Zapata, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Zapata, Texas had a total population of 4,897, the 433rd largest community in Texas, with a median household income of $45,488, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Zapata Quick Facts
How Zapata Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,879 | 4,897 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $37,653 | $45,488 | +20.8% |
| Median home value | $104,300 | $124,900 | +19.8% |
How Zapata Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Zapata Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Zapata County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medina | 4,226 | $21,506 | 53.8% | $65,000 |
| Siesta Shores | 1,640 | $35,352 | 48.8% | $66,400 |
| Falcon Lake Estates | 1,075 | $65,909 | 33.0% | $142,300 |
| Falcon Mesa | 426 | $62,589 | 9.9% | $154,200 |
| San Ygnacio | 416 | N/A | 20.0% | $80,500 |
| Lopeño | 89 | N/A | 16.9% | N/A |
| Las Palmas | 47 | N/A | 21.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Zapata
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progreso | 4,998 | $45,924 | $69,300 | 12.1% | 28.4% |
| Gilmer | 5,025 | $44,316 | $166,700 | 21.6% | 18.3% |
| Fabens | 4,818 | $42,533 | $95,500 | 10.7% | 28.3% |
| Hudson | 5,104 | $46,406 | $171,700 | 8.4% | 11.9% |
| Brady | 5,230 | $46,250 | $138,800 | 19.9% | 14.0% |
Population Overview
Zapata is a small community located in Texas, within Zapata County. The total population is 4,897. It ranks as the 433rd most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Zapata is 38.5 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 35.6 years. With 30.1% of the population under 18, Zapata has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Zapata is $45,488. This is 42% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 44% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.5%. This is 136% 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 2.1%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $124,900. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $283,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Zapata is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Zapata has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 89.2% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 7.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (7.5%) is well below the state average of 39.1%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (89.2% vs 39.7%). The Asian population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 5.5%.
Education
24.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Zapata, Texas is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Zapata, Texas?
Zapata, Texas has a population of 4,897 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Zapata, TX?
The median household income in Zapata is $45,488, which is 44% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Zapata, TX?
The poverty rate in Zapata is 32.5%. This means approximately 1,579 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Zapata, Texas?
Zapata's population is 7.5% White, 0.2% Black, 89.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Zapata, TX?
The median home value in Zapata is $124,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Zapata, Texas?
24.2% of adults (25+) in Zapata hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.