 73, your money goes much further here than in almost any other part of Texas. A family can buy a three-bedroom home on a single income without breaking a sweat.
• Con: Limited job diversity. The economy is heavily tied to oil and gas, which means boom-and-bust cycles are a real concern. If you’re not in energy, healthcare, or education, options are thin.
• Pro: Genuine community. People look out for each other. If your car breaks down on Highway 87, someone will stop. Neighbors share garden produce and help with harvests.
• Con: Isolation. The nearest major city (Midland) is 45 minutes away, and Dallas is a solid four-hour drive. If you crave cultural events, diverse dining, or a dating scene, you’ll feel the distance.
• Pro: Outdoor access. Hunting, fishing, and hiking are all within 20 minutes. The night sky is dark enough for stargazing, and the air is clean.
• Con: Weather extremes. Summers are brutally hot (100°F+ for weeks), and winters can bring ice storms that shut down the county. Tornado warnings are a springtime reality.

The violent crime rate here is 344.4 per 100,000, which is above the national average—most of that is concentrated in specific areas of Big Spring, and the rural parts of the county feel very safe. Schools are a mixed bag: Big Spring ISD is the largest, with a solid agricultural and vocational program, while Coahoma and Forsan are smaller and more tight-knit. Only 15.3% of adults hold a college degree, which reflects the blue-collar nature of the workforce. The median age is 37, a bit younger than the state average, largely because young families are drawn by the affordable housing. If you’re a single person in your 20s, you might find the social scene limited, but if you’re raising kids or looking for a quiet place to retire, Howard County has a lot to offer. The people here are proud of their West Texas roots, and they’ll welcome you—as long as you’re willing to slow down and stay a while.