| Official Name: | Zapata, Texas |
| Settlement Type: | CDP |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Image Map1: | Zapata County Zapata.svg |
| Mapsize1: | 250px |
| Pushpin Map: | Texas#USA |
| Pushpin Relief: | 1 |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name: |  United States |
| Subdivision Name2: | Zapata |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 9.6 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 7.6 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 2.0 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 5383 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone: | Central (CST) |
| Utc Offset: | -6 |
| Timezone Dst: | CDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -5 |
| Elevation M: | 120 |
| Elevation Ft: | 394 |
| Coordinates: | 26.9061°N -99.27°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 78076 |
| Area Code: | 956 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 48-80716[1] |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 1350720[2] |
Zapata is a census-designated place (CDP) in and the county seat of Zapata County, Texas, United States.[3] The population was 5,383 at the 2020 census. As an unincorporated community, Zapata has no municipal government, but like all 254 Texas counties has four elected county commissioners chosen by single-member districts and a countywide elected administrative judge.
Zapata was named for José Antonio de Zapata (died 1839), the revolutionary commander who served in the cavalry of the Republic of the Rio Grande, of which the town was a part.[4] The town was relocated to higher ground in 1953 prior to the completion of Falcon Dam, which left the original town center beneath the waters of Falcon Lake.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.6sqmi, of which 7.6sqmi is land and 2sqmi is water.[5]
Zapata has a hot semi-arid (Köppen: BSh) climate with hot summers and milder winters. Official record temperatures range from 13°F on January 4, 1911, to 116°F on June 16, 1998.
Precipitation averages 19.8inches annually, with higher amounts typically occurring from May to October. Snowfall is rare but has occurred, with 1inches on Christmas Day in 2004. Zapata is sometimes the hottest location in the United States.[6]
Zapata first appeared as a census designated place in the 1980 U.S. Census.
| White (NH) | 267 | 4.96% | |
| Black or African American (NH) | 4 | 0.07% | |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 1 | 0.02% | |
| Asian (NH) | 5 | 0.09% | |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 11 | 0.2% | |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 28 | 0.52% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5,067 | 94.13% | |
| Total | 5,383 |
At the 2010 census, there were 5,089 people,[8] 4,328 households and 1,265 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 666.7 per square mile.[9] There were 2,239 housing units at an average density of 290.4/mi2. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.38% White, 0.02% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 6.82% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 94.99% of the population.
At the 2000 census, there were 1,574 households, of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.50.
31% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 20 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 49, 15.2% from 50 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.
The median household income was $24,136 and the median family income was $27,708. Males had a median income of $30,833 compared with $12,604 for females. The per capita income was $11,863. About 29.1% of families and 33.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.1% of those under the age of 18 and 27.0% of those ages 65 and older.
Leading employers in Zapata County are the educational, health and social services, natural gas and oil, and retail trade industries.
The county’s present economy is mainly centered on oil and gas production, ranching, trading and services, and tourism. Its primary employers are in the mining/energy, construction, retail trade, health care, social welfare, and the services sector. Government is also a major employer in the county.
The county operates the main branch of the "Olga V. Figueroa Zapata County Public Library".
The city is located on Falcon International Reservoir[10] which is at the center of multiple fishing events throughout the year.
The city also served by a number of parks, most notably, Romeo Flores Park.
Falcon International Reservoir located in Zapata is becoming well known for its bass fishing. The community hosts numerous "Winter Texans" between November and April, most residing in travel camper trailers. The lake has been decreasing in recent years.
More world records in hang gliding have been set from Zapata than any other location in the world. The World Record Encampment has been taking place at the Zapata County Airport since 2000, and the first hang glider flights to break the 308-mile barrier took place there the first year. A distance record of 438 miles was set by Mike Barber in 2002. Three new world records were set in 2005,[11] [12] with the current world record, 472 miles, set by Dustin Martin in July, 2012.[13]
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[14]
| Department | Director |
|---|---|
| County Judge | Joe Rathmell |
| County Attorney | Said Alfonso Figueroa |
| County Clerk | Mary Jayne Villarreal-Bonoan |
| County Sheriff | Raymundo Del Bosque |
| County Tax Assessor | Delia Mendoza |
| County Auditor | Triunfo Gonzalez |
| County Treasurer | Romeo Salinas |
Zapata is represented in the Texas Senate by Democrat Judith Zaffirini, District 28, and in the Texas House of Representatives by former Democrat, now Republican Ryan Guillen, District 31.
At the Federal level, the two U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz; Zapata is part of Texas' US Congressional 28th District, which is currently represented by Democrat Henry Cuellar.
All of Zapata County is within the Zapata County Independent School District. Schools located in Zapata include:
Major highways in Zapata and their starting and ending points:
Zapata County Airport provides general aviation services to Zapata.