Population overview
Hockley County is home to roughly 21,600 people, making up about 0.07% of the total population of Texas. Within the West Texas region, it ranks #11 of 51 counties by population. The combination of 908 square miles of land and 21,600 residents yields a density of about 23.8 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Hockley County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Hockley County sits in the upper half of the population distribution. It represents the broad middle of Texas — small to mid-sized counties with a clear county seat and a regionally rooted economy.
| Comparison | Population | vs Hockley |
|---|---|---|
| Hockley County | 21,600 | — |
| West Texas region average | 43,626 | +102% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | -12% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +23257% |
Neighboring county populations
Hockley County shares borders with 4 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lubbock County | Lubbock | 328,906 | 365.5 |
| Lamb County | Littlefield | 12,579 | 12.4 |
| Terry County | Brownfield | 11,720 | 13.2 |
| Cochran County | Morton | 2,546 | 3.3 |
What the numbers mean
Hockley County's density of about 23.8 people per square mile is about 20% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 27 acres of land for every resident.
Rural density like this means long drives to services, small school districts that are often the heart of community life, and an economy closely tied to agriculture, energy or recreation.
Hockley County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 114th of 254; by land area it ranks 132nd; and by density it ranks 120th. Its population and land area rank fairly close together, a balanced profile for Texas.
Texas's population is extremely concentrated: the ten largest counties hold well over half of all Texans, while more than 150 counties have fewer than 30,000 residents. Hockley County belongs to that large group of smaller counties.
About the data
Population figures on this page come from the U.S. Census Bureau. The decennial census provides the official count every ten years, and the Bureau's annual Population Estimates Program updates county totals between censuses. Land area comes from the Census Gazetteer and excludes water. Figures are rounded and may differ slightly from county or school district estimates that use other methods. See our methodology page for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Hockley County, Texas?+
Hockley County has an estimated population of 21,600 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Hockley County?+
Hockley County has a population density of approximately 23.8 people per square mile across its 908 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Hockley County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Hockley County ranks #114 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.07% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Hockley County?+
Among the 4 counties bordering Hockley, Lubbock County is the most populous with about 328,906 residents.
How is Hockley County's population measured?+
Population figures are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau — the decennial census and annual American Community Survey (ACS) population estimates. See our methodology for full sourcing.