city, seat (1891) of Lubbock county, northwestern Texas, U.S., some 120 miles (190 km) south of Amarillo; it is the commercial hub of the South Plains. Formed in 1890 from Old Lubbock and Monterey and named for Colonel Tom S. Lubbock, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, it developed as a ranching centre, but artesian well water brought mixed farming to the plains that now support cotton and grain as well as cattle.

Since the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad, Lubbock has grown to be one of the country's leading inland cotton markets and the centre of a highly diversified agricultural-industrial complex. Petroleum, agricultural, and earth-moving equipment, cottonseed oil, and engineering products are major commodities. Lubbock experienced rapid growth after World War II, its population increasing nearly five-fold from 1940 to 1970. One of the costliest tornadoes in Texas history hit the city in May 1970, causing widespread damage and rendering thousands homeless. Two years later the city allowed the purchase and consumption of alcohol, ending nearly a century of prohibition and its distinction as the largest “dry” city in the United States.

Educational institutions include Texas Tech University (1923), with a museum and the National Ranching Heritage Center on its campus, and Lubbock Christian University (1957). The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and other modern hospitals have made Lubbock a regional hub for medical care. Mackenzie State Park and Buffalo Lakes provide recreational facilities. The Lubbock Lake National Historic and State Archeological Landmark, north of the city, preserves archaeological ruins dating from more than 10,000 years ago. The annual Panhandle South Plains Fair is a notable regional event. An especially popular attraction is the Buddy Holly (Holly, Buddy) Walk of Fame, which honours the rock-and-roll singer and other West Texas musicians. Inc. 1909. Pop. (1990) city, 186,206; Lubbock MSA, 222,636; (2000) city, 199,564; Lubbock MSA, 242,628.