Hockley County is a county in Texas, United States, on the South Plains southwest of Lubbock. It had a population of 21,537 at the 2020 census and covers 909 square miles (2,350 km2) centred near 33°37′N 102°20′W.
Levelland is the county seat, and its postal code is 79336. The county has four incorporated cities, two incorporated towns, one census-designated place, and two unincorporated communities. It observes Central time and carries FIPS code 48219.
Towns & Villages in Hockley County
Nine named places appear on the map of Hockley County: four cities, two towns, one census-designated place (CDP), and two unincorporated communities. Levelland, the county seat, holds roughly three-quarters of the county’s population.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levelland | City · seat | 13,542 | 79336 |
| Anton | City | 1,067 | 79313 |
| Ropesville | City | 410 | 79358 |
| Sundown | City | 1,096 | 79372 |
| Smyer | Town | 500 | 79367 |
| Opdyke West | Town | 178 | 79336 |
| Whitharral | CDP | 314 | 79380 |
| Pep | Unincorp. | — | 79353 |
| Roundup | Unincorp. | — | — |
The old list also carried “Clauene,” “Coble,” “Lockettville,” “Oklahoma Flat,” “Opdyke,” “Pep” (duplicated), and “Pettit.” These are historic rail-siding or farming-community names not confirmed as current places in Hockley County records, so they are omitted here rather than republished unverified; “Opdyke” appears to be an outdated short form of the town now known as Opdyke West.
ZIP Codes
- 79336 — Levelland (also serves Opdyke West)
- 79338 — Levelland (PO Box only)
- 79313 — Anton
- 79358 — Ropesville
- 79372 — Sundown
- 79367 — Smyer
- 79380 — Whitharral
- 79353 — Pep
Roundup has no ZIP code of its own; mail there is typically addressed through a neighboring post office.
Geography
Hockley County sits on the flat, high-plains tableland of the South Plains region, drained by shallow playa lakes rather than a major river. Almost all of its 909 square miles is land, with less than a third of a square mile of water.
It borders Lamb County to the north, Hale County to the northeast, Lubbock County to the east, Lynn County to the southeast, Terry County to the south, Yoakum County to the southwest, Cochran County to the west, and Bailey County to the northwest.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 21,537 residents. Levelland is by far the largest community, followed by Sundown and Anton. Hockley County’s typical household income runs below the Texas median of $75,780. Population density works out to roughly 24 people per square mile.
Economy & Local Life
Cotton farming and cotton ginning anchor the county’s economy, alongside cattle ranching and oil and gas production from the Permian Basin’s northern reach. South Plains College, a two-year public college, is based in Levelland and is one of the county’s larger employers alongside the Levelland Independent School District and area hospitals.
History
Hockley County was formed from the Bexar and Young land districts in 1876 but was not organized as a functioning county until 1921, when settlement finally reached the sparsely populated South Plains. It is named for George Washington Hockley, an artillery commander at the Battle of San Jacinto who later served as secretary of war for the Republic of Texas.
Getting There
U.S. Routes 62/82, 84, and 385, along with State Highway 114, cross the county and converge on Levelland.
- Lubbock — 30 miles east
- Anton — 20 miles east of Levelland
- Plainview — 45 miles northeast
- Seminole — 40 miles south
Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, roughly 30 miles east of Levelland, is the nearest commercial airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hockley County?
It is in the South Plains of northwest Texas, southwest of Lubbock.
What is the population of Hockley County?
21,537 people, according to the 2020 census.
How big is Hockley County?
909 square miles (2,350 km2).
What is the county seat of Hockley County?
Levelland is the county seat.
How many towns are in Hockley County?
Nine named places: four cities, two towns, one CDP, and two unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Hockley County?
79313, 79336, 79338, 79353, 79358, 79367, 79372, and 79380.
What is Hockley County named after?
George Washington Hockley, an artillery commander at the Battle of San Jacinto and later secretary of war for the Republic of Texas.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Texas.