Andrews, TX Area Guide

Andrews was incorporated in 1937 as the county seat of Andrews County, with both the city and county named for Richard Andrews, the first Texan soldier to die in the Texas Revolution. The community's growth traces back to the oil boom that transformed this West Texas settlement into a thriving Permian Basin town.

Today, Andrews celebrates its roots through events like the Wild Wild West Fest, which honors the region's frontier character and keeps that connection to the past alive. The small-town atmosphere remains intact despite ongoing growth, giving residents a chance to experience a community that values its history while continuing to evolve with the energy industry that has shaped it for generations.

Andrews offers a welcoming small-town dining scene that reflects its West Texas roots and tight-knit community character. Residents enjoy a mix of casual American comfort food, Tex-Mex staples, and hearty barbecue - the kinds of flavors that define Permian Basin food culture. Local eateries along Main Street serve as everyday gathering spots where neighbors connect over familiar dishes. While Andrews is a smaller city, its growing population has brought a broader variety of dining options, including Mexican cuisine with regional flair. The friendly, unpretentious atmosphere makes dining out in Andrews a genuinely communal experience that newcomers tend to appreciate right away.

Getting around Andrews is largely car-dependent, as is typical of small West Texas cities. U.S. Highway 385 runs through town and serves as the main corridor connecting Andrews to Odessa and the broader Permian Basin region. Most residents rely on personal vehicles for daily errands, work commutes, and travel to neighboring cities. Dedicated public transit and bike-sharing programs are limited, though the compact size of Andrews, just 5 square miles, makes short trips manageable on foot or by bike in many parts of town. For air travel, Midland International Air and Space Port is roughly 42 miles away, about a 53-minute drive, offering regional and national flight connections.

Andrews offers a variety of outdoor spaces well-suited to its small-town character. The city's local parks provide open green space for picnicking, playground activities, and relaxed recreation in the heart of West Texas. The community-minded atmosphere carries over into its parks, where residents gather for seasonal events and everyday leisure. While Andrews sits in the wide-open Permian Basin landscape, the surrounding terrain itself offers a natural backdrop for walking and outdoor enjoyment. The area's dry, open plains and wide skies are part of everyday life here, making outdoor spaces a natural extension of Andrews' peaceful, close-knit community feel.

Andrews offers a relatively affordable rental market compared to the broader Texas average. Studio apartments average around $797 per month, one-bedroom units around $985, two-bedrooms near $1,166, and three-bedroom homes around $1,627, all coming in below the statewide one-bedroom average of $1,237. The city's small footprint covers just 5 square miles with a population of roughly 13,000, and its median household income of approximately $76,000 reflects the area's ties to the Permian Basin energy sector.

Andrews keeps its retail scene rooted in small-town Texas character, with Main Street serving as the heart of everyday shopping for residents. Along this central corridor, locals find a practical mix of goods and services that reflect the community's oil-industry roots. While Andrews does not have a large regional mall, its straightforward retail landscape offers essentials close to home, and the broader Permian Basin area, including Odessa about 35 miles south, provides access to bigger shopping centers for those seeking more variety. Andrews also comes alive during community events like the Wild Wild West Fest and Holly Jolly Weekend, which bring local vendors and a festive retail atmosphere to the area.