Muleshoe is located northwest of Lubbock between Sudan and Farwell on US 84 and Hwy 214, and is the seat of Bailey County.
The town grew rapidly in its early years. In 1930 it had nearly 800 residents. The population was 1,327 in 1940, 3,871 in 1960, and 5,225 in 1970, when the town had 200 businesses, two hospitals, two banks, a library, a newspaper, and a radio station.
On the main street is a highly prized statue of a mule, a memorial to the animal's contributions in World War I.
Annual events include a junior livestock show in February and the World Championship Muleshoe Pitching Contest on the Fourth of July. Businesses include farm supply manufacturing and food and feed processing plants.
The Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, located twenty miles to the south, was founded in 1935 and is the oldest such refuge in the state.
Muleshoe had a population of 4,571 in 1990.