Located 83 miles northwest of Amarillo in the far northwestern corner of the Texas Panhandle, the City that started out as “Twist Junction” ultimately took its name from its stretch across two counties, Dallam and Hartley, the first of which established Dalhart as its seat. The community of approximately 8,500 residents also sits at the crossroads of highways 87, 385, and 54 in the center of a Tri-State area, 46 miles from eastern New Mexico and 56 miles from the northwest Oklahoma Panhandle.

The City of Dalhart has an unemployment rate of just 3.5% and has seen the job market increase by 3.3% in the past year. That growth is expected to continue with projections anticipating a 36.4% increase in jobs within the city limits over the next decade, outpacing the nationwide average of 33.5%. The median income in both Dallam and Hartley counties has also been steadily rising in recent years.

Standout downtown destinations include the La Rita Performing Arts Theatre, a beautifully restored 1930s facility offering community theater productions and other performing arts events, and the XIT Museum, sponsored by the Dallam-Hartley County Historical Association that tells the tale of the 3-million-acre ranch behind Dalhart’s nickname: “XIT City.” The XIT Museum features a chapel, several period rooms, displays on area wildlife, and the history of the railroad in the Panhandle, as well as a remarkable collection of artifacts from what was once the largest fenced ranch in the world.

The community’s Economic Development Corporation, using 4B funds, focuses its efforts on projects that enhance the quality of life enjoyed by residents and support priority developments. Planned projects include matching funds for a splash pad and playground equipment at Rita Blanca Lake. An amphitheater sponsored by Hilmar Cheese is in final stage of design. Funds are also available to support infrastructure for a new hotel, and a paving program for the Airport Industrial Park is currently in preliminary design.

The City is also planning more than $5 million in road improvements, funded primarily by TxDOT, and upgrades to the Dalhart Airport with $5.5 million in grant funding.
An important community partner and one that contributes to the region’s workforce readiness, Frank Phillips College curriculum that supports the local industry includes farm and ranch management, licensed vocational nursing, and certificates in welding, basic electronics, and pump and engine technology