West Texas · Texas County

Lubbock County

Lubbock County (county seat: Lubbock) sits in West Texas anchoring the Lubbock MSA. Population approximately 320,000. Lubbock + Wolfforth + Shallowater anchor the urban core. Texas Tech University is a dominant economic anchor. Verified May 19, 2026.

Last verified May 19, 2026

Quick Facts

County seat Lubbock
Region West Texas
Population 320,000
100% AMI (4-person) $87,800 Source: huduser.gov
FHA loan limit $524,225 Source: hud.gov
FIPS code 48303

What Buyers Should Know

Lubbock County’s 2026 HUD area median income (AMI) for a 4-person household is approximately $87,800, with the TSAHC Heroes 115% AMI ceiling reaching ~$100,970. Most Lubbock County buyers qualify for at least one TSAHC or TDHCA program; the county is not designated a HUD targeted area, so the standard income limits and first-time-buyer rules apply.

FHA loan limits in Lubbock mirror the Lubbock baseline. Conforming limits run $806,500 for 1-unit. VA loans are uncapped above conforming limits for full-entitlement veterans.

Property tax in Lubbock County averages around 2.04% effective (verify current year at the county appraisal district). The Texas residence homestead exemption shaves $100,000 off school-district appraised value and caps appraised value growth at 10% per year — file with the appraisal district on or before April 30 of the year following purchase.

Texas Tech University + South Plains Anchor

Lubbock County is anchored by Lubbock (county seat, ~265,000) — home to Texas Tech University (~40,000 students) and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Wolfforth, Shallowater, Idalou, and Slaton anchor the perimeter. The county is the regional commercial hub for the South Plains agricultural area + cotton industry. Lubbock ISD, Frenship ISD, Lubbock-Cooper ISD, Roosevelt ISD, Shallowater ISD, and Idalou ISD serve the county. Most Lubbock County buyers route through state-level TSAHC and TDHCA programs.