Population overview
Zavala County is home to roughly 9,037 people, making up about 0.03% of the total population of Texas. Within the South Texas region, it ranks #18 of 26 counties by population. The combination of 1,299 square miles of land and 9,037 residents yields a density of about 7.0 people per square mile — characteristic of rural and frontier Texas, with long distances between settlements and large stretches of working ranchland.
How Zavala County compares
Compared with the other 253 Texas counties, Zavala County sits in the lower half of the population distribution. It belongs to the smaller end of Texas counties by population — typical of West Texas, the Panhandle, and the Trans-Pecos.
| Comparison | Population | vs Zavala |
|---|---|---|
| Zavala County | 9,037 | — |
| South Texas region average | 157,697 | +1645% |
| Texas county median | 18,916 | +109% |
| Largest in Texas (Harris) | 5,045,026 | +55726% |
Neighboring county populations
Zavala County shares borders with 4 counties. Comparing population across an adjacent corridor often reveals commuting patterns, school-district pull, and economic gravity.
| County | Seat | Population | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maverick County | Eagle Pass | 58,823 | 46.0 |
| Uvalde County | Uvalde | 24,963 | 16.0 |
| Frio County | Pearsall | 18,823 | 16.6 |
| Dimmit County | Carrizo Springs | 8,024 | 6.0 |
What the numbers mean
Zavala County's density of about 7.0 people per square mile is about 6% of the Texas statewide average of roughly 121. Put another way, there are about 92 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.
Zavala County in statewide context
By population the county ranks 173rd of 254; by land area it ranks 32nd; and by density it ranks 183rd. 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. Zavala 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 Zavala County, Texas?+
Zavala County has an estimated population of 9,037 residents, based on the most recent U.S. Census data.
What is the population density of Zavala County?+
Zavala County has a population density of approximately 7.0 people per square mile across its 1,299 sq mi of land area — characteristic of a rural county.
Where does Zavala County rank among Texas counties by population?+
Zavala County ranks #173 out of 254 Texas counties by total population, accounting for roughly 0.03% of the state's total population.
What is the most populous county near Zavala County?+
Among the 4 counties bordering Zavala, Maverick County is the most populous with about 58,823 residents.
How is Zavala 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.