1st Advantage MortgageIn Zapata County, Texas, the typical household earns $39,239 a year and the typical rent is $617. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Texas license first.
On this page
- Zapata County, TX: the basics
- Renting and owning in Zapata County
- Household income in Zapata County
- Jobs and commutes in Zapata County
- The communities that make up Zapata County
- Zapata County and the counties next door
- A Zapata County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Zapata County
- More Zapata County figures
- Checklist for Zapata County applicants
- Texas rules that apply in Zapata County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Zapata County, TX: the basics
Zapata County is home to about 13,841 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 145th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. It covers 998 square miles of land, or about 14 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Zapata County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 12 Census places inside Zapata County, Zapata leads by population with about 4,897; 0 of the 12 are incorporated.
Renting and owning in Zapata County
A typical Zapata County rental runs $617 a month including utilities, which is 56% below Texas. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. Home values center on $97,100, or 2.5 years of median income. The ownership rate is 72%. Median construction year: 1992.
| Cost | Zapata County | Texas figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $617/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $97,100 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 29% | n/a |
Household income in Zapata County
Half of Zapata County households take in less than $39,239 a year and half take in more, 50% below the Texas median of $78,476. In the state ranking that is 249th of 254.
| Income band | Share in Zapata County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 44.3% | +22.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 37.3% | -2.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.7% | -9.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 0.7% | -11.8 pts |
Some 44% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 18% have six-figure incomes. 38.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). None of these numbers decides a Zapata County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Zapata County
Education and health care employs 34% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 11%. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 34% locally and 22% for Texas. Averaged over the five survey years, 7.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 15% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 8.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Zapata County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 33.7% | +12.1 pts |
| Construction | 11.4% | +2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.0% | -1.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.6% | -0.9 pts |
| Public administration | 6.2% | +2.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.1% | -0.9 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
The communities that make up Zapata County
12 Census places fall mainly inside Zapata County; the 12 biggest are below. They account for 12,816 residents, leaving about 7% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Falcon Lake Estates has the highest median household income on the list ($65,909) and Medina the lowest ($21,506), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $395 in Zapata to $760 in Falcon Lake Estates. No Zapata County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 12.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapata | CDP | 4,897 | $45,488 | $395 | 8 mi |
| Medina | CDP | 4,226 | $21,506 | $604 | 7 mi |
| Siesta Shores | CDP | 1,640 | $35,352 | $758 | 11 mi |
| Falcon Lake Estates | CDP | 1,075 | $65,909 | $760 | 10 mi |
| Falcon Mesa | CDP | 426 | $62,589 | n/a | 11 mi |
| San Ygnacio | CDP | 416 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Lopeño | CDP | 89 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
| Las Palmas | CDP | 47 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Los Lobos | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 27 mi |
| Morales-Sanchez | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| New Falcon | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 25 mi |
| Ramireno | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
Zapata County and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from Jim Hogg County at 27 miles out to Hidalgo County at 74. Webb County leads the group on income ($63,058), Starr County trails ($37,639), and Zapata County out-earns 1 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zapata County | - | $39,239 | $617/mo | 72% |
| Jim Hogg County, TX | 27 mi | $42,211 | $824/mo | 56% |
| Starr County, TX | 42 mi | $37,639 | $726/mo | 70% |
| Webb County, TX | 54 mi | $63,058 | $1,027/mo | 65% |
| Brooks County, TX | 60 mi | $47,764 | $719/mo | 53% |
| Duval County, TX | 63 mi | $49,038 | $741/mo | 70% |
| Hidalgo County, TX | 74 mi | $54,338 | $957/mo | 67% |
A Zapata County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Zapata County's medians:
- $39,239 a year is $3,270 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $617 uses 19%
- With a 36% ceiling, about $560 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Zapata County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Zapata County
A few patterns in the Zapata County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 28% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 30% of Zapata County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- 38% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
More Zapata County figures
Degree holders: 15% of adults over 25. 27.6% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Zapata County | All of Texas | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 32.3 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.2% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 34.1% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 27.6% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.8% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.8% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 38.4% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.3% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 56.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 21.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 0.8% |
| 60+ min | 14.5% |
Checklist for Zapata County applicants
Steps that save money for Zapata County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Texas license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Texas rules that apply in Zapata County
Zapata County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Texas Department of Banking. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Texas: Texas personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Texas guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Zapata County earn?
The median is $39,239; 18% earn $100,000 or more and 44% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Zapata County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $617 a month; 41% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Zapata?
Yes, along with the other 11 Census places in Zapata County, such as Medina, Siesta Shores, Falcon Lake Estates.
Can Zapata County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Texas county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Zapata County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Texas it is the Texas Department of Banking.