Hockley County, Texas

History

Hockley County was formed in 1876 from portions of Bexar and Young Counties. It was named for George Washington Hockley, the commander of artillery in the Battle of San Jacinto and later secretary of war of the Republic of Texas.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 909 sqmi, of which 908 sqmi are land and 0.2 sqmi (0.02%) is covered by water.

Major highways

• [[Image:US 62.svg|20px]] [[Image:US 82.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 62/U.S. Highway 82
• [[Image:US 84.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 84
• [[Image:US 385.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 385
• [[Image:Texas 114.svg|20px]] State Highway 114

Adjacent counties

• Lamb County (north)
• Lubbock County (east)
• Terry County (south)
• Cochran County (west)
• Yoakum County (southwest)
• Bailey County (northwest)
• Hale County (northeast)
• Lynn County (southeast)

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1850–2010 2010 2020

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 21,537, the median age was 37.1 years, 26.0% of residents were under the age of 18, and 16.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 96.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.7 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 63.9% White, 3.0% Black or African American, 1.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian,

58.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 41.5% lived in rural areas.

There were 7,954 households in the county, of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.9% were married-couple households, 17.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 9,173 housing units, of which 13.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.5% were owner-occupied and 27.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.4%.

Racial and ethnic composition

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, 22,716 people, 7,994 households, and 6,091 families resided in the county. The population density was 25 /mi2. The 9,148 housing units averaged 10 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 74.38% White, 3.72% Black or African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 18.68% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races. About 37.24% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 7,994 households, 38.1% had children under 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were not families; 21.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the county, the age distribution was 29.1% under 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,085, and for a family was $35,288. Males had a median income of $29,735 versus $20,671 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,022. About 14.80% of families and 18.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.10% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Anton
• Levelland (county seat)
• Ropesville

Towns

• Opdyke West
• Smyer
• Sundown

Census-designated place

• Whitharral

Unincorporated communities

• Pep
• Roundup

Politics

Education

School districts serving the county include:

• Anton Independent School District
• Frenship Independent School District
• Levelland Independent School District
• Ropes Independent School District
• Smyer Independent School District
• Sundown Independent School District
• Whiteface Consolidated Independent School District
• Whitharral Independent School District

The county is in the service area of South Plains College.

References

References

1. "Hockley County, Texas".
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. (2008). "Texas: Individual County Chronologies". [[Newberry Library.
4. Gannett, Henry. (1905). "The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States". Govt. Print. Off..
5. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
6. "Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decade". [[US Census Bureau]].
7. "Texas Almanac: Population History of Counties from 1850–2010". Texas Almanac.
8. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
9. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
10. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
11. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Hockley County, Texas".
12. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hockley County, Texas".
13. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hockley County, Texas".
14. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
16. (November 5, 2024). "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)".
17. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hockley County, TX". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
18. [https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.130.htm Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.198. SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.]