Total enrollment
3,290
-231 (-7%) vs SY 2017-18
Zapata County
Texas · Public K-12
Parents in Zapata County researching K-12 options have 6 public schools to consider, with combined enrollment near 3,290 (4 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high).
7-year change in Zapata County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
0%
was 1%
% Hispanic
100%
was 99%
% Black
0%
was 0%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
1 districts
Enrollment
3,290
NCES CCD
Median income
$39,239
Below Texas avg
Free/reduced lunch
88.9%
Above Texas avg
Elementary
4
1,495 students
Middle
1
730 students
High
1
1,065 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD
3,290 students · 1 district in Zapata County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Zapata County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
15.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
35.7%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
7.3%
civilian labor
Median age
32
31.6% under 18
Test scores in Zapata County
Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 6 schools ranked. Texas state average: 52.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- ZAPATA NORTH EL· 48.0%
- ZAPATA SOUTH EL· 47.0%
- FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL· 44.0%
- ZAPATA H S· 40.0%
- ZAPATA MIDDLE· 38.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- BENAVIDES EL· 36.0%
- ZAPATA MIDDLE· 38.0%
- ZAPATA H S· 40.0%
- FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL· 44.0%
- ZAPATA SOUTH EL· 47.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZAPATA H S | Zapata | High | 09-12 | 1,065 | · |
| ZAPATA MIDDLE | Zapata | Middle | 06-08 | 730 | · |
| ZAPATA NORTH EL | Zapata | Elementary | PK-05 | 571 | · |
| FIDEL AND ANDREA R VILLARREAL EL | Zapata | Elementary | PK-05 | 445 | · |
| ZAPATA SOUTH EL | Zapata | Elementary | PK-05 | 428 | · |
| BENAVIDES EL | San Ygnacio | Elementary | PK-05 | 51 | · |
Cities in Zapata County
About Zapata County
In Texas, Zapata County is a compact county of about 13,841 residents. 6 public schools across the county teaches about 3,290 students between them.
In context, census numbers show median household income runs near $39,239, about 15% of adults have a bachelor's degree or above, and roughly 36% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 41% noticeably below the Texas median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, Zapata County comprises 4 elementary schools (1,495 students), 1 middle school (730), and 1 high school (1,065).
ZAPATA COUNTY ISD dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,290 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment declined 7%: 3,521 students in SY 2017-18 versus 3,290 in SY 2024-25.
On allk12, the community for Zapata County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data