Sitting on the border of Louisiana along the Sabine River, Orange is one of Texas' easternmost cities. Despite its agricultural roots, the city of 19,000 is now one of the major cities in the Golden Triangle of Texas, known for the many industrial plants in and around the city. Major employers like Exxon and Chevron continue to bring new residents from around the country, including from across the border in Louisiana, which explains the city's Cajun flare. “It’s the industry that brings people here, without a doubt,” says Karla Lozano, a Realtor with Re/Max One who has lived in the area for over 20 years.
Industry finds a home in Orange, TX.
Industry is a prevalent aspect of Orange, TX.
Orange, TX is home to several large industrial businesses.
Ample plots of land are prime for growing industrial businesses in Orange, TX.
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Oil and petrochemical plants bring residents to Orange
Together with neighboring Beaumont and Port Arthur, Orange is part of the Golden Triangle, a trio of cities that saw a boom in employment following the discovery of oil at the Spindletop oil field. Though the original boom occurred over a century ago, oil is still king in the area, along with manufacturers like Honeywell. With the abundance of jobs in the region, it's not uncommon for people to live in Orange but commute to neighboring cities like Bridge City, Port Arthur and West Orange for work. Since Orange is the county seat of Orange County, the country government is also a major employer in the area, particularly in the central parts of the city.
Oil refineries and the like employ a large percentage of Orange, TX residents.
Several large oil refineries make their home in Orange, TX.
Oil refineries are central to Orange, TX's annual revenue.
A water tower advertises the city of Orange.
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An abundance of housing and flood insurance
Much of Orange is residential, with single-family homes being the primary option. The median home price is around $250,000, and properties typically stay on the market for about 76 days, longer than the national average. A majority of the homes in the area sell for under $100,000 and were built in the 1930s or ’40s. However, remodeled homes in neighborhoods like the Old Orange Historic District sell on the higher end of the spectrum. There are also a few new developments. “Most of them are going to be on the outskirts of the city limits, but all within 5 miles of the economic development that’s coming up,” Lozano says.
Like most of the region, Orange sees humid summers and mild winters. The city also experiences a fair share of rain throughout the year. Though Orange's location near the Sabine River is a draw for outdoor activities, it also puts the city at a significant flood risk. Hurricanes Ike and Harvey brought flooding to the area, causing damage to homes and buildings throughout the city. As a result, flood insurance and home insurance rates are on the rise. In an effort to lessen the impact of flooding, the Orange County Project aims to build 20 miles of levees and 3 miles of floodwalls by 2033.
If you are looking for small, newly constructed homes, then East Orange is the place for you.
In East Orange, you can come across customized Acadian-style homes.
Many of the homes in Starks are surrounded by tall pines.
Larger, statley homes on large lots can be found in Starks.
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Interstate 10 and US Highway 90 provides convenience for commuters
Texas State Highway 87 runs along the western side of Orange, allowing an easy route to Bridge City or Port Arthur to the south. Most, if not all, residents drive to get around Orange since there is a lack of major public transportation. Interstate 10 is on the northern side of Orange, leading to Beaumont about 30 miles to the west or Lake Charles about 40 miles to the east. Houston is also about 110 miles away.
West Orange-Cove ISD
Orange County is split into several different school districts. Most students will attend schools in the West Orange—Cove ISD, which has a C-plus overall grade on Niche. The district has a student body of about 2,700, with a student-teacher ratio of 15-to-1.
At West Orange-Stark Elementary School, we believe that every child has the potential to soar.
At West Orange-Stark High School, every student has the opportunity to shine.
Starks High is located in Starks, LA, near the Texas and Louisiana border.
Orangefield High School offers a challenging curriculum in Orange.
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Waterside activities on the Sabine River
Orange's location along the Sabine River means many residents are just minutes away from boating and fishing in one of the waterfront parks. About 43% of residents in Orange are within a 10-minute walk of a park, according to the Trust for Public Land. The Orange Recreation Center, built in 2020, has several multiuse courts as well as a fitness center.
An Orange, TX local enjoys a day of fishing.
A young Orange, TX resident enjoys boating among the cities waterways.
Locals can enjoy the natural beauty of the Bayou at Alligator Park near Starks.
A young man takes a photo of the reflective water at Orange Lions Park.
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Mardi Gras on the Sabine and more community events
Downtown Orange is home to museums and theaters, including the Stark Museum, which has collections of indigenous and Western American art. The Lutcher Theater, also downtown, is a massive 1,500-seat theater that has stood tall since 1980. The facility hosts everything from concerts to Broadway plays and musicals. Orange also hosts several events throughout the year that bring in folks from all over the county. Mardi Gras on the Sabine celebrates the city's Cajun influence with a weekend filled with live music, local vendors and a parade. Orangetober, one of the newer festivals around town, takes place in the fall, with cook-offs and entertainment over several days. Visitors can grab a pumpkin from the pumpkin village, which has thousands of pumpkins ripe for decorating.
Residents don't need to wait for Mardi Gras to have a Cajun meal, as there are several seafood and Cajun spots around the city. Restaurants and shops are spread across the city, and there are many options along Texas State Highway 87, including fast-food spots and sit-down restaurants.
The American West is a central theme of The Stark Museum Collection.
Lutcher Theatre for the Performin Arts is a popular spot in Orange, TX.
The Stark Museum of Art is composed of marble from Vermont, USA.
A Stark Museum visitor takes in art in Orange, TX.
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Crime in Orange
According to the city police department, Orange saw a rise in total violent crimes from 2022 to 2023. However, according to FBI statistics, the city saw property crime rates lower than the state and national figures over the last two years.
Written By
Robert Breckenridge
Video By
Alex Finneran
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Holly Cravy,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Orange, TX sell after 105 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Orange, TX over the last 12 months is $246,197, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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You'll be proud to call Sussex Manor Apartments your new home. Residents appreciate easy access to all of the local restaurants, shopping, and entertainment nearby. You will love the convenience of being near all the fun and excitement that our great city has to offer with easy access. Come on by and choose your new home! Sussex Manor Apartments is an apartment located in Orange County, the 77630
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