Original Town, Where Downtown Midland Still Feels Close to Home

About Original Town

Original Town sits in that pocket of Midland where everyday errands naturally happen within a few minutes of each other: a quick stop at Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library), a pass by the Midland County Courthouse, and then coffee at Cpl. Ray's Midland or Leyenda Coffee & Tequila before the day really gets going. With ZIP code 79701 carrying a population of 27,131, the area has the lived-in energy of central Midland rather than the “new side of town” feel.

Because this is part of Midland’s older core, the streetscape tends to read as established and practical. You’re close to civic anchors like the Midland Police Department and Midland County Sheriff, and that shapes the vibe: people are out handling appointments, dropping by the library, or moving between downtown offices and nearby neighborhoods. It’s a part of town where you notice day-to-day city life, from courthouse traffic to school pickup lines, more than you notice gated entries.

Housing here is often chosen for value and proximity. In the 79701 area, the typical home value lands around $214,700, which helps explain why long-time owners and first-time buyers both keep Original Town on their short list. With 67.0% homeownership, you’ll find plenty of residents who treat this as a settle-in place, not just a temporary stop between oilfield rotations.

The community profile also feels young and working: the median age is 32.9, and the median household income is $57,346 with per-capita income at $31,463. The neighborhood’s cultural makeup is a meaningful part of its identity too, with Hispanic residents forming 60.9% of the ZIP area alongside White residents at 26.8% and Black residents at 9.3%.

Original Town fits neatly into the center of Midland’s map and its routines. The people drawn here tend to want a straightforward commute pattern, quick access to Midland ISD campuses like Midland High School, and the kind of “run one more errand” convenience you only get when the courthouse, library, grocery stops like Fiesta Foods, and the Central YMCA are all already in your orbit.

Living in Original Town: Daily Routines Built Around Downtown Midland

Living in Original Town means your week is naturally organized around central-Midland landmarks. Need to knock out a to-do list? The Midland County Courthouse is close enough to feel like part of the neighborhood fabric, and the Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library) is nearby for everything from kids’ books to a quiet place to work. That “close to services” layout is a big part of the lifestyle here, especially for residents who want to spend less time crossing town for basics.

Housing in the 79701 area spans both owners and renters, with 11,360 housing units and a split that includes 60.7% owner-occupied and 29.9% renter in the broader ZIP footprint. If you’re comparing owning versus renting, the typical home value of $214,700 sets a different baseline than renting, where the median gross rent runs about $1,220 per month. Renovation interest tends to show up in central areas like this because location stays constant even as tastes change, and many buyers focus on updating interiors while keeping the convenience of being near downtown Midland.

On school mornings, Original Town connects quickly into Midland ISD options. Families often look closely at CARVER CENTER, an A-rated elementary for grades 01–06 about 0.8 miles away, and SAM HOUSTON COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY EL, also A-rated, serving EE–06. For older students, YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY covers grades 06–12 with an A rating, and Midland High School is close by at roughly 0.7 miles, making campus drives and after-school activities feel manageable.

For everyday movement, most households are still car-oriented, with 77.0% of commuters driving alone and 6.1% working from home. Even so, the neighborhood has “short-hop” convenience: morning caffeine at Far West Coffee or River Coffee Co., a quick grocery run to Lowe's Mercado, Fiesta Foods, or Sundown Market, and then a workout at the Central YMCA or a class at Hiit4fit. Those short distances change how weekdays feel, because you can fit in a stop at Monarch Produce or Bernard 's Tortillas Factory without turning it into a full evening.

Weekends in Original Town often look like a mix of practical and social. You’ll see residents squeeze in a gym session, then meet friends for a low-key drink at Hot Shots, The Bar, or Lone Star Bar before heading home. With a median age of 32.9 and 20.4% of the area under 18, the neighborhood rhythm balances young households and families who appreciate being near schools, civic services, and the places they already use in real life.

Coffee, Groceries, and Fitness Close to Home in Original Town

Original Town’s best amenities are the ones you can work into a normal day without planning around traffic. Coffee culture is especially close-in here, with Cpl. Ray's Midland just 0.2 miles away and Leyenda Coffee & Tequila about 0.3 miles out, plus familiar stops like River Coffee Co. and multiple Far West Coffee locations nearby. When you want something quick and consistent, 7 Brew Coffee is also within easy reach.

Grocery runs stay local, too. Monarch Produce sits about 0.3 miles away, and you’ve got choices like Lowe's Mercado, Sundown Market, and Fiesta Foods all around the same short distance, which is ideal for weeknight ingredient stops. If your routine includes meat and specialty items, La Esperanza Meat Market and Midland Meat Company are nearby, and Tall City Meat Market is an easy drive.

For fitness, it’s hard to beat having the Central YMCA around 0.5 miles away, plus options like Texas Top Team, Midtown Soldiers Boxing Club, and even the MHS Tennis Courts close by for a simple, consistent routine.

Nearby Neighborhoods Around Original Town

Original Town is surrounded by a tight ring of established central-Midland neighborhoods that make it easy to recognize where you are without driving far. Homestead and Atrium are both about 0.4 miles away, and they tend to function as natural extensions of the same “close to downtown” lifestyle, especially for residents who want similar access to Midland ISD campuses and central services.

Just beyond that, neighborhoods like Southern, Carol Magee, Richardson's Abilene Street, SW Estes, W. W. Harris, and Edwards sit roughly within 0.6 miles, each offering slightly different residential pockets while keeping the same quick drive to groceries and gyms. Elmwood, South Pueblo Park, Holloway, and Moody, all around 0.7 miles away, round out the nearby options for buyers who like the central corridor feel but want to compare street-by-street character before choosing a block.

If you’re house hunting, this cluster is useful: you can tour a home in Original Town and still be minutes from showings in Homestead or Elmwood, which helps you compare price-to-location tradeoffs without changing your commute patterns.

Local Resources Residents Use Around Original Town

One of the biggest everyday advantages to living in Original Town is how close you are to Midland’s essential services. The Midland County Courthouse is within a short drive at about 0.2 to 0.4 miles, and public safety offices like the Midland Police Department and the Midland County Sheriff are nearby as well, which keeps many civic errands simple.

For education support and enrollment needs, Midland ISD is the local district, and the Midland Isd office is close at roughly 0.5 miles. Families also lean on nearby campuses when schedules get busy, from CARVER CENTER to Midland High School, because shorter drives make after-school pickups and activities more manageable.

For day-to-day community resources, Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library) is close at about 0.3 miles, with additional Midland County Public Library locations farther out. Healthcare access is also nearby with Midland Memorial Hospital-ER around 1.6 miles away. When property questions come up, Midland Central Appraisal District is accessible at about 4.2 miles, and county tax services through Midland County are nearby as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Original Town

Is Original Town a good place to live?

Original Town can be a strong fit if you like central Midland convenience and a neighborhood that feels active throughout the week. In the 79701 area, the typical home value is about $214,700, and the homeownership rate is 67.0%, which points to a solid base of long-term residents. The median age is 32.9, so the area often feels like a mix of young households and families, and it helps that you’re close to daily-use places like Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library), the Central YMCA, and quick grocery stops such as Fiesta Foods and Lowe's Mercado. The neighborhood’s downtown-adjacent location makes normal errands simpler than they are in more spread-out parts of Midland.

Is Original Town safe?

Safety can vary block by block in any central area, but Original Town benefits from being close to key public safety resources. The Midland Police Department and the Midland County Sheriff are both nearby, which typically means faster access to assistance and a visible civic presence around the downtown corridor. Many residents also feel more comfortable because neighborhood routines keep people out and about, whether it’s school drop-offs at nearby Midland ISD campuses or regular trips to the library and local markets. If safety is a top priority, it’s smart to visit at different times of day and ask about the immediate street you’re considering, since conditions can shift quickly within central neighborhoods.

How are the schools in Original Town?

Original Town is served by Midland ISD, and families have multiple nearby school choices within a short drive. CARVER CENTER is an A-rated elementary serving grades 01–06, and SAM HOUSTON COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY EL is another A-rated elementary option serving EE–06. For secondary grades, YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY is A-rated for grades 06–12, and EARLY COLLEGE H S AT MIDLAND COLLEGE is an A-rated high school option as well. Midland High School is very close too, about 0.7 miles away, offering a traditional large-campus experience. If you want alternatives, Midland Academy Charter School serves PK–08 and is rated B.

What is the cost of living in Original Town?

Cost of living in Original Town trends below the national average, based on the regional price index where 100 equals the U.S. average. The overall cost of living index is 91.9, meaning many day-to-day expenses typically run lower than the national benchmark. Housing is the biggest standout, with a housing index of 66.7, which aligns with the area’s typical home value of $214,700 and helps explain why buyers often focus on location and long-term value here. Goods come in at 93.7 and utilities at 95.2, both still below 100, so routine spending often feels a bit lighter than in many U.S. metros. Property taxes are a key part of the budget. The city property tax rate is $0.3480 per $100 valuation, the county rate is $0.1214 per $100 valuation, and the Midland ISD rate is $0.8415 per $100 valuation. Combined, the estimated property tax rate is $1.3109 per $100 valuation. While taxes can be significant, many households weigh that against Texas having no state income tax, which can improve the overall take-home picture compared to states that tax wages.

Is Original Town good for families?

Original Town can work well for families who want schools and services close by and prefer a central routine over long cross-town drives. About 20.4% of the local ZIP population is under 18, so families are a visible part of the area. Midland ISD offers nearby campuses with strong ratings, including A-rated CARVER CENTER and A-rated YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY for grades 06–12, which helps when you’re planning for different age groups. Day-to-day family logistics are also simpler with the Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library) close by and fitness options like the Central YMCA nearby for after-school activities and weekend routines. As with any central neighborhood, it’s smart to evaluate the specific block and traffic patterns around school commute times.

What is Original Town known for?

Original Town is known for being close to the civic heart of Midland, where courthouse business, library visits, and school routines all overlap in a way you don’t get on the outskirts of town. The presence of the Midland County Courthouse nearby gives the area a distinctly “downtown Midland” rhythm, and residents often measure convenience by how quickly they can get to essentials like the Midland County Public Libraries (Midland County Public Library), grocery options such as Fiesta Foods, and community workouts at the Central YMCA. It’s also an area where Midland ISD campuses are part of the daily landscape, with Midland High School close enough that school events can feel like neighborhood events. In ZIP 79701, the community’s cultural identity is also clear, with a predominantly Hispanic population at 60.9%.

What are things to do near Original Town?

Things to do near Original Town tend to be woven into everyday stops rather than big destination outings. A common local routine is grabbing coffee at Cpl. Ray's Midland or Leyenda Coffee & Tequila, then swinging by Monarch Produce or Lowe's Mercado for groceries. If you like staying active, the Central YMCA is close, and there are training-focused gyms nearby like Texas Top Team and Midtown Soldiers Boxing Club. For a casual night out, places like Hot Shots, The Bar, and Lone Star Bar are all close-in, while The Rusty Bucket BBQ and Tavern and The Patio Drafthouse give you a slightly longer-but-easy option when you want food and a laid-back hangout in the same stop.

What ZIP code is Original Town in?

Original Town is in ZIP code 79701. That ZIP area covers much of central Midland’s everyday services, schools, and downtown-adjacent routines.

Considering a Move to Original Town?

If you’re weighing Original Town against nearby pockets like Homestead or Elmwood, a local expert can help you compare blocks, school options in Midland ISD, and what your monthly costs look like at today’s prices. Reach out for a tailored shortlist and a guided tour plan that matches how you actually live day to day.