Floydada calls itself the Pumpkin Capital of the USA
On the High Plains of Texas, the city of Floydada was first established as a railway junction about 50 miles north of Lubbock. Its population waned when railway operations came to a halt in 1979, and Floydada is now home to about 2,500 residents. Today, its economy revolves around agriculture — particularly pumpkins. “Floydada is the Pumpkin Capital of the USA,” says Cinthia Torres, a Realtor with Reside Real Estate Co. “I grew up there myself. It’s peaceful, small-town living.”
1950s ranch-style homes line broad residential streets
Small starter homes and investment properties sell for $40,000 to $75,000, while ranch-style homes from the 1950s and ’60s can fetch $120,000 to $300,000. Broad residential streets lead past lots measuring a quarter to half an acre. Paved driveways, garages and shaded carports are common, and some streets include sidewalks, which are overgrown in places. The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Dust storms and drought risk on the Llano Estacado
The city is in the north-central region known as the Texas wind corridor, and the windmills at South Plains Wind Farm are about 8 miles away. “Unless you saw them, you wouldn’t even know they were there,” Torres says. Farmers contend with a relatively high drought risk due to summer heat waves. Floydada’s location on the Llano Estacado — one of the largest mesas in North America — can lead to dust storms.
Updated facilities for Floydada Collegiate Junior/Senior High School
A.B. Duncan Elementary School receives a B from Niche. Floydada Collegiate Junior/Senior High School opened in 2020 after a $45 million bond funded the new building. The school serves students from grades 6 through 12 and is currently unrated. The district’s collegiate status allows students to graduate from high school with an associate degree. Student football and basketball games are heavily attended. “Their mascot is the Whirlwind, and the Lockney Longhorns are their rivals,” Torres says. “Anyone moving there should definitely know that.”
Punkin’ Days on the vine every October
On the second Saturday of October, Floydada’s beloved gourds take center stage during the annual Punkin’ Days celebration. Locals and visitors gather for live music, raffles, pie-eating contests, team roping and other games.
Water recreation, sports and hiking at area parks
The playground and sports courts at Floydada Park are accessible year-round, but from late May through August, the city pool is the star. The well-maintained pool offers corkscrew waterslides and a water playground for younger kids. Nearby, skaters practice tricks on the ramps, rails and concrete bowl at Floydada Skate Park. Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway is about 45 miles away and features trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. A bison herd roams the plains, and bats roost in Clarity Tunnel during summer. Lake Theo offers fishing, swimming and no-wake boating.
Floydada residents can shop for the basics right at home
Only a few shops and restaurants operate from Floydada’s brick-paved downtown, but most show their hometown pride by displaying pumpkin sculptures on their storefronts. Mornings begin with sweet treats or breakfast sandwiches from Texas Donuts, and Azteca Café serves Tex-Mex fare in a casual setting. Dollar General and Ace Hardware sell basic household items, and groceries are available from Lowe’s Market.
Major highways offer access to Plainview and Lubbock
U.S. Route 70 paves the way to Plainview and the health care services at Covenant Hospital Plainview, about 30 miles away. Lubbock’s amenities, including flights from Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport, are about 50 miles away via Route 62. Spartan Public Transportation provides residents with on-demand shuttle service.
