The proud and growing home of the "Ding Dong Daddies"
When songwriter Phil Baxter spent a few weeks in 1920s Dumas, the population of the agrarian community was a little above 500. Today, it's up to 14,200, and although population growth has been stagnant for many years, new subdivisions, schools and regional transportation projects are inbound. But Dumas maintains a small, farm-town vibe through long-established events, local traditions and responses to local needs. "Last year, there were a lot of wildfires in the area. Our town wasn't hit per se, but within three hours, our town had gathered up and went to all the outer-lying towns that were being affected and donated food, water and clothing," says Regina Gorham of the Dumas Moore County Chamber of Commerce.
The Moore County Courthouse is a stunning architectural gem in Dumas.
Remington Seeds in Dumas is a top agriculture employer with various job openings.
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Singalongs at Dogie Days and other events
Home to a drive-in theater, museums and several civic organizations, Dumas sees many activities and events, like family nights at the Aquatic Center or adult watercolor classes at the Kilgore Memorial Library. But no event is as sacred as Dogie Days, a 78-year tradition hosted by the Dumas Noon Lions Club. What began as a fundraiser for a local Boy Scouts troop in Amarillo has evolved into a four-day festival to raise funds for local charities. "Dogie Days is a big deal in our community," Gorham says. "They give away a brand new vehicle every year. We have a large parade on Saturday morning, and they usually feed anywhere from 4,000 people and up at the barbecue in the park on Thursday."
At any event in town, locals are guaranteed a singalong for the town anthem, "I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas," a popular song written by Phil Baxter in 1928. "We have several different events in town where if they bring in live entertainment, their directors will not book someone unless they are willing to play the song," Gorham says. "Every single morning at 7:30 a.m., our radio station plays it. Every single morning."
Dumas has a drive-in theater where locals enjoy the big-screen experience from their cars.
Window on the Plains Museum in Dumas highlights Moore County and Texas Panhandle history.
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Planned subdivisions for a seller's market north of Amarillo
Dumas' median single-family home price of $215,000 is higher than most cities in the Panhandle, like Plainview, but still lower than the medians for the Panhandle's largest cities, like Amarillo. Listings spend an average of 36 days on the market, often increasing in price by the time of sale, making Dumas a seller's market. Most listings for single-family homes include various established 20th-century slab homes. Meanwhile, land parcels signal planned subdivisions for custom homes in outer areas, like Whiskey Ridge near the Moore County Airport or Blue Mesa 3 miles south of town. These parcels typically sell for between $10,000 and $80,000 per acre, most beginning at a full acre.
Dumas offers locals well-maintained and affordable Ranches.
Across Dumas, you’ll find large and beautiful traditional homes.
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A Ports-to-Plains city with possible future interstate extentions
The Ports-to-Plains Corridor is a series of north-south highways providing crucial freight cargo connections between Mexico and Canada. For decades, Dumas residents have anticipated plans to extend Interstate 27 across all of Texas, including a connection between Amarillo and Dumas. While it could be another 20 years before I-27 extends all of Texas, things are coming together, as the state Department of Transportation recently approved a 4.2-mile extension south of Lubbock.
Such an extension would boost the region's agriculture and manufacturing industries. Dumas is home to several agribusinesses, including a major meatpacking plant employing more than 3,000 county residents and a dairy that employs around 450. Dumas Independent School District, Memorial Hospital and a Valero refinery are also major employers.
New career and technical education campus at Dumas ISD
Dumas ISD has an overall B-plus Niche rating. It employs almost 700 people and oversees roughly 4,100 students across eight schools, some relatively new. "We have a lot of new buildings for education, so we are definitely staying on top of that for our kiddos," Gorham says. We have three brand-new elementary schools. And we are getting a brand-new career and technical education campus where there'll be welding, cosmetology, and some types of nursing."
Kids can participate in a variety of competitive programs at Dumas North Elementary.
Dumas High School is a quality school located in Dumas area.
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Local craftsman shopping and food markets
Most commercial options sit along major thoroughfares like Dumas Avenue and 1st Street. Local businesses include a collection of craftspeople selling handmade quilts, furniture and jewelry. Dining options include various chain restaurants and locally owned Mexican cantinas, plus an assortment of coffee shops and taphouses. Major roads also contain an assortment of chain supermarkets, convenience stores and locally owned Asian food markets.
Most commercial options in Dumas are along major roads like Dumas Ave and 1st St.
Dumas locals can shop daily for fresh groceries at United Supermarket.
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Waterslides and half pipes at McDade Park
McDade Park is the centerpiece of all Dumas' parks thanks to its aquatic center with waterslides and a splash pad, plus a skatepark, playgrounds and several baseball diamonds, which many residents use when the diamonds at Philips Park are full of Little Leaguers. Sprinkled throughout the city are numerous pocket parks and playgrounds in residential areas. The city also maintains a semi-public 18-hole golf course.
Dumas kids can play and have fun at McDade Park’s well-kept playground.
Locals enjoy water fun at Dumas Aquatic Park, located near McDade Park.
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A history of recent wildfires in Tornado Alley
Dumas is in Tornado Alley, so high winds are a common in the hot, dry and wildfire-prone Panhandle. In 2024, more than 100,000 acres were scorched by wildfire outside of Dumas. This occurred simultaneously with the nearby 1.1 million acre Smokehouse Creek Fire – the largest in state history. "Pretty much every day, we have wind," Gorham says. "We don't get enough rain and moisture to make flooding a big deal necessarily. But we're under red flag warnings quite often because it's dangerous if there's fires and the wind is up."
FBI data shows crime trends in Dumas to be generally proportionate with state and national figures. Some forms of crime have even declined in recent years, including rates of burglary and motor vehicle theft.
Written By
Tom Jakob
Photography Contributed By
Chon Kit Leong
Video By
Victoria Sharpe
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cindy Hays,
an experienced agent in this area.
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