Palo Duro Canyon

The ability of the Texas Panhandle

to thrive in the 21st century global knowledge-based economy hinges on the quality and educational attainment level of its workforce, which is currently lower than the state and national average.

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A few facts about our community



Poverty rates in Potter County have climbed, from one in ten individuals living in poverty in 2000, up to one in four living in poverty in 2008. These numbers also predate much of the recent economic downturn, so poverty numbers are probably higher now.

Potter County Poverty Estimates—almost 50% live below 2x poverty:

  • 31% of Potter County children reside in single-parent households
  • Individuals below 100% poverty level—24.9% or 29,418
  • Individuals below 200% poverty level—48.7% or 57,625
  • 3 out of 10 adults in Potter County have less than a high school diploma
  • Over 64% of students in Amarillo ISD qualify for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program, and those numbers keep growing.


    • Randall County stats are not quite as grim, yet across the Panhandle, the numbers of those in poverty are growing every year.