County · Texas
Zavala County, Texas
Zavala County, Texas. Zavala County had 9,037 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 6.6% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. It holds 6 places (1 city, village or borough and 5 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 48507.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
9,037
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,670 · ACS 2020-2024: 9,412
Median household income
$36,749
±$5,834 (90% margin)
Texas: $78,476
Median home value
$98,800
±$17,396 (90% margin)
Texas: $283,800
Median gross rent
$548
±$209 (90% margin)
Texas: $1,403
How many people live in Zavala County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 9,670 residents in Zavala County. The Census Bureau estimates 9,037 for July 1, 2025, down 6.6% since 2020, while Texas grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 9,412 over 1,297 square miles of land.
| Measure | Zavala County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 9,412 | 30,188,424 | −2,627 |
| Households | 3,271±195 | 10,992,816 | −300 |
| Average household size | 2.86±0.17 | 2.69 | −0.47 |
| Housing units | 3,946±15 | 12,128,515 | −439 |
Zavala County's population since 2000
From 11,600 in 2000 to 9,037 in 2025: down 22.1%. 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 Zavala County?
Zavala County holds 6 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place) and 5 census-designated places. The largest is Crystal City with 5,871 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Crystal City | 6,354 | $36,328 |
|---|---|---|
| La PryorGEOID 4841452 | 1,294 | $39,205 |
| BatesvilleGEOID 4805924 | 787 | $28,140 |
| Chula Vista (Zavala County)GEOID 4814882 | 307 | not published |
| Loma GrandeGEOID 4843458 | 135 | $76,308 |
| AmayaGEOID 4803008 | 108 | 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 Zavala County?
The median resident of Zavala County is 30.8 years old; 29.3% are under 18 and 15.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 92.6%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 6.0%. 7.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Zavala County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30.8±0.6 | 35.6 | −2.1 |
| Under 18 years | 29.3% | 25.0% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.7%±0.3 pts | 13.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 92.6% | 39.7% | −1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 6.0%±1.1 pts | 39.1% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±1.0 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.7 pts | 5.5% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.7%±2.3 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 67.7%±7.6 pts | 35.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 2.0%±1.3 pts | 6.2% | – |
| With a disability | 19.0%±3.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 14.9%±4.5 pts | 17.1% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 70.3%±5.3 pts | 86.0% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 11.1%±6.3 pts | 33.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 0.9%±0.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.4%±0.7 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 Zavala County earn?
Half of Zavala County's 3,271 households earn less than $36,749 a year (±$5,834), against $78,476 in Texas. In 2015-2019 it was $42,408 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 33.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Zavala County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $36,749±$5,834 | $78,476 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $50,963±$7,817 | $109,933 | – |
| Per capita income | $20,265±$4,241 | $40,752 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 33.9%±9.5 pts | 13.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 50.1%±15.1 pts | 18.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 40.6%±9.4 pts | 11.4% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.3%±7.3 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 Zavala County?
Owners occupy 69.0% of Zavala County's occupied homes and renters 31.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $98,800 by its owner (±$17,396). The median renter pays $548 a month including utilities, and 40.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Zavala County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $98,800±$17,396 | $283,800 | +$37,265 |
| Median gross rent | $548±$209 | $1,403 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.5%±18.3 pts | 42.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,333±$120 | $2,106 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.0%±7.0 pts | 62.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,946±15 | 12,128,515 | −439 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.9%±2.7 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.6%±5.8 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 22.5%±5.9 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 4.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.1%±6.6 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 many new homes is Zavala County building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units across Zavala County in 2025 (0 single-family), 0.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Zavala County get to work?
80.5% of Zavala County's workers drive alone and 6.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.0%.
| Measure | Zavala County | Texas | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.3%±4.3 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0%±2.4 pts | 5.3% | −4.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 80.5%±6.2 pts | 71.4% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.5%±4.5 pts | 10.0% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±1.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 3.0%±3.6 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.4%±3.5 pts | 14.4% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 20.4 min±3.3 | 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 Zavala County's census tracts?
Zavala County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $28,140 (Tract 9501) to $36,929 (Tract 9503.02).
| Tract 950148507950100 | 994±405 | $28,140 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950248507950200 | 1,287±382 | $39,659 |
| Tract 9503.0148507950301 | 1,840±451 | $41,418 |
| Tract 9503.0248507950302 | 5,291±384 | $36,929 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Zavala County compare with Texas's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 170th of 253 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 231st of 254 |
| Residents per square mile | 182nd of 254 |
| Median household income | 252nd of 253 |
| Median home value | 212th of 247 |
| Median gross rent | 241st of 245 |
| Poverty rate | 3rd of 240 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 241st of 252 |
| Median age | 244th 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 Zavala 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.