Town in Lamb County

Living in Olton, TX

D+

506th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 32 of 100

We give Olton a D+. It ranks 506th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on education levels and schools.

  • Affordable
  • Short commutes
  • Schools scores low (7 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (3 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Olton isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthOlton
Where Olton is in Texas.
Population
1,913-3.5% since 2020
Median rent
$1,04526% lower than Texas
Median home value
$50,80082% lower than Texas
Household income
$46,029Median
Average commute
14 minOne way
Violent crime
No dataNo full-year report

What it's like to live in Olton

Olton is a town in Lamb County. 1,913 people lived here in 2025, down 3.5% from 2020. It is spread out, with an older housing stock (the median home dates to 1964).

Places locals use include Olton Area Library and Olton Mustang Football Field.

The median age is 43.9, 34% of households have children, 67% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $46,029 a year (41% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Olton

  • Lower rent. Median rent is $1,045, 26% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.1 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 14 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Olton

  • Weaker school ratings. Only 33% of the 3 rated campuses earn an A or B from the state.
  • Many adults uninsured. 31% of adults 18 to 64 have no health insurance, against 20% statewide.
  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of tornadoes, hail and wildfires as very high here.

Who Olton suits

  • FamiliesNot the best fit: 33% of rated schools earn an A or B. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 5% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 41% lower than the Texas median, with 10 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 63% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 31% of working-age adults are uninsured. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 46% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 82% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $1,045 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 30% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $1,045 is 26% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 74% for people on a budget.

Olton report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Olton with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade B+

    Median rent $1,045, homes cost 1.1x income.

    77 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade C

    Median household income $46,029, 0% unemployed.

    42 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade F

    3 rated campuses, 33% rated A or B.

    7 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: no grade

    No full year of crime data from local police.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade C-

    0 grocery stores, 10 restaurants, 1 park mapped in town.

    36 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A-

    Average commute 14 min, 6.4% work from home.

    81 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade F

    7.6% have a bachelor’s degree.

    3 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D

    31% of adults uninsured.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    67% of homes owner-occupied.

    14 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    82% of homes have broadband.

    17 of 100 vs US towns

Where Olton stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Home value to income: 1.1x69% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Average commute: 14 min49% lower than Texas (27 min)
  • Median rent: $1,04526% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 7.6%26 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $46,02941% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Vacant homes: 22%13 points higher than Texas (9.4%)

Cost of living in Olton

Rent is the cost most newcomers feel first. The median rent in Olton is $1,045 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median of $1,403. To keep that rent at 30% of income, a household needs to earn about $42,000 a year. Right now 42% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $807 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,389 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $50,800, 82% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $278 before tax, or $343 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Olton pays $778 a year, 82% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in OltonStudio$7711 bedroom$8072 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,3894 bedrooms$1,469
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Lamb County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent26% lower than Texas$1,045$1,403$1,413
Median home value82% lower than Texas$50,800$283,800$332,700
Home value to income69% lower than Texas1.1x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent10 points lower than Texas42%52%51%
Median property tax per year82% lower than Texas$778$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them4 points higher than Texas67%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196419921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$343
Mortgage payment
$278
Property tax
$65
Median rent, for comparison
$1,045

Based on a $50,800 home in Olton, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Schools in Olton

Olton has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 33% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Olton ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Olton High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 68 out of 100, against a Texas median of 81.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
7
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
68
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • AOlton High SchoolHigh, Olton ISD91 of 100
  • DHp Webb ElementaryElementary, Olton ISD66 of 100
  • FOlton Junior HighMiddle, Olton ISD48 of 100

Daily life in Olton

Everyday places mapped inside Olton, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Olton Area Library, Olton Mustang Football Field.

The average one-way commute is 14 minutes, 49% shorter than the Texas average. 6% of workers work from home. Fewer than 3% walk, bike or take transit to work, so plan on driving for almost everything.

The median household income is $46,029, income per person is $23,061, unemployment is 0% and 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
0
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
10
Cafes
1
Bars
1
Parks
1
Gyms
0
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income41% lower than Texas$46,029$78,476$80,734
Income per person43% lower than Texas$23,061$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate5 points lower than Texas0%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line5 points higher than Texas18%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher26 points lower than Texas7.6%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher14 points lower than Texas72%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance11 points higher than Texas31%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet9 points lower than Texas82%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute49% lower than Texas14 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home8 points lower than Texas6.4%14%15%
Workers who work from home6.4%
Workers who take transit1.6%
Workers who walk0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Olton

Under 1823%
18 to 3415%
35 to 6444%
65 and over17%

Median age 43.9 years. 34% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White21%
Hispanic or Latino77%
Black1.7%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0.4%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Olton

Olton has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 90°F and January lows about 25°F. There are about 67 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 19 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Olton20°40°60°80°52J57F65M73A81M89J90J89A82S73O62N53DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Olton, 1 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

FEMA's National Risk Index says river flooding risk is moderate, hurricane risk is moderate, tornado risk is very high and hail risk is very high. Even in lower-risk areas, check the FEMA flood map for the exact address before you buy.

  • River floodingModerate
  • HurricanesModerate
  • TornadoesVery high
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesLow
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsVery high
  • Strong windVery high

Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

Places near Olton

Nearby, Hale Center gets a B, Littlefield gets a C- and Sudan gets an A. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. BHale CenterTown, 2,037 people18 mi
  2. C-LittlefieldTown, 5,822 people21 mi
  3. ASudanTown, 1,154 people23 mi
  4. C-PlainviewSmall city, 19,711 people24 mi
  5. D+Seth WardTown, 2,205 people25 mi
  6. BAntonTown, 1,053 people26 mi

Living in Olton: common questions

Is Olton, TX a good place to live?

We give Olton a D+. It ranks 506th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on getting around and cost of living, and trails on education levels and schools.

How much does it cost to live in Olton?

Median rent in Olton is $1,045 a month, 26% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $50,800, 82% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.1x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $343, including property tax.

Are the schools good in Olton?

We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Olton. 33% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 7 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Olton flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Olton as moderate, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: tornadoes, hail, wildfires, winter storms and strong wind. Always check the flood map for a specific address before you buy.

What is the weather like in Olton?

Summers in Olton peak at about 90°F in July, and January nights fall to about 25°F. Expect around 67 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 19 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Olton?

The average one-way commute is 14 min, 49% lower than the Texas average. About 6.4% of workers work from home.

Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.