Why Midland-Odessa Residents Keep Coming Back Home

In Midland-Odessa, the wind carries more than just dust; it also carries people who move away from the city but often find themselves returning at some point. A common saying among locals is, "The Permian Basin sucked them back in." How true is this? Do most residents of Midland-Odessa who leave eventually come back? Is there a kind of taboo or curse that seems to draw people to move back to the Permian Basin after they've already moved away?

Read More: Locals Debate the Nickname "Midessa"

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Goodbye Midland-Odessa

There could be various reasons as to why someone makes the decision to pack up and leave.  Approximately 13.8% of residents have moved away from Midland-Odessa within the past year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, with an average of 7% having relocated outside the county or state.

Hello Again Midland-Odessa

Many of us who live here are familiar with people who have successfully escaped living in the 4-3-2 only to return sometime later in the future.  What happened?  This could be due to potential jobs, friends, or family still living in the area, or perhaps the cultural magnetism of the region is what draws them back.

According to a special report by the Dallas Federal Reserve, 30 to 35% of the local workforce in Midland-Odessa is a part of the energy industry to some capacity.  It is safe to assume that some percentage of the people who move away from the area do so when the cost of oil is down and return when the price of oil rises.