Cities and Towns in Winkler County, Texas
Founded in 1887, Winkler County is one of 254 counties in the state of Texas. Historically, Winkler County was formed from Tom Green County. The city of Kermit is the county seat. With FIPS code of 495, Winkler County has a population of 7,415 and area of 841 square miles (2,178 km²).
List of all cities in Winkler County, TX alphabetically
| City/Town | Postal Code | Area Code |
| Kermit, TX | 79745 | 432 |
| Wink, TX | 79789 | 432 |
Major Cities and Towns in Winkler County, Texas
1. Kermit
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude:
- Area: 1.6 square miles
- Population: Approximately 6,000
- Zip Codes: 79745
- Latitude: 31.8540° N
- Longitude: 103.1246° W
Location and History:
Kermit is the county seat of Winkler County and is located in the western part of Texas, in the Permian Basin region. The town was established in 1909 as part of the oil boom in the area, and its growth was initially fueled by the discovery of oil and the expansion of the railroad. Kermit was named after the son of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a key figure in the early days of the area’s development. The town’s economy has long been tied to the oil industry, and as oil production in the region grew, Kermit became an important service hub for the oil fields. In the decades since, Kermit has maintained its status as an oil town, while also growing to accommodate residential and commercial development. Today, Kermit continues to serve as the economic center of Winkler County, with a diverse economy that includes agriculture, oil production, and local services. The town has retained much of its small-town charm while also adapting to the demands of modern industry and infrastructure. Despite being a small town, Kermit is an important part of the Permian Basin’s oil and energy sector.
Major Schools and Landmarks:
Kermit is served by the Kermit Independent School District, which includes Kermit High School, Kermit Junior High, and several elementary schools. The district is known for its strong academic programs and its competitive sports teams, especially in football and basketball. Kermit is also home to the Winkler County Library, which provides educational and recreational resources for the community. A major landmark in Kermit is the historic Winkler County Courthouse, a beautifully preserved building that serves as the center of government in the area. The town is also home to the Kermit Sports Complex, which features a baseball field, soccer field, and recreational areas for local residents. Additionally, Kermit hosts the annual Oil Patch Festival, a celebration of the town’s oil heritage and local culture, with live music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. The Kermit Museum showcases the history of the town and its connection to the oil industry, featuring exhibits on the town’s founding, early oil boom, and development over the years. With its rich history and strong sense of community, Kermit offers a glimpse into life in a small, oil-centered Texas town.
2. Wink
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude:
- Area: 2.1 square miles
- Population: Approximately 800
- Zip Codes: 79789
- Latitude: 31.7565° N
- Longitude: 103.2101° W
Location and History:
Wink is a small town located in the southeastern part of Winkler County, about 20 miles southeast of Kermit. Established in the early 1900s, Wink owes much of its growth to the oil boom in the Permian Basin. The town was named after the Winkler family, who were among the early settlers in the area. Wink gained national attention in the 1920s when the Winkler County Oil Field was discovered nearby, transforming it into a major center of oil production. The discovery of oil brought rapid growth to the area, attracting workers and businesses seeking to capitalize on the newfound wealth. Over the years, Wink’s population fluctuated with the boom-and-bust cycles of the oil industry, but the town has remained a vital part of Winkler County. While oil production remains an important part of the local economy, Wink is also a gateway to nearby agricultural and energy industries. Today, Wink is a small but resilient community, with a close-knit population and a history deeply rooted in the region’s oil industry.
Major Schools and Landmarks:
Wink is served by the Wink-Loving Independent School District, which includes Wink High School, Wink Junior High, and several elementary schools. The district is dedicated to providing quality education, despite the town’s small size, and its students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, especially in athletics like football and track. Wink also has several local landmarks, including the Winkler County Historical Museum, which preserves the history of the area, particularly the impact of oil discoveries on the town’s development. One of the most famous landmarks in Wink is the Winkler County Courthouse, a historic building that reflects the town’s early 20th-century architecture. Another notable site is the nearby Winkler County Park, a recreational area offering picnicking and outdoor activities for residents. Despite its small size, Wink is also known for the annual Winkler County Fair, which celebrates the town’s agricultural roots and its oil heritage, with rodeo events, a carnival, and live entertainment. With its rich history in the oil industry and strong community spirit, Wink offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the Permian Basin.
3. Pyote
Area, Population, Zip Codes, Latitude and Longitude:
- Area: 3.0 square miles
- Population: Approximately 100
- Zip Codes: 79777
- Latitude: 31.7767° N
- Longitude: 103.1700° W
Location and History:
Pyote is a small, unincorporated community located in the northeastern part of Winkler County, about 15 miles east of Kermit. The town was founded in the early 20th century, and it was originally developed as a railroad and service town during the construction of the railroad in the Permian Basin. Pyote’s population grew in the 1920s with the discovery of oil in the region, but like many small towns in the area, it experienced significant fluctuations as the oil boom and bust cycles impacted the local economy. At its peak, Pyote was a bustling town with several businesses, schools, and civic institutions. However, as the oil industry shifted and the region’s population moved to larger towns like Kermit and Wink, Pyote’s population began to decline. Today, Pyote is a quiet community with only a few hundred residents. While it no longer serves as an industrial hub, it remains a testament to the region’s oil history, with remnants of its once-thriving oil industry still visible.
Major Schools and Landmarks:
Pyote is part of the Kermit Independent School District, and local students attend schools in Kermit. The small population and distance from larger towns mean that educational resources are centralized in nearby Kermit, which serves as the primary hub for the surrounding area. Pyote is home to several historic sites, including remnants of its railroad heritage, such as old train depots and tracks that served the town in its early years. The Pyote Cemetery is another notable landmark, reflecting the history of the families who once lived in the area. While the town no longer has active commercial businesses or major civic buildings, it retains an air of quiet rural charm. Pyote is also near several scenic areas, such as the West Texas desert and the surrounding rugged terrain, which provide opportunities for hiking and outdoor exploration. Though small, Pyote represents an important chapter in the story of the Permian Basin’s oil industry and the development of the region’s early settlements.
