Amherst, Texas Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

The current estimated population of Amherst is 650, with 49% male and 51% female. The population has remained stable, supported by agriculture and small businesses.

City Facts

  • Year founded: 1923
  • County: Lamb County
  • Land area: 0.7 square miles
  • Population density: 929 people per square mile
  • Area code: 806
  • Zip code: 79312

Geography and Location

Amherst is located in the Texas Panhandle, in Lamb County, about 60 miles northwest of Lubbock. The town is situated in a rural agricultural region, with cotton, sorghum, and wheat being the primary crops. Amherst has a quiet, small-town atmosphere, and its economy is closely tied to farming. The area has a semi-arid climate, with hot summers and cold winters.

Demographics

Median resident age: 34.1 years
Median household income: $24,276
Median house value: $25,500

Population by Race

Races in Amherst:

  • White Non-Hispanic (50.4%)
  • Hispanic (39.9%)
  • Other race (21.1%)
  • Black (9.4%)
  • American Indian (0.5%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: United States (16.6%), English (4.6%), German (4.6%), Irish (4.0%).

Land area: 0.8 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Amherst

  • High school or higher: 53.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.0%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.6%
  • Unemployed: 7.1%
  • Mean travel time to work: 17.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Amherst city

  • Never married: 19.5%
  • Now married: 57.4%
  • Separated: 3.8%
  • Widowed: 11.8%
  • Divorced: 7.5%

13.5% Foreign born (13.5% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +46 (+6.2%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Amherst:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Amherst:

  • LUBBOCK INTL (about 49 miles; LUBBOCK, TX; Abbreviation: LBB)
  • CANNON AFB (about 67 miles; CLOVIS, NM; Abbreviation: CVS)
  • AMARILLO INTL (about 97 miles; AMARILLO, TX; Abbreviation: AMA)

Other public-use airports nearest to Amherst:

  • LITTLEFIELD MUNICIPAL (about 7 miles; LITTLEFIELD, TX; Abbreviation: Q00)
  • MULESHOE MUNICIPAL (about 20 miles; MULESHOE, TX; Abbreviation: 2T1)
  • COCHRAN COUNTY (about 30 miles; MORTON, TX; Abbreviation: F85)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Amherst:

  • SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE (about 28 miles; LEVELLAND, TX; Full-time enrollment: 3,851)
  • WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (about 50 miles; PLAINVIEW, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,578)
  • TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY (about 50 miles; LUBBOCK, TX; Full-time enrollment: 22,439)
  • EASTERN NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 66 miles; PORTALES, NM; Full-time enrollment: 2,955)
  • WEST TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY (about 75 miles; CANYON, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,476)
  • AMARILLO COLLEGE (about 88 miles; AMARILLO, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,876)
  • MIDLAND COLLEGE (about 139 miles; MIDLAND, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,800)

Schools

Public high school in Amherst:

  • P E P (Students: 5; Location: 100 N MAIN; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle school in Amherst:

  • AMHERST SCHOOL (Students: 193; Location: 100 N MAIN; Grades: KG – 12)