Cardinal: Park-Adjacent Living in the Heart of Andrews

About Cardinal

Cardinal feels like the part of Andrews where errands, school drop-offs, and a quick lap around the park all fit into the same afternoon. Carter Park sits just down the way, and it’s common to see neighbors cutting through toward Shafter's Trail when the West Texas wind calms down. Being close to Underwood EL makes the area especially recognizable at pickup time, when the neighborhood rhythm changes and side streets get a little busier.

The neighborhood’s day-to-day footprint is tied closely to Andrews ISD campuses nearby, including Andrews Middle and Andrews H S, both a short drive from Cardinal. That proximity gives Cardinal a “stay local” feel—families can keep routines tight, from morning school runs to after-school workouts at Jab House Fitness. When you want a quick coffee instead of heading far across town, CPL Rays Coffee and 7 Brew Coffee are both easy stops.

Housing here aligns with how Andrews lives: a place where putting down roots is common. In the 79714 area, the typical home value sits around $195,700, and a 78.5% homeownership rate shows how many residents treat Cardinal and the streets around it as long-term home base rather than a short stop. That stability shows up in the way yards are kept and how familiar faces become, especially with a median age of 33 and 21.8% of the area under 18.

Cardinal also reflects Andrews’ cultural mix, with the broader ZIP area measuring 57.5% Hispanic and 38.8% White. That blend is part of what makes local favorites like La Hacienda, La Mexicana, and Mi Pueblo feel like natural extensions of everyday life rather than “special occasion” spots.

In the larger Andrews landscape, Cardinal sits comfortably among nearby pockets like Orchard, Robinson, and Underwood Park, close enough that locals often think of them together when talking about this side of town. It tends to draw people who like a close-to-everything routine—park time at Carter Park, a quick run to Porter's, and a straightforward drive to school campuses without stretching the day.

Living in Cardinal

Living in Cardinal is built around practical convenience: parks are close, schools are close, and the most-used spots in Andrews are a short drive away. The 79714 area leans heavily owner-occupied, with about 75.1% of housing lived in by owners, and that shows up in the steady, lived-in feel of the streetscape. With an average home value around $195,700, buyers looking in Cardinal are often comparing what they can get here versus other nearby pockets like Orchard or Underwood Park, where the day-to-day map feels similar.

Daily movement tends to be by car in this part of Andrews, and the wider ZIP reflects that with 85.1% of commuters driving alone and just 3.7% working from home. In practice, that means Cardinal residents often stitch their routines together in short hops: a school run to Underwood EL, a swing by Porter's for groceries, and then a workout class at Jab House Fitness or a session at Black Gold Health & Fitness. When the weather is right, the easiest “reset” is simply heading over to Carter Park or taking a walk along Shafter's Trail.

Weekends in Cardinal look like a rotation between outdoor time and quick bites. Lakeside Park and Wetland Park are both close enough to be regular options, and Andrews Splash Park is an easy warm-weather destination when kids need to burn energy. For something more structured, the Andrews County Youth Recreation Center and Andrews County Sports Complex are nearby, and golfers keep the Andrews County Golf Course in the mix.

Food and coffee runs are part of the neighborhood’s cadence. Table Cafe is a comfortable sit-down option when you want more than a drive-thru, and dinner decisions often land on familiar names like Western Grill Steak House, Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Tortas & More, or Buffalo Wild Wings. On errand days, the practical stops—Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Burkes Outlet, and Hibbett Sports—keep you from having to over-plan.

Cardinal is also closely tied to Andrews ISD, with Andrews H S and the smaller Andrews Education Center both nearby and rated B. That mix of campuses, plus Andrews Middle and multiple elementary options within a couple miles, is a big reason the neighborhood skews toward households in their prime working-and-raising-kids years, matching the area’s median age of 33 and a median household income of $72,242.

Things to Do Near Cardinal

Cardinal’s biggest everyday amenity is how quickly you can get outside without making a production of it. Carter Park is practically next door, and Shafter's Trail is close enough for a quick evening walk when you want something longer than a lap around the block. On hot Andrews days, families often point the car toward Andrews Splash Park, while Lakeside Park and Wetland Park give you quieter options when you want a slower pace.

For workouts and rec time, you’re surrounded by choices: Jab House Fitness is nearby for a more structured session, and the Andrews County Youth Recreation Center and Andrews County Sports Complex are easy go-tos for practices and games. When it’s time to refuel, locals keep it simple with CPL Rays Coffee or 7 Brew Coffee, and dinner tends to rotate through La Hacienda, La Mexicana, Western Grill Steak House, and quick staples like Pizza Hut. Porter's is close for groceries, and errands are straightforward with stops like Burkes Outlet, Hibbett Sports, and Dollar Tree all within a short drive.

Neighborhoods Near Cardinal

Cardinal sits in the middle of a tight cluster of established Andrews neighborhoods, so it’s easy to recognize where one pocket blends into the next. Orchard and Robinson are essentially around the corner, and people often move between these areas without changing their routines—parks like Carter Park and nearby schools like Underwood EL still anchor the day.

A little farther out, neighborhoods such as Alaniz, J-B, K A Wright, Rogers, and Thornburg form the broader patchwork around Cardinal, with Underwood Park and Ramirez close by as well. If you’re comparing options, these nearby areas can feel like slight variations on the same theme: similar access to Andrews ISD campuses, similar convenience to Porter's and everyday shopping, and quick drives to recreation spots like the Andrews County Sports Complex. Cardinal’s edge is how naturally it ties into the park-and-schools corridor, keeping the week’s logistics compact.

Local Resources Near Cardinal

Cardinal is close to the civic services you end up needing in real life, not just on paper. The Andrews County Library is nearby for quiet study time and kids’ reading routines, and the Andrews County Sheriff’s Office and Andrews Police Department are both close, which supports a visible public-safety presence when residents are out at parks or driving to school events.

For property questions, the Andrews County Appraisal District is within a short drive, and the Andrews County Tax Assessor office is also nearby—useful when you’re sorting exemptions, valuations, or just trying to understand a tax bill. The Andrew Inpndt School DST Tax Off (Aisd Tax Office) is close as well, which matters in a community where Andrews ISD plays a big role in daily life.

Everyday infrastructure is handled close to home, with the Andrews Water Department nearby for utility needs and USPS not far away for packages and mail. For emergencies, the Andrews Volunteer Fire Department and another Fire Station location are both within the local area, and county services are centered around Andrews and the Courthouse Annex.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cardinal

Is Cardinal a good place to live?

Cardinal is a solid fit for people who want an Andrews routine that stays close to home—parks, schools, and everyday errands are all nearby. Carter Park and Shafter's Trail make it easy to get outside without driving across town, and Porter's is close when you just need groceries. The broader 79714 area supports that “settle in” feel, with a 78.5% homeownership rate and an average home value around $195,700. With a median age of 33 and 21.8% of residents under 18, Cardinal tends to feel active and family-oriented, especially around Underwood EL and the Andrews ISD campuses nearby.

Is Cardinal safe?

No neighborhood can promise zero crime, and specific crime statistics aren’t provided here, but Cardinal benefits from being close to core civic services in Andrews. The Andrews County Sheriff’s Office and the Andrews Police Department are both nearby, which typically translates into faster response times and a more visible presence around community hubs like Carter Park, Andrews Middle, and Andrews H S. In areas with high homeownership like this one, neighbors also tend to notice what’s happening day to day—cars that don’t belong, activity near school hours, and what’s going on around the parks. If safety is a top concern, it’s smart to drive the area at different times and talk with locals who spend time at nearby parks and schools.

How are the schools in Cardinal?

Cardinal is served by Andrews ISD, with multiple campuses within a short drive. For high school, Andrews H S is nearby and rated B, and Andrews Education Center is also close, rated B as well, serving grades 09–12. Andrews Middle (grades 06–08) is close to Cardinal and rated C, and families have several elementary options nearby including Clearfork EL (grades EE–01, rated C), Devonian EL (grades 02–03, rated C), and Underwood EL (grades 04–05, rated D). Because these schools are all within about two miles, Cardinal is convenient for families juggling multiple drop-offs and after-school activities.

What is the cost of living in Cardinal?

Specific cost-of-living indices and a BEA Regional Price Parity (RPP) breakdown aren’t provided for Cardinal or the 79714 area, so you’ll want to treat any index-style comparison to the national average as a general Andrews-area discussion rather than a precise figure. What we can state clearly is the property tax structure that affects homeowners. In Andrews, the city property tax rate is $0.1805 per $100 of valuation, the Andrews County rate is $0.3598 per $100, and the Andrews ISD school district rate is $0.8969 per $100. Together, that brings the combined estimated property tax rate to $1.4372 per $100 valuation. On the housing side, the typical home value around Cardinal is about $195,700, and renters in the wider ZIP see a median gross rent of $1,305 per month, which helps frame buy-versus-rent decisions locally. And because this is Texas, residents don’t pay a state income tax, which can help offset monthly costs even when property taxes are a meaningful part of the budget.

Is Cardinal good for families?

Cardinal works well for families who want parks, recreation, and schools close together. Carter Park being nearby makes it easy to squeeze in playground time after dinner, and Shafter's Trail and Lakeside Park give you simple weekend options without planning a long outing. For organized activities, the Andrews County Youth Recreation Center and Andrews County Sports Complex are close, and Andrews Splash Park is an easy warm-weather win. School routines are straightforward with Andrews ISD campuses nearby, including Underwood EL, Andrews Middle, and Andrews H S. The area’s demographics also hint at a kid-friendly community, with 21.8% of residents under 18 and a median age of 33.

What is Cardinal known for?

Cardinal is known locally for being plugged into the everyday Andrews circuit—parks, schools, and practical shopping all sit close together. Carter Park is the landmark that most residents mentally use to orient the area, with Shafter's Trail close enough to become part of a regular walking routine. The neighborhood’s identity is also tied to Andrews ISD activity, given how close Underwood EL, Andrews Middle, and Andrews H S are to the area. On the lifestyle side, it’s the kind of place where quick stops define the week: coffee at CPL Rays Coffee or 7 Brew Coffee, groceries at Porter's, and familiar dinners like La Hacienda or Western Grill Steak House. In 79714, the community’s cultural mix—especially the strong Hispanic presence—shows up in local dining and the day-to-day feel.

What are things to do near Cardinal?

Near Cardinal, most “things to do” are the kind you can do on a regular Tuesday, not just once in a while. Outdoors, Carter Park is right there, and Shafter's Trail, Lakeside Park, and Wetland Park give you options for walks and casual time outside. In warm weather, Andrews Splash Park is a natural pick. For fitness and recreation, residents use Jab House Fitness, the Andrews County Youth Recreation Center, the Andrews County Sports Complex, and the Andrews County Golf Course. Food is close and varied, from Tortas & More and La Hacienda to Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Western Grill Steak House. When you want coffee or a quick meet-up spot, CPL Rays Coffee, 7 Brew Coffee, and Table Cafe are all nearby.

What ZIP code is Cardinal in?

Cardinal is in ZIP code 79714. That ZIP covers Andrews and the surrounding area tied to Andrews ISD schools and local services.

Interested in a Home in Cardinal?

If you’re considering Cardinal, a local Andrews agent can help you compare nearby pockets like Orchard and Underwood Park, estimate payments with the area’s tax rates, and spot homes that match your must-haves. Reach out anytime for a neighborhood-specific home search and a realistic take on what’s moving in 79714.