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Zavala County, Texas Demographics 2026

Zavala County, Texas has a population of 9,532, the 168th most populous county in Texas. The median household income is $41,887 and the median home value is $88,100. The poverty rate is 36.3%.

Zavala County Quick Facts

Population 9,532
Median Household Income $41,887
Median Home Value $88,100
Poverty Rate 36.3%
Unemployment Rate 7.4%
Median Age 32.5 years
Homeownership Rate 71.0%
Affordability Ratio 2.1x
Bachelor's Degree+ 9.6%
High School Graduation 73.4%
Cities/Places 0
Population 9,532 168th of 254
Median Income $41,887 45% lower state
Poverty Rate 36.3%
Unemployment 7.4%

Economy & Housing

Employment

7.4% Unemployment Rate State: 5.1% | National: 5.2%
54.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 71.0%
Renter 29.0%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.1x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

14out 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

Zavala County is located in Texas with a total population of 9,532. It is the 168th most populous county out of 254 in Texas.

Age Demographics

The median age in Zavala County is 32.5 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 35.5 years. With 29.5% of the population under 18, Zavala County has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Zavala County is $41,887. This is 45% lower than the state median of $76,292. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 47% lower. The poverty rate stands at 36.3%. This is 163% 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 7.4%. This is 44% higher than the state rate of 5.1%. The median home value is $88,100. Housing costs are 66% lower than the state median of $260,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Zavala County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 62.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Zavala County has a predominantly Hispanic or Latino population, comprising 92.7% of all residents. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 6.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 39.9%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 11.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (92.7% vs 39.5%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 5.3%.

Education

9.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 71% 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 73.4%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Zavala County, Texas?

Zavala County has a population of 9,532, making it the 168th most populous county in Texas.

What is the median income in Zavala County?

The median household income in Zavala County is $41,887 with a poverty rate of 36.3%.

How many cities are in Zavala County, Texas?

Zavala County contains 0 Census-designated places.