Population overview
Zapata County is home to roughly 13,753 people, making up about 0.04% of the total population of Texas. Within the South Texas region, it ranks #15 of 26 counties by population. The combination of 997 square miles of land and 13,753 residents yields a density of about 13.8 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Zapata County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Zapata County sits in the lower half of the population distribution. It represents the broad middle of Texas — small to mid-sized counties with a clear county seat and a regionally rooted economy.
| Comparison | Population | vs Zapata |
|---|---|---|
| Zapata County | 13,753 | — |
| South Texas region average | 157,697 | +1047% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +38% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +36583% |
Neighboring county populations
Zapata County shares borders with 3 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webb County | Laredo | 281,224 | 83.8 |
| Starr County | Rio Grande City | 66,319 | 54.2 |
| Jim Hogg County | Hebbronville | 4,555 | 4.0 |
What the numbers mean
Zapata County's density of about 13.8 people per square mile is about 11% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 46 acres of land for every resident.
Rural density like this means long drives to services, small school districts that are often the heart of community life, and an economy closely tied to agriculture, energy or recreation.
Zapata County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 146th of 254; by land area it ranks 73rd; and by density it ranks 153rd. It has far more land than people compared with most Texas counties.
Texas's population is extremely concentrated: the ten largest counties hold well over half of all Texans, while more than 150 counties have fewer than 30,000 residents. Zapata County belongs to that large group of smaller counties.
About the data
Population figures on this page come from the U.S. Census Bureau. The decennial census provides the official count every ten years, and the Bureau's annual Population Estimates Program updates county totals between censuses. Land area comes from the Census Gazetteer and excludes water. Figures are rounded and may differ slightly from county or school district estimates that use other methods. See our methodology page for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Zapata County, Texas?+
Zapata County has an estimated population of 13,753 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Zapata County?+
Zapata County has a population density of approximately 13.8 people per square mile across its 997 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Zapata County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Zapata County ranks #146 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.04% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Zapata County?+
Among the 3 counties bordering Zapata, Webb County is the most populous with about 281,224 residents.
How is Zapata County's population measured?+
Population figures are sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau — the decennial census and annual American Community Survey (ACS) population estimates. See our methodology for full sourcing.