Lubbock County | |
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![]() The current Lubbock County Courthouse | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Texas | |
![]() Texas's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 33°37′N101°49′W / 33.61°N 101.82°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1891 |
Named for | Thomas Saltus Lubbock |
Seat | Lubbock |
Largest city | Lubbock |
Area | |
• Total | 901 sq mi (2,330 km2) |
• Land | 896 sq mi (2,320 km2) |
• Water | 5.1 sq mi (13 km2) 0.6% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 310,639 |
• Density | 340/sq mi (130/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 19th |
Lubbock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 census placed the population at 310,639. [1] Its county seat and largest city is Lubbock. [2] The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1891. [3] It is named for Thomas Saltus Lubbock, [4] a Confederate colonel and Texas Ranger (some sources give his first name as Thompson).
Lubbock County, along with Crosby County, and Lynn County, is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The Lubbock MSA and Levelland Micropolitan Statistical Area, encompassing only Hockley County, form the larger Lubbock–Levelland Combined Statistical Area.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 901 square miles (2,330 km2), of which 896 square miles (2,320 km2) are land and 5.1 square miles (13 km2) (0.6%) are covered by water. [5]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 25 | — | |
1890 | 33 | 32.0% | |
1900 | 293 | 787.9% | |
1910 | 3,624 | 1,136.9% | |
1920 | 11,096 | 206.2% | |
1930 | 39,104 | 252.4% | |
1940 | 51,782 | 32.4% | |
1950 | 101,048 | 95.1% | |
1960 | 156,271 | 54.7% | |
1970 | 179,295 | 14.7% | |
1980 | 211,651 | 18.0% | |
1990 | 222,636 | 5.2% | |
2000 | 242,628 | 9.0% | |
2010 | 278,831 | 14.9% | |
2020 | 310,639 | 11.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1850–2010 [7] 2010 [8] 2020 [9] |
Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2010 [8] | Pop 2020 [9] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 159,815 | 154,994 | 57.32% | 49.90% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 19,957 | 25,663 | 7.16% | 8.26% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 1,026 | 1,436 | 0.37% | 0.46% |
Asian alone (NH) | 5,650 | 9,490 | 2.03% | 3.05% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 161 | 180 | 0.06% | 0.06% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 284 | 968 | 0.10% | 0.31% |
Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 3,014 | 8,738 | 1.08% | 2.81% |
Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 88,924 | 109,170 | 31.89% | 35.14% |
Total | 278,831 | 310,639 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
As of the census [10] of 2000, 242,628 people, 92,516 households, and 60,135 families resided in the county. The population density was 270 people per square mile (100 people/km2). The 100,595 housing units averaged 112 units per square mile (43/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 74.30% White, 7.67% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 14.15% from other races, and 1.96% from two or more races. About 27.45% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 92,516 households, 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.20% were married couples living together, 12.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.00% were not families. About 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.10.
In the county, the population was distributed as 25.70% under the age of 18, 16.30% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 19.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,198, and for a family was $41,067. Males had a median income of $29,961 versus $21,591 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,323. About 12.00% of families and 17.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.60% of those under age 18 and 10.70% of those age 65 or over.
Legislative Representation | Name | Service |
---|---|---|
United States Congress, District 19 | Jodey Arrington | 2017 – Present |
State Senator, District 28 | Charles Perry | 2014 – Present |
State Representative, District 83 | Dustin Burrows | 2015 – Present |
State Representative, District 84 | Carl Tepper | 2023 – Present |
County Elected Leadership | Name | Service |
---|---|---|
County Judge | Curtis Parrish | 2019 – present |
County Commissioner Pct 1 | Terence Kovar | 2021 – present |
County Commissioner Pct 2 | Jason Corley | 2019 – present |
County Commissioner Pct 3 | Gilbert Flores | 2017 – present |
County Commissioner Pct 4 | Jordan Rackler | 2023 – present |
District Attorney | K. Sunshine Stanek | 2018 – present |
District Clerk | Sara Smith | 2022 – present |
County Clerk | Kelly Pinon | 2007 – present |
County Sheriff | Kelly Rowe | 2009 – present |
County Tax Assessor-collector | Ronnie Keister | 2009 – present |
County Treasurer | Chris Winn | 2015 – present |
At the presidential level, Lubbock County votes predominantly Republican, having voted Democratic for president only once in the past 70 years, a trend which began with native son Dwight D. Eisenhower heading the ticket in 1952 and 1956, reversing a trend typical of the Solid South. In the 2020 Presidential election, Joe Biden's percentage (a best for a Democrat since 1976), was due to Biden winning precincts within the city highway loop in Lubbock. [11] The heavy Republican lean of the county is mostly due to Republican landslide victories in precincts located outside the city highway loop in the county.
In October 2023 Lubbock County Commissioners passed a "Sanctuary County for the Unborn" ordinance. The ordinance outlaws "the act of transporting another person along their roads for an abortion." The ordinance is of questionable constitutionality, given the right to interstate travel under the U.S. Constitution. [12]
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 78,861 | 65.27% | 40,017 | 33.12% | 1,939 | 1.60% |
2016 | 65,651 | 66.31% | 28,023 | 28.30% | 5,339 | 5.39% |
2012 | 63,469 | 69.61% | 26,271 | 28.81% | 1,444 | 1.58% |
2008 | 66,304 | 67.98% | 30,486 | 31.26% | 744 | 0.76% |
2004 | 70,135 | 75.29% | 22,472 | 24.12% | 544 | 0.58% |
2000 | 56,054 | 73.75% | 18,469 | 24.30% | 1,485 | 1.95% |
1996 | 47,304 | 63.50% | 22,786 | 30.59% | 4,399 | 5.91% |
1992 | 48,847 | 58.95% | 22,240 | 26.84% | 11,771 | 14.21% |
1988 | 50,760 | 69.26% | 22,202 | 30.29% | 330 | 0.45% |
1984 | 57,151 | 74.98% | 18,793 | 24.66% | 275 | 0.36% |
1980 | 46,711 | 68.83% | 18,732 | 27.60% | 2,424 | 3.57% |
1976 | 38,478 | 60.40% | 24,797 | 38.92% | 432 | 0.68% |
1972 | 43,564 | 73.47% | 15,353 | 25.89% | 379 | 0.64% |
1968 | 25,646 | 51.13% | 15,430 | 30.77% | 9,078 | 18.10% |
1964 | 17,372 | 44.02% | 22,057 | 55.89% | 34 | 0.09% |
1960 | 20,065 | 56.35% | 15,340 | 43.08% | 202 | 0.57% |
1956 | 13,970 | 52.57% | 12,540 | 47.19% | 66 | 0.25% |
1952 | 16,137 | 57.95% | 11,650 | 41.84% | 58 | 0.21% |
1948 | 2,837 | 18.66% | 11,114 | 73.08% | 1,256 | 8.26% |
1944 | 1,169 | 10.77% | 7,654 | 70.50% | 2,033 | 18.73% |
1940 | 1,283 | 13.63% | 8,113 | 86.19% | 17 | 0.18% |
1936 | 622 | 8.81% | 6,425 | 90.97% | 16 | 0.23% |
1932 | 590 | 9.91% | 5,330 | 89.53% | 33 | 0.55% |
1928 | 3,079 | 60.79% | 1,979 | 39.07% | 7 | 0.14% |
1924 | 411 | 17.54% | 1,740 | 74.26% | 192 | 8.19% |
1920 | 204 | 14.05% | 1,180 | 81.27% | 68 | 4.68% |
1916 | 34 | 4.87% | 633 | 90.69% | 31 | 4.44% |
1912 | 16 | 3.73% | 366 | 85.31% | 47 | 10.96% |
School districts serving the county include: [14]
The county is in the service area of South Plains College. [15]
Texas Tech University is in Lubbock.
Lynn County is a county in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 5,596. Its county seat is Tahoka. The county was created in 1876 and organized in 1903.
Lamb County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 13,045. Its county seat is Littlefield. The county was created in 1876, but not organized until 1908. It is named for George A. Lamb, who died in the Battle of San Jacinto.
Hockley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 21,537. Its county seat is Levelland. The county was created in 1876, but not organized until 1921. It is named for George Washington Hockley, a secretary of war of the Republic of Texas.
Crosby County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2020 census, its population was 5,133. The county seat is Crosbyton. The county was founded in 1876 and later organized in 1886. Both the county and its seat are named for Stephen Crosby, a land commissioner in Texas.
Crosbyton is a city in and the county seat of Crosby County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,492 at the 2020 census. Crosbyton is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Ralls is a city in Crosby County, Texas, United States. It was named after John Robinson Ralls, who, with the help of W.E. McLaughlin, laid out the townsite in July 1911. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 1,665, down from 1,944 at the 2010 census. Ralls is surrounded by productive farmlands that primarily produce cotton and grains, with lesser amounts of soybean, sunflower seed, and vegetables.
Post is a city in and the county seat of Garza County, Texas, United States. Its population was 4,790 at the 2020 census. and according to 2023 census estimates, the city is estimated to have a population of 3,486.
Anton is a city in Hockley County, Texas, United States. The population was 907 at the 2020 census.
Levelland is a city and the county seat of Hockley County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 12,652, down from 13,542 at the 2010 census. It is located on the Llano Estacado, 30 miles (48 km) west of Lubbock. Major industries include cotton farming and petroleum production. It is the home of South Plains College. Levelland is the principal city of the Levelland micropolitan statistical area, which includes all of Hockley County and part of the larger Lubbock–Levelland combined statistical area. Levelland was so named on account of the flat land at the town site.
Opdyke West is a town in Hockley County, Texas, United States. The population was 220 at the 2020 census. It takes its name from the nearby community of Opdyke, founded in 1925, which was named either for Charles W. Opdyke, railroad director, or for the family of W. A. Dykes, who established the first gin in the area by 1937. Opdyke West was incorporated in 1984.
Ropesville is a city in Hockley County, Texas, United States. Its population was 430 at the 2020 census, down from 434 at the 2010 census.
Smyer is a town in Hockley County, Texas, United States. It is located near the Old Spade Ranch House where the current ranch headquarters is. The population was 441 at the 2020 census. in 2023, the population declined to 433.
Idalou is a city in Lubbock County, Texas, United States. It is located 7 miles (11 km) northeast of Lubbock near the intersection of Farm to Market Road 400 and US 62/US 82/SH 114. The population was 2,193 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.
New Deal is a U.S. town in Lubbock County, Texas. The population was 730 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Llano Estacado region.
Ransom Canyon is a town in Lubbock County of West Texas, United States. The population was 1,189 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Shallowater is a city in Lubbock County, Texas, United States. Shallowater is on U.S. Route 84 and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line, 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Lubbock. Its population was 2,964 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Lubbock metropolitan statistical area.
Slaton is a city in Lubbock County, Texas, United States. Founded by German immigrants, Slaton was the westernmost German settlement in Texas. The population was 5,858 at the 2020 census. Slaton is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area.
O'Donnell is a West Texas city that lies primarily in Lynn County, with a small portion extending south into Dawson County, Texas, United States. Its population was 704 at the 2020 census. The Lynn county portion of O'Donnell is part of the Lubbock Metropolitan area.
The Lubbock metropolitan area is a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the South Plains region of West Texas, United States, that covers three counties – Crosby, Lubbock, and Lynn. As of the 2010 census, the Lubbock MSA had a population of 290,805, though a 2019 estimate placed the population at 322,257, which ranks it the 157th-most populated MSA in the United States. It is also part of the larger Lubbock–Plainview combined statistical area.
The Lubbock–Plainview Combined Statistical Area consists of the Lubbock Metropolitan Area and the Plainview Micropolitan Area and comprises eight counties: in the South Plains region of west Texas. The Levelland Micropolitan Statistical Area was a separate statistical area within the CSA until 2023 when it was added to the Lubbock MSA. In the 2010 census, the CSA had a population of 350,013, though a July 1, 2019 estimate placed the population at 381,664. The CSA's principal city is Lubbock.