Olney’s oil and industrial boom in North Texas
Olney is a small rural community in Young County known for its oil, agriculture and industrial sector. Located over 40 miles south of Wichita Falls, Olney grew rapidly in the 1930s after oil was discovered, bringing over 3,000 new residents to the area. In the decades since, many manufacturing companies also established their headquarters in Olney, making products such as aluminum extrusions, agricultural aircraft and concrete mixers. With a robust economy, recreational amenities and one of the lowest costs of living in the nation, residents are grateful for the peaceful, easygoing lifestyle they have in Olney. “It’s your typical small town,” says Kelli Cuba, a local broker with Team Legacy Realty. “It has a strong sense of community and great churches that are very active with the youth.”
Breakfast, barbecue and bouquets
Most shops and restaurants are found along the main highway through town. Sonny’s BBQ recently opened in 2024 and serves brisket sandwiches, hot dogs and Frito pies, while El Chamuco Mexican Food specializes in pork tamales, chicken flautas and carne guisada. Hudson’s On Main is a local tavern with beer, bar bites and cocktails, and Old Time Cafe is a new breakfast joint that has huevos rancheros, omelets and hand-battered chicken fried steaks. Archer & Gunn Mercantile offers outdoor apparel for camping, hunting and fly fishing, and Olney Floral and Designs assembles bouquets for any occasion. Stewart’s Food Store has provided Olney with groceries and produce for over 50 years and shares seasonal recipes on its website.
Traditional, Craftsman and ranch-style homes with historical appeal
Older homes that were mainly built in the 1960s are most common in this community. Some of the red brick roads on the east side are from the town's early history, and city blocks are lined with sidewalks, prairie grass and live oak trees. There are many traditional homes and some craftsman, ranch-style and farmhouse-style houses with wooden and chain link fences. Two-bedroom homes with decks and covered patios cost between $55,000 and $100,000, while three-bedroom dwellings with garages, carports and open floor plans range between $100,000 and $200,000. Larger properties with brick exteriors have quarter-acre to 1-acre lots and 2,000 to 4,000 square feet of space, costing $200,000 to $500,000.
Disc golf, Little League and the Olney Country Club
Tom Griffin Park was recently renovated in 2020 with new playground equipment, swings and basketball courts. It also has walking loops, a nine-hole disc golf course and a swimming pool that’s open during the summer. Tommy Perkins Memorial Park is right by the Olney Senior Cub Center and has two playgrounds, climbing walls and covered picnic areas. A few murals along Main Street are dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America and the One Arm Dove Hunt, an old tradition that previously had a 50-year run in the community. The Olney Country Club is open to the public 2 miles south and has a golf course, pool and tennis courts. The Olney Boys & Girls Club has a recreational facility on the east side of town with a playground, swing sets and sports fields. “We have a lot of Little League sports – football, baseball, cheerleading,” Cuba says. “Hometown sports are a very big deal here.”
Low student-teacher ratios in Olney ISD schools
Olney Independent School District serves over 700 students in the county and earns a B-plus on Niche. The B-rated Olney Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade, while Olney Junior High School has a Gifted and Talented program and an A-minus. The B-rated Olney High School has a 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio and an 85% graduation rate.
Farmers markets, motorcycles and Olney In America
Olney In America is a patriotic event that features food trucks, fireworks and live music around the Fourth of July. The Olney In America Car Show is held in September and allows car enthusiasts to show off their trucks, motorcycles and automobiles. Olney Market Days also hosts local vendors and artisans every month along Main Street.
SHARP Lines and two Texas highways
Texas State Highways 79 and 114 both intersect in Olney and extend throughout the county. The SHARP Lines Rural Public Transportation system provides round-trip services to surrounding communities and goes as far as Weatherford and Fort Worth, with rates ranging between $2 and $70. Olney Hamilton Hospital is open 24 hours a day, and the DFW International Airport is over 115 miles southeast.
