Life at the Edge of the Chihuahuan Desert

Redford is a remote border community in Presidio County with approximately seventy-one residents, situated along the Rio Grande in far West Texas. The town has no formal neighborhood divisions and no local school district, reflecting its tiny population and frontier character. Presidio County's economy centers on accommodation and food services supporting Big Bend tourism, agriculture, and seasonal work, with county employment data showing 314 workers in hospitality earning an average of twenty-nine thousand dollars annually. The educational attainment rate of thirty-two percent with bachelor's degrees or higher exceeds expectations for such a small, isolated settlement.

History

Redford's history as a Rio Grande settlement reflects the broader story of border communities in far West Texas, though specific historical documentation remains limited for this small population center.

ZIP Codes Compared

Redford's single zip code area offers no housing variation typical of larger communities, with property options limited to scattered rural parcels and existing ranch structures.

Demographics

Redford's population of seventy-one makes it one of Texas's smallest incorporated communities, with a notably high bachelor's degree attainment rate of thirty-two percent suggesting residents who have chosen this remote lifestyle intentionally rather than by circumstance.

Economy

The Presidio County economy relies heavily on tourism-related accommodation and food services with three hundred fourteen employees, followed by retail trade and agriculture, reflecting the area's proximity to Big Bend National Park and its ranching heritage.

Schools

Redford has no local school district due to its minimal population, with families typically relying on county-level educational services or homeschooling in this remote border region.

Cost of Living

Housing and living costs in Redford reflect its extreme remoteness, with limited services and infrastructure offsetting the isolation premium that comes with borderlands living.

Homeowners Associations

No homeowners associations operate in Redford, consistent with the town's frontier character and minimal residential development.

About Redford

Redford sits along the Rio Grande in far West Texas, a remote settlement of roughly seventy-one residents where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the international border. This tiny Presidio County community exists in one of the most isolated corners of the state, where the nearest substantial town is over an hour away and the landscape stretches in vast, open expanses. The population here reflects a mix of ranching families, border residents, and those drawn to the stark beauty and solitude of the Big Bend region. With about a third of adults holding bachelor's degrees, the educational attainment is surprisingly high for such a small population, suggesting a community of intentional residents rather than accidental ones. Daily life revolves around self-sufficiency and the rhythms of the borderlands, where agriculture and seasonal tourism to nearby Big Bend National Park shape the local economy. The Rio Grande flows just beyond town, marking the boundary with Mexico and providing a lifeline in this arid environment. For those considering Redford, understand that this is frontier living in its truest modern sense—minimal services, profound quiet, and a lifestyle built around independence and resilience in one of Texas's most unforgiving but beautiful landscapes.

Classification

Type

Census Designated Place

Class Code

U1

Identifiers

GEOID

4861076

State FIPS

48

Place FIPS

61076

Statistics

Neighborhoods

0

Geography

Geometry

polygon

Area

19 km²

County

Presidio

Data Source

Primary Source

tiger

Census Reference

QuickFacts

Frequently Asked Questions About Redford

Is Redford a good place to live?

Redford suits a very specific type of resident—those seeking extreme solitude, self-sufficiency, and life along the international border in one of Texas's most remote corners. With a population of approximately seventy-one according to recent estimates, this isn't a place with neighborhood coffee shops, school districts, or typical suburban amenities. The community attracts ranchers, artists, retirees seeking isolation, and those drawn to the stark beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert and proximity to Big Bend National Park. The surprisingly high bachelor's degree attainment rate of thirty-two percent suggests many residents have made deliberate lifestyle choices rather than economic necessity driving their presence here. If you value independence, vast open spaces, and minimal government or commercial infrastructure, Redford offers an authenticity that's vanished from most of Texas.

What is the cost of living in Redford?

Redford's cost of living reflects the tradeoffs of extreme rural isolation—while land and housing may be less expensive than urban Texas, nearly everything else carries a premium due to distance from services. Presidio County employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows average wages ranging from twenty-four thousand dollars in retail to fifty thousand in construction, well below state averages but reflecting the local economy's limited scale. Groceries, fuel, medical care, and basic services require significant travel, often to Alpine or Marfa over an hour away, adding hidden costs to daily life. Property taxes remain low given minimal municipal services, but residents must budget for well maintenance, septic systems, and often solar or generator power. The true cost isn't measured in dollars alone but in time, self-reliance, and acceptance that conveniences most Texans take for granted simply don't exist here.

How are the schools in Redford?

Redford has no local school district due to its minimal population, requiring families with school-age children to make significant educational arrangements. The nearest public school options are in Presidio, roughly thirty miles away, requiring daily commutes that can be challenging given road conditions and weather in this remote border region. Many families in communities this small opt for homeschooling, distance learning programs, or boarding arrangements during the school year. The relatively high educational attainment among adults—thirty-two percent holding bachelor's degrees—suggests residents value education even while living far from traditional school infrastructure. Families considering Redford must plan educational logistics carefully, as the isolation that defines the community extends fully to schooling options, making this a poor fit for those seeking conventional K-12 experiences.

Considering a Move to Far West Texas?

Relocating to Redford or the broader Big Bend region requires understanding borderlands living, property availability, and the realities of remote Texas communities. Connect with a Texas Ally advisor who knows Presidio County and can help you navigate the unique considerations of settling in one of the state's most isolated areas.