CountyScore

Zapata County

Texas · TX

#106 in Texas
63.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Zapata County, Texas

Zapata County well above national average

Zapata County's composite score of 74.0 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it among America's more livable counties by financial and housing standards. This 24-point advantage reflects exceptional strengths in housing affordability and reasonable tax burden that benefit residents considerably. The county ranks in the upper tier of U.S. counties for financial accessibility.

Among Texas's best-performing counties

At 74.0, Zapata County tops Texas's state average of 66.8 by 7.2 points, ranking it in the top tier of the state's 254 counties. This strong performance is driven primarily by exceptional housing affordability and controlled tax burden. Zapata County stands out as one of Texas's most accessible places for budget-conscious residents.

Extraordinary housing affordability and low taxes

Zapata County's cost score of 91.1—the highest among these six counties—reflects median home values of just $88,800 and median rent of only $569 per month, among the lowest in Texas. The tax score of 73.4 with an effective rate of 1.027% ensures residents keep more income from earnings. These exceptional metrics make Zapata one of Texas's most financially accessible counties, appealing to those seeking maximum affordability.

Income levels critically low

The income score of 7.2 with median household income of just $36,527 represents a severe challenge, among the lowest in Texas and well below national standards. Safety, health, school quality, environmental, and economic risk data are unavailable, leaving critical gaps in understanding what daily life entails in the county. Prospective residents should research whether limited incomes reflect structural economic constraints or temporary conditions.

For those who can live on very little

Zapata County is uniquely suited to retirees with fixed incomes, remote workers earning income elsewhere, or families with very modest needs seeking maximum housing and tax efficiency. The county offers unmatched affordability in Texas, but the extremely low median income suggests limited local employment opportunities. It's not appropriate for those dependent on local wages or career advancement.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax73.4Cost91.1SafetyComing SoonHealth35.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome7.2Risk68.7WaterComing Soon
🏛73.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠91.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼7.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤35.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡68.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Zapata County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Mobile County
Alabama
63.8
Median income: $58,119
Tuolumne County
California
63.8
Median income: $72,259
Colquitt County
Georgia
63.8
Median income: $49,691
Ford County
Illinois
63.8
Median income: $60,782
Penobscot County
Maine
63.8
Median income: $63,248

Deep Dives

Zapata County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Zapata County

via TaxByCounty

Zapata ranks among America's lowest tax counties

Zapata County's 1.027% effective rate sits 20% below the national median of 1.276%, placing it in the bottom quartile for property taxes nationwide. Homeowners here enjoy tax relief relative to most U.S. counties.

Well below Texas average despite low home values

Zapata's 1.027% rate runs 20% lower than Texas's 1.276% average, making it one of the state's most tax-friendly counties. The median tax of $912 reflects both low property values and a favorable tax structure.

Zapata sits between Yoakum and Zavala in tax burden

Zapata's 1.027% rate falls between Yoakum (0.981%) and Zavala (1.423%), offering middle-ground tax relief in the region. However, Zapata's dramatically lower median home values ($88,800) mean actual tax bills are among the region's smallest.

Median home under $89K produces $912 annual tax

Zapata's median home value of $88,800 translates to just $912 in annual property taxes—the lowest of the four counties examined. This affordability makes Zapata one of Texas's most economically accessible counties.

Appeal if assessed above recent comparable sales

In areas with lower property values, assessment errors are common when appraisers reference outdated comps. Request a reassessment if you believe your valuation exceeds recent market sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Zapata County

via CostByCounty

Zapata County's Housing Market Tells a Different Story

Zapata County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds the national average, driven by a median household income of just $36,527—less than half the national median. While rents are genuinely low at $569 monthly, the real affordability challenge here is limited earning capacity, not high housing costs.

Income Squeeze Drives Housing Burden

Zapata County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio marginally exceeds Texas's 18.1% state average, despite having the lowest rents in this county group. The issue isn't rent itself—at $569, it's 41% below the state median—but rather the county's limited wage base.

Cheapest Rents, But Lowest Incomes

Zapata County's $569 rent is the lowest among these five counties, but its $36,527 median income is also the lowest, creating a tradeoff. Neighboring Zavala County offers similar dynamics with $544 rent and $41,887 income, both representing South Texas's economic realities.

Housing Stress Despite Low Nominal Costs

Zapata County renters spend 18.7% of their $36,527 income on $569 rent, while homeowners allocate roughly 16% to owner costs of $480. Combined housing burden reaches 35%—above recommended levels—because wages, not rents, are the limiting factor for these families.

Affordable Living, Limited Job Market

Zapata County delivers ultra-low rents and modest home values ($88,800 median), but income opportunities are severely constrained compared to neighboring counties. Consider this county only if remote work or relocation with your current income is part of your plan.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Zapata County

via IncomeByCounty

Zapata County Faces Income Challenge

Zapata County's median household income of $36,527 falls roughly 51% below the national median of $74,755, ranking among the lowest-income counties in the nation. This significant gap reflects serious economic challenges affecting household earning power.

Significantly Below Texas Average

At $36,527, Zapata County's median income runs just 56% of the Texas state average of $64,737, indicating an economy struggling relative to statewide standards. This substantial shortfall signals limited job opportunities and wage growth in the county.

Zapata Among Region's Lowest

Zapata County's $36,527 income ranks among the lowest in its region, well behind Yoakum County ($82,261) and even trailing neighboring Zavala County ($41,887) by $5,360. The wide disparities reflect uneven economic development across South Texas.

Housing Costs Strain Budgets

Zapata County's 18.7% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this group, meaning households allocate nearly one-fifth of earnings to rent. While the median home value of $88,800 is low, the ratio indicates housing consumes a larger share of limited incomes here.

Start Small, Build Gradually

With median incomes around $36,500, Zapata County residents should focus on reducing debt and building small emergency savings first before investing. Community development organizations and microfinance programs can offer tailored support for wealth building in lower-income communities.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Zapata County

via HealthByCounty

Zapata County's health picture is mixed

At 74.7 years, Zapata County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 73.5 years, a bright spot in otherwise challenging health data. Yet 41.0% report poor or fair health—a staggering 17.6 percentage points above the national rate of 23.4%—indicating deep health struggles despite longer lifespan.

High health burden despite good life expectancy

Zapata County's 74.7-year life expectancy exceeds Texas's 74.3-year average, but its 41.0% poor/fair health rate is among the state's worst. With 23.7% uninsured—4 points above the Texas average—the county's population faces significant healthcare barriers despite living longer.

Longest living, but sickest county

Zapata County residents live longer than all nearby counties at 74.7 years, yet report the worst health status at 41.0% poor/fair—10+ points higher than neighbors like Wise and Wood. Provider data for Zapata is limited, making it difficult to assess care access fully.

High uninsured rate, data gaps on doctors

With 23.7% uninsured, Zapata County faces higher-than-average coverage gaps that likely block access to preventive and chronic disease care. Primary care and mental health provider counts are not readily available, making it difficult to assess whether doctor shortages compound these challenges.

Coverage can help manage chronic conditions

Zapata County's 41.0% poor/fair health rate suggests many residents struggle with chronic disease; health insurance is essential for managing these conditions. If uninsured, apply at Healthcare.gov or contact Zapata County health services for enrollment help.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Zapata County

via RiskByCounty

Zapata County has exceptionally low disaster risk

Zapata County's composite risk score of 31.36 earns it a very low risk rating, placing it well below the national average and among the safest counties in America for natural hazard exposure. The county's low-risk profile is buoyed by minimal flood (19.88), earthquake (18.45), and tornado (14.73) threats.

One of Texas's lowest-risk counties overall

Zapata County scores 31.36, substantially below the Texas state average of 49.00, ranking it among the state's safest counties for disaster exposure. This exceptional position reflects the county's South Texas location, away from major flood plains and tornado corridors.

Lowest-risk county among all Texas peers

Zapata County (31.36) ranks as the safest in its comparison group, with composite risk significantly lower than Young County (36.35), Yoakum County (46.06), Wise County (58.97), and Wood County (63.23). Only its hurricane risk (66.00) approaches the regional average due to coastal storm exposure.

Hurricane is primary threat for Zapata County

Hurricane risk at 66.00 is Zapata County's only significant hazard, reflecting the county's Gulf Coast proximity and subtropical storm exposure during Atlantic hurricane season. All other hazards—wildfire (70.87), flood (19.88), tornado (14.73), and earthquake (18.45)—remain well below concerning thresholds.

Hurricane coverage is your essential insurance

Zapata County homeowners should prioritize hurricane and wind damage coverage, as it is the county's most meaningful natural disaster threat. Given the county's exceptionally low exposure to other hazards, standard homeowners insurance provides adequate protection for flood and tornado risks.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.