Zip code 78520: Brownsville, Texas

Q: What city is zip code 78520?

78520 is assigned to Brownsville, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 78520 in?

78520 is in Cameron County, Texas.

Q: What is the population of 78520?

About 64,740 people live in 78520, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 78520?

The median household income in 78520 is $50,116.

Q: What zip codes are near 78520?

The closest zip codes to 78520 are 78523, 78575, 78522, 78526, 78586.

Residential delivery areaCameron CountyCentral Time

Population

64,740

Median household income

$50K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$146K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$865/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

31.9

U.S. 38.9

Land area

40 sq mi

1,628 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 78520

78520 is a suburban zip code in Brownsville, Texas (Cameron County), covering 40 sq mi of land. About 64,740 people live here, or 1,628 per square mile. The median resident is 31.9 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $50,116 a year, 38% below the national median of $80,734. 23.2% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $146,000, or 2.9 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 60% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $865 a month.

24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 22.5 minutes each way, and 10% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in healthcare; office and administrative support; and sales. 92% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 78520 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Uninsured rate27.3%
98th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · TX 17.1%214th of 1,808 in TX
Population64,740
92nd
U.S. 334,922,499 · TX 30,188,42461st of 1,818 in TX
Poverty rate23.2%
90th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · TX 13.8%263rd of 1,794 in TX
Residents under 1827.8%
90th
U.S. 22% · TX 25%429th of 1,818 in TX
Foreign-born residents27.2%
84th
U.S. 14.1% · TX 17.6%164th of 1,818 in TX
Healthcare workers12.4%
84th
U.S. 9.7% · TX 8.6%253rd of 1,810 in TX
Government workers18.5%
79th
U.S. 14.5% · TX 14.1%571st of 1,810 in TX
Income inequality (Gini)0.470
76th
U.S. 0.483 · TX 0.478421st of 1,785 in TX
Unemployment rate6.6%
75th
U.S. 5.2% · TX 5.3%437th of 1,810 in TX
Housing vacancy9.9%
71st
U.S. 10.1% · TX 9.4%1,081st of 1,794 in TX
Self-employed workers11.2%
71st
U.S. 10% · TX 10.5%825th of 1,810 in TX
Population density1,628/sq mi
53rd
U.S. 95/sq mi · TX 116/sq mi472nd of 1,818 in TX
Rent-burdened renters49.3%
45th
U.S. 51.1% · TX 51.7%790th of 1,692 in TX
Homeownership rate60.2%
32nd
U.S. 65.2% · TX 62.6%1,368th of 1,792 in TX
Bachelor's degree or higher23.9%
31st
U.S. 35.7% · TX 33.8%780th of 1,811 in TX
Work from home9.5%
31st
U.S. 15.1% · TX 14.4%811th of 1,810 in TX
Residents 65 and older13.9%
29th
U.S. 17.2% · TX 13.4%1,128th of 1,818 in TX
Average commute22.5 min
26th
U.S. 26.4 min · TX 26.7 min1,250th of 1,738 in TX
Tech workers1.5%
23rd
U.S. 3.8% · TX 3.8%840th of 1,810 in TX
Veterans2.9%
14th
U.S. 6.2% · TX 6.2%1,562nd of 1,818 in TX
Median gross rent$865
11th
U.S. $1,413 · TX $1,4031,248th of 1,511 in TX
Median household income$50,116
9th
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · TX $78,4761,455th of 1,712 in TX
Median home value$146,000
9th
U.S. $332,700 · TX $283,8001,258th of 1,679 in TX
Broadband access83.6%
9th
WeaknessU.S. 91% · TX 91.4%1,299th of 1,792 in TX
Median age31.9
8th
U.S. 38.9 · TX 35.61,571st of 1,817 in TX
Diversity index13.4
6th
U.S. 61.4 · TX 67.11,692nd of 1,818 in TX
Per capita income$21,364
4th
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · TX $40,7521,638th of 1,813 in TX
Median earnings per worker$30,584
3rd
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · TX $47,5751,633rd of 1,794 in TX

Measure	78520	Cameron	TX	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in TX
Uninsured rateWeakness	27.3%	25.8%	17.1%	8.4%	98th	214th of 1,808
Population	64,740	426,120	30,188,424	334,922,499	92nd	61st of 1,818
Poverty rateWeakness	23.2%	24.8%	13.8%	12.5%	90th	263rd of 1,794
Residents under 18	27.8%	28.7%	25%	22%	90th	429th of 1,818
Foreign-born residents	27.2%	23.2%	17.6%	14.1%	84th	164th of 1,818
Healthcare workers	12.4%	12.3%	8.6%	9.7%	84th	253rd of 1,810
Government workers	18.5%	19.1%	14.1%	14.5%	79th	571st of 1,810
Income inequality (Gini)	0.470	0.471	0.478	0.483	76th	421st of 1,785
Unemployment rate	6.6%	5.9%	5.3%	5.2%	75th	437th of 1,810
Housing vacancy	9.9%	13.3%	9.4%	10.1%	71st	1,081st of 1,794
Self-employed workers	11.2%	11.4%	10.5%	10%	71st	825th of 1,810
Population density	1,628/sq mi	478/sq mi	116/sq mi	95/sq mi	53rd	472nd of 1,818
Rent-burdened renters	49.3%	49.8%	51.7%	51.1%	45th	790th of 1,692
Homeownership rate	60.2%	65.2%	62.6%	65.2%	32nd	1,368th of 1,792
Bachelor's degree or higher	23.9%	22.1%	33.8%	35.7%	31st	780th of 1,811
Work from home	9.5%	9.1%	14.4%	15.1%	31st	811th of 1,810
Residents 65 and older	13.9%	14.3%	13.4%	17.2%	29th	1,128th of 1,818
Average commute	22.5 min	21.3 min	26.7 min	26.4 min	26th	1,250th of 1,738
Tech workers	1.5%	1.3%	3.8%	3.8%	23rd	840th of 1,810
Veterans	2.9%	4.1%	6.2%	6.2%	14th	1,562nd of 1,818
Median gross rent	$865	$912	$1,403	$1,413	11th	1,248th of 1,511
Median household incomeWeakness	$50,116	$52,601	$78,476	$80,734	9th	1,455th of 1,712
Median home value	$146,000	$136,500	$283,800	$332,700	9th	1,258th of 1,679
Broadband accessWeakness	83.6%	84.4%	91.4%	91%	9th	1,299th of 1,792
Median age	31.9	32.7	35.6	38.9	8th	1,571st of 1,817
Diversity index	13.4	19.5	67.1	61.4	6th	1,692nd of 1,818
Per capita incomeWeakness	$21,364	$24,089	$40,752	$44,673	4th	1,638th of 1,813
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$30,584	$33,153	$47,575	$49,666	3rd	1,633rd of 1,794

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

20%

5–17

12%

18–24

14%

25–34

12%

35–44

11%

45–54

55–64

65–74

75+

Median age

31.9

Under 18

27.8%

65 and over

13.9%

Race and ethnicity

White5%
Black0.6%
Hispanic93%
Asian0.6%
Native American0.1%
Pacific Islander0.0%
Other0.4%
Multiracial0.3%

Diversity index

13.4

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

27.2%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

65.5%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

Spanish

91%

Other Indo-European

0.2%

Asian / Pacific

0.3%

Other

Households

Households: 20,847
Average household size: 3.1
Family households: 76.2%
Married couples: 45.3%
Living alone: 21.3%
Veterans (of adults): 2.9%
Male / female: 49% / 51%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

28%

$25–50k

22%

$50–75k

19%

$75–100k

13%

$100–150k

12%

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

78520

$50,116

Cameron Co.

$52,601

Texas

$78,476

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$21,364

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

23.2%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

7.1%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.470

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

78520

$146,000

Cameron Co.

$136,500

Texas

$283,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

78520

$865

Cameron Co.

$912

Texas

$1,403

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

71%

2–4 units

10%

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

Boat, RV, van

0.3%

Housing units: 23,135
Owner-occupied: 60.2%
Vacant: 9.9%
Median year built: 1991
Median rooms: 4.7
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 49.3%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 23.6%
Home value to income: 2.9× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

72%

Carpooled

14%

Transit

0.7%

Walked

Bicycle

0.4%

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

10–19

37%

20–29

28%

30–44

17%

45–59

60+

Average commute

22.5 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

6.6%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

58%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Healthcare

12%

Office and admin

12%

Sales

10%

Education

10%

Construction and repair

Transportation and moving

Cleaning and personal care

Management

Food service

Production

Legal and social services

Business and finance

Police and fire

Engineering and science

Computer and math

Arts, media and sports

Farming, fishing and forestry

0.2%

Industries

Health care and social assistance

18%

Education

13%

Retail

11%

Restaurants and hotels

Manufacturing

Construction

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Admin, support and management

Public administration

Professional and technical services

Other services

Finance, insurance and real estate

Wholesale

Arts and recreation

Agriculture and mining

Information

Median earnings per worker

$30,584

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

11.2%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

18.5%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

5.8%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	78520	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$51,746	$74,888
Service	$18,007	$26,804
Sales and office	$26,188	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$34,065	$49,199
Production and transportation	$33,450	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

31%

High school

23%

Some college

16%

Associate's

Bachelor's

17%

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 69.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 23.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 6.5%
Households with broadband: 83.6%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 51.1%
No internet access: 13.1%
Without health insurance: 27.3%
Limited-English households: 22.3%

Geography

City (USPS): Brownsville
State: Texas
County: Cameron County
Center point: 25.9609° N, 97.5486° W
Land area: 40 sq mi
Water area: 2.4 sq mi
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

Brownsville65% of zip
San Pedro (unincorporated)3% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 78520

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
78523	Brownsville, TX · PO box	2.2 mi	—	—	—
78575	Olmito, TX	5 mi	4,575	$71,765	$249,500
78522	Brownsville, TX · PO box	5.2 mi	—	—	—
78526	Brownsville, TX	6.5 mi	60,012	$70,565	$185,000
78586	San Benito, TX	12 mi	50,964	$45,575	$87,200
78567	Los Indios, TX	13 mi	323	—	$56,700
78521	Brownsville, TX	14 mi	87,380	$44,509	$99,700
78566	Los Fresnos, TX	16 mi	25,110	$60,187	$154,300
78568	Lozano, TX · PO box	16 mi	—	—	—
78578	Port Isabel, TX	16 mi	10,016	$51,880	$196,200
78553	Harlingen, TX · PO box	18 mi	—	—	—
78592	Santa Maria, TX	20 mi	677	—	$76,700

Zip codes like 78520 elsewhere

Matched on income, home values, age, density, education, housing and commuting

Questions about 78520

What city is zip code 78520?

78520 is assigned to Brownsville, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 78520 in?

78520 is in Cameron County, Texas.

What is the population of 78520?

About 64,740 people live in 78520, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 78520 in?

78520 is in Central Time.

What is the median household income in 78520?

The median household income in 78520 is $50,116.

What zip codes are near 78520?

The closest zip codes to 78520 are 78523, 78575, 78522, 78526, 78586.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 78520, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.