Zapata, TX

Texas

Zapata is a small town in Texas with a population of 4,879. Residents earn $37,653 per year, which is 50% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
4,879 Population 639/sq mi density
$37,653 Median Income $21,153 per capita
$104,300 Home Value $126,365 Zillow
$482 Median Rent
74°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$37,653 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,300 home value, $482/mo rent
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $37,653
50% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,300
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.7%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $482
59% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.0%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.1%
69% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 24.5%
98% higher than US avg

How Zapata Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,879
Median Age39.3 yrs
Density639/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 41%

Economy

C+
Median Income$37,653
Per Capita$21,153
Unemployment1.1%
Poverty24.5%
County GDP$668M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,300
Rent$482
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$126,365

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.8%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp74°F
AQI42 (Good)
Rain20.4 in/yr
Elevation376 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.7%
High School+73.5%
School Score4.23

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 39%
Commute18 min
Libraries1

Is Zapata a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Zapata receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Zapata offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Zapata is $37,653, 50% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.1%. The poverty rate of 24.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Zapata is $104,300, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $482 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

17.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 73.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Zapata has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 74°F. Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 87°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 20.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Zapata has a population of 4,879 with a density of 639 people per square mile. The median age is 39.3 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (40.6%).

Population

4,879
Total Population
639
People / sq mi
39.3yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
7.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.3%
Female 52.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Zapata vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only14.6%
81% below US avg
Spanish85.4%
537% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Zapata vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Zapata is $37,653, which is 50% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 24.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Zapata vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$37,653
50% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,153
Avg Weekly Wage$796
IRS Avg AGI$37,633

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.1%
69% below US avg
Poverty Rate24.5%
98% above US avg
Establishments (County)166
County GDP$668M

Business (County)

Restaurants20
Healthcare18
Retail35
Manufacturing3

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,533
1% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.8 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Zapata is $104,300, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $482 (59% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $126,365.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,300
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$126,365

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$482
59% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$747
1 Bedroom$751
2 Bedrooms$973
3 Bedrooms$1,167
4 Bedrooms$1,432

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,533
1% above US avg
Effective Rate3.39%
In Zapata, 42.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.8% report depression. 41.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Zapata vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.0%
31% above US avg
Diabetes17.5%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure34.6%
Asthma8.9%
COPD5.7%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.4%
Physical Inactivity41.6%
Depression19.8%
Mental Distress17.6%
Physical Distress17.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate80.1%
Checkup Rate71.4%
Premature Death9,589/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment4.8/10
Exercise Access31.0%
Healthcare Facilities18

Crime Rates: Zapata vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Zapata has an average annual temperature of 74°F (24°C). Winters average 57°F in January while summers reach 87°F in July. Annual precipitation is 20.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

57°F Jan (14°C) 87°F Jul (31°C)
Annual Average74.4°F
38% above US avg
January Average57°F (14°C)
July Average87°F (31°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall20.4 inches
46% below US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation376 ft (115 m)
Area7.6 sq mi (19.8 km²)
Population Density639/sq mi
Coordinates26.9022°N, 99.2614°W
County FIPS48505
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 17.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 22.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61%
D 38.5%

Winner: Republican by 22.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.7%
47% below US avg
High School+73.5%
School Test Score4.23
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density639/sq mi
Total Area7.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants20
Retail Stores35

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.8 min
Work from Home6.0%

Nearby Cities

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