Updated September 10, 2026
How much housing does El Paso have?
The Census counts 262,899 housing units in El Paso for a population of about 678,147 — roughly 2.6 people for every housing unit.
That makes El Paso the fifth largest of the five Texas cities with a page here; Houston counts 1,023,112.
Who arranges chimney work on an El Paso home?
About 60.2% of occupied El Paso homes are owner-occupied, which leaves about 39.8% rented.
Even at 60.2% owner-occupied, the remaining 39.8% of El Paso homes are rented, where the person who notices a problem and the person who authorizes the repair are not the same. Say which you are when you send a request.
Tenure also decides who keeps the paperwork. An El Paso chimney's earlier reports follow the property, not the occupant, so ask for them whichever side of that 60.2% you are on.
Which cities near El Paso have their own page here?
San Antonio, about 498 miles away, Austin, about 524 miles away, Dallas, about 568 miles away, and Houston, about 670 miles away — measured from El Paso.
Those are great-circle distances between the Census 2023 Gazetteer interior points of each place, so the drive is longer than the figure.
San Antonio's median build year is 1984 against El Paso's 1983, a 1-year difference in the housing the two chimneys belong to.
What you can observe safely
- Keep the fireplace closed if it can remain closed without touching wildlife.
- Record when sounds occur from a safe distance.
What to avoid
- Do not climb onto the roof or enter the chimney.
- Do not alter gas components, venting, or safety controls.
- Do not use a test fire to diagnose the problem.
Possible causes to assess
- Wildlife entry
- Nesting or other obstruction
- Missing or damaged termination
A symptom cannot establish the cause remotely. An assessment of the complete system helps determine the appropriate repair.
Animal and nest removal in El PasoA few common questions
Can this be diagnosed from a photo?
A photo can document a symptom and help prepare a visit. It cannot confirm concealed conditions or establish that a chimney or fuel-burning appliance is safe.