Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 14 h 21 min6:43 am – 9:03 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 9 h 58 min7:50 am – 5:48 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People1,660 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 36.4651 householdsMedian household income $76,967Median home value $143,300Median rent $883 a month68% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $891 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting11.1% unemployment rate66% of adults are in the labour force, 724 employedMain industries: farming, forestry and mining 34%, education and health care 24%, transport, warehousing and utilities 9%Average commute 27 minutes79% drive alone, 12% car-pool, 3% walk or cycle, 6% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages12% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher79% finished high school, 1% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 62%, Spanish 37%, other Indo-European languages 2%20% speak English less than very wellSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 93°F, lows 65°FColdest month January: highs 54°F, lows 25°F16 in of rain a year, on about 28 dayswettest month September3 in of snow a year, on about 2 days89 days above 90°F, 99 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Plains station, 4 mi away
Nearby landmarksMexican Hillpeak · 9.3 miSource: USGS Geographic Names Information System
Earthquakes1 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19700 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 3.1 on 19 Feb 202613 mi away, near Denver City, TexasMost recent: magnitude 3.1 on 19 Feb 202613 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowYoakum County, TX, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsDrought Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality69% of days had good air in 2025251 of 365 days measured106 moderate, 3 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 5 unhealthy daysMedian index 44, worst day 193main pollutant: ozoneSource: US EPA Air Quality Index, nearest monitors: Lea County, NM, 39 mi away
Internet at home97% of households have a broadband subscription80% have cable, fibre or DSL16% rely on a mobile data plan alone3% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterCity of Plainsserves 1,355 people from ground water23 health-based violations since 2021latest Apr 2026: arsenic, maximum contaminant levelSource: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation3,692 ft1,125 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
Local servicesHospitalYoakum County Hospital14.1 miPost officePlains Post Office4.0 miTown hallPlains City Hall4.1 miPoliceYoakum County Sheriff's Office4.6 miFire stationPlains Volunteer Fire Department4.1 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportLea County Regional Airport HOB38 miUS highwayUS 822.6 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 79355 ZIP area.
