Population 34,709 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in ZIP 78516
Household size in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.78 | 3.67 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.89 | 3.72 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.73 | 3.66 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.60 | 3.42 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.18 | −0.25 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in ZIP 78516 are large by national standards, averaging 3.60 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 3.78, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 21 of the 1,017 Texas ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.4 | 28.7 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.1 | 29.5 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.3 | 30.0 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.4 | 31.9 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +3.2 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.4, ZIP 78516 is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 30.4, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the south, the oldest in the northeast.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.8% | 18.3% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.0% | 18.3% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 20.5% | 19.5% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 21.8% | 18.6% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +0.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in ZIP 78516: 21.8% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 5.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only 71 of the 1,017 Texas ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in ZIP 78516
Renters in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.5% | 29.2% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.8% | 32.1% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.7% | 32.0% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.4% | 32.5% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +3.4 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 24.4% of households in ZIP 78516 rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About two-thirds of owners (65.5%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 6.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.9% | 14.6% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.6% | 12.1% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 19.4% | 13.1% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.8% | 12.4% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.9 pts | −2.2 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in ZIP 78516: 18.8% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 1.9 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1989 | 1991 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1993 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1994 | 1995 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1997 | 1998 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +7 | +8 | +6 |
ZIP 78516 has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1997, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1989 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $424 | $597 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $504 | $652 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $587 | $737 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $771 | $987 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$347 | +$390 | +$639 | +$606 |
Rent in ZIP 78516 runs $771 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $347 a month from 2006–10, an 82% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 26.3% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest are in the southeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in ZIP 78516
Bachelor's degrees in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 15.1% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.9% | 16.4% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.7% | 18.4% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.3% | 20.3% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +5.2 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in ZIP 78516: 12.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.1 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only 98 of the 1,017 Texas ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.3% | 59.4% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 52.6% | 61.5% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 58.1% | 64.9% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 59.1% | 69.8% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +10.8 pts | +10.4 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About four in ten adults in ZIP 78516 never finished high school, well above the national share: only 59.1% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma has risen 10.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only 24 of the 1,017 Texas ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in ZIP 78516
| Period | ZIP 78516 | McAllen area | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.5% | 10.2% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 13.8% | 10.5% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.4% | 6.7% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.2% | 7.6% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.6 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in ZIP 78516 runs well above the national rate: 11.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only 38 of the 1,017 Texas ZIP codes with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.3 points, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
ZIP 78516 compared with nearby ZIP codes
| ZIP code | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP 78516 | 3.60 | 32.4 | 21.8% | 24.4% | 18.8% | 1997 | $771 | 12.3% | 59.1% | 11.2% |
| ZIP 78589 | 3.45 | 33.9 | 17.7% | 20.8% | 10.9% | 1996 | $979 | 14.2% | 64.5% | 7.3% |
| ZIP 78537 | 3.80 | 29.3 | 22.4% | 26.7% | 14.1% | 1997 | $820 | 11.0% | 56.7% | 8.7% |
| ZIP 78577 | 3.54 | 30.1 | 22.2% | 40.9% | 12.9% | 2000 | $1,091 | 19.0% | 71.1% | 7.5% |
| ZIP 78599 | 3.86 | 28.0 | 26.3% | 32.0% | 8.1% | 2001 | $970 | 14.7% | 66.5% | 9.5% |
| ZIP 78539 | 2.63 | 35.9 | 17.6% | 45.2% | 11.8% | 1998 | $1,118 | 35.9% | 86.4% | 3.8% |
| ZIP 78501 | 2.76 | 36.3 | 14.9% | 51.3% | 13.6% | 1987 | $975 | 28.5% | 76.1% | 5.2% |
| ZIP 78596 | 3.31 | 34.0 | 15.9% | 34.6% | 17.7% | 1994 | $932 | 20.7% | 75.2% | 6.2% |
| ZIP 78503 | 3.10 | 33.3 | 16.2% | 40.6% | 12.5% | 1997 | $1,178 | 27.1% | 75.2% | 5.7% |
| ZIP 78558 | 4.09 | 26.1 | 27.3% | 17.3% | 6.6% | 1999 | $807 | 13.5% | 63.6% | 7.4% |
| ZIP 78504 | 3.26 | 33.5 | 13.4% | 30.2% | 9.7% | 1999 | $1,275 | 39.1% | 86.7% | 7.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Zip codes with similar populations: 89012, NV · 37312, TN · 38671, MS · 40165, KY · 40391, KY · 40511, KY · 45458, OH · 80521, CO · 84129, UT · 85335, AZ
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up ZIP 78516. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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