Levelland, Texas
City
Mallet Event Center and Rodeo Arena
Mallet Event Center and Rodeo Arena
Map of Texas
Map of Texas
Levelland
Coordinates: 33°35′14″N 102°22′41″W / 33.58722°N 102.37806°W / 33.58722; -102.37806[1]
Country United States
State Texas
CountyHockley
RegionLlano Estacado
Established1921
Area
[2]
 • Total10.21 sq mi (26.45 km2)
 • Land10.21 sq mi (26.44 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
[1]
3,520 ft (1,070 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total12,652
 • Density1,239.18/sq mi (478.52/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
ZIP code
79336, 79338
Area code806
FIPS code48-42448
GNIS feature ID1361113
Websitewww.levellandtexas.org

Levelland is a city in Hockley County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 12,652,[3] down from 13,542 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Hockley County.[4] It is located on the Llano Estacado, 30 miles (48 km) west of Lubbock. Major industries include cotton farming and petroleum production. It is the home of South Plains College. Levelland is the principal city of the Levelland micropolitan statistical area, which includes all of Hockley County and part of the larger Lubbock–Levelland combined statistical area. Levelland was so named on account of the flat land at the town site.[5]

History

Levelland became the county seat upon its organization in 1921. Initially named Hockley City by Charles W. Post in 1912, development began in 1921, and the town was swiftly renamed for its local topography. The town's foundation was further solidified with the commencement of Santa Fe Railroad service in July 1925.[6]

The 1950s oil boom led to the establishment of a refinery and gas plant.[6]

Levelland experienced civic development, including the opening of a municipal park in 1951 through fundraising by civic clubs. Infrastructure improvements, an airfield, road systems, and a hospital, were undertaken around the same time. The town established a county library in the 1950s and the South Plains Museum in 1968. South Plains College, a two-year community college, opened in 1958.[6]

Geography

Levelland is at the center of Hockley County. Texas State Highway 114 runs through the north side of the city, leading east 30 miles (48 km) to Lubbock and west 43 miles (69 km) to the New Mexico border. U.S. Route 385 passes through the center of the city, east of downtown, leading north 24 miles (39 km) to Littlefield and south 29 miles (47 km) to Brownfield.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Levelland has a total area of 10.2 square miles (26.3 km2), of which 0.004 square miles (0.01 km2), or 0.06%, is covered by water.[7]

Climate

Levelland has a semi-arid climate (Köppen: Bsk) with generally low relative humidity levels.[8]

Climate data for Levelland, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1937–1943, 1946–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 82
(28)		 88
(31)		 95
(35)		 101
(38)		 111
(44)		 115
(46)		 111
(44)		 106
(41)		 105
(41)		 103
(39)		 94
(34)		 81
(27)		 115
(46)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 74.7
(23.7)		 79.1
(26.2)		 85.9
(29.9)		 91.4
(33.0)		 98.4
(36.9)		 102.8
(39.3)		 101.8
(38.8)		 99.5
(37.5)		 96.2
(35.7)		 91.1
(32.8)		 81.9
(27.7)		 74.0
(23.3)		 105.0
(40.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 53.7
(12.1)		 58.5
(14.7)		 66.5
(19.2)		 75.2
(24.0)		 83.7
(28.7)		 91.3
(32.9)		 92.4
(33.6)		 90.5
(32.5)		 83.5
(28.6)		 74.7
(23.7)		 62.7
(17.1)		 54.4
(12.4)		 73.9
(23.3)
Daily mean °F (°C) 39.5
(4.2)		 43.3
(6.3)		 50.8
(10.4)		 58.9
(14.9)		 68.5
(20.3)		 77.1
(25.1)		 79.0
(26.1)		 77.3
(25.2)		 70.2
(21.2)		 60.0
(15.6)		 48.2
(9.0)		 40.5
(4.7)		 59.4
(15.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 25.2
(−3.8)		 28.2
(−2.1)		 35.0
(1.7)		 42.6
(5.9)		 53.4
(11.9)		 62.8
(17.1)		 65.6
(18.7)		 64.1
(17.8)		 57.0
(13.9)		 45.3
(7.4)		 33.6
(0.9)		 26.6
(−3.0)		 44.9
(7.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 13.0
(−10.6)		 15.3
(−9.3)		 20.3
(−6.5)		 29.8
(−1.2)		 40.5
(4.7)		 54.6
(12.6)		 60.9
(16.1)		 58.5
(14.7)		 46.0
(7.8)		 30.8
(−0.7)		 19.5
(−6.9)		 12.8
(−10.7)		 8.8
(−12.9)
Record low °F (°C) −16
(−27)		 −8
(−22)		 3
(−16)		 20
(−7)		 26
(−3)		 43
(6)		 48
(9)		 49
(9)		 33
(1)		 14
(−10)		 0
(−18)		 −3
(−19)		 −16
(−27)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.66
(17)		 0.60
(15)		 1.12
(28)		 1.00
(25)		 2.40
(61)		 2.67
(68)		 2.06
(52)		 2.29
(58)		 2.29
(58)		 1.53
(39)		 0.87
(22)		 0.78
(20)		 18.27
(464)
Average snowfall inches (cm) 1.3
(3.3)		 1.5
(3.8)		 0.5
(1.3)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.0
(0.0)		 0.1
(0.25)		 0.9
(2.3)		 1.9
(4.8)		 6.2
(16)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 3.8 4.1 4.8 3.9 6.0 6.8 6.4 7.4 6.2 5.4 3.9 4.0 62.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) 1.3 1.0 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.5 1.2 4.8
Source: NOAA[9][10]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19301,661—
19403,09186.1%
19508,264167.4%
196010,15322.9%
197011,44512.7%
198013,80920.7%
199013,9861.3%
200012,866−8.0%
201013,5425.3%
202012,652−6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

2020 census

Levelland racial composition[12]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 4,693 37.09%
Black or African American (NH) 468 3.7%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 36 0.28%
Asian (NH) 38 0.3%
Pacific Islander (NH) 2 0.02%
Some Other Race (NH) 34 0.27%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 227 1.79%
Hispanic or Latino 7,154 56.54%
Total 12,652

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,652 people, 4,880 households, and 3,245 families residing in the city.[3]

2000 census

As of the census[15] of 2000, 12,866 people, 4,574 households, and 3,361 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,296.5 inhabitants per square mile (500.6/km2). The 5,186 housing units averaged 522.6 per square mile (201.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 70.34% White, 5.36% African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 20.92% from other races, and 2.21% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 39.21% of the population.

Of the 4,574 households, 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were not families; 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city, the population was distributed as 27.6% under the age of 18, 14.0% from 18 to 24, 24.6% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,820, and for a family was $32,408. Males had a median income of $29,800 versus $20,042 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,296. About 15.7% of families and 20.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Levelland operates under a council-manager form of government. The Levelland City Council consists of the Mayor and four City Council members. The Mayor is elected at large for a three-year term, and council members are elected to represent residents in four election districts for two-year terms. The terms are staggered, resulting in the election of two council members each year. The Council appoints a City Manager responsible for the day-to-day administration, ensuring the provision of public services.[16]

Education

The James McMurtry song "Levelland", recorded in 1995, is a song about life in the city, told from a slightly acerbic point of view. The song has also been recorded by Robert Earl Keen.

Held in the third week of July, Camp Bluegrass is a large social event, with public concerts, held on the South Plains College campus.

Levelland is home to the 12-year-old state champions in baseball, the Levelland Kekambas. This was the first team to ever win state from Levelland. The team ended up placing fifth at the regional tournament in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

UFO allegations

Levelland is famous as the site of a well-publicized series of UFO sightings in November 1957. Several motorists driving on various highways around Levelland in the evening and early morning hours of November 2–3 claimed to see a large, egg-shaped object which emitted a blue glow and caused their automobiles to shut off.[17] In most cases, the object was sitting either on the highway or close to it. When the object took off, witnesses claimed their vehicles would restart and work normally. Among witnesses were Weir Clem, Levelland's sheriff, and Ray Jones, the town's fire chief. The United States Air Force concluded a severe electrical storm (most probably ball lightning), was the major cause for the sightings and reported auto failures.[17] However, several prominent UFO researchers, among them Dr. James E. McDonald, a physicist at the University of Arizona, and Dr. J. Allen Hynek, an astronomer at Northwestern University, disputed this explanation. Both men argued that no electrical storm was in the area when the sightings occurred.[17]

Levelland Municipal Airport (LLN)

  • Airport elevation – 3514 ft above mean sea level
  • Two active runways
    • 17/35 – 6,110 ft
    • 08/26 – 2,072 ft

Notable people

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Levelland". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ↑ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ "From Bug Tussle to Tarzan, here are 40 of the oddest Texas town names". Click2Houston. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 Hunt, William R. "Levelland, TX". Handbook of Texas. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Levelland city, Texas". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Climate". City of Levelland. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  13. ↑ https://www.census.gov/
  14. ↑ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  15. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Mayor & Council". City of Levelland. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 Clark, Jerome (1998). The UFO Book: Encyclopedia of the Extraterrestrial. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. pp. 339–340. ISBN 9781578590292.
  1. ↑ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[13][14]
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