Wichita Falls is named after its artificial waterfall, built to recreate natural falls that washed away in the 19th century. However, some call the city "Texoma" for its location 20 miles south of the Oklahoma border. Over 100,000 people live here, enjoying several large parks, a fair share of retail and a historic downtown core. Culturally, Wichita Falls is steeped in history — with landmarks dotting the city from its earliest days — and the city boasts a lively event scene that includes the Wichita Falls PRCA Rodeo and the summer bike race Hotter'N Hell Hundred.
Wichita Falls' population has decreased by 2% in the past decade. The city reached its peak during the oil boom of the 1920s and suffered several hits when the refineries closed down in the 1960s, and a major tornado struck a decade later. The economic stops and stalls slowed growth and maintained a rural feeling overall, yet, residents still enjoy urban amenities, including a university and hospital system. Outside of Wichita Falls' medical and educational industries, another major employer is Sheppard Air Force Base, a NATO training facility located in the city.
Downtown Wichita Falls is the heartbeat of the area.
Locals kids enjoy the time spent at the Lucy Park Ponds where they can feed ducks.
Sheppard Air Force Base is just a few miles from Downtown Wichita Falls.
Downtown Wichita Falls will welcome you with historic and charming architecture.
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Vintage homes and some new builds in Wichita Falls
Most of Wichita Falls' homes were built during its peak, from the 1920s to the '70s. However, newer homes started springing up in the 1090s and early 2000s, and recently, there's been another small wave of construction. "All along from the West, where the city intersects with Loop 11, they have built brand new homes," says Debbie Dobbins of Love to the Moon Inc, LLC, who runs her own YouTube channel devoted to Wichita Falls. "It's a little slice on Northwest Parkway, built literally in the last three years." The city's gridded downtown core has its most historic homes, many of which are bungalows. Homebuyers will find more ranch-styles and neo traditional homes expanding out from that central core — some on 5 acres or more. Stone Lake Estates, a neighborhood with stately lakeside homes built in the 2000s, is a luxury neighborhood in Wichita Falls where homes can climb to over $1 million. This is exceptionally rare, as the city is otherwise relatively affordable. "The sweet spot price range for all of Wichita Falls is about $250,000. That's where most people feel comfortable and affordable," Dobbins says.
The median home price here is around $217,000, about 38% less than the state average.
Storms bring hail, making garages and carports essential in Loch Lomond.
Ranch style homes have gabled roofs and sit on flat land in Loch Lomond.
Sunnyside Heights homes generally sit on 8,000 to over 9,000 square foot lots with modest yards.
Some Stone Lake Estates homes have large driveway that residents can use to park a boat.
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Home to the "world's littlest skyscraper"
Wichita Falls' centuries-old depth is visible in historic landmarks dotted throughout the city. One is the "world's littlest skyscraper," a four-foot-tall structure built by a conman in 1919 who promised it would be 480 feet upon completion. The Kell House Museum devotes itself to one of the city's founders, the Kell family. The art-deco Wichita Theatre, a beacon of community theater, debuted as an opera house in 1908. The Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra has been performing downtown for almost 80 years.
Wichita Theater Performing Art Centre has live performances in Downtown Wichita Falls.
The Museum of North Texas History is a must visit when you are in Downtown Wichita Falls.
The Worlds Littlest Skyscraper is in Downtown Wichita Falls.
Art lovers in Loch Lomond enjoy viewing local art at Wichita Falls Museum of Art.
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Lucy Park is the site of the city's waterfalls
Trust for Public Land estimates that just over half of Wichita Falls' residents can walk to a park within 10 minutes. The city's 37 parks range from smaller green spaces to those spanning over 100 acres. As 258 acres, Weeks Park is the largest park in the city and houses the municipal golf course. Lucy Park's 178 acres lead to the local waterfall, a public swimming pool, an 18-hole disc golf course and a popular duck pond. "River Bend Nature Center is also a part of Lucy Park, and it's so great for kids because they have all kinds of creatures and bugs," Dobbins says. Another popular spot is Lake Wichita Park, known for its lakeside hiking and biking trails, picnic shelters, and its monument to Wichita Falls' veterans and military members. Local bikers and hikers take advantage of an ever-expanding City-wide Circle Trail System. Its first connection point was built at Lucy Park in 1987, and it's grown to span 20 miles.
The Champions Cours at Weeks Park is perfect for hitting the links near Loch Lomond.
The tennis courts at Weeks Park in Loch Lomond is perfect for residents to swing the club.
The famous Wichita Falls are one of the main attractions to see when you visit this city.
There are walking trails available around Downtown Wichita Falls for families.
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Downtown shopping and the Sikes Senter
Much of the shopping in Wichita Falls is concentrated around Kemp and Kell West Boulevards. Between the two, locals have the 24-7 grocery store Market Street, regional and national eateries, and major chains like Target and Starbucks. Downtown is a hub for local options — some relatively new, while others are longstanding.
Casa Mañana is a notable, longstanding eatery that’s been serving its now famous, red-shelled tacos since the 1940s.
Sunnyside Heights can get their caffeine fix at their local Starbucks.
Market Street is open 24/7 for all your grocery needs in Fountain Park North.
Stone Lake Estates residents looking for a day of shopping can check out the Skies Senter Mall.
Grab an iced coffee and enjoy some shopping at Target near Stone Lake Estates.
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It's a short trip anywhere in Wichita Falls
Dobbins says traveling from one tip of Wichita Falls to the other takes no more than 20 minutes. There are 62 miles of highways and 12 miles of interstates in the city. U.S. Highway 277 and Interstate 44 connect Wichita Falls to Oklahoma. Other major highways are 287, 287 and 82. Falls Ride offers fixed and flexible bus routes in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls Regional Airport operates out of Sheppard Air Force Base. It offers flights through American Airlines, with connections to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Both Kell West Regional Hospital and United Regional Health Care System are in Wichita Falls.
From Wichita Falls Independent School District to Midwestern State University
Students in Wichita Falls attend the Wichita Falls Independent School District (WISD), which sports a B rating from Niche. The district has a total of 21 schools, serving just over 13,200 students. For higher education, students can stay close to home by attending Midwestern State University, located in Wichita Falls. The 255-acre campus enrolls over 5,000 students and more than 1,000 at the graduate level.
Midwestern State University is home to over 5,100 students in Loch Lomond.
Fain Elementary School scores an A-minus rating on Niche.com in Stone Lake Estates.
Barwise Middle School gets a B minus according to Niche.com in Stone Lake Estates.
Wichita Legacy High School is a newly built school in Stone Lakes Estates.
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Crime and weather in Wichita Falls
An FBI report shows that in 2022, Wichita Falls recorded 486 violent crimes and 2,964 property crimes. While Wichita Falls’ violent crime rate of 474 per 100,000 residents significantly surpasses the state average of 431 and the national average of 380, police chief Manuel Borrego says that police department uses “proven best practices, aided by cutting-edge equipment and technology, [while] constantly training, implementing new strategies and maintaining strong ties with citizens and community partners” to fight crime. As for weather, north Wichita Falls — closer to the Oklahoma Border — tends to see more extremes. While there have only been three significant tornados in the city, periodic microbursts, which are concentrated gusts of wind that can be destructive, do occur. Summers are longer than winters here, and the city is prone to droughts and wildfires.
Margie, originally from Philadelphia, PA, has traveled the world as a military spouse, then chose Burkburnett to live and raise her family. With an Associate Degree in Accounting and a Business Degree from MSU, Margie has over 30 years of experience in both international and domestic sales. Fluent in Spanish, Margie is involved in her community and thoroughly enjoys helping others!
I am a licensed Realtor. I specialize in representing my clients in selling or purchasing any real estate transactions. I truly love this area and pride myself on my knowledge of current market, school districts, neighborhood information, and related services, including mortgage, insurance and inspection information.
I will use my 30 years of sales to achieving results and providing exceptional service. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, please contact me.
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.
