Why in the world aren't there any big cities in Western Texas? (Houston: 2014, how much)

[Screen]

The low humidity would be a big-selling point! And no El Paso isn't good enough.

[explorer2014]

Lubbock, Midland, Abilene, Amarillo? Lubbock and Midland are bigger than their population sizes would suggest, in terms of amenities and services.

[JJG]

Originally Posted by explorer2014

Lubbock, Midland, Abilene, Amarillo? Lubbock and Midland are bigger than their population sizes would suggest, in terms of amenities and services.

Those are NOT big cities. Regardless of how they "feel".

As for the question to this thread, well, how much water is out there? That's what helped cities thrive when they were founded. Usually cities in dry, desert climates don't grow to be BIG cities. There really aren't that many major cities in such climates.

[Bo]

Water. There isn't much of it out there.

(edit) Composed this before reading the post above mine, but obviously, I agree.

[Westerntraveler]

no water however Midland and Odessa may be big cities in 50-80 years.Idk though if even they would be considered big cities at that point but by today's standards they might.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Westerntraveler

no water

Is Midland still on stage 4 water rationing?

[Westerntraveler]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Is Midland still on stage 4 water rationing?

I really do not know since I do not take care of lawn.Sorry.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by Screen

Why in the world aren't there any big cities in Western Texas?

Besides the lack of water, one has to consider the history of settlement in Texas.

[malcorub16]

Originally Posted by JJG

As for the question to this thread, well, how much water is out there? That's what helped cities thrive when they were founded. Usually cities in dry, desert climates don't grow to be BIG cities. There really aren't that many major cities in such climates.

Las Vegas, Phoenix, and even Cd Juarez are all in this dry arid Southwest and they all have populations between 2 and 4 million.

[Restrain]

Las Vegas is closer to LA than Dallas is to Houston. For that matter, El Paso is closer to LA than to Houston.

If you remember the movie 'Giant' the family was based on a ranch with the headquarters some 50 miles NW of Fort Worth. The King Ranch is in south Texas, and is huge. The XIT ranch was named that for being ten counties in Texas. These areas require multiple acres per cow and were primarily ranching areas. Irrigation has allowed for farming but still a very low population needed for the operations. All the cities were established to service the ranches. It hasn't been until the last few decades with oil that the cities have had significant growth.

For that matter, Fort Worth was the start of the Chisum Trail and the stockyards were operational until relatively recently. It has evolved to being a manufacturing and banking center, but this is part of the overall DFW growth.

Just hasn't been a need or demand for growth in western Texas outside of oil related activities.