Painted Sky, Bright Horizon

Lubbock serves West Texas and eastern New Mexico with top-quality medical care and educational institutions, along with a multitude of entertainment choices, family activities and places of worship. These and other attributes make this West Texas city a place you’ll want to hang your hat for a few days or a lifetime.

Located on the Southern High Plains, Lubbock is the state’s eleventh largest city and is the epicenter of a 26-county region. Lubbock is the hometown of rock ’n roll legend Buddy Holly, singer/actor Mac Davis and Glenna Goodacre, who designed the Sacagawea dollar.

West Texas sunsets paint brilliant works of art on nature’s palette. This sky art happens almost daily as the sun shines an average of 263 days a year. Lubbock’s climate is semi-arid with cool nights, warm days and low humidity. Annual rainfall is about 18 inches with most of the rain falling in May, June and July. July’s average temperature is a pleasant 80 degrees. Winters are mild, too, with January averaging 39 degrees.

The city’s population exceeds 211,000 and is advancing steadily, but growth and modern amenities haven’t really altered Lubbock’s down-home feel. After all, driving to work here still takes an average of 17 minutes. And whether relaxing, working or attending one of the many entertainment venues, Lubbock residents often meet fellow neighbors, friends or business associates by chance.

Indeed, West Texan culture is humble, unassuming and friendly. If you’re just visiting, don’t be surprised when folks strike up a conversation from the next table in a restaurant or in line at the grocery store. If “Texas friendly” wasn’t invented here, Lubbock people have honed the concept to a fine edge.

Lubbock is youthful, with a median age of 30.7. This compares to the state and national averages of 33.2 and 36.2, respectively. Over 64% of Lubbock’s population is in its working prime, between the ages of 18 and 64. The city’s 2005 median household income was $47,150.

Lubbock’s population is predominantly Christian, although most religions are represented. Pastors and leaders from various denominations gather regularly to pray for the city in a movement called Pray Lubbock. 

Lubbock’s housing scene provides a range of options from lakefront living at Lake Ransom Canyon and Buffalo Springs to historical neighborhoods, downtown retro studio apartments and rural subdivisions. Neighborhoods with innovative concepts are joining the mix.

The cost for housing in Lubbock is typically $10,000 to $20,000 less than the national average due to the low cost and ample supply of land. The average price of homes in Lubbock in 2005 was $120,541, according to the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance.

Most of the city’s apartment units are located in the south and west and near Texas Tech. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment was approximately $480 in 2006, with a two-bedroom unit going for $590 and $769 for three bedrooms.

Lubbock’s mild climate and relaxed pace also make it an attractive place for retirement living. It boasts a premier medical center and various senior services such as home health care, assisted living, retirement homes, and nursing homes.

Information about the availability of housing and prices can be obtained by calling any of the real estate agents listed in the online directory.  

Median Home Price—2005

Lubbock--$98,900

Texas--    $136,500

U.S.--       $206,600

Source: Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University

Property Tax Rates—2006

Source: Lubbock Central Appraisal District