For years, Wildorado was a “blink and miss it” stop along Route 66. The community was founded in 1900 as a railway town and grew as Route 66 became a popular tourist destination in the 1950s. Today, Wildorado is home to just under 200 people, with many locals working for grain elevators and livestock yards. In recent years, more people have come to the community for its school district, which has been steadily growing for the past decade. “The school is the life’s breath of the community,” says Kendra Martin, a Realtor with Lyons Realty. “What draws people to the school is that it’s within 30 miles of Amarillo, so people can still enjoy a small community and small schools and then the feel of a larger city.”
Wildorado has a rich history with early settlers and ties to the cattle ranching industry.
Wildorado Elementary is a central part of the neighborhood, serving local families and students.
1/2
Open land for future Wildorado homes
As of 2024, less than 80 homes are in Wildorado. Most are single-family ranch-style residences and mobile homes, selling for between $100,000 and $200,000. Land sells more frequently than existing homes, as Martin says many newcomers are interested in building their own properties. Like the rest of the Amarillo bluffs, Wildorado is built on flat prairie land and is windy and dry throughout the year. The area does not have many defined sidewalks, yards or even main streets. Instead, most houses are built directly along Interstate 40 or next to the area’s cattle yards and grain silos. Wildorado has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1, below the national average score of 4 out of 10.
Wildorado has a mix of homes, including many mobile homes offering affordable living options.
Wildorado features spacious ranch homes with expansive lots, ideal for rural living.
1/2
The quickly expanding Wildorado ISD
The Wildorado Independent School District has one school campus for kindergarten through the 12th grade and is unrated on both Niche and Great Schools. The district’s high school opened in the 2017 school year for only 9th grade students, and another grade was added each year after opening until the school graduated its first senior class in 2021. Since then, Wildorado high school students have been able to join unique student programs like the Wildorado Cattle Company, an entirely student-led seed stock operation that raises Black Angus cows. The school district’s annual Thanksgiving festival has also become a favorite annual tradition and welcomes the entire community to eat together on the school campus. The closest college is Amarillo College, 21 miles away, which received the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence in 2023.
Founded in 1929, Amarillo College offers associate degrees and certifications in various fields.
Students at Wildorado High enjoy a personalized education in a rural setting.
1/2
Route 66 connects the Amarillo metro’s small towns
Route 66, also known as I-40, runs directly through the small community and connects it to the nearest neighboring cities. Wildorado is 8 miles from Bushland, 13 miles from Vega and 23 miles from downtown Amarillo. There is no public transportation available in Wildorado, but Amarillo has its own bus system. Amarillo’s large medical district, which has multiple hospitals through the Northwest Texas Healthcare System, is the closest healthcare option and is 17 miles from Wildorado. The larger city also has area’s main commercial airport, Rick Husband International.
Fresh-made burgers and fries at The Falcon
Aside from a garden center and a small convenience store, there are very few shops in Wildorado. Instead, locals go to Vega, Bushland or Amarillo to pick up groceries or go out to eat. Hickory Inn Café on Vega’s Main Street invites both locals and Route 66 visitors to stop in for burgers, biscuits and steak. The Falcon on Wells Street in Bushland boasts that the only freezer on site is used for its ice cream, with never-frozen hand-cut fries and beef brisket. Bushland also has one of the closest churches to Wildorado, The Church at Bushland on Simmons Street. For groceries, Taylor's Venture Market on 9th Street in Vega, Dollar General on FTM Road 2381 in Bushland and Target on I-40 in west Amarillo are all within 15 miles. West Amarillo is also home to Westgate Mall on I-40, one of the city’s largest shopping centers with dozens of clothing, jewelry and cosmetic shops.
Westgate Mall is just a short drive away and has several retail options for residents.
The Falcon is a small family owned hotspot in Wildorado.
1/2
Eagles and owls fly through Buffalo Lake
Wildorado has no community parks but is close to a few large wildlife refuges. At 18 miles away, Wildcat Bluff Discovery Center on Soncy Road is one of the closest recreation sites. Wildcat Bluff hosts 7 miles of trails through native prairies and canyons and offers guided hikes for families. Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is 30 miles to the south of Wildorado on U.S. Highway 60. While the refuge’s namesake lake is dry most of the year, visitors can still hike through over 7,000 acres of land and look for native birds like burrowing owls and golden eagles.
There are many state parks and scenic places near Wildorado like the Wildcat Bluff Doscovery Center.
Parks offer scenic Views of the Texas Panhandle.
1/2
Air pollution and smells from Quality Beef Producers
Quality Beef Producers, a large stockyard producer and feedyard, is right outside the community’s east side along Route 66. While the agriculture and meat industries are major employers for the Amarillo metro, lots like Quality Beef Producers bring some environmental concerns. In 2020, the Texas Observatory published a piece on the air pollution and strong manure smell that impacts communities around Amarillo’s feed yards.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
This is it! If you are wanting to get out of the cookie cutter and into the serene, here's your chance. This beautiful property has been well maintained and has updated plumbing, electric, roof, new Andersen windows, and more. With over 100 trees on the property, and a beautiful porch, you will enjoy the outdoors with a spectacular view of the sunset. The home has Saltillo tile and a SantaFe
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Devin Cook,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
257
Median Age
32
Population under 18
34.2%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$58,333
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$81,164
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
93.8%
College Graduates
38.9%
On par with the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9%
% Population in Labor Force
70.4%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
20''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
7''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
7/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
