Zapata, Texas

Zapata, Texas
—  CDP  —
U.S. Highway 83 in Zapata, just south of the intersection with Texas State Highway 16
Location of Zapata, Texas
Coordinates:
Country United States
State Texas
County Zapata
Area
 • Total 7.7 sq mi (20.0 km2)
 • Land 7.7 sq mi (20.0 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation 394 ft (120 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 5,089
 • Density 629.9/sq mi (243.2/km2)
Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code 78076
Area code(s) 956
FIPS code 48-80716[1]
GNIS feature ID 1350720[2]

Zapata is a census-designated place (CDP) in and the county seat of Zapata County, Texas, United States.[3] The population was 5,089 at the 2010 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.

Contents

History

Zapata was named for Colonel Jose Antonio de Zapata, the revolutionary commander who served in the cavalry of the Republic of the Rio Grande, of which the town was a part.

Geography

Zapata is located at (26.906244, -99.270007)[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 7.7 square miles (20.0 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1970 2,102
1980 3,806 81.1%
1990 4,594 20.7%
2000 4,856 5.7%
2010 5,089 4.8%

As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 5,089 people, 4,328 households, and 1,265 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 629.9 people per square mile (243.2/km²). There were 2,239 housing units at an average density of 290.4 per square mile (112.1/km²). 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.

There were 1,574 households out 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.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 31% 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 income for a household in the CDP was $24,136, and the median income for a family was $27,708. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $12,604 for females. The per capita income for the CDP 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.

Education

All of Zapata County is within the Zapata County Independent School District. ZCISD is designated as Class 3A, and participates in numerous UIL academic and athletic events. Sports offered by the school include Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Tennis, Golf, Track & Field, Softball, Baseball, as well as Powerlifting through the THSPA/THSWPA.

Post-secondary education is available in Laredo, fifty miles to the north on U.S. Highway 83 through Laredo Community College, Main and South campuses, and Texas A&M International University. In addition, educational institutions are also available fifty miles to the south in Rio Grande City, through the Starr County campuses of both South Texas College of McAllen and the University of Texas–Pan American of Edinburg.

Library

The Olga V. Figueroa Zapata County Public Library is located on 901 Kennedy Street in Zapata. Aida R. Garcia is the library director. The library is known as a site for viewing white-collared seedeaters. This small bird draws thousands to the library grounds every year.

Hang gliding

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. The current distance record is 438 miles set by Mike Barber in 2002. Three new world records were set in 2005.[5][6]

Transport

Zapata is served by the Zapata County Airport (T86). U.S. Highway 83, running east and west, is the main thoroughfare of Zapata. It intersects Texas State Highway 16, a north-south link, in Zapata.

Bass fishing

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.

Gallery

See also

References

External links

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Zapata,_Texas Zapata, Texas] at Wikimedia Commons