1st Advantage MortgageAbout 56% of Lubbock County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $64,155. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Lubbock County, TX: the basics
- How much Lubbock County households make
- The Lubbock County job picture
- What it costs to live in Lubbock County
- How Lubbock County compares with nearby counties
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Lubbock County
- People and households in Lubbock County
- Reading the Lubbock County data as a borrower
- Room for a loan payment in Lubbock County
- Texas rules that apply in Lubbock County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Lubbock County
- Frequently asked questions
Lubbock County, TX: the basics
Roughly 318,884 residents live in Lubbock County, Texas, 18th by population among the state's 254 counties and county equivalents. It covers 896 square miles of land, or about 356 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. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (9 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Lubbock, with about 264,814 residents, or 83% of the county.
How much Lubbock County households make
Lubbock County households have a median income of $64,155 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 133rd of 254 in Texas.
| Household income | Lubbock County | vs Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.7% | +6.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.5% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.6% | -4.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.3% | -4.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Lubbock County households make $100,000 or more, and 28% make less than $35,000. Census counts 17.1% of Lubbock County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.483 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $64,155 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Lubbock County job picture
Education and health care employs 30% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Compared with Texas, the county leans toward education and health care (30% against 22%). The survey's unemployment rate for Lubbock County averages 4.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 5.3%). Long commutes are the exception here: 5% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 5.8% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Lubbock County | Gap to Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.7% | +8.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -4.1 pts |
| Construction | 6.9% | -1.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.6% | -1.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
What it costs to live in Lubbock County
Renters in Lubbock County pay a median of $1,178 a month, 16% below the Texas figure of $1,403. 54% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 32% spend half or more. With a median value of $214,100, a typical Lubbock County house costs 3.3 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 56%.
| Housing | Lubbock County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,178/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $214,100 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 56% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 29% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
How Lubbock County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Lynn County at 30 miles out to Terry County at 43. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Lubbock County; Lynn County is highest at $73,679 and Terry County lowest at $44,100.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lubbock County | - | $64,155 | $1,178/mo | 56% |
| Lynn County, TX | 30 mi | $73,679 | $927/mo | 77% |
| Crosby County, TX | 30 mi | $52,188 | $684/mo | 69% |
| Hockley County, TX | 30 mi | $63,140 | $850/mo | 72% |
| Hale County, TX | 32 mi | $51,897 | $836/mo | 61% |
| Garza County, TX | 42 mi | $46,314 | $838/mo | 71% |
| Terry County, TX | 43 mi | $44,100 | $817/mo | 67% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Lubbock County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 90% of Lubbock County residents live in one of the 9. Ransom Canyon has the highest median household income on the list ($113,950) and Slaton the lowest ($56,676), counting places with at least 500 residents. Live in one of these Lubbock County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lubbock | city | 264,814 | $60,895 | $1,182 | 5 mi |
| Wolfforth | city | 6,701 | $106,250 | $1,674 | 13 mi |
| Slaton | city | 5,761 | $56,676 | $994 | 15 mi |
| Abernathy | city | 3,278 | $87,531 | $868 | 15 mi |
| Shallowater | city | 2,955 | $89,107 | $1,202 | 11 mi |
| Idalou | city | 2,151 | $58,500 | $678 | 9 mi |
| Ransom Canyon | town | 1,041 | $113,950 | n/a | 10 mi |
| New Deal | town | 668 | $96,500 | $718 | 8 mi |
| Buffalo Springs Lake | village | 571 | $101,667 | n/a | 9 mi |
People and households in Lubbock County
College graduates make up 33% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 13.9%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Measure | Lubbock County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 31.9 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.4% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.9% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.3% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 17.1% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Lubbock County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 47.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.7% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Reading the Lubbock County data as a borrower
Where the Lubbock County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Medical bills. 14% of Lubbock County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- 54% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Room for a loan payment in Lubbock County
Lubbock County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,346 gross per month ($64,155 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,178, which is 22% of it
- Under a 43% cap, $2,299 total minus rent leaves $1,121
Two-income households and single earners in Lubbock County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Texas rules that apply in Lubbock County
Lubbock County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Texas Department of Banking. Consumer lending in Texas is also overseen by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Texas state guide for the statewide picture.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Lubbock County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Texas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Lubbock County
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lubbock County earn?
The median is $64,155; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 28% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Lubbock County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,178 against $1,403 statewide, and 54% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Lubbock County?
By population: Lubbock, Wolfforth, Slaton, Abernathy, Shallowater. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Are Lubbock County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Lubbock County check a lender's license?
With the Texas Department of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.