Lubbock County
County Offices
904 Broadway
Lubbock 806-775-1000
https://www.co.lubbock.tx.us/
Chamber of Commerce
1500 Broadway
Lubbock 806-761-7000
http://www.lubbockchamber.com/
Situated in northwestern Texas on the southern end of the high plains, Lubbock County sprawls over 893 square miles of flat and gently sloping land. Distinguished as the largest contiguous cotton-growing region in the world, Lubbock County depends heavily on the Ogallala Aquifer for irrigation water. Responding to diminishing supplies of ground water, this region has emerged as a leader in water conservation technologies and progressive planning. The county is located at the economic center of the Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area and serves as an agribusiness center and wholesale trade hub for more than 50 counties in West Texas and eastern New Mexico.
Diversity strengthens the local economy, highlighted by leading employers in education, healthcare, retail, government, and services including Texas Tech University, Covenant Health System, University Medical Center, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, United Supermarkets, and AT&T. The region’s strong transportation network includes a location at the crossroads of Interstate 27 and U.S. Highways 62, 82, 84, and 87. Commercial and passenger air transportation is available at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport.
Services
Newcomers to Lubbock County will discover all the advantages of a sophisticated metropolitan area including premier educational opportunities. Respected schools offer student/teacher ratios as low as 14:1, although parents who are interested in alternative educational approaches will find a selection of private schools. For an affordable start to a four-year degree or career training, South Plains College (SPC) maintains the SPC Lubbock Center and the SPC Reese Center in Lubbock. SPC offers more than 100 programs of study that span the arts and sciences, technical education, continuing education, and workforce development. The crown jewel of the educational community is Texas Tech University, recognized as a Tier One Carnegie Designated University with preeminent research partnerships in a variety of areas including sustainable energy, wind power, crop science, and food safety. Students can choose from 150 undergraduate majors, 100 master programs, and 50 doctoral programs in 13 colleges that include a school of law, a medical school, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Two respected private colleges are also at home in the city, including Lubbock Christian University, recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Top 20 Comprehensive College in the Western Region. The private college of Wayland Baptist University also maintains a campus in Lubbock.
The availability of world-class healthcare resources and services are equally impressive, complemented by the presence of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC). Ranked in the top 120 medical programs in the nation, TTUHSC Lubbock houses the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Allied Health. The University Medical Center Health System (UMC) in partnership with Texas Tech University provides a world-class teaching hospital and premier research center with innovative technologies, treatment breakthroughs, and specialty centers that include UMC Timothy J. Harnar Burn Center—the only resource of its kind between Denver and Dallas. Covenant Health, the largest of the healthcare systems serving West Texas, maintains its flagship facilities of Covenant Medical Center and Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock. With a total of more than 1,360 beds, Covenant Health operates specialty centers that include the Heart & Vascular Institute, Joe Arrington Cancer Research & Treatment Center, the NeuroScience Institute, Covenant Specialty Hospital, Covenant Medical Group, and the Grace Health System with its own clinic and medical center. Also located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Heart & Surgical Hospital focuses on the special needs of cardiovascular patients.
Lifestyle
The arts are a way of life in Lubbock County. Proud of its legacy as the birthplace of great music, this region has been home to history-making talent like Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Mac Davis, Roy Orbison, Tanya Tucker, and Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks. Today’s lively cultural scene keeps the annual calendar filled with more than 2,300 events, shows, performances, and exhibitions. Throngs of visitors join the locals at extravaganzas like the National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration, South Plains Fair, Lubbock Arts Festival, Lubbock Music Fest, and the Independence Day celebration—the largest free festival in Texas. Home to one of the first recognized Cultural Districts in Texas, Lubbock offers venues like the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts with its theatre, art galleries, and outdoor stage as well as Moonlight Musicals Amphitheater for concerts, stage shows, and special events. The spectacular Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences stands as the cultural jewel of revitalized downtown Lubbock and an elegant home for Ballet Lubbock and Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. History buffs will enjoy exploring the Caviel Museum of African-American History, the Silent Wings Museum, the National Ranching Heritage Center, and the Museum of Texas Tech University. The latter features Lubbock Lake Landmark, preserving evidence of human life in this region nearly 12,000 years ago.
With an average of 265 days of sunshine each year, this region supports four-season recreational activity and outdoor adventure. Buffalo Springs Lake is a popular destination for fishing, water sports, hiking, volleyball, horseback riding, golfing, and camping or enjoying live music at the marina. Water lovers will also want to explore Lake Alan Henry recreational area for fishing, skiing, hunting, hiking, and camping. Lubbock Water Rampage in Lubbock attracts water-lovers of all ages to a wave pool, lazy river, water slides, and themed adventure worlds. Shooting facilities, entertainment venues, and beautiful golf courses combine with recreation centers and acres of lush parkland filled with sports amenities. Mackenzie Park offers something for everyone, home to major attractions like Prairie Dog Town, an amusement park, and the American Wind Power Center with 100 historic windmills on 28 acres. At Lubbock Municipal Garden and Art Center, visitors of all ages enjoy classes, programs, performing arts, exhibitions, and special events. Quiet family experiences like corn mazes and orchard visits contrast with the roaring crowds at big-name entertainment and Texas Tech Red Raiders sports thrills. With its friendly atmosphere, quality shopping and dining experiences, and attractive housing in a variety of settings, Lubbock County is a wonderful place to call home.
COMMUNITY PROFILES
Abernathy
Municipal Offices
806-298-2546
https://www.cityofabernathy.org/
Chamber of Commerce
806-761-7000
http://www.lubbockchamber.com/
The welcoming city of Abernathy is ideally located along Interstate Highway 27 and U.S. Highway 87 just 18 miles north of the bustling metropolitan center of Lubbock. The city straddles two counties, Lubbock and Hale, the latter portion encompassed within the Plainview Micropolitan Statistical Area. With an economy based on agribusiness and trade, the city offers all the open feeling and friendliness of a small country town in close proximity to a world of urban amenities. Characterized as a bedroom community for Lubbock, the city supports good schools and local businesses for a close-knit atmosphere where neighbors become friends and shop owners greet customers by name. With world-class education and expanded employment opportunities nearby, many second-generation residents who grew up in Abernathy are returning “home” to raise their families. One of the hallmarks of Abernathy is the enthusiasm for Old Glory and the annual Fourth of July festivities where the parade includes everything from antique tractors to children on bicycles.
Idalou
Municipal Offices
806-892-2531
https://idaloutx.com
Chamber of Commerce
806-761-7000
http://www.lubbockchamber.com/
The friendly small town of Idalou is located along U.S. Highways 62 and 82 just 12 miles northeast of Lubbock, the West Texas metropolitan center for education, healthcare, commerce, and entertainment. Residents enjoy all the pleasures of country living with easy access to “big city” shopping, dining, museums, Texas Tech competitive sports, and cultural enrichment. Idalou is known for having an excellent local schools, responsive local businesses, and first-rate services include a library, local emergency and fire services, and city parks with a community swimming pool. The city serves as a center of agricultural activity for surrounding cotton farms in northeast Lubbock County, a hometown for those employed in farm-related occupations, and a quiet bedroom community for commuters to Lubbock. Those who are looking for strong bonds and a warm community spirit may find the perfect home in the town idealized by the Josh Abbott Band in the song “Idalou” from their album Small Town Family Dream.
Lubbock
Municipal Offices
806-775-3000
https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/
Chamber of Commerce
806-761-7000
http://www.lubbockchamber.com/
Long known as the “Hub City,” Lubbock provides a thriving cosmopolitan center and college town for the entire South Plains of West Texas and points beyond. Although the nickname originated from the city’s location at the crossroads of Interstate 27 and four major U.S. highways, Lubbock has grown into a hub of commerce, industry, education, healthcare, and services. Home to Texas Tech University, a community college, and two private colleges, the city also excels in world-class healthcare resources. The kaleidoscope of retail options is equally impressive, from one-of-a-kind boutiques to distinctive home décor and the latest fashions. Residents and visitors can choose from nearly 1,000 restaurants and enjoy a culinary scene that includes microbreweries and award-winning wineries. Beautiful parks dot the city with green space, recreational amenities, and scenic natural features like sparkling lakes. Dedicated to the arts and entertainment, the historic Depot District houses upscale restaurants, shops, pubs, nightclubs, a winery, theaters, and cultural attractions crowned by the Buddy Holly Center museum. Highly rated schools, a business-friendly government, and an enviable quality of life with a Western flair have made Lubbock a place that many of its college graduates now call home.
Shallowater
Municipal Offices
806-832-4521
https://shallowatertx.us/
Chamber of Commerce
806-761-7000
http://www.lubbockchamber.com/
Those who are looking for a family-oriented hometown may find their dream in the city of Shallowtown, which takes for its motto: “Where Texas Pride Runs Deep.” Just 12 miles northwest of the metropolitan center of Lubbock, the small community of Shallowater is located along Texas State Highway 84 for quick commutes to the “big city” for expanded education, healthcare, retail, entertainment, and employment options. This quiet, friendly town draws newcomers to a bedroom community atmosphere where church, school, family, and community activities are always center stage in daily life. Local schools are highly rated and Friday night football games draw enthusiastic support from the entire community. Residents greet each other by name and newcomers find it easy to become involved in local activities and organizations. Adults who want to further their own education and families with growing children will find options for higher education just minutes from home.
Slaton
Municipal Offices
806-828-2000
https://cityofslaton.com/
Chamber of Commerce
806-828-6238
https://www.slatonchamberofcommerce.org/
Characterized as a suburb of Lubbock, Slaton is located in the southeast corner of Lubbock County just 15 miles from the “Hub City.” Major thoroughfares that ensure convenient commutes include U S. Highway 84 and the north/south route of FM 400. Proud of its Santa Fe Railroad history, the city celebrates the past in unique landmarks and venues. Slaton Harvey House is the culmination of community vision and spirit, restored to its former glory as a restaurant that once served the railroad passenger depot. More than one million dollars was raised to bring the original Harvey House back to life as a museum and a beautiful bed and breakfast. Built in 1906, Steam Engine 1809 is preserved on the Town Square as the “Cotton Special” that made runs to Houston and the gulf ports. Slaton’s municipal airport also features the Caprock Chapter of the Texas Air Museum, displaying air and ground memorabilia from all eras. Well-developed local shops and services, good schools, and a full-service library add to Slaton’s appeal as an ideal place to call home.
Wolfforth
Municipal Offices
806-855-4120
http://wolfforthtx.us/
Chamber of Commerce
806-761-7000
http://www.lubbockchamber.com/
Located along U.S. Highway 62/82 just minutes from metropolitan Lubbock, Wolfforth claims a history that dates back to the building of the Santa Fe Railroad. Today, this small but growing city shares a boundary at Alcove Street with the city of Lubbock, ensuring quick and easy access to a world of cosmopolitan services, resources, and amenities. Wolfforth continues to draw newcomers to the serenity and friendliness of a hometown atmosphere and a community where the local school system earns statewide recognition for innovation and excellence. Neighborhood homes and landscaping are unusually attractive and pride of ownership is evident throughout the city. Other advantages include a full-service library, a popular farmer’s market, a warm community spirit, local businesses, and exceptionally strong support for school activities and service organizations. Offering an enviable quality of life, Wolfforth is home to many commuters to employment centers in Lubbock—a trend that will guarantee its growth pattern for decades to come.
