Zapata County Demographics

A map of Zapata County's Population by Race

Zapata County, Texas has an estimated population of 13,841, a less than 1% change from the 13,889 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 93.9% Hispanic, 4.8% White, 0.6% Asian, 0.5% Multiracial, 0.1% Black, and 0.0% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Zapata County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Zapata has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Texas overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Zapata County, that probability was 12.1% in 2020 and 11.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Zapata County is ranked the 145th most populous county in Texas, out of 254 counties. Zapata County was ranked the 143rd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Zapata County's White Population

662 residents of Zapata County, or 4.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Zapata County is significantly lower than in Texas overall, where 39.1% of the population is White. Zapata County ranks 251st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Zapata County's White population has declined by an estimated 16.8%. White residents' share of Zapata County's population has decreased from 5.7% to 4.8%.

Zapata County is more White than neighboring Starr County (2.3% White), and Webb County (3.6% White). Zapata County is less White than neighboring Jim Hogg County (8% White), Duval County (15.6% White), and Brooks County (7.2% White).

Zapata County's Black Population

20 residents of Zapata County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Zapata County is considerably lower than in Texas overall, where 11.9% of the population is Black. Zapata County ranks 249th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Zapata County's Black population has grown by an estimated 122.2%. Black residents' share of Zapata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Zapata County is less Black than neighboring Jim Hogg County (0.3% Black), Starr County (0.4% Black), Webb County (0.4% Black), Duval County (0.7% Black), and Brooks County (0.6% Black).

Zapata County's Asian Population

84 residents of Zapata County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Zapata County is slightly lower than in Texas overall, where 5.5% of the population is Asian. Zapata County ranks 233rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Zapata County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 425.0%. Asian residents' share of Zapata County's population has increased from 0.1% to 0.6%.

Zapata County is more Asian than neighboring Jim Hogg County (0.2% Asian), Starr County (0.1% Asian), Webb County (0.5% Asian), and Brooks County (0% Asian). Zapata County is less Asian than neighboring Duval County (1.2% Asian).

Zapata County's Hispanic Population

12,999 residents of Zapata County, or 93.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Zapata County is significantly higher than in Texas overall, where 39.7% of the population is Hispanic. Zapata County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Zapata County's Hispanic population has remained roughly the same. Hispanic residents' share of Zapata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 93.9%.

Zapata County is more Hispanic than neighboring Jim Hogg County (91.4% Hispanic), Duval County (81.6% Hispanic), and Brooks County (90.1% Hispanic). Zapata County is less Hispanic than neighboring Starr County (97.2% Hispanic), and Webb County (95% Hispanic).

Zapata County's Native American/Other Population

0 residents of Zapata County, or 0.0% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Zapata County is comparable to the share in Texas overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Zapata County ranks 251st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Zapata County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Zapata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.

Zapata County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Webb County (0.3% Native American/Other), and Brooks County (0.9% Native American/Other).

Zapata County's Multiracial Population

76 residents of Zapata County, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Zapata County is slightly lower than in Texas overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Zapata County ranks 249th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 254 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Zapata County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 65.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Zapata County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Zapata County is more Multiracial than neighboring Jim Hogg County (0% Multiracial), Starr County (0.1% Multiracial), and Webb County (0.2% Multiracial). Zapata County is less Multiracial than neighboring Duval County (0.8% Multiracial), and Brooks County (1.2% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.