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Zapata County, Texas Demographics 2026

Zapata County, Texas has a population of 13,855, the 143rd most populous county in Texas. The median household income is $36,527 and the median home value is $88,800. The poverty rate is 37.4%.

Zapata County Quick Facts

Population 13,855
Median Household Income $36,527
Median Home Value $88,800
Poverty Rate 37.4%
Unemployment Rate 8.0%
Median Age 31.5 years
Homeownership Rate 74.6%
Affordability Ratio 2.4x
Bachelor's Degree+ 13.3%
High School Graduation 64.1%
Cities/Places 0
Population 13,855 143rd of 254
Median Income $36,527 52% lower state
Poverty Rate 37.4%
Unemployment 8.0%

Economy & Housing

Employment

8.0% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1% | National: 5.2%
51.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 74.6%
Renter 25.4%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.4x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

12out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 67 | National average: 60

Education

Explore Texas Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Population Overview

Zapata County is located in Texas with a total population of 13,855. It is the 143rd most populous county out of 254 in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Zapata County is 31.5 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. With 32.2% of the population under 18, Zapata County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Zapata County is $36,527. This is 52% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 53% lower. The poverty rate stands at 37.4%. This is 171% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 8.0%. This is 56% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $88,800. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Zapata County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Zapata County has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 93.9% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 4.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 39.9%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (93.9% vs 39.5%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 33.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 64.1%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Zapata County, Texas?

Zapata County has a population of 13,855, making it the 143rd most populous county in Texas.

What is the median income in Zapata County?

The median household income in Zapata County is $36,527 with a poverty rate of 37.4%.

How many cities are in Zapata County, Texas?

Zapata County contains 0 Census-designated places.