Community Profile
Thank you for visiting Big Spring, Texas! We have gathered a comprehensive set of community demographic data and compiled that in our community profile displayed below.
As you find information that is relevant to your needs, please take advantage of our Custom Profile Builder to create your own individual community profile. Simply click "Add to Cart" for each topic listed below that you need to collect. Once you are finished gathering information, just click the "View Custom Report" link in the upper right corner of this site and that report will then be displayed for you.
Thank you once again for visiting Big Spring, Texas please let us know if you have any questions that are not answered by this website.
Welcome to Big Spring
Big Spring is located at the crossroads of U.S. Interstate Highway 20, State Highway 87, State Highway 350 and State Highway 176 in West Texas. It is the County seat of Howard County and home of caring residents, friendly families, beautiful landscapes, and a multitude of cultural, sporting, recreational events to engage individuals looking for a wonderful place to call home.
Big Spring’s unique topography is a mixture of wide open plains mixed with the convergence of the northern limit of the Edwards Plateau and the southern most hills of the Caprock. Big Spring is nestled in a gorge between two high foothills creating beautiful vistas and an oasis in the West Texas prairie.
Big Spring has a diverse and varied economy. Early settlers began ranching operations and soon began to farm the land. Oil and gas production became a major economic force in the early 1900’s and continues today. Today the economy has grow to include refining, manufacturing, wind energy production, transportation, governmental services, and a broad range of health care services.
Community Profile
The mission of Oncor's Economic Development group is to be a catalyst for economic growth and effective utilization of infrastructure through business recruitment, retention and valued community services.
Property Tax Rates
The following is a list of property tax rates for taxing entities in the Big Spring area.
| Taxing Entity | Tax Rate |
| Howard County | $0.522406 |
| City of Big Spring | $0.949500 |
| Howard College | $0.285618 |
| Big Spring ISD | $1.449500 |
| Total Tax Rate | $3.207024 |
| Actual taxes are calculated by multiplying the rate shown above times every $100 in value of eligible taxable property. | |
This information was last updated March 2011.
Climate
The Big Spring area is located on the southern extension of the South Plains of Texas at an elevation of 2,547 feet and is approximately halfway between Ft. Worth and El Paso. The terrain is generally level with only slight changes in height.
The climate is typical of a semi-arid region. The vegetation of the area consists mostly of native grasses and a few trees, mostly of the mesquite variety.
Most of the annual precipitation in the area comes as a result of strong spring and early summer thunderstorms. These are usually accompanied by excessive rainfall over limited areas with occasional hail.
Daytime temperatures are quite hot in the summer, but there is a large diurnal range of temperature and most nights are comfortable. The temperature drops below 32 degrees in the fall about mid-November and the last temperature below 32 degrees in spring come early in April.
Winters are characterized by frequent cold periods followed by rapid warming. Cold frontal passages are followed by chilly weather for two or three days. Cloudiness is at a minimum, with annual percent possible sunshine at 73%. Summers are hot and dry with numerous small convective showers.
The prevailing wind direction in this area is from the southeast. This, together with the upslope flow of the terrain from the same direction, causes occasional low cloudiness and drizzle during winter and spring months. Snow is infrequent. Maximum temperatures during the summer months frequently are from 2 to 6 degrees cooler than those at places 100 miles southeast, due to cooling effect of the upslope winds.
Summer afternoon temperatures frequently exceed 90 degrees, but low humidity results in comfortable conditions. The climate of the area is generally pleasant with the most disagreeable weather concentrated in the late winter and spring months.
Community History
No one is certain who was first to come upon the big springs that later gave the town its’ name.
It surely was visited by prehistoric creatures seeking water in the arid region and later hunters with pointed sticks and crude stone tools and primitive Indians following herds of bison used for food, clothing and shelter.
Cabeza de Vaca may have been the first white man to look upon the spring which was chronicled in his journals of his journey in 1535.
Captain Randolph Marcy was the first to chronicle his visit to the spring in October of 1849 as he sought to establish a leg of a transcontinental trail. Marcy noted that the spring appeared to be a favorite place of the Comanche Indians. The spring subsequently became the base for many army expeditions to the new territory and remained home of several Indian tribes. Many skirmishes between the two were recorded by several army officers including Col. Robert E. Lee in 1856 later to become commander in chief of the Confederate forces.
Buffalo hunters unintentionally 
accomplished what the Army had sought to do. The hunters vanquished the Comanche's by destroying the herds of bison that had been the Indian mainstay. Behind the hunters came a few herdsman the predecessors of the first rancher/settles to the Big Spring area. The news that the railroad was soon to push through the area brought the springs first real settlement of buffalo bone hunters which gathered abandoned bones from the vast herds of slaughtered bison. The approach of the railroad became the end of the times when Indians an Army patrols trooped to and from the spring in their migrations.
The Texas & Pacific Railroad named the little village a division point between Ft. Worth and El Paso from which water was supplied from the spring. This meant jobs for shops and road crews, and corresponding growth and stability for the new town. By 1881 the rail had reached Big Spring and beyond creating a sustainable economic base.
Big Spring flourished, local County government was established, businesses sprang up, farming and ranching operations were established all in a short period beginning in the early 1880’s.
Big Springs’ next big influence came with the discovery of oil in the county. In 1926 the Otis Chalk No. 1 came in after several earlier attempts to find oil and the boom was on. Many of the early wells produced 3,000 to 4,000 barrels of oil a day. Hundreds of workers came to the area for work and new oil related businesses sprang up along with refining.
Today oil, rail, farming, and ranching still provide the economic base for the community and Big Spring remains poised for the next influence, perhaps wind energy.
Sources: “Howard County...In the Making” John R Hutto “Getting Started Howard County’s First 25 Years” Joe Pickle
Demographics
The following demographic information was sourced primarily by www.factfinder2.census.gov
Household Demographics
|
Percent Change |
||||
| 1990 Census | 2000 Census | 2010 Census | 2000 to 2010 | |
| Total Population | 23,199 | 25,232 | 27,282 | 8.0% |
| Total Households | 8,199 | 8,155 | 8,267 | 1.0% |
The population in the study area in 2000 was 25,232 and in 2010 it was 27,282, roughly a 8.0% change.
In 2010, the median age of the total population in the study area was 35.4, and in 2000, it was 35.3. In 2010, females represented 42% of the population with a median age of 35 and males represented 58% of the population with a median age of 37 years. In 2010, the most prominent age group in this geography is Age 50 to 54 years. The age group least represented in this geography is 85+ years.
Executive Demographic Summary
Population
The current year population in Big Spring is 27,282. The 2010 Census revealed a population of 27,282, and in 2000 it was 25,232 representing a 8% change. The current population is 58% male and 42% female. In 2010, the median age of the population in this area was 35.4, compared to the US median age which was 37.2.
Households
There are currently 8,267 households in this selected geography. The Census revealed household counts of 8,267 up from 8,155 in 2000, representing a change of 1%. For the current year, the average household size in Big Spring is 3.15 persons.
In 2007, the median number of years in residence in this geography's population is 3.24. The average household size in this geography was 2.41 people and the average family size was 3.00 people. The average number of vehicles per household in this geography was 1.5.
Income
In 2010, the median household income in Big Spring was $36,738, compared to the US median which was $50,046.
In 2010, the per capita income in Big Spring was $15,808, compared to the $US per capita, which was $26,059. The 2010 meanhousehold income for Big Spring was $48,685, compared to the US mean which was $68,259.
Race & Ethnicity
In 2010, the racial makeup of Big Spring was as follows: 69.7% White; 7.8% Black; 0.9% Native American; 0.9% Asian; .2% Pacific Islander; and 19.5% Other. Compare these to the US racial makeup which was: 72.4% White, 12.6% Black, 0.9% Native American, 4.8% Asian; .2% Pacific Islander and 6.2% Other.
People of Hispanic ethnicity are counted independently of race. People of Hispanic origin make up 43.1% of the current year population in Big Spring. Compare this to the US makeup of 16.3%.
Housing
The median housing value in Big Spring was $35,724 in 2000, compare this to the US median of $78,382 for the same year. The 2010 median housing value for Big Spring was $58,200, compare this to the US median of $179,900. In 2010, there were 4,678 owner occupied housing units in Big Spring. Also in 2010, there were 3,131 renter occupied housing units with an average monthly rent in 2010 of $632.
Employment
In 2010, there were 9,081 people in the labor force in Big Spring. Of these, 8,186 were employed, 895 were unemployed. In 2000, the unemployment in Big Spring was 7.9% and 9.1% in 2010.
In 2010, there were 8,186 civilian population employed, 5,488 were private wage and salary workers, 2,225 were Government workers, 422 were self-employed and 51 were unpaid family workers.
In 2010, the average time traveled to work was 14.5 minutes and in 2000 it was 12 minutes.
Source: US Census
Household Income
Race & Ethnicity
Education
Big Spring has been blessed with a desire for sound education even before there was a Howard County. This was reinforced by the creation of Big Spring Independent School District in 1901 and Howard College half a century ago.
Our earliest settlers around 1880 recall that the first "school" functioned under a buffalo hide fly tent, possibly at the Historic Big Spring and surrounded by buffalo bone haulers, crude merchant tents, and one of which may have passed as a saloon.
When Howard County was organized in 1891, one of the first actions was to provide a two-story frame building to house a school on the west side of the 300 block of Scurry Street on the condition it also would house court proceedings at various times until a courthouse could be built.
Howard County at the time had jurisdiction over several adjoining unorganized counties. Howard therefore became school district No. 1, a number that passed to the Big Spring Independent School District when it was created.
Even in its earliest days, the county’s records reflect a commitment to education, including a school—even though separate—for a handful of African-American children. Common schools proliferated because there was almost no transportation access until there were 28 unites in the county.
There was an increasing sentiment in the late 1890s for a special status for the village schools referred to as the “reorganized No. 1 school,” because Big Spring was the largest community between Abilene and El Paso.
When B. Reagan, a recent graduate of Baylor University, became superintendent in 1898, he began organizing the curriculum that would earn affiliation with the State University (of Texas) and make us a “first class district.” Hardly had he left the teaching profession to enter private business when voters approved the creation of Big Spring Independent School District in December 1901.
This led immediately to a $15,000 school house bond issue on February 12, 1902 (which had to be shaved temporarily by $5000 because property values would not support the full amount). The financial strain of getting underway was indicative that resources within the 100 square mile district (less than 10% of the county area, but with 90% of the population) would create financial problems for years to come. Virtually all the wealth from successive future oil strides lay outside the district.
Nevertheless, Professor S.E. Thompson, a former vice-president of Reagan’s alma mater, was optimistic when named first superintendent on June 11, 1902 that “we will make such additions as will enable us to affiliate with the State University.” He assembled a faculty of five teachers, which grew to six by end of the first school year in 1903, when the school term was set at nine months, and the compulsory attendance ages were set at six through eighteen.
By June 1904, May Cherry, Lillie Potton (daughter of first school board president Joseph Potton), Jed A. Rix, A. C. Hayden, Jenny Bell Ethel Atwood and Della Stephens became the first graduates of Big Spring High School. At the same time, the district’s first catalogue was published, vowing "to raise our curriculum so that graduation shall be worth striving for and have meaning." Immediately, "elocution and physical culture" were added, along with books for a library, but music instruction did not make the cut for lack of space.
.png)
The District continued to grow through the oil-boom, the Great Depression and War years. There have been many examples of boldness and leadership by trustees and administrators, none more outstanding that the decision in 1955 to become the first public school in Texas to integrate all races.
Like many schools, striving for quality, BSISD has experienced ebbs and flows on standardized test, but never on the most important test of all; that of the end products—its graduates. The District has turned out an army of graduates imbued with a sense of responsibility to participate actively to preserve our democratic society and to serve the common good.
Educational Attainment
Howard College
Howard College believes that education is the primary purpose of the institution and that the programs and services of the college should be available to all citizens who are able to benefit from them. The college is committed to excellence in carrying out its purpose of education and in the efficient and effective use of its resources in meeting the educational needs of its students and the community.
The college seeks to treat each person of the college community as a unique individual and provide a positive, encouraging, and success-oriented environment. As we make every effort to help our students reach their maximum potential, we are integrating core concepts of critical thinking into our daily business and our classrooms. We are striving to be a beacon of education and life-long learning by thinking, teaching and acting with purpose, skill and confidence.
Our service area includes 13 counties and hosts 29 independent school districts – proof that we touch many lives, both young and old, in our efforts to provide a top quality higher education option in West Texas. We have varied educational opportunities available to meet the ever-changing needs of all learners through our four campuses: Big Spring, Lamesa, San Angelo and Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf (SWCID).
Our top rate faculty and staff are eager to help all learners reach their educational goals, whatever they may be. Howard College offers basic core or occupation-specific classes for students who want to begin or rekindle their higher education experience. Still other classes are available for professionals wanting to sharpen their skills or possibly make a career change.
It is the policy of Howard College to adhere to the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mission within the spirit and letter of federal law and regulations, state law and regulations, local ordinances, national and regional accrediting regulations, and the policies of the college district. Howard College accepts its responsibilities to those it serves and will meet those responsibilities with balance, fairness, accountability, and ethical integrity.
Healthcare
Big Spring is blessed with a broad and varied array of health care providers and services.
From a 150 bed private hospital serving the general public to a Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, a State mental health facility and a Texas State Veterans Home Big Spring is a center for health care.
 |
 |
Big Spring is home of one of the premier rehabilitation facilities in West Texas providing physical therapy, occupational therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, audiolgy, wellness programs along with a multitude of other services.
 |
 |
Big Spring offers several facilities that provide housing for the elderly, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and in home health care.
 |
 |
Big Spring has long had the reputation as being a center for health care in West Texas.
Scenic Mountain
 |
|
 |
 |
The Scenic Mountain Medical Center Mission: to provide compassionate, high-quality and safe patient care that exceeds the expectations of our patients, physicians, employees and volunteers, and to preserve and strengthen the tradition of community service.
Scenic Mountain Medical Center (SMMC), located on Martin Luther King Boulevard, admits 3400 patients to the 150-bed hospital each year, while the emergency department serves 14,000 people annually. The hospital hosts a staff of over 300 employees, delivers an annual payroll of $17 million and is involved in several community non-profit efforts. Notably, in 2008 the SMMC team raised over $21,000 to contribute to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
During the second half of 2008, services expand to include lithotripsy treatment and a sleep lab. A recent upgrade to the hospital’s magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment allows for magnetic resonance angiography which provides a detailed view of the blood vessels. This is extremely useful in detecting stroke and blood vessel diseases.
A Level IV Trauma Center designation, first earned in 2005, certifies that the Emergency Department at Scenic Mountain provides the equipment and resources to care for patients with traumatic injuries and illness. “This designation was given after SMMC underwent an extensive survey process by the Texas Department of State Health Services to demonstrate its commitment to high quality trauma care for the residents of Howard County and the surrounding area” says George Parsley, CEO of Scenic Mountain Medical Center. “We will continue to work to set new standards of excellence in providing emergency care.”
West Texas VA Health Care System
 |
 |
The West Texas VA Health Care System is located at 300 Veterans Boulevard in Big Spring, Texas and was constructed in 1949. It is a 55-bed Complexity Level 3 facility with a 40-bed Community Living Center and a 12 bed domiciliary. Staffed with 520 employees, the facility serves counties in West Texas and New Mexico, with a veteran population of approximately 58,500. The WTVAHCS is part of the VA Southwest Health Care Network, VISN 18.
In addition to primary care and mental health services, specialties are available in medicine, outpatient surgery, ophthalmology, dental, audiology, and rehabilitation.
Outpatient alcohol and drug treatment are also provided.
The ophthalmology service is provided in conjunction with an ophthalmology residency training program through an affiliation with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. Programs are in place for medical residents and physician assistant students with Texas Tech University in Odessa, Texas. Additional affiliations exist with ten universities, colleges, and technical schools for students in nursing and allied health professions.
Authorized Beds: 55 Medical
40 Extended Care & Transitional Unit
40 bed domiciliary
Mission Statement
To serve the health care needs of America's veterans through excellence of service.
Vision Statement
The West Texas VA Health Care System will be a model of clinical and organizational
excellence.
Big Spring State Hospital
Big Spring State Hospital's mission is to promote recovery from mental illness and a rapid return to community life by providing treatment, education and hope in a safe and supportive environment. Big Spring State Hospital believes patients can achieve their optimum level of wellness by being cared for in the least restrictive environment possible. Most people stay at the hospital less than a month before moving home.
Big Spring State Hospital contracts with the Veterans Administration VISN 18 of West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to provide psychiatric hospitalization for veterans. Veterans from these areas may be admitted to Big Spring State Hospital by a formal referral from one of the seven VA Hospitals in VISN 18.
Big Spring State Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (Joint Commission).
For more information, visit the hospital’s website:
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhhospitals/BigSpringSH/default.shtm
Accredited Acute Care Hospitals
| Accredited Acute Care Hospitals - Within 60 Minutes | |
| Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital 200 E Arizona Sweetwater, TX 79556 (325) 235-1701 |
Permian Regional Medical Center Andrews County Hospital 720 Hospital Drive Andrews, TX 79714 (432) 523-2200 |
| Scenic Mountain Medical Center 1601 W 11th Place Big Spring, TX 79720 (432) 263-1211 |
Mitchell County Hospital 997 West I-20 Colorado City, TX 79512 (325) 728-3431 |
| Midland Memorial Hospital 2200 West Illinois Ave Midland, TX 79701 (432) 685-1111 |
D M Cogdell Memorial Hospital 1700 Cogdell Blvd Snyder, TX 79549 (325) 574-7437 |
| Odessa Regional Hospital 520 E 6th Street Odessa, TX 79761 (432) 582-8340 |
Medical Center Hospital 500 W 4th Street Odessa, TX 79760 (915) 640-7111 |
Major Employers
| Weatherford - A & M Composites | |
|
1409 E Hwy. 350 Production includes fuse tubes, instruments housings for exploration, grain sleeves, antenna and propellant tubes, reverse osmosis housings and antenna housings, and frac and bridge plugs.
|
|
| Alon USA | |
|
P.O. Box 1311 Alon USA primarily produces regular mid and premium grades of gasoline, and low sulfur diesel fuel. In addition, jet fuel, kerosene, benzene, propane, propylene and aromatic solvents are produced. Various grades of asphalt are produced. Sulfur is a by-product. |
 |
| Delta Lightning Arrestors, Inc. | |
|
3204 East I-20 Delta Lightning Arrestors help to protect electrical equipment from lightning damage. By attaching to residential electric service to protect home wiring and appliances. Attaches to industrial motors to protect from lightning. And also protects water well motors. |
 |
| John Crane Production Solutions Inc. | |
|
3604 Bethel Dr. Big Spring, TX 79720 The mission of FIBEROD is to allow oil producers to consume less energy in the form of electricity while producing more energy in the form of oil, with the most durable sucker rods on the planet. |
 |
| Sid Richardson Carbon & Energy Co. | |
| 1211 N Midway Rd Big Spring, TX 79720 (432)263-7389 www.sidrich.com/Corporate-History.htm The company provides an annual production capacity in excess of 970 million pounds (440 thousand metric tons) of furnace carbon black, including over 30 grades of ASTM and specialty carbon blacks. |
 |
| Blue Bell Creameries | |
|
401 E I-20 Big Spring Texas is a distribution center for Blue Bell Creameries, which is the manufacturer of Blue Bell brand ice cream and has been noted as the number 3 ice cream manufacture in the United States. Blue Bell Creameries have been in business for over 100 years. The Big Spring distribution center has made a great impact by service to over 300 mile radius of Howard County. |
 |
| Robinson Drilling of Texas Ltd. | |
|
PO Box 311 Robinson Drilling of Texas Ltd. Specializes in oil and gas well drilling and exploration. |
 |
| Co-Ex Pipe Co. | |
|
714 Anna St. Manufactures polyethylene pipe, High nickel alloy pipe, High yield steel pipe, Ferrous alloy pipe, Aluminum pipe, Brass pipe, Bronze pipe, Concrete pipe, Copper pipe, Cast iron pipe, Lead pipe, Magnesium pipe. |
 |
| Southwest Tool Co. | |
|
901 E 2nd St Furnishes oilfield supplies oilfield connections, and industrial machine shop service to the oilfield. Welding for business such as farmers, oilfield as well as wind turbine companies. |
 |
| Nabors Well Service Co. | |
|
2900 N Highway 87 Nabors Well Service provides maintenance services on the mechanical apparatus used to pump or lift oil from producing wells. These services include, among other things, repairing and replacing pumps, sucker rods and tubing. |
 |
| Western Container | |
|
1600 1st Avenue Western Container Corporation is dedicated to being the premier manufacturer of PET containers for the Coca-Cola Bottling |
 |
| Noltex Trusses | |
|
1700 Richabaugh Noltex Truss provides roof, floor and trimmable end trusses for commercial and residential construction projects. |
 |
| Phillips Fabrication, Inc. | |
|
1305 E Airpark Dr Phillips Fabrication, Inc. is experienced in a number of different fields in the plant construction industry. One area is the installation of peripheral chillers, air handlers, heat exchangers, cooling towers, and hydronic piping. Another specialty is the installation of plastic injection mold and blow machines for the bottle manufacturing industry. |
 |
| Moventas | |
|
604 N. Owens St Moventas provides leading mechanical power transmission technology. We develop, manufacture and market wind turbine gears and mechanical drives for the process industries. Comprehensive life cycle maintenance services complete our offering. |
 |
| PCCA | |
|
1004 NW 10th St The warehouse division continues to perform an important role in the cotton supply infrastructure as storage and shipping facilities. Combined storage capacity at all locations is 950,000 bales of cotton. This capacity provides consistent annual dividends paid to PCCA members whose cotton is stored at these facilities, thus adding value to their cotton. |
 |
|
|
|
Howard County Employers
| Employer | Industry | Number of Employees | Union Affiliation |
| Big Spring ISD | Education | 626 | |
| Big Spring State Hospital | Medical | 577 | |
| Veterans Administration Hospital | Medical | 547 | |
| GEO Group | Correctional facility | 490 | |
| Wal-Mart | Retail | 360 | |
| Robinson Drilling of Texas | Oil production | 353 | |
| Scenic Mountain Medical Center | Medical | 322 | |
| Price Construction | Highway construction | 322 | |
| Howard College & SWICD | Education | 268 | |
| City of Big Spring | Government | 262 | FOP, PFFA |
| Federal Bureau of Prisons | Federal prison | 235 | |
| Alon USA | Petrochemicals | 178 | IUOE |
| Howard County | Government | 167 | |
| Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez TX State Veterans Home | Medical | 166 | |
| Basic Energy Services | Oil field services | 165 | |
| HEB | Retail grocery | 142 | |
| West Texas Center | Outpatient healthcare | 126 | |
| John Crane Productions Solutions | Fiberglass sucker rods | 125 | |
| Comanche Trail Nursing Home | Medical | 110 | |
| Travel Centers of America | Truck Stop | 102 | |
| Western Container | Plastic drink bottles | 100 | |
| Weatherford A & M Composites | Filament wound tube products | 93 | |
| Final Rod | oil and gas | 90 | |
| Sid Richardson Carbon Co. | Carbon black | 85 | |
| Colorado River Municipal Water District | Water | 75 | |
| Desert Tanks | oil and gas | 73 | |
| West Texas Health & Human Services | Human services | 65 | |
| Blue Bell Creameries | Ice cream | 34 | |
| Innotek Powder Coating | Powder coatings | 32 | |
| Big Dog Rig Movers | oilfield service | 30 | |
| Oncor Electric Delivery | Electric energy delivery | 22 |
Certifed Retirement Community
Certified Retirement Community Information
Workforce
|
Workforce |
|||||||||||||
| Area | Area Type | Latest Month | Year Ago | ||||||||||
| December | December | ||||||||||||
| 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||
| Labor Force | Unemployment | Rate | Labor Force | Unemployment | Rate | ||||||||
| Howard | County |
13,911 |
844 | 6.1 | 14,059 | 936 | 6.7 | ||||||
| Big Spring | City | 9,565 | 654 | 6.8 | 9,658 | 709 | 7.3 | ||||||
Wage Data
| Wage Data | ||
| March 2011 | ||
| Production Classifications |
Occupational Title | Entry Level Wage ($/HR) |
| Low | High | |
| Civil Engineers | 26.75 |
46.43 |
| Mechanical Engineers | 27.99 | 45.62 |
| Construction Laborers | 9.89 | 14.65 |
| Operating Engineers and other Construction Equipment | 12.90 | 21.47 |
| Electricians | 14.45 | 24.90 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 12.35 | 19.71 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialist | 13.17 | 24.99 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | 15.09 | 22.82 |
| HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installer | 11.98 | 20.88 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 14.72 | 22.50 |
| Helper-Installation, Maintenance | 8.41 | 15.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Production | 16.68 | 34.76 |
| Machinists | 12.89 | 21.79 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Braziers | 12.99 | 23.30 |
| Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor Trailer | 12.65 | 22.57 |
| Laborers and Frieght, Stock and Material Movers | 8.09 | 12.61 |
| General and Operations Manager | 21.23 | 66.14 |
| Wage Data | ||
| Office, Clerical and Technical Classification | ||
| Classification | Occupational Title | Entry Level Wage ($/HR) |
| LOW | HIGH | |
| Accountant/Auditor | 17.28 | 40.49 |
| Computer Support Specialists | 14.14 |
30.48 |
Transportation
Big Spring is known as the Crossroads of West Texas. It is situated on Interstate Highway 20 mid distant between Dallas and El Paso. Interstate Highway 20 serves as the east-west artery with U.S. Highway 87 as the north-south corridor. Big Spring is also served by State Highways 176 and 350. Ranch Road 700 serves as a loop connecting west I.H. 20 to South U.S. 87 and continues east to I.H. 20 and then north to U.S. 87 north.
Big Spring is serviced by Union Pacific Rail providing freight services.
Big Spring Airpark
Big Spring is the former home of Webb Air Force Base. It now serves the community and region as a top notch airpark with a long (8800 ft) newly upgraded runway capable of landing 737 type aircraft and smaller planes.
You’ll feel welcome at the Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle Airport and Industrial Park
Public airport with long (8,800’ x 100’) runways, and shorter (4,400’x 75’) crosswind runways. All runways and taxiways are lighted with approach lights and navigational aids for the facility.
A modern airport terminal building, the perfect place to greet visitors arriving in the City. The terminal has a comfortable waiting area, a conference room, and a well-equipped pilot lounge. Snacks, souvenirs, pilot items, and memorabilia are available in the terminal.
A flying school available for those interested in learning to fly.
Museum (Hangar 25 Air Museum) which reflects the heritage of the WW II US Army Air Corps Bombardier School, and the more recent Korean War and Vietnam era Webb Air Force Base, a jet pilot training facility. Buildings of various sizes for lease - for businesses, office space, warehousing, or self storage. Hangars, for all sizes of general aviation and corporate aircraft. Acreage, for building sites. Easy access to the interstate.
An FBO (Fixed Base Operation) for the flying enthusiasts, for aircraft refueling and maintenance.
An established assortment of business and industry.
Lots of wide open space to enjoy, and lot’s of little Prairie Dogs to greet you...
Regional Air Transportation
Midland International Airport is just less than an hours drive from Big Spring down I.H. 20. The airport is serviced by Southwest Airlines, Continental Express, and American Eagle providing direct flights to many regional and metropolitan areas with connections to any destination.
Ports-to-Plains
U.S. Highway 87 has been designated as the route for the Ports-To-Plains Corridor connecting Mexico to Canada.
Ports-to-Plains Mission Statement
The Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor is a planned, multimodal transportation corridor including a multi-lane divided highway that will facilitate the efficient transportation of goods and services from Mexico, through West Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oklahoma, and ultimately on into Canada and the Pacific Northwest.
Together, the communities along the Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor are becoming the Gateway to trade throughout the nation and with Mexico and Canada. The Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor will provide a vast number of benefits for communities along the corridor. The Trade Corridor will allow for the development of less congested ports of entry along the Texas/Mexico border. In addition, it will provide alternatives to other congested corridors that run through major metropolitan areas. In doing so, the trade between Mexico, Canada, and the United States will continue to dramatically increase and all three nations will continue to see a rise in their regional mobility and economic status.
Utilities
Electricity:
Reliant Energy
1-866-222-7100
TXU Energy Delivery
1-800-242-9113
Retail Company of Choice
1-866-797-4839 For any connects/disconnects
www.powertochoose.com
Gas:
Atmos Energy
1-888-363-7427
Pay Atmos Energy bills at:
HEB- 2000 Gregg St.
Sparenburg Building – 309 S. Main
Neighbors Convenience Store – 3315 FM 700
Water:
City of Big Spring
432-264-2542
501 Runnels
Water is billed per 1,000 gallon
Sewer is billed per 1,000 gallon
Sanitation: commercial accounts are based on
size of container and frequency of collection
Cable:
Suddenlink
432-267-3821
2006 Birdwell Lane
Telephone:
Wes-Tex Telecom.
432-263-0091
SBC
1-800-464-7928
AT&T
1-800-288-2020
Pay phone bills at:
HEB – 2000 S. Gregg St.
Neighbors Convenience Store – 3315 FM 700
Sparenburg Building – 309 S. Main – cash only + $1 fee
Satellite:
AT&T Dish Network
1-866-722-7500
DirectTV
1-800-280-4388
Basin 2-Way Radio
432-264-7034
Targeted Industries
Oil & Gas and Energy Related Industry
Transportation & Distribution
Agriculture
.jpg){kind=spacer}
Renewable Energy
Plastics, Manufacturing, Composites
Health Care
Geography
Big Spring and Howard County are located in an area where three ecological regions merge. To the north and east are the Western Rolling Plains, to the south is the Edwards Plateau, and to the north are the Southern High Plains (also know as the Llano Estacado or the Staked Plains). The merging of these ecological regions results in a variety of plant and animal life with representatives from each region overlapping in Howard County. The merging of these regions has also created some very scenic terrain around Big Spring, including Scenic Mountain offering a panoramic view of Big Spring, South Mountain and Signal Peak.
The region consists mostly of level plains with some canyons interspersed over the landscape. The Caprock escarpment in the region is caused by surface erosion. Along the edge of the high plains, this escarpment is a striking feature rising abruptly 2,500 feet above sea level and as much as 1,000 feet above the plains creating dramatic vistas.
The plains are fairly dry with low lying bushes, small areas of grass, and small clusters of wooded plants. On the Southern High Plains, the dominate vegetation types are woody plants and grasses. The woody plants consist of mesquite, lotebush, catclaw, junipers, and shinery oak. The grasses are primarily of the buffalo grass and plains bristle types. Grain sorghum, cotton, and a variety of small grains have been successfully cultivated. The Western Rolling Plains accommodate similar vegetation to the Southern High Plains with the addition of chinaberry, pecan and little leaf sumac. Prickly pear cactus and cottonwood are common in this area.
Soil types are dominated by sandy loams and clays. Howard County is located in the
Colorado River watershed.
.png)
Big Spring Map
.png)
Ecological Regions of Texas
.png)
| Regions | |||||
| 1 | Piney Woods | 5 | Coastal Sand Plains | 9 | Rolling Plains |
| 2 | Oak Woods & Prairies | 6 | 10 | High Plains | |
| 3 | Blackland Prairies | 7 | 11 | Trans |
|
| 4 | 8 | Llano Uplift | |||
| Source: |
|||||