Brownfield has a small-town family feel in the Grape Capital of Texas
Agriculture is the backbone of Brownfield, a community of just under 9,000 in the heart of West Texas’s South Plains region. It’s the seat of Terry County, the Grape Capital of Texas, aptly home to several vineyards. Cotton, grapes and peanuts are Brownfield’s leading cash crops, according to local Jo Anna Harvey, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. Outside of the community, miles of farmland stretch into the horizon. Brownfield is about 40 miles south of Lubbock and just over 100 miles north of Odessa. “This is the kind of community where you know almost everyone or know of them,” Harvey says. “Brownfield has a small-town family feel and an active community that gets involved in lots of events.”
Cottages, ranches, home prices and Brownfield weather hazards
Homes here are almost exclusively single-family houses, most of them stucco- or brick-sided cottages or ranch-style. The median price is roughly $180,000, down 4% from last year. West Texas isn’t known for its greenery, but homebuyers will find more mature landscaping than hardscaping around the community. Mature shade trees like Texas Ashes offer protection from the sun.
The South Plains is windy, which is why Terry County has many wind farms. “In the early spring, we often experience haboobs,” Harvey says. In preparation for haboobs and milder dust storms, homeowners protect themselves by weather-stripping windows and doors, securing loose items in their yards and keeping tree branches trimmed.
Brownfield’s small school district and P-TECH at Brownfield High
The Brownfield Independent School District serves roughly 1,700 students and earns a C-plus on Niche. Brownfield High is graded B-minus. The high school is home to some Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) programs, allowing students to earn associate’s degrees or certain technical certifications while completing their diplomas. Brownfield’s P-TECH pathways give students a head start on careers in education, automotive technology, pharmaceuticals or healthcare.
Local parks and the annual Terry County Harvest Festival
There are about 140 acres of parkland in Brownfield. Some pocket parks, like Cactus Park and Geron Park, feature neighborhood playgrounds and multipurpose fields. Gillham Park is popular for its lakeside scenery, especially among local birders, since Powell Lake is a resting place for migratory birds throughout the year. In 2021, the community welcomed a $4.5-million sports complex with six ballfields on its south side. It’s right next to Coleman Park, an RV park and recreational area that is the site of the annual Terry County Harvest Festival. Harvey says the festival has been an annual tradition for almost 70 years. The three-day event welcomes thousands, typically opening on a Friday evening with a pageant and talent show. The rest of the weekend’s festivities include a car show, a parade and live music.
Conveniences on routes 62 and 380, wineries all around
Day-to-day conveniences like banks and gas stations are along U.S. Route 62, locally known as Lubbock Road, and U.S. 380, locally known as Tahoka Road. Grocery store options include United Supermarkets and DG Market. The community has several beloved local eateries and wineries. Tencha’s Lunch Box serves an authentic Tex-Mex menu for breakfast and lunch. Farmhouse Vineyards is a family-owned business with 7,000 acres of farmland on the community’s south side. It features a charming tasting room that was renovated from a 1941 farmhouse. Also among the local wineries are Reddy Vineyards and the Triple D Winery. “If you are drinking a wine made in Texas, there's a strong chance the grapes were grown or processed in Terry County,” Harvey says.
Limited public transit options, highway access and Lubbock proximity
Because Brownfield is small and remote, public transportation is limited. SPARTAN (South Plains Rural Transit) buses offer scheduled route, commuter and traditional demand response services – each requiring contact with the department to set up, at least initially. That said, most residents get around via car. Brownfield is at the crux of several highways, including U.S. routes 380, 385 and 62. U.S. Route 62 is a direct line to Downtown Lubbock, about 40 miles northeast. Lubbock has the nearest major airport, Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, closer to 50 miles away.
Written By
Micaela Willoughby
