Town in Winkler County

Living in Wink, TX

A

56th of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 92 of 100

Wink gets an overall grade of A and ranks 56th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on health and internet access. It is a strong pick for families and young professionals.

  • Good for families
  • Good for young professionals
  • Top-rated schools
  • Health scores low (19 of 100)
  • Internet access scores low (19 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Wink isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthWink
Where Wink is in Texas.
Population
931+0.9% since 2020
Median rent
$67852% lower than Texas
Median home value
$121,90057% lower than Texas
Household income
$103,472Median
Average commute
21 minOne way
Violent crime
115Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Wink

Wink is a town in Winkler County. 931 people lived here in 2025, up 0.9% from 2020. It is spread out.

Local spots people know include Winkler County Park and Winkler County Library Park.

The median age is 34.5, 41% of households have children, 91% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $103,472 a year (32% higher than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Wink

  • Low violent crime. 115 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 70% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $678, 52% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.2 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • High incomes. The median household earns $103,472, 32% higher than the Texas median.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 21 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Wink

  • Natural hazard risk. FEMA rates the risk of hail, wildfires and winter storms as very high here.
  • Long, hot summers. Expect about 142 days a year at 90°F or hotter.

Who Wink suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: violent crime is 70% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 90% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 32% higher than the Texas median, with 5 restaurants and 0 cafes in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 93% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 18% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 70% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 71% for retirees.
  • Remote workersNot the best fit: 83% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $678 is 52% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 38% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $678 is 52% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 76% for people on a budget.

Wink report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Wink 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 $678, homes cost 1.2x income.

    74 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade B

    Median household income $103,472, 2.8% unemployed.

    68 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade A-

    2 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    85 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade B

    115 violent crimes per 100k, 345 property crimes per 100k.

    65 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: grade C+

    1 grocery store, 5 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.

    54 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade A-

    Average commute 21 min, 0.6% work from home.

    84 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade C+

    21% have a bachelor’s degree.

    54 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade D

    18% of adults uninsured.

    19 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade A-

    91% of homes owner-occupied.

    84 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    83% of homes have broadband.

    19 of 100 vs US towns

Where Wink stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Homes owned by the people living in them: 91%28 points higher than Texas (63%)
  • Home value to income: 1.2x67% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $67852% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 76%24 points higher than Texas (52%)
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21%13 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 83%8 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in Wink

Wink renters pay a median of $678 a month, 52% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $27,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 76% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $883 for a one-bedroom, $1,109 for a two-bedroom and $1,322 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 $121,900, 57% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $667 before tax, or $720 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 Wink pays $632 a year, 85% 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 WinkStudio$8431 bedroom$8832 bedrooms$1,1093 bedrooms$1,3224 bedrooms$1,597
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Winkler County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent52% lower than Texas$678$1,403$1,413
Median home value57% lower than Texas$121,900$283,800$332,700
Home value to income67% lower than Texas1.2x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent24 points higher than Texas76%52%51%
Median property tax per year85% lower than Texas$632$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them28 points higher than Texas91%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas196919921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$720
Mortgage payment
$667
Property tax
$53
Median rent, for comparison
$678

Based on a $121,900 home in Wink, 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.

Is Wink safe?

In 2025, Wink Police Department reported 1 violent crimes and 3 property crimes. That works out to 115 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 70% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 345 property crimes per 100,000, 83% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 18% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Wink by yearTexas11520212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
115
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
345
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Wink by yearTexas34520212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Wink Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Wink

Wink has 2 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Wink-Loving ISD.

Top-rated campuses include Wink High School. The average rating score across all campuses is 89 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
85
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
89
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

  • AWink High SchoolOther, Wink-Loving ISD91 of 100
  • BWink ElementaryElementary, Wink-Loving ISD86 of 100

Daily life in Wink

Everyday places mapped inside Wink, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Winkler County Park, Winkler County Library Park.

The average one-way commute is 21 minutes, 21% shorter than the Texas average. 1% of workers work from home. 5.0% walk, bike or take transit to work.

The median household income is $103,472, income per person is $41,367, unemployment is 2.8% and 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
1
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
5
Cafes
0
Bars
0
Parks
3
Gyms
2
Hospitals and urgent care
0
Childcare
0
Libraries
0

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income32% higher than Texas$103,472$78,476$80,734
Income per personAbout the same as Texas$41,367$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points lower than Texas2.8%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty lineAbout the same as Texas13%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher13 points lower than Texas21%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher8 points higher than Texas94%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance1 points lower than Texas18%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet8 points lower than Texas83%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute21% lower than Texas21 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home14 points lower than Texas0.6%14%15%
Workers who work from home0.6%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk5.0%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Wink

Under 1834%
18 to 3419%
35 to 6439%
65 and over8.7%

Median age 34.5 years. 41% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White78%
Hispanic or Latino18%
Black0.6%
Asian2.3%
Other or more than one race1.6%

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

Weather in Wink

Wink has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 97°F and January lows about 30°F. There are about 142 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 11 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Wink30°50°70°90°60J65F74M82A90M98J97J96A89S80O69N60DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Winkler Co Ap, 3 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

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

  • River floodingVery low
  • HurricanesLow
  • TornadoesModerate
  • HailVery high
  • Heat wavesLow
  • WildfiresVery high
  • Winter stormsVery high
  • Strong windHigh

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 Wink

Nearby, Kermit gets a C-, Monahans gets a B- and Southwest Sandhill gets a C-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

  1. C-KermitTown, 5,689 people8 mi
  2. B-MonahansTown, 7,452 people8 mi
  3. C-Southwest SandhillTown, 1,143 people20 mi
  4. CTown of PecosSmall city, 10,926 people33 mi
  5. FWest OdessaSmall city, 32,594 people39 mi
  6. D+OdessaCity, 115,322 people48 mi

Living in Wink: common questions

Is Wink, TX a good place to live?

Wink gets an overall grade of A and ranks 56th of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on schools and getting around, and trails on health and internet access. It is a strong pick for families and young professionals.

How much does it cost to live in Wink?

Renters in Wink pay a median of $678 a month, 52% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $121,900, 57% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.2x 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 $720, including property tax.

Is Wink safe?

In 2025, Wink Police Department reported 115 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 70% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 345 per 100,000, 83% lower than the Texas rate.

Are the schools good in Wink?

We found 2 rated public school campuses inside Wink. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 85 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

Does Wink flood?

FEMA rates river flooding risk in Wink as very low, and coastal flooding as not rated. Hazards rated high or very high here: 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 Wink?

Summers in Wink peak at about 97°F in July, and January nights fall to about 30°F. Expect around 142 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 11 inches of rain.

How long is the commute in Wink?

The average one-way commute is 21 min, 21% lower than the Texas average. About 0.6% 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.