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
Zavala County is a county in Texas with a population of 9,532. It ranks #168 among counties in Texas by population. The median age is 32.5, younger than the national median. The population is 52.7% male and 47.3% female.
The median household income in Zavala County is $41,887, below the US median of $74,580. 30.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $88,100, with monthly rent averaging $544. The homeownership rate of 71.0% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Zavala County reflects 9.6% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 4.7% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 20.6 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.