Monahans, Texas

Overview

Located in the Texas community of Monahans, Ward Memorial Hospital is a critical healthcare facility that serves a significant population base. The communities reachable within a 30-minute drive demonstrate the geographic and demographic scope of this location's influence. By examining these nearby incorporated places, we can better understand the role Ward Memorial Hospital plays in the region.

Population catchment

The 30-minute driving radius around Ward Memorial Hospital encompasses a combined population of approximately 3,326 residents across 6 incorporated communities. Southwest Sandhill leads as the most populous nearby community with 1,666 residents, representing roughly 50% of the total catchment population. Rounding out the top three are Thorntonville with 561 residents and Wickett with 422, providing further evidence of the population concentration near Ward Memorial Hospital. Together, the top three communities account for a substantial share of the overall population base, underscoring the concentrated nature of the area's demographics.

Regional dependence

The relationship between the smaller towns and the larger communities near Ward Memorial Hospital reflects a pattern of regional dependence typical in Texas. Of the 6 nearby communities, 6 have populations below 5,000, indicating that these residents likely rely on Southwest Sandhill and similar centers for goods and services. This dynamic reinforces the importance of Ward Memorial Hospital as a regional destination.

Geographic interpretation

From a geographic perspective, the area surrounding Ward Memorial Hospital can be characterized as rural. With limited communities above 10,000 residents, the region displays a rural settlement pattern where populations are spread across numerous small incorporated places. The presence of Southwest Sandhill as the dominant population center creates a dispersed pattern, with progressively smaller communities extending outward. The median community population in this catchment is 381, indicating that most communities are substantially smaller than the dominant center. Understanding this settlement structure helps contextualize the role of Ward Memorial Hospital within the broader regional framework.