Lowest Unemployment in the US : Midland, Texas
If you or someone you know requires employment and want to improve the odds of getting hired consider relocating to Texas in the Midland / Odessa area. They boast an unemployment rate of 3.4% which is the lowest unemployment rate in the United States.
Nearly 20 new restaurants opened in Midland in the past year. The economy is booming and jobs are available everywhere. In fact, Energy Related Property recently announced the plans to construct a 59 story building called Energy Tower at City Center to commemorate the “celebration of resuscitation”of the city. They will rename Midland the “Oil Capital of America.”
Midland is well aware of its housing shortage and on July 26, 2013 was pleased to announce that a developer was bringing a high-end hotel to the downtown area that will open in the winter of 2014. Hotel Fuel, a 142 unit boutique-style hotel, will take over the vacant Western United Life Building at 301 W. Texas Avenue. It will include several meeting and board rooms as well as a restaurant, bar and fitness center. The Hotel Fuel and the Tower at City Center will add to the construction jobs in the area as well.
A little bit about Midland:
The population in Midland County in 2011 was 111,255 which is up 17% since 2000. The population is about 48% males to 51% females. The average resident age is between 33-40 years old. The average income in 2009 was $54,113. The average house or condo was valued at $130,600 in 2009 with the average rent of $861 per month. As of 4/2013, the average rent has climbed to $900-$1,300 per month.
Industries you will find in Midland/Odessa include mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, construction, health care, accommodation and food service, professional, scientific and technical services, educational and public administration, health care, educational services, finance and insurance services as well as social assistance.
The most common occupations for males include management, sales, supervisors, building and grounds maintenance, engineers, electrical equipment mechanics and installation, maintenance and repair, retail sales, driver/sales workers and truck drivers.
The most common occupations for females include secretaries and administrative assistants, school teachers, office and administrative support workers, information and record clerks, customer service representatives, bookkeeping, accounting or auditing clerks and cashiers.
The downside to relocating to Midland/Odessa:
1) Housing is scarce to nonexistent requiring many people to live in motels and travel trailers until a house or apartment becomes available.
2) You may have to settle for living in the smaller surrounding towns and commuting 20-30 minutes to work each day.
3) The cost of living is much higher in Midland than other places.
4) Service in the restaurants and other businesses are very slow because they don’t have enough help to fulfill the demand for their products.
5) The area is very hot, dry and dusty with summer droughts being a common occurrence over the last few years.
6) Temperatures get very high in the summer months and remain high even at night so cooling costs are higher than average for the US.
The pros to relocating to Midland/Odessa:
1) Great pay and jobs are plentiful.
2) Politics in the area are predominantly conservative.
3) Bless their hearts for the southern hospitality; people in Midland/Odessa tend to be more hospitable and friendly than in other parts of the country.
4) The winters are mild though there are a few cold days which makes heating the home less expensive than in most other states.
All in all if you don’t mind a hot dry climate Midland/Odessa has a lot to offer to anyone willing to relocate to the area. When much of the United States still suffers with high unemployment and many have been unemployed for extended periods of time this may be a great place to start over.
Something to consider, in the past Midland/Odessa has been a boom and bust town; it booms when oil prices are high and then busts when the oil prices drop. Plan ahead and know that the boom doesn't last forever and will eventually correct. Until then, make the money while it’s there and save for when it isn't. Planning ahead is always a great philosophy for anyone no matter where you live.
I hope this provides encouragement if you are looking to relocate for work or better weather. Maybe I’ll see you in Texas in the near future! If you have already relocated to Midland/Odessa in the last couple of years let us know how you like it.
Nearly 20 new restaurants opened in Midland in the past year. The economy is booming and jobs are available everywhere. In fact, Energy Related Property recently announced the plans to construct a 59 story building called Energy Tower at City Center to commemorate the “celebration of resuscitation”of the city. They will rename Midland the “Oil Capital of America.”
Midland is well aware of its housing shortage and on July 26, 2013 was pleased to announce that a developer was bringing a high-end hotel to the downtown area that will open in the winter of 2014. Hotel Fuel, a 142 unit boutique-style hotel, will take over the vacant Western United Life Building at 301 W. Texas Avenue. It will include several meeting and board rooms as well as a restaurant, bar and fitness center. The Hotel Fuel and the Tower at City Center will add to the construction jobs in the area as well.
A little bit about Midland:
The population in Midland County in 2011 was 111,255 which is up 17% since 2000. The population is about 48% males to 51% females. The average resident age is between 33-40 years old. The average income in 2009 was $54,113. The average house or condo was valued at $130,600 in 2009 with the average rent of $861 per month. As of 4/2013, the average rent has climbed to $900-$1,300 per month.
Industries you will find in Midland/Odessa include mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, construction, health care, accommodation and food service, professional, scientific and technical services, educational and public administration, health care, educational services, finance and insurance services as well as social assistance.
The most common occupations for males include management, sales, supervisors, building and grounds maintenance, engineers, electrical equipment mechanics and installation, maintenance and repair, retail sales, driver/sales workers and truck drivers.
The most common occupations for females include secretaries and administrative assistants, school teachers, office and administrative support workers, information and record clerks, customer service representatives, bookkeeping, accounting or auditing clerks and cashiers.
The downside to relocating to Midland/Odessa:
1) Housing is scarce to nonexistent requiring many people to live in motels and travel trailers until a house or apartment becomes available.
2) You may have to settle for living in the smaller surrounding towns and commuting 20-30 minutes to work each day.
3) The cost of living is much higher in Midland than other places.
4) Service in the restaurants and other businesses are very slow because they don’t have enough help to fulfill the demand for their products.
5) The area is very hot, dry and dusty with summer droughts being a common occurrence over the last few years.
6) Temperatures get very high in the summer months and remain high even at night so cooling costs are higher than average for the US.
The pros to relocating to Midland/Odessa:
1) Great pay and jobs are plentiful.
2) Politics in the area are predominantly conservative.
3) Bless their hearts for the southern hospitality; people in Midland/Odessa tend to be more hospitable and friendly than in other parts of the country.
4) The winters are mild though there are a few cold days which makes heating the home less expensive than in most other states.
All in all if you don’t mind a hot dry climate Midland/Odessa has a lot to offer to anyone willing to relocate to the area. When much of the United States still suffers with high unemployment and many have been unemployed for extended periods of time this may be a great place to start over.
Something to consider, in the past Midland/Odessa has been a boom and bust town; it booms when oil prices are high and then busts when the oil prices drop. Plan ahead and know that the boom doesn't last forever and will eventually correct. Until then, make the money while it’s there and save for when it isn't. Planning ahead is always a great philosophy for anyone no matter where you live.
I hope this provides encouragement if you are looking to relocate for work or better weather. Maybe I’ll see you in Texas in the near future! If you have already relocated to Midland/Odessa in the last couple of years let us know how you like it.
Related Articles
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map
Content copyright © 2023 by Jacqueline Rosenbalm. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Jacqueline Rosenbalm. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Jacqueline Rosenbalm for details.
