Lamesa is a city in and the county seat of Dawson County, Texas, United States. The population was 9,422 at the 2010 census, down from 9,952 at the 2000 census. Located south of Lubbock on the Llano Estacado, Lamesa was founded in 1903. Most of the economy is based on cattle ranching and cotton farming. The Preston E. Smith prison unit, named for the former governor of Texas, is located just outside Lamesa.GeographyLamesa is located in the center of Dawson County at . U.S. Highway 87 passes through the eastern side of the city, leading north to Lubbock and southeast to Big Spring. U.S. Highway 180 passes through the center of town as 4th Street and leads west to Seminole and east to Snyder. Texas State Highway 137 passes through the city as Bryan Avenue and leads northwest to Brownfield and south to Stanton. Texas State Highway 349 branches off Highway 137 south of Lamesa and leads southwest to Midland.
