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Zapata County, Texas facts for kids

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Zapata County
U.S. county
The front of the Zapata County Courthouse
The front of the Zapata County Courthouse
Map of Texas highlighting Zapata County
Location within the U.S. state of Texas
Map of the United States highlighting Texas
Texas's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Texas
Founded January 22, 1858
Named for Colonel José Antonio de Zapata
Seat Zapata
Largest community Zapata
Area
 • Total 1,058 sq mi (2,740 km2)
 • Land 998 sq mi (2,580 km2)
 • Water 60 sq mi (200 km2)  5.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 13,889
 • Density 13.128/sq mi (5.0686/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 28th

Zapata County is a county in the state of Texas, USA. In 2020, about 13,889 people lived there. The main town and county seat is Zapata.

The county is located east of the Mexico–United States border. It is named after Colonel José Antonio de Zapata. He was a rancher who stood up against Mexico. Zapata County is also known as the Zapata, TX Micropolitan Statistical Area.

In the early 1920s, Zapata County was part of the Texas Oil Boom. Oil wells were drilled here thanks to Oliver Winfield Killam. He was an important businessman from Laredo.

Geography of Zapata County

Zapata County covers a total area of 1,058 square miles. About 998 square miles is land, and 60 square miles (5.6%) is water. The county is in the Rio Grande Valley. It sits on the edge of the Falcon International Reservoir.

Long ago, Zapata County was connected to Mexico by a bridge. This bridge was covered by water when the Falcon Dam and reservoir were built. Now, people can cross into Mexico using the Falcon Dam Port of Entry.

Main Roads in Zapata County

  • US 83.svg U.S. Highway 83
  • Texas 16.svg State Highway 16

Neighboring Areas

Zapata County shares borders with other counties and a city in Mexico:

Protected Natural Areas

Part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge is located in Zapata County. This area helps protect local wildlife.

People of Zapata County

The population of Zapata County has changed over time. Here's how many people lived there in different years:

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860 1,248 —
1870 1,488 19.2%
1880 3,636 144.4%
1890 3,562 −2.0%
1900 4,760 33.6%
1910 3,809 −20.0%
1920 2,929 −23.1%
1930 2,867 −2.1%
1940 3,916 36.6%
1950 4,405 12.5%
1960 4,393 −0.3%
1970 4,352 −0.9%
1980 6,628 52.3%
1990 9,279 40.0%
2000 12,182 31.3%
2010 14,018 15.1%
2020 13,889 −0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1850–2010 2010–2020 2020

In 2020, there were 13,889 people living in Zapata County. There were 4,689 households and 3,254 families.

In 2000, the county had 12,182 people. About 43.20% of households had children under 18. Most households (64.20%) were married couples. The average household had 3.10 people.

The population was spread out by age:

  • 33.00% were under 18 years old.
  • 10.00% were from 18 to 24 years old.
  • 24.10% were from 25 to 44 years old.
  • 18.60% were from 45 to 64 years old.
  • 14.30% were 65 years or older.

The average age was 31 years.

Most people in Zapata County identify as Hispanic or Latino. In 2020, about 93.59% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

Regarding religion in 2020:

  • 55% of people were Catholic.
  • 5.8% were Evangelical Protestant.
  • 2.4% were Mormon.
  • 1.5% were Jehovah's Witnesses.
  • 0.4% were Mainline Protestant.
  • 35% belonged to other religions or no religion.

Education in Zapata County

All schools in Zapata County are part of the Zapata County Independent School District. Students who live here can attend Laredo Community College.

Communities in Zapata County

Zapata County does not have any official cities or towns with their own governments. Instead, it has several communities called "census-designated places." These are areas that the government counts for population, but they don't have their own city halls.

Census-Designated Places

Images for kids

  • Los Corralitos Building at National Ranching Heritage Center IMG 0062

    19th century Los Corralitos Building relocated from Zapata County to the National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock in West Texas

  • Trevino Ranch Historic Landmark in San Ygnacio, TX IMG 3127

    The western side of the Jesus Trevino Rancho building in the San Ygnacio Historic District; note the structural similarity to Los Corralitos Building

  • Historic District of San Ygnacio, TX along U.S. Hwy. 83 IMG 3124

    A two-story historic residence in San Ygnacio on U.S. Highway 83 business route

  • Zapata County, TX, Cemetery IMG 2055

    Entrance to Zapata County Cemetery from Farm-to-Market Road 496

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Zapata para niños

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