countyscore
53.9
County Score
Cost of Living 97Safety 87.1Disaster Risk 68.7

County Report Card

About Zapata County, Texas

Zapata County Beats the National Median

Zapata County achieves a composite score of 53.9, which is significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This suggests a higher-than-average quality of life for its residents.

A Top Performer in the State

The county's 53.9 score far exceeds the Texas state average of 41.9. It ranks as one of the most stable and safe counties in the South Texas region.

Unmatched Affordability and Exceptional Safety

Housing is incredibly accessible with a Cost Score of 97.0 and a median home value of $88,800. Safety is another high point, earning a remarkable score of 87.1.

Lifting Incomes and Improving Water Access

The local economy faces stagnation with a very low Income Score of 1.3 and median earnings of $36,527. Water infrastructure also remains a concern with a score of 10.1.

A Haven for Retirees and Remote Workers

This county is ideal for individuals on fixed incomes or remote workers seeking extreme affordability and peace of mind. It offers some of the lowest housing costs and highest safety ratings in Texas.

Score breakdown

Tax36.2Cost97Safety87.1Health15Schools40.6Income1.3Risk68.7Water10.1Weather7.8
🏛36.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠97
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼1.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡87.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤15
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓40.6
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡68.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧10.1
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤7.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨18.8
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱16
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Jim Hogg County
Texas
38.4
Starr County
Texas
45.9
Webb County
Texas
27.9
Brooks County
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Duval County
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Hidalgo County
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Jim Wells County
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La Salle County
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Deep Dives

Zapata County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 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

Safety in Zapata County

via CrimeByCounty

Zapata County is One of the Safest in America

Zapata County achieves a nearly perfect safety score of 99.5, far outpacing national benchmarks. Its total crime rate of 287.9 per 100,000 is over eight times lower than the U.S. average of 2,385.5.

Leading Texas in Public Safety

With a safety score of 99.5, Zapata County is significantly safer than the Texas average of 96.8. The local total crime rate is a fraction of the state average of 2,052.5 per 100,000 residents.

Unmatched Safety Compared to Neighbors

Zapata County reports a crime rate far lower than nearby Zavala County and other neighboring regions. Two reporting agencies provide the data that confirms this exceptional level of local safety.

Minimal Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime is extremely rare at 43.2 per 100,000, while property crime is just 244.7. These levels are among the lowest in the state, offering residents extraordinary peace of mind.

Securing Your Property in Zapata

Even in an exceptionally safe county, home awareness remains a valuable practice. Monitoring your surroundings and using basic security measures helps maintain Zapata’s elite safety status.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

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

Schools in Zapata County

via SchoolsByCounty

Unified Education in Zapata County

Zapata County operates under a single unified district, Zapata County ISD, which manages all six public schools for 3,376 students. The infrastructure is geared toward primary education, featuring four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. This centralized system allows for streamlined transitions as students move through the grade levels.

Competitive Graduation Rates with Efficient Spending

The county maintains a graduation rate of 92.0%, which outperforms both the Texas average of 91.6% and the national rate of 87.0%. While per-pupil spending is lower than the state average at $5,994, the county still secures a 52.4 composite school score. These figures highlight the district's ability to maintain high completion rates despite tighter financial resources.

One District, One Vision for All Students

Zapata County ISD serves as the sole provider for the county's 3,376 students, ensuring a consistent curriculum and shared community goals. There are no charter schools in the area, meaning 100% of the student population is enrolled in the local public district. This unity helps foster a strong sense of local identity and collective academic focus.

Large Campus Dynamics in a Rural Mix

The county splits its facilities between three town-based and three rural locations, with an average school size of 563 students. Zapata High School is a major hub with 1,034 students, making it the largest facility by a significant margin. Attending school here means being part of a larger, high-energy campus environment within a close-knit county structure.

Invest in a Community with Consistent Growth

With a graduation rate that beats the state average, Zapata County is an excellent choice for families seeking a unified and successful school system. The district's large campuses and high graduation success make it a focal point for home buyers in the region. Look for properties in the Zapata area to benefit from this single-district educational continuity.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Weather & Climate in Zapata County

via WeatherByCounty

Extreme southern heat and sun

Zapata County is one of the warmest places in the U.S., with a 74.4°F annual average temperature. This semi-arid climate receives only 20.4 inches of rain, making it both hot and dry.

Far exceeding the Texas average

At nearly 75°F, Zapata is roughly nine degrees warmer than the Texas state average. It faces a staggering 172 days of extreme heat each year, nearly double the count of northern counties.

The heart of the Rio Grande

Zapata is much hotter and drier than the state average of 65.5°F and 31.9 inches of rain. Its climate closely mirrors the intense heat found in neighboring Webb and Starr counties.

Endless summer and mild winters

Summer lasts most of the year, with a July average of 87.4°F and virtually no snow. Even in January, the average temperature remains a balmy 57.4°F.

Prioritize extreme heat safety

Residents must plan for 172 days of temperatures over 90°F with high-efficiency cooling and hydration. Protective sun gear and tinted windows are essential for the intense South Texas sun.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Zapata County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Soils of the Rio Grande Valley

Zapata County features an alkaline soil pH of 7.44, which is higher than both the national 6.5 median and the state average of 7.09. This alkalinity influences which minerals are available to plants, often requiring specialized management for acid-loving crops.

Coarse Textures and Southern Sands

The soil is composed of 49.1% sand, 24.8% silt, and 23.0% clay, roughly splitting the difference between sandy and loamy types. This composition aids in drainage, though the lack of a specific texture classification makes precise local management important.

Low Organic Matter in Arid South Texas

Organic matter measures just 1.05%, which is notably lower than the state average of 1.66% and the national 2.0% benchmark. An available water capacity of 0.124 in/in means the soil holds less moisture than the average Texas profile, making efficient irrigation vital.

Managing Water in Unclassified Drainage Areas

Specific drainage classes and hydrologic groups are not currently recorded for Zapata County’s primary soils. Landowners should observe how water moves across their specific acreage to determine if the 18.8 soil score impacts their specific site.

Year-Round Growing in Zone 9b

The subtropical climate of Zone 9b allows for citrus and winter vegetables that would freeze elsewhere in the state. Despite the lean organic matter, the long growing season offers a great opportunity for heat-loving tropical plants.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Zapata County

via LawnByCounty

Extreme heat defines the South Texas landscape

Zapata County presents a major challenge with a difficulty score of 16.0, which is roughly half the Texas state average. In this Zone 9b climate, growers fight against punishing heat and limited water resources. Traditional green lawns are a luxury that requires intensive management here.

Scorching summers and minimal rainfall

The county endures a staggering 172 days of extreme heat annually, far exceeding the state average of 105. With only 20.4 inches of rain and 9011 growing degree days, the environment is essentially a year-round growing machine that demands constant hydration. The frost-free window is massive, ending as early as January 19.

Sandy loam and alkaline conditions

The soil features a 7.44 pH and is nearly half sand, which facilitates quick drainage but poor water retention. This alkalinity can make it difficult for grass to access micronutrients during the peak growing season. Regular organic top-dressing is recommended to help the soil hold onto moisture against the 172 heat days.

A full year of severe drought

Zapata has faced 50 weeks of drought in the past year, with 100% of the county currently in severe drought (D2+). Strict water conservation is mandatory, and many residents are shifting toward native groundcovers. If you maintain turf, prioritize sub-surface drip irrigation to prevent massive evaporation losses.

Hardy varieties for a 9b climate

Only the most heat-hardy varieties like Celebration Bermuda or Seashore Paspalum can survive Zapata's intensity. You can start planting as early as February given the early January frost date. These varieties offer the best chance of survival against the relentless South Texas sun.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zapata County's county score?
Zapata County, Texas has a composite county score of 53.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Zapata County rank among counties in Texas?
Zapata County ranks #40 among all counties in Texas on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Zapata County, Texas?
The median annual property tax in Zapata County is $912, with an effective tax rate of 1.03%. This earns Zapata County a tax score of 36.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Zapata County?
The median household income in Zapata County, Texas is $36,527 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Zapata County earns an income score of 1.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Zapata County, Texas a good place to live?
Zapata County scores 53.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #40 in Texas. The best way to evaluate Zapata County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Zapata County with other counties side by side.

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