1st Advantage MortgageThe median Hockley County household earns $63,140, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Texas before sharing details.
On this page
- Who lives in Hockley County
- Housing costs in Hockley County
- How much Hockley County households make
- Employment and commuting in Hockley County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Hockley County
- Debt-to-income at Hockley County's medians
- People and households in Hockley County
- Local borrowing considerations for Hockley County
- Checking a lender's license in Texas
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Hockley County
With an estimated 21,363 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Hockley County ranks 113th of 254 in Texas for population. It covers 908 square miles of land, or about 24 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Lubbock, TX metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 7 Census places inside Hockley County, Levelland leads by population with about 12,466; 6 of the 7 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Hockley County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $850 in Hockley County versus $1,403 statewide. By the Census definition, 41% of Hockley County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $127,000, or 2.0 years of median income. 72% of Hockley County households own their home and 28% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1978.
| Hockley County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $850/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $127,000 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 29% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Hockley County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
How much Hockley County households make
Hockley County households have a median income of $63,140 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 138th of 254 in Texas.
| Household income | Hockley County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.1% | +5.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.9% | +1.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.5% | -2.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.4% | -5.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 32% of Hockley County households make $100,000 or more, and 27% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 13.1%, 1 point lower than the state's 13.8%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.447 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Hockley County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Hockley County
Education and health care employs 27% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 12%. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (12% against 2%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 81% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Hockley County workers | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.8% | +5.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.2% | +9.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | -0.2 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | -0.9 pts |
| Other services | 6.7% | +1.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Cochran County is closest, 28 miles from center to center; the sixth, Lynn County, is 42 miles off. Yoakum County leads the group on income ($84,925), Terry County trails ($44,100), and Hockley County out-earns 3 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hockley County | - | $63,140 | $850/mo | 72% |
| Cochran County, TX | 28 mi | $45,313 | $697/mo | 65% |
| Terry County, TX | 30 mi | $44,100 | $817/mo | 67% |
| Lubbock County, TX | 30 mi | $64,155 | $1,178/mo | 56% |
| Lamb County, TX | 32 mi | $60,760 | $968/mo | 74% |
| Yoakum County, TX | 42 mi | $84,925 | $973/mo | 67% |
| Lynn County, TX | 42 mi | $73,679 | $927/mo | 77% |
The communities that make up Hockley County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 76% of Hockley County residents live in one of the 7. Incomes vary by place: $69,844 at the median in Ropesville, $52,000 in Anton. Rent is cheapest in Ropesville ($500) and steepest in Levelland ($846). This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levelland | city | 12,466 | $58,000 | $846 | 2 mi |
| Sundown | city | 1,374 | $58,594 | $675 | 13 mi |
| Anton | city | 1,053 | $52,000 | $781 | 18 mi |
| Ropesville | city | 594 | $69,844 | $500 | 17 mi |
| Smyer | town | 291 | $45,625 | $1,292 | 10 mi |
| Opdyke West | town | 285 | $52,031 | $897 | 3 mi |
| Whitharral | CDP | 98 | $87,917 | n/a | 9 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Debt-to-income at Hockley County's medians
Here is the Hockley County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,262 a month: gross income for a household at the Hockley County median
- Housing at the median rent of $850 uses 16%
- $1,044: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $1,413: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
People and households in Hockley County
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. 19.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Hockley County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.9 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.9% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 18.6% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 19.1% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.2% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.1% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.1% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Hockley County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.5% |
| 60+ min | 6.6% |
Local borrowing considerations for Hockley County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Hockley County borrowers.
- Health costs. With 19% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Mobile home upkeep. 16% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Checking a lender's license in Texas
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Hockley County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Texas guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Hockley County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
The Texas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Hockley County household make?
About $63,140 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 20% below the Texas median.
How does Hockley County rent compare with Texas?
$850 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 39% below.
Should Hockley County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Hockley County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Which towns does the Hockley County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Levelland, Sundown, Anton, Ropesville, Smyer.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Hockley County or elsewhere in Texas, the same rules apply.