Population overview
Lamb County is home to roughly 12,579 people, making up about 0.04% of the total population of Texas. Within the West Texas region, it ranks #16 of 51 counties by population. The combination of 1,016 square miles of land and 12,579 residents yields a density of about 12.4 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Lamb County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Lamb County sits in the lower 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 Lamb |
|---|---|---|
| Lamb County | 12,579 | — |
| West Texas region average | 43,626 | +247% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +50% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +40007% |
Neighboring county populations
Lamb County shares borders with 5 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hale County | Plainview | 31,819 | 31.7 |
| Hockley County | Levelland | 21,600 | 23.8 |
| Parmer County | Farwell | 9,678 | 11.0 |
| Castro County | Dimmitt | 7,295 | 8.1 |
| Bailey County | Muleshoe | 6,963 | 8.4 |
What the numbers mean
Lamb County's density of about 12.4 people per square mile is about 10% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 52 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.
Lamb County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 150th of 254; by land area it ranks 70th; and by density it ranks 161st. It has far more land than people compared with most Texas counties.
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. Lamb 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 Lamb County, Texas?+
Lamb County has an estimated population of 12,579 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Lamb County?+
Lamb County has a population density of approximately 12.4 people per square mile across its 1,016 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Lamb County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Lamb County ranks #150 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.04% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Lamb County?+
Among the 5 counties bordering Lamb, Hale County is the most populous with about 31,819 residents.
How is Lamb 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.