Zavala County, Texas Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 168th-largest in Texas
The population of Zavala County, Texas is 9,532 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 168th-largest county in Texas. The median household income is $41,887, the median home value is $88,100, and the median age is 32.5.
The population of Zavala County has declined 21.5% since 2010 (11,728 → 9,209), a -1.71% annualized rate.
9,532
Population
-1.71%
Annual growth
7
People / sq mi
$41,887
Median Income
$88,100
Median Home Value
Zavala County covers 1,297 sq mi of land at 7.3 people per square mile.
About Zavala County, TX
Educational attainment is the headline number in Zavala County: 9.6% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 9,532 residents, Zavala County is a county in Texas.
Money is tight relative to the rest of US counties: the median household earns just $41,887, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 30.8%, is among the steepest of comparable US counties and above the national 12.4%. Housing costs are among the lowest of comparable places: a median home value of $88,100, with typical rent around $544.
Four-year-degree attainment is near the bottom of the range for US counties, 9.6%, below the national 35.0%. Just 4.7% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 21 minutes each way.
Zavala County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Zavala County had a population of 11,728 in 2010 and 9,209 in 2024, a -21.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 12,322 in 2015. Average annual growth rate: -1.59%.
9,209
Population (2024)
11,728
Population (2010)
12,322
Peak (2015)
-1.59%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 11,728 |
| 2011 | 11,872 |
| 2012 | 12,015 |
| 2013 | 12,203 |
| 2014 | 12,254 |
| 2015 | 12,322 |
| 2016 | 12,125 |
| 2017 | 11,946 |
| 2018 | 11,934 |
| 2019 | 11,807 |
| 2020 | 9,660 |
| 2021 | 9,472 |
| 2022 | 9,382 |
| 2023 | 9,339 |
| 2024 | 9,209 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 36.4% |
| Black or African American | 0.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.8% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
32.5
Median Age
47.3%
Female
52.7%
Male
15.4%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 23.7% · Seniors (65+): 15.4%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $41,887$-34,405 vs state |
| Mean household income | $55,486 |
| Per-capita income | $20,605 |
| Poverty rate | 30.8%+20.3% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 4.0% |
| Employment-to-population | 50.6% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Zavala County is professional & business services, accounting for 28.1% of workers.
How residents commute
0.0%
Drive alone
3.6%
Carpool
83.8%
Public transit
4.7%
Work from home
20.6 min
Avg commute
Housing
$88,100$-172,300 vs state
Median home value
$544
Median rent
71.0%
Homeownership rate
3,951
Total housing units
86.3%
Occupied
13.7%
Vacant
29.0%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
86.9%
With health insurance
88.1%
With broadband internet
9.3%
Foreign-born
2.5%
Veterans (18+)
17.4%
With a disability
27.8%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
73.4%
High School+
9.6%
Bachelor's+
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Frequently Asked Questions
Zavala County, Texas has a population of 9,532 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 168th-largest county in Texas. Population density is 7 people per square mile.
The population of Zavala County has declined 21.5% since 2010 (11,728 → 9,209), a -1.71% annualized rate.
The median household income in Zavala County, Texas is $41,887, with mean (average) household income of $55,486 and per-capita income of $20,605. 30.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Zavala County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (36.4%), Black or African American (0.8%), Hispanic or Latino (0.8%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Zavala County, Texas is 32.5 years. Residents are 47.3% female and 52.7% male.
The median home value in Zavala County is $88,100 and median monthly rent is $544. 71.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 3,951 total housing units, 13.7% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Zavala County, Texas is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 28.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.0%.
Houston is among the largest cities associated with Zavala County, Texas, with a population of 2,300,419.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.