Rankin, TX

Rankin is a quiet West Texas town that serves as the county seat of Upton County. Founded in the early 1900s as a railroad stop and ranching hub, the community has long been defined by its deep ties to livestock and the Permian Basin oil industry. It is the kind of place where life moves at a relaxed pace under big Texas skies, offering a traditional small-town atmosphere grounded in generations of local history.

ATTRLarry D. Moore / CC BY 4.0

Situated about an hour south of Midland and Odessa, Rankin offers rural living with manageable access to larger regional job markets, healthcare, and shopping. Daily life revolves around the tight-knit local school district, the historic county courthouse, and community gatherings. Surrounded by working ranches, pump jacks, and wide-open mesquite country, it provides a simple, welcoming environment for anyone looking for quiet open spaces and friendly neighbors.