Ozona has low cost of living, privacy and oil-driven economy
Ozona offers a classic West Texas lifestyle about 100 miles north of the United States-Mexico border. It’s located in Crockett County, named for Davy Crockett—who, despite never visiting the area—serves as a cultural icon. Ozona is the sole town in this over 3,000-square-mile county, earning it the nickname the “Biggest Small Town in the World.” Its seclusion brings privacy and perks. “Taxes are cheap. All the other little towns are incorporated and have a city and county government,” says resident and Realtor with United Country Real Estate-Hudson Properties, Will Black. “Out here, you just have the county government, so the property taxes are unbelievable. People can’t believe it when they come here.” Plus, surrounding oil and gas companies bolster the economy, while nearby ranches offer hunting opportunities.
Ozona’s parks blend recreation with small-town charm
As the name suggests, I-10 Park is located south of the interstate. It’s the community’s newest park, featuring the Crockett County Swimming Pool, which has water slides, a playground with an adjacent picnic area and the Ozona/Crockett County Skating Facility, a free skatepark. Nearby Triangle Park is small, with well-maintained grass and scattered benches beneath a large live oak tree. Rodeo Park has a playground, walking trail, sand volleyball court, washer pitching and horseshoes. It’s beside the Rodeo Arena & Crockett County Fairgrounds, the site of many local events, including Deerfest, a hunting banquet with venison dishes, gun raffles and fundraising. The Crockett County Junior Livestock Show, the Ozona Goat Roper’s Gala and more are also hosted here.
While there isn’t any designated hunting land in Ozona, Black says that hunting is very popular. “What people do is they’ll lease the hunting rights from somebody’s ranch for a certain amount of money per person for the year or season,” he says. “There are some areas where you can go on guided hunts around here, and a little further south, you get some exotic game.”
Low property taxes and land prices attract buyers
Ozona’s landscape is arid and a little rugged, with patchy grass and sporadic trees. New Traditional, Craftsman and ranch-style homes are common, with a few mobile homes sprinkled in. For under $100,000, homebuyers can find a property that needs repairs, while move-in-ready homes, depending on size, age and condition, can cost $120,000 to $350,000. Plus, property taxes are low, and the land is relatively inexpensive. “The further west you go until you hit the mountains, the cheaper the land,” Black says. Many sprawling ranches sit on the outskirts of town, and large, undeveloped plots are available in and around Ozona. “People buy land to hunt on,” Black says.
Historic downtown has dining, museums and limited shopping
Downtown Ozona centers around its historic town square, a grassy plaza with mature trees, benches and a gazebo. It’s opposite the Crockett County Courthouse, a historic limestone building from the early 20th century, and the Crockett County Museum, which showcases the region’s history. Some local restaurants are in this area, like Bryan’s Poco Taco, serving Tex-Mex favorites. More dining options sit throughout the community. Hitchin’ Post Steakhouse offers a little bit of everything, from ribeye and hamburgers to salads and seafood. While there’s a Dollar General and Lowe’s Market grocery store in town, shopping options are limited due to Ozona’s remote location. “We’re about 100 miles from the nearest Walmart,” Black says. “The doctor is in San Angelo, too, which is about 80 miles away. We have a small health center, but if it’s something serious, they put you in an ambulance and send you to San Angelo.”
Students attend Crockett County schools
The Crockett County Consolidated School District serves the community. Ozona Elementary School gets a B-minus from Niche, Ozona Middle gets a B-plus and Ozona High gets a B-minus. Ozona High offers dual credit courses in collaboration with Midland College, some Advanced Placement classes and an active 4-H program.
Major highways connect Ozona to nearby cities and airports
Ozona is car-dependent and has access to many major roadways. U.S. Interstate 10, Texas State Highway 163 and State Highway Loop 466 run through the community. San Angelo, with San Angelo Regional Airport, is about 80 miles away; San Antonio, with San Antonio International Airport, is about 205 miles away. Austin is about 230 miles away, and Dallas-Fort Worth is about 340 miles away.
![Adreanna DeMarino]()
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
