According to BITTRANSLATORS, Wichita Falls is situated in North Texas, along the Wichita River. It is part of the Texoma region, which is known for its rolling hills and grasslands. The city is located approximately two hours northwest of Dallas and two hours southwest of Oklahoma City. Wichita Falls has a temperate climate with hot summers and mild winters. The average high temperature in July is 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 Celsius) and the average low temperature in January is 35 degrees Fahrenheit (2 Celsius).
The city has a rich history dating back to 1876 when it was founded by settlers from Iowa. In 1880, Wichita Falls became an official city and began to thrive as a major trading center for farmers, ranchers, and businesses. During World War II, Sheppard Air Force Base was established near the city and provided vital training for airmen throughout the war. Today, Wichita Falls remains an important military hub as well as an agricultural center for the surrounding area.
Politically speaking, Wichita Falls falls within Texas’ 13th Congressional District represented by Republican Mac Thornberry. The city also serves as a county seat for Wichita County where it has a mayor-council form of government with Steve Santellana serving as mayor since 2019.
Economically speaking, Wichita Falls has a diverse economy that includes manufacturing, healthcare services, retail trade, tourism, education services and more. Major employers include Sheppard Air Force Base and United Regional Health Care System (URHCS). Additionally, Midwestern State University provides educational opportunities to residents throughout the region while also serving as an economic engine for the community through research grants and university-related businesses such as restaurants or bookstores.
Wichita Falls also boasts many schools including Holliday ISD which serves students from kindergarten through twelve grade while providing advanced learning options such as Advanced Placement courses or dual credit classes with Midwestern State University or Vernon College. Additionally there are several private schools in the area including Notre Dame Catholic School which offers preschool through eighth grade classes along with extracurricular activities like sports or art classes after school hours.
Finally some of the most popular landmarks in Wichita Falls include Lake Arrowhead State Park which offers camping sites along its shoreline; Lucy Park which features trails for walking/jogging/biking; Backdoor Theatre which hosts live performances; River Bend Nature Center offering nature programs; Kell House Museum showcasing local history; Castaway Cove Waterpark providing entertaining attractions; Kay Yeager Coliseum hosting music concerts; And finally The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum celebrating wrestling’s greatest stars!
Population: 104,197. Estimated population in July 2020: 99,846 (-4.2% change)
Males: 53,657 (51.5%), Females: 50,540 (48.5%)
Wichita County
Zip codes: 76301, 76302, 76305, 76306, 76308, 76309, 76310.
Median resident age: 31.9 years
Median household income: $32,554
Median house value: $62,700
Races in Wichita Falls:
- White Non-Hispanic (68.9%)
- Hispanic (14.0%)
- Black (12.4%)
- Other race (6.4%)
- Two or more races (3.0%)
- American Indian (1.7%)
- Vietnamese (0.8%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: German (12.5%), United States (9.4%), Irish (9.4%), English (7.7%), French (2.4%), Italian (2.0%).
Elevation: 954 feet
Land area: 70.7 square miles
Population
Wichita Falls, Texas is a city located in the north-central region of the state. It is the county seat of Wichita County and is home to about 104,553 people as of 2020. The city’s population is diverse, with people from different backgrounds and ethnicities living in the area. The majority of the population is white (62%), followed by African American (20%), Hispanic or Latino (13%), and Asian (4%). The median age for residents of Wichita Falls is 35 years old. While most of the population works in manufacturing, transportation, and construction industries, there are also many who work in education, healthcare, retail trade, arts and entertainment services. There are also many retirees living in Wichita Falls due to its low cost of living and pleasant climate. The city has many attractions such as a zoo, museums, parks, trails, golf courses and more that draw visitors from all over Texas and beyond. Additionally, Wichita Falls has a vibrant nightlife with bars and clubs offering live music on weekends. With its diverse population, affordable cost of living and plenty to do around town; Wichita Falls offers something for everyone!
For population 25 years and over in Wichita Falls
- High school or higher: 79.7%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.5%
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1%
- Unemployed: 6.5%
- Mean travel time to work: 16.4 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Wichita Falls city
- Never married: 24.3%
- Now married: 56.2%
- Separated: 2.0%
- Widowed: 6.6%
- Divorced: 10.9%
6.0% Foreign born (3.0% Latin America, 1.8% Asia, 1.1% Europe).
Population change in the 1990s: +7,589 (+7.9%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers in Wichita Falls:
- HEALTHSOUTH REHAB HOSPITAL OF WICHITA (3901 ARMORY ROAD)
- IHS HOSPITAL AT WICHITA FALLS (1103 GRACE STREET)
- KELL WEST REGIONAL HOSPITAL LLC (5402 KELL WEST BLVD)
- NORTH TEXAS STATE HOSPITAL (PO BOX 300 6515 LAKE RD)
- RED RIVER HOSPITAL (1505 8TH ST)
- UNITED REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (1600 8TH AVENUE)
- WICHITA VALLEY REHABILITATION HOSPITAL (300 LOOP 11)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Wichita Falls:
- SHEPPARD AFB/WICHITA FALLS MUNI (about 7 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Abbreviation: SPS)
- LAWTON-FORT SILL REGIONAL (about 47 miles; LAWTON, OK; Abbreviation: LAW)
- HENRY POST AAF (about 52 miles; FORT SILL, OK; Abbreviation: FSI)
Other public-use airports nearest to Wichita Falls:
- KICKAPOO DOWNTOWN AIRPARK (about 4 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Abbreviation: T47)
- WICHITA VALLEY (about 8 miles; WICHITA FALLS, TX; Abbreviation: F14)
- ARCHER CITY MUNI (about 24 miles; ARCHER CITY, TX; Abbreviation: T39)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/Universities in Wichita Falls:
- MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (Full-time enrollment: 4,619; Location: 3410 TAFT BLVD; Public; Website: www.mwsu.edu; Offers Master’s degree)
- AMERICAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (Full-time enrollment: 69; Location: 4317 BARNETT RD; Private, for-profit; Website: www.accedu.com)
- ALADDIN BEAUTY COLLEGE 1 (Location: 1 EUREKA CIR; Private, for-profit)
Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Wichita Falls:
- CAMERON UNIVERSITY (about 50 miles; LAWTON, OK; Full-time enrollment: 3,529)
- NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE (about 98 miles; GAINESVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 3,018)
- UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS (about 106 miles; DENTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 21,673)
- TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY (about 108 miles; DENTON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,746)
- SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY (about 113 miles; WEATHERFORD, OK; Full-time enrollment: 4,360)
- TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE (about 114 miles; FT WORTH, TX; Full-time enrollment: 15,454)
- TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (about 115 miles; FT WORTH, TX; Full-time enrollment: 7,032)
Schools
Public high schools in Wichita Falls:
- RIDER H S (Students: 1,616; Location: 4611 CYPRESS AVE; Grades: 09 – 12)
- WICHITA FALLS H S (Students: 1,524; Location: 2149 AVE H; Grades: 09 – 12)
- HIRSCHI HS (Students: 901; Location: 3106 BORTON ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
- CITY VIEW JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH (Students: 417; Location: 1600 CITY VIEW DR; Grades: 07 – 12)
- HARRELL ACCELERATED LEARNING CENTE (Students: 99; Location: 3115 FIFTH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
- CARRIGAN CTR (Location: 1609 BLONDE; Grades: 09 – 12)
Private high schools in Wichita Falls:
- NOTRE DAME CATHOLIC SCHOOL (Students: 476; Location: 2821 LANSING BLVD; Grades: PK – 12)
- BIBLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 19; Location: 1606 30TH STREET; Grades: PK – 12)
Biggest public primary/middle schools in Wichita Falls:
- MCNIEL J H (Students: 678; Location: 4712 BARNETT RD; Grades: 07 – 08)
- CITY VIEW ELEMENTARY (Students: 665; Location: 1023 CITY VIEW DR; Grades: PK – 06)
- JOHN G TOWER EL (Students: 631; Location: 5200 HOOPER DR; Grades: PK – 05)
- BARWISE J H (Students: 612; Location: 3807 KEMP BLVD; Grades: 07 – 08)
- KIRBY MATH-SCIENCE CTR (Students: 590; Location: 1715 N LOOP 11; Grades: 07 – 08)
- CROCKETT EL (Students: 570; Location: 3015 AVE I; Grades: PK – 06)
- FAIN EL (Students: 547; Location: 1562 NORMAN ST; Grades: PK – 06)
- FOWLER EL (Students: 538; Location: 5100 RIDGECREST DR; Grades: PK – 06)
- ZUNDELOWITZ J H (Students: 500; Location: 1706 POLK ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
- BURGESS EL (Students: 497; Location: 3106 MAURINE ST; Grades: PK – 06)
Private primary/middle schools in Wichita Falls:
- THE EPISCOPAL SCHOOL (Students: 294; Location: 3801 WEST CAMPUS DRIVE; Grades: PK – 10)
- WICHITA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 99; Location: 4729 NETA; Grades: PK – 7)
Libraries
Library in Wichita Falls:
- WICHITA FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $1,515,978; Location: 600 11TH ST; 131,688 books; 8,772 audio materials; 2,776 video materials; 480 serial subscriptions)