Monahans, Texas
8 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1954 and the latest in 1986. It stands in the Monahans census division. It lies in ZIP code area 79756. The Survey maps it on the Monahans quadrangle. 7,836 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 2,621 feet above sea level.
Research this city
Population over time
2 figuresMonahans grew from 6,953 to 7,836 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6,953 | |
| 2020 | 7,836 | +883 (+13%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
4 surveys from 8 printed sheetsMatched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.
- 1954 USGS Pecos quadrangle1:250000, 3 printings
- 1957 USGS Pecos quadrangle1:250000
- 1969 USGS Monahans quadrangle1:24000, 2 printings
- 1986 USGS Odessa quadrangle1:100000, 2 printings
Fires near this place
77 since 2008Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 77 fires within 5 miles of Monahans between 2008 and 2018, burning about 1,299 acres in total. 2 started naturally. 3 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 29 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 19 |
| Debris and open burning | 12 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 4 |
| Railroad operations and maintenance | 4 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 3 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 3 |
| Natural | 2 |
| Smoking | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 September 2009 | Arson/incendiarism | 1.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | GRASS FIRE |
| 10 September 2009 | Power generation/transmission/distribution | 1.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | GRASS FIRE |
| 27 August 2009 | Power generation/transmission/distribution | 1.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | GRASS FIRE |
| 12 August 2008 | Misuse of fire by a minor | 1.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | not named |
| 5 July 2008 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 1.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | not named |
| 4 July 2008 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | Texas A & M Forest Service | not named |
| 17 July 2009 | Equipment and vehicle use | 1.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | GRASS FIRE |
| 15 July 2010 | Debris and open burning | 1.0 acres | Texas A & M Forest Service | 31ST HELEN |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Storms near this place
53 since 1994Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Monahans in 53 storm reports between 1994 and 2026: 31 hail, 11 thunderstorm wind, 10 flash flood, 1 lightning. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 2021 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | $200,000 | A thunderstorm moved across Ward County and produced wind damage south of Monahans. The damage swath included metal roofs/carports lifted or bent, downed tree branches between one to three inches in diameter, and several damaged travel trailers. The damage was generally oriented in an easterly direction. After re-analysis of radar data, the damage was determined to be the result of a microburst that occurred at approximately 9:15 pm CDT. The survey team estimated the peak wind speeds to be between 75 to 85 mph. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate. |
| June 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | $50,000 | Severe thunderstorm winds resulted in several roofs being blown off of businesses in Monahans, including the Boys and Girls Club. In addition, a new radio antenna tower which was installed by the city just nine months prior to the storm was blown down and destroyed. |
| September 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | $50,000 | Local media reported that a large transmitter tower was blown down near Monahans by severe thunderstorm winds. |
| May 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | $35,000 | A report was received from the public of a small camper trailer destroyed due to strong winds south of I-20 in Monahans. Additionally, a semi-trailer was flipped, and damage to a personal vehicle and home was also reported due to both hail and damaging winds. The time of occurrence was estimated by radar. The wind speed was estimated to be around 80 mph based on the damage, and the cost of property damage was also estimated. |
| September 2004 | Flash Flood | Monahans | $25,000 | Multiple reports from Monahans indicated that heavy rainfall produced flash flooding that quickly inundated city streets and threatened several residences. Local law enforcement officials reported that city streets remained barricaded at 19:00 CST. Flood waters in the city receded by late evening. No major damage was reported. |
| August 2002 | Hail | Monahans | $25,000 | Numerous reports of large hail up to the size of golfballs were received from Monahans. Local newspaper reports indicated that several roofs and vehicles received damage due to the hail. |
| June 1995 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | $20,000 | A cluster of thunderstorms moving to the southeast from southeastern New Mexico formed into a bow echo as it moved into the city of Monahans. Winds of at least 60 mph occurred for up to 25 minutes. An unofficial 84 mph was clocked by a local resident. Many signs were blown down. A small barn was carried by the wind into power lines, resulting in local power outages. Most reports came from the sheriff's office and SKYWARN Spotters. |
| June 2004 | Hail | Monahans | $20,000 | no account filed |
| August 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | $11,000 | A thunderstorm moved across Ward County and produced damage in Monahans. There were four to five telephone poles snapped, trees knocked over, a storage building turned on its side, and windows in mobile homes were broke. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate. |
| August 2002 | Lightning | Monahans | $10,000 | The local newspaper reported that lightning resulted in a minor house fire. Damage was restricted to the kitchen of the home. No injuries were reported. |
| June 1996 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | $5,000 | no account filed |
| June 2021 | Flash Flood | Monahans | $1,000 | Heavy rain resulted in flash flooding near Monahans. There was flooding reported by law enforcement on 45th and Loop Road. Power poles that were laying on the ground were reported to be floating near the roadway. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate. |
| May 1995 | Hail | Monahans | $1,000 | Sheriff's office reported golf ball-size hail just south of Monahans. |
| September 2014 | Flash Flood | Monahans | $500 | Heavy rain fell across Ward County and produced flash flooding in Monahans. Two to three feet of water was reported over some of the roads on the south side of Monahans. The cost of damage is a very rough estimate. |
| May 1994 | Hail | Monahans | $500 | no account filed |
| February 2026 | Hail | Monahans | - | The public sent a photo of quarter-sized hail in Monahans. The total time of occurrence is partially estimated from radar. |
| May 2025 | Hail | Monahans | - | A video shared by the public shows a large amount of approximately quarter-size hail in Monahans. The time of occurrence is estimated from radar. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | - | The AWOS station KE01 Roy Hurd Memorial Airport measured a 61 mph wind gust. The total duration/time of occurrence is estimated. |
| June 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | - | A thunderstorm moved through Monahans and the public estimated a wind gust of 60 mph. |
| May 2015 | Hail | Monahans | - | A thunderstorm moved across Ward County and produced penny sized hail on the south side of Monahans. |
| May 2010 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | - | No known damage was reported with this gust. |
| April 2007 | Flash Flood | Monahans | - | Five to six inches of water flowed over the road into Monahans Sandhills State Park. Also, in Grandfalls on Texas Highway 18, six to twelve inches of water flowed over the road. |
| August 2006 | Flash Flood | Monahans | - | An isolated thunderstorm developed directly over Monahans and remained stationary for half an hour. This resulted in water flowing across city streets in Monahans after the storm. |
| August 2006 | Flash Flood | Monahans | - | Flash flooding was reported in downtown Monahans. Most locations had curb to curb flooding but some locations were under two feet of water. |
| May 2005 | Hail | Monahans | - | Nickel size hail was reported at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 1776 and Texas Highway 18. |
| June 2005 | Hail | Monahans | - | A slow moving thunderstorm produced penny to quarter size hail over Texas State Highway 18 and Farm to Market Road 1219 south of Monahans for more than half an hour during the late afternoon of the 9th. No damage was reported. |
| July 2004 | Flash Flood | Monahans | - | An ambulance crew traveling between Coyanosa and Monahans reported flash flooding that caused high water to flow over Farm to Market Road 1776 in several locations. |
| July 2004 | Flash Flood | Monahans | - | A second focus for thunderstorm development and heavy rainfall evolved over the west Texas Upper Trans Pecos region early Sunday. This activity slowly tracked east into the western Permian Basin. Isolated occurrences of flash flooding resulted from this complex of heavy rainfall.Officials at Monahans Sandhills State Park reported that nearly a half foot of water flowed over secondary roads. |
| October 2004 | Thunderstorm Wind | Monahans | - | A large tree was blown down by severe thunderstorm winds just west of Monahans. |
| September 2004 | Flash Flood | Monahans | - | Trained spotters reported high water flowing over Farm to Market Road 871 in southeast Ward County. Several secondary roadways also were inundated by flood waters. |
| October 2004 | Flash Flood | Monahans | - | More than one and a half feet of water was reported flowing through several city streets in Monahans shortly after midnight on the 5th. By 01:00 CST the public reported three feet of flood waters crossing Farm to Market Road 1176 near the intersection of State Highway 18 south of the city. |
| August 2002 | Hail | Monahans | - | Reported by a spotter at the intersection of Farm to Markets 1219 and 1776. |
| October 2002 | Hail | Monahans | - | Quarter size hail was reported at the intersection of Highways 18 and 1776. |
| May 1997 | Hail | Monahans | - | Although this storm was beginning to fall apart it was still able to produce golfball size hail near Monahans. |
| June 1995 | Hail | Monahans | - | A cluster of thunderstorms moving to the southeast from southeastern New Mexico formed into a bow echo as it moved into the city of Monahans. Winds of at least 60 mph occurred for up to 25 minutes. An unofficial 84 mph was clocked by a local resident. Many signs were blown down. A small barn was carried by the wind into power lines, resulting in local power outages. Most reports came from the sheriff's office and SKYWARN Spotters. |
| June 1995 | Hail | Monahans | - | Sheriff's office reported golf ball-size hail just south of Monahans. |
| June 1995 | Hail | Monahans | - | A cluster of thunderstorms moving to the southeast from southeastern New Mexico formed into a bow echo as it moved into the city of Monahans. Winds of at least 60 mph occurred for up to 25 minutes. An unofficial 84 mph was clocked by a local resident. Many signs were blown down. A small barn was carried by the wind into power lines, resulting in local power outages. Most reports came from the sheriff's office and SKYWARN Spotters. |
| July 1994 | Hail | Monahans | - | The Sheriff's Office in Ward County reported that a southwest-moving storm dropped nickel-size hail near Monahans. |
| July 1994 | Hail | Monahans | - | The Sheriff's Office in Ward County reported that a southwest-moving storm dropped nickel-size hail near Monahans. |
| April 2017 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| May 2015 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| April 2015 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| April 2015 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| June 2012 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| May 2008 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| May 2007 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| May 2001 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| May 2001 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| May 2001 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| June 1996 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| May 1996 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| June 1996 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
| May 1995 | Hail | Monahans | - | no account filed |
Nearest settlements
The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.
| Map | Place | Distance | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorntonville | 1.7 miles | 8 | |
| Wickett | 6.0 miles | 8 | |
| Three Corner Windmill | 9.3 miles | 7 | |
| Pyote | 13.0 miles | 8 | |
| Royalty | 15.4 miles | 9 | |
| Grandfalls | 17.7 miles | 9 | |
| Barstow | 28.1 miles | 9 |
Elsewhere
Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.
| Wikipedia article on Monahans | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q980109 | The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0). |
Provenance
This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1363045. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.



