Population 13,841 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Zapata County
Household size in Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.20 | 2.87 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.28 | 2.93 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.16 | 2.95 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.13 | 2.83 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.08 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Zapata County are large by national standards, averaging 3.13 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has edged down from 3.20, as it has nationally. Only 21 of Texas' 254 counties 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 Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.2 | 34.7 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.2 | 35.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.5 | 36.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 34.4 | 36.7 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.2 | +2.0 | +2.3 |
Zapata County is young: half of its residents are under 34.4, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 31.2, in line with the national trend.
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 Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.8% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.2% | 13.7% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 19.5% | 13.1% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 23.7% | 12.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | −0.8 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly a quarter of households in Zapata County (23.7%), well above the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 3.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only five of Texas' 254 counties 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 Zapata County
Renters in Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.1% | 35.2% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.9% | 37.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.2% | 38.0% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.0% | 37.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +3.9 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly three in ten households in Zapata County rent their homes (28.0%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 71.9% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the southeast and least common in the center. The renter share has risen 3.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.0% | 11.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 25.5% | 10.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 27.7% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.3% | 9.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −2.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Zapata County: 27.3% 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. Vacancy is down 1.6 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1983 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1987 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1990 | 1992 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +8 | +6 |
Zapata County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1990, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the northwest.
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 Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $481 | $921 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $457 | $1,005 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $493 | $1,178 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $663 | $1,560 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$182 | +$639 | +$606 |
The median renter in Zapata County pays $663 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $182 a month from 2006–10, a 38% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 23.2% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the center; the most affordable are in the northwest.
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 Zapata County
Bachelor's degrees in Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.5% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 9.3% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.8% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.5% | 34.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.0 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Zapata County: 15.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the southeast.
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 Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 53.9% | 80.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 55.8% | 82.0% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 63.2% | 83.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 66.2% | 85.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +12.3 pts | +5.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
About a third of adults in Zapata County never finished high school, well above the national share: only 66.2% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 12.3 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only six of Texas' 254 counties 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 Zapata County
| Period | Zapata County | Texas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.1% | 7.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.8% | 7.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.8% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.2% | 5.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | +2.1 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Zapata County: 9.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only 16 of Texas' 254 counties have higher unemployment. Unemployment has risen 2.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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).
Zapata County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapata County | 3.13 | 34.4 | 23.7% | 28.0% | 27.3% | 1990 | $663 | 15.5% | 66.2% | 9.2% |
| Starr County | 3.55 | 30.0 | 22.1% | 30.5% | 16.9% | 1995 | $734 | 14.7% | 60.2% | 10.1% |
| Webb County | 3.39 | 31.0 | 20.2% | 35.3% | 8.2% | 1995 | $1,173 | 21.6% | 70.7% | 5.4% |
| Jim Hogg County | 3.83 | 28.7 | 27.7% | 43.6% | 28.0% | 1977 | $849 | 15.7% | 76.5% | 5.7% |
| Brooks County | 2.23 | 42.8 | 23.4% | 47.2% | 24.7% | 1969 | $807 | 18.0% | 82.8% | 17.8% |
| Duval County | 3.21 | 35.9 | 18.7% | 29.6% | 27.3% | 1979 | $823 | 6.4% | 74.5% | 10.6% |
| Hidalgo County | 3.42 | 31.9 | 18.6% | 32.5% | 12.4% | 1998 | $987 | 20.3% | 69.8% | 7.6% |
| Kenedy County | 2.53 | 54.8 | 12.2% | 47.3% | 56.7% | 1957 | $1,374 | 13.0% | 52.8% | 0.0% |
| Jim Wells County | 2.93 | 37.7 | 20.8% | 31.5% | 17.0% | 1983 | $870 | 15.7% | 79.6% | 6.6% |
| Kleberg County | 2.47 | 32.8 | 17.0% | 47.5% | 16.1% | 1978 | $983 | 23.4% | 83.6% | 7.5% |
| Willacy County | 3.32 | 36.7 | 21.3% | 25.3% | 16.0% | 1987 | $727 | 13.9% | 70.2% | 8.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Perry County, IN · Phillips County, MT · Phillips County, KS · Phillips County, CO · Phillips County, AR · Phelps County, NE · Pershing County, NV · Perry County, TN · Perry County, MS · Piatt County, IL
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 Zapata County. 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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