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.[4] 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.
History
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.[5] 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.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.6 square miles (25 km2), of which 7.6 square miles (20 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) is water.[6]
Climate
Zapata has a hot semi-arid (Köppen: BSh) climate with hot summers and milder winters. Official record temperatures range from 13 °F (−11 °C) on January 4, 1911, to 116 °F (47 °C) on June 16, 1998.
Precipitation averages 19.8 in (500 mm) annually, with higher amounts typically occurring from May to October. Snowfall is rare but has occurred, with 1.0 in (2.5 cm) on Christmas Day in 2004. Zapata is sometimes the hottest location in the United States.[7]
Zapata CDP, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
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.
Economy
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.
Arts and culture
The Olga V. Figueroa Zapata County Public Library
The county operates the main branch of the "Olga V. Figueroa Zapata County Public Library".
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,[27][28] with the current world record, 472 miles, set by Dustin Martin in July, 2012.[29]
Government
Local government
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[30]
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.
^Joan B. Anderson, James Gerber Fifty Years of Change on the U.S.-Mexico Border 2008 Page 30 "The town of Zapata was not named for the Mexican revolutionary war hero Emiliano Zapata but rather for Colonel José Antonio Zapata, who lost his life in 1839 while fighting to establish the Republic of the Rio Grande."
