County · Texas
Zapata County, Texas
Zapata County, Texas. Zapata County had 13,753 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.0% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. It holds 12 places (12 census-designated) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 48505.
Zapata County is the county of the Zapata, TX micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
13,753
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 13,889 · ACS 2020-2024: 13,841
Median household income
$39,239
±$4,265 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$97,100
±$13,417 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$617
±$59 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Zapata County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 13,889 residents in Zapata County. The Census Bureau estimates 13,753 for July 1, 2025, down 1.0% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 13,841 over 998 square miles of land.
| Measure | Zapata County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 13,841 | 30,188,424 | −463 |
| Households | 4,565±278 | 10,992,816 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.98±0.18 | 2.69 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,255±16 | 12,128,515 | −199 |
Zapata County's population since 2000
From 12,182 in 2000 to 13,753 in 2025: up 12.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Zapata County?
Zapata County holds 12 places: 12 census-designated places. The largest is Zapata with 4,897 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Zapata | 5,383 | $45,488 |
|---|---|---|
| Medina | 3,953 | $21,506 |
| Siesta Shores | 1,450 | $35,352 |
| Falcon Lake EstatesGEOID 4825348 | 962 | $65,909 |
| Falcon MesaGEOID 4825352 | 523 | $62,589 |
| San YgnacioGEOID 4865792 | 504 | not published |
| New FalconGEOID 4850924 | 117 | not published |
| LopeñoGEOID 4843960 | 70 | not published |
| Las PalmasGEOID 4841579 | 59 | not published |
| Morales-SanchezGEOID 4849314 | 46 | not published |
| Los LobosGEOID 4844142 | 7 | not published |
| RamirenoGEOID 4860380 | 6 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Zapata County?
The median resident of Zapata County is 32.3 years old; 31.6% are under 18 and 14.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 93.9%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 4.8%. 23.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Zapata County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.3±0.6 | 35.6 | +2.8 |
| Under 18 years | 31.6% | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 14.1%±0.3 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 93.9% | 39.7% | −0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 4.8%±0.7 pts | 39.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 5.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 23.4%±3.6 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 82.9%±3.4 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.8%±1.2 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 15.3%±2.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 27.6%±3.3 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 65.9%±4.6 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.2%±3.6 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.1%±1.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Zapata County earn?
Half of Zapata County's 4,565 households earn less than $39,239 a year (±$4,265), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $41,785 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 38.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Zapata County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $39,239±$4,265 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $55,372±$5,429 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $18,613±$1,896 | $40,752 | −$6,209 |
| People below the poverty line | 38.4%±6.0 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 51.2%±9.0 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 31.3%±5.5 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 79.4%±4.2 pts | 91.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Zapata County?
Owners occupy 72.0% of Zapata County's occupied homes and renters 28.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $97,100 by its owner (±$13,417). The median renter pays $617 a month including utilities, and 30.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Zapata County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $97,100±$13,417 | $283,800 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $617±$59 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 30.7%±14.5 pts | 42.3% | −25.2 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,157±$94 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.0%±5.7 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,255±16 | 12,128,515 | −199 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.9 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.9%±2.3 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 60.3%±4.8 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 29.9%±4.4 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 1.2%±0.9 pts | 3.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in Zapata County get to work?
76.0% of Zapata County's workers drive alone and 8.8% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.6 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.3%.
| Measure | Zapata County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.8%±3.2 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.3%±3.9 pts | 5.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 76.0%±5.2 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 13.7%±3.9 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±1.4 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.8%±3.6 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.6 min±4.2 | 26.7 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Zapata County's census tracts?
Zapata County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $33,375 (Tract 9504.02) to $79,570 (Tract 9503.06).
| Tract 9503.0348505950303 | 769±262 | $64,286 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9503.0448505950304 | 3,359±643 | $23,276 |
| Tract 9503.0548505950305 | 2,229±455 | $40,395 |
| Tract 9503.0648505950306 | 2,346±675 | $79,570 |
| Tract 9504.0148505950401 | 2,727±566 | $37,857 |
| Tract 9504.0248505950402 | 2,411±513 | $33,375 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Zapata County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 145th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 187th of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 154th of 254 |
| Median household income | 248th of 253 |
| Median home value | 215th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 234th of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 202nd of 252 |
| Median age | 228th of 254 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Zapata County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.