Rapid growth from the dairy industry in a northern Panhandle hub
Unlike many other Panhandle cities, Dalhart's population has been consistently growing for decades. It especially jumped in 2006, when California-based Hilmar Cheese Company opened its second plant in town. "Overnight our economy and our housing market doubled, just from that announcement. Pre-Hilmar, we were just an average Panhandle town. We had an average market, and we were nothing really special, per se," says Alfonso Venegas, Realtor for Top of Texas Real Estate and secretary for the Dalhart Economic Development Corporation. "It's pretty safe to say that we are one of the only Panhandle towns that can compete with prices in Amarillo." Home to 8,300 people and counting, the seat of Dallam County is poised to keep growing with dairies, new schools and park developments as long as housing developers can keep up.
Dalhart, a city in Dallam and Hartley counties, is in the U.S. state of Texas.
Hilmar Cheese Company’s new production plant in Dalhart will offer many jobs to locals.
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Free barbecue for all at the XIT Rodeo and Reunion
Dalhart's heritage is rooted deeply in the ranching history. "The sale of this land actually funded 100% of the Texas State Capitol Building," Venegas says. "The guy who bought it called it XIT Ranch, and it's kind of just been our heritage since." That lives on today through fixtures like the XIT Museum and Dalhart's main annual event, the XIT Rodeo and Reunion. The event is free to attend and features a lineup of cattle roping events, not to mention live music, a parade and the world's largest free barbecue, where brisket is served to anyone who wants it, no cash needed and no questions asked.
Visitors enjoy the free XIT Museum in Dalhart for its local history and various exhibits.
The XIT Rodeo in Dalhart hosts cattle roping, live music, a parade.
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Long commutes from outside the city to Hilmar Cheese Co. and dairies
Dalhart's ranching heritage is also shown in its healthy supply of dairy industry employers. But due to a housing shortage, many residents are forced to commute from up to an hour and a half away, which can create some slowdowns at busy intersections and train crossings on the U.S. Highways intersecting Dalhart. "There is a plan to connect Dumas and Dalhart with a full four lane highway," Venegas says. Major employers also include the Dalhart Independent School District and Dalhart's multiple medical facilities.
Hilmar Cheese Company, a major employer in Dalhart, may involve long commutes for some locals.
Dalhart’s ranching heritage is represented by a robust presence of dairy industry employers.
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A highly competitive rental market and single-family pricepoint
There isn't much new construction happening in Dalhart. Most listings are for established ranch-style homes, cottages and snout houses from across the 20th century. "Dalhart has never really been super big on developing huge, new neighborhoods. We have had some, but not at a big scale at all," Venegas says. But the real challenge is for renters. "We cannot keep a rental open for more than, like, a week, really, just because of the need we have," Venegas says. Despite this, Dalhart offers competitive prices for the region. The median price of a single-family home is around $225,000 while Amarillo sees a median of $247,000. Pricing data for rentals is not currently available.
Well-maintained ranch-style homes are widely available for locals in Dalhart.
Larger modern brick traditional homes are common throughout Dalhart city.
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New intermediate school planned for Dalhart ISD
Students are zoned for Dalhart ISD, which has a Niche score of B-minus. The district oversees roughly 1,700 students. Students are split between four school levels, and the town's intermediate school is also its oldest, prompting the construction of a replacement intermediate school, given the recent growth. "Shortly after Hilmar, a new high school was built," Venegas says.
Dalhart Children's Elementary School is a quality school located in Dalhart area.
The Dalhart High School offers the Dalhart neighborhood a dynamic learning environment.
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Upgraded playgrounds and walking trails at Rita Blanca Lake
All play structures in Dalhart's seven city parks have received upgrades within the last two years, partly the result of town fundraiser events. Of all the city's parks and recreational facilities, the walking trails, campgrounds and splashpad surrounding Rita Blanca Lake are among the most visited. "It's just a nice little nature escape that you wouldn't expect for a town in the Panhandle," Venegas says. Twisted Elms Golf Club, a public 18-hole course, is also popular with golfers and gamers who visit the clubhouse bar's billiards room.
Rita Blanca Lake Park in Dalhart has a well maintained play set for kids to enjoy anytime.
The public 18-hole Twisted Elms Golf Club is a popular spot for golfers in Dalhart.
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Downtown business development and chain options
City leaders and organizations like the Dalhart EDC have helped the local business economy with numerous business grant programs and opportunities like monthly networking events. Most commercial activity takes place either in Dalhart's red brick main street downtown, or along major thoroughfares like U.S. 54. The downtown area is home to numerous antique stores and other shops, churches, theater houses and cafes. Major thoroughfares tend to be more for chain stores and restaurants, as well as supermarkets.
In Dalhart’s downtown, locals can find unique gifts at B Whimsy.
Dollar General Market in Dalhart offers daily groceries for locals to shop.
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Low environmental risks and declining crime
Dalhart is split between Dallam and Hartley counties, but locals don't find this affects much in the day-to-day. According to the FEMA Risk Index, both counties have relatively low risk of environmental hazards, with some exceptions being droughts and cold waves. There is also a mild-to-moderate risk of wildfires.
FBI data shows Dalhart has rates of property and violent crime that are generally above state and national figures. But most forms of both property and violent crime have been falling since 2016, although there was an uptick in motor vehicle thefts over the last 2 years.
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