Zip code 78521: Brownsville, Texas

Q: What city is zip code 78521?

78521 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 78521 in?

78521 is in Cameron County, Texas.

Q: What is the population of 78521?

About 87,380 people live in 78521, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 78521?

The median household income in 78521 is $44,509.

Q: What zip codes are near 78521?

The closest zip codes to 78521 are 78578, 78526, 78522, 78523, 78566.

Residential delivery areaCameron CountyCentral Time

Population

87,380

Median household income

$45K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$100K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$889/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

31.3

U.S. 38.9

Land area

94 sq mi

933 people/sq mi

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

About 78521

78521 is a suburban zip code in Brownsville, Texas (Cameron County), covering 94 sq mi of land. About 87,380 people live here, or 933 per square mile. The median resident is 31.3 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $44,509 a year, 45% below the national median of $80,734. 30.2% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $99,700, or 2.2 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 $889 a month.

17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 22.4 minutes each way, and 8% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in office and administrative support; construction and repair; and healthcare. 93% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 78521 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Uninsured rate30.7%
99th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · TX 17.1%133rd of 1,808 in TX
Population87,380
98th
U.S. 334,922,499 · TX 30,188,42421st of 1,818 in TX
Poverty rate30.2%
96th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · TX 13.8%119th of 1,794 in TX
Foreign-born residents30.4%
87th
U.S. 14.1% · TX 17.6%119th of 1,818 in TX
Residents under 1827.1%
87th
U.S. 22% · TX 25%513th of 1,818 in TX
Unemployment rate6.9%
79th
U.S. 5.2% · TX 5.3%391st of 1,810 in TX
Government workers17.7%
75th
U.S. 14.5% · TX 14.1%632nd of 1,810 in TX
Healthcare workers11.2%
73rd
U.S. 9.7% · TX 8.6%381st of 1,810 in TX
Self-employed workers11%
69th
U.S. 10% · TX 10.5%854th of 1,810 in TX
Income inequality (Gini)0.459
69th
U.S. 0.483 · TX 0.478528th of 1,785 in TX
Housing vacancy6.8%
51st
U.S. 10.1% · TX 9.4%1,347th of 1,794 in TX
Population density933/sq mi
43rd
U.S. 95/sq mi · TX 116/sq mi572nd of 1,818 in TX
Rent-burdened renters48.4%
41st
U.S. 51.1% · TX 51.7%826th of 1,692 in TX
Homeownership rate60.3%
33rd
U.S. 65.2% · TX 62.6%1,366th of 1,792 in TX
Residents 65 and older14.2%
32nd
U.S. 17.2% · TX 13.4%1,096th of 1,818 in TX
Average commute22.4 min
25th
U.S. 26.4 min · TX 26.7 min1,260th of 1,738 in TX
Work from home8.3%
24th
U.S. 15.1% · TX 14.4%947th of 1,810 in TX
Median gross rent$889
13th
U.S. $1,413 · TX $1,4031,213th of 1,511 in TX
Bachelor's degree or higher16.7%
13th
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · TX 33.8%1,206th of 1,811 in TX
Tech workers0.8%
10th
U.S. 3.8% · TX 3.8%1,105th of 1,810 in TX
Broadband access82.8%
8th
WeaknessU.S. 91% · TX 91.4%1,348th of 1,792 in TX
Median age31.3
6th
U.S. 38.9 · TX 35.61,612th of 1,817 in TX
Veterans2%
6th
U.S. 6.2% · TX 6.2%1,674th of 1,818 in TX
Median household income$44,509
5th
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · TX $78,4761,569th of 1,712 in TX
Diversity index7.6
3rd
U.S. 61.4 · TX 67.11,747th of 1,818 in TX
Per capita income$19,594
2nd
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · TX $40,7521,695th of 1,813 in TX
Median home value$99,700
2nd
U.S. $332,700 · TX $283,8001,512th of 1,679 in TX
Median earnings per worker$28,268
2nd
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · TX $47,5751,669th of 1,794 in TX

Measure	78521	Cameron	TX	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in TX
Uninsured rateWeakness	30.7%	25.8%	17.1%	8.4%	99th	133rd of 1,808
Population	87,380	426,120	30,188,424	334,922,499	98th	21st of 1,818
Poverty rateWeakness	30.2%	24.8%	13.8%	12.5%	96th	119th of 1,794
Foreign-born residents	30.4%	23.2%	17.6%	14.1%	87th	119th of 1,818
Residents under 18	27.1%	28.7%	25%	22%	87th	513th of 1,818
Unemployment rate	6.9%	5.9%	5.3%	5.2%	79th	391st of 1,810
Government workers	17.7%	19.1%	14.1%	14.5%	75th	632nd of 1,810
Healthcare workers	11.2%	12.3%	8.6%	9.7%	73rd	381st of 1,810
Self-employed workers	11%	11.4%	10.5%	10%	69th	854th of 1,810
Income inequality (Gini)	0.459	0.471	0.478	0.483	69th	528th of 1,785
Housing vacancy	6.8%	13.3%	9.4%	10.1%	51st	1,347th of 1,794
Population density	933/sq mi	478/sq mi	116/sq mi	95/sq mi	43rd	572nd of 1,818
Rent-burdened renters	48.4%	49.8%	51.7%	51.1%	41st	826th of 1,692
Homeownership rate	60.3%	65.2%	62.6%	65.2%	33rd	1,366th of 1,792
Residents 65 and older	14.2%	14.3%	13.4%	17.2%	32nd	1,096th of 1,818
Average commute	22.4 min	21.3 min	26.7 min	26.4 min	25th	1,260th of 1,738
Work from home	8.3%	9.1%	14.4%	15.1%	24th	947th of 1,810
Median gross rent	$889	$912	$1,403	$1,413	13th	1,213th of 1,511
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	16.7%	22.1%	33.8%	35.7%	13th	1,206th of 1,811
Tech workers	0.8%	1.3%	3.8%	3.8%	10th	1,105th of 1,810
Broadband accessWeakness	82.8%	84.4%	91.4%	91%	8th	1,348th of 1,792
Median age	31.3	32.7	35.6	38.9	6th	1,612th of 1,817
Veterans	2%	4.1%	6.2%	6.2%	6th	1,674th of 1,818
Median household incomeWeakness	$44,509	$52,601	$78,476	$80,734	5th	1,569th of 1,712
Diversity index	7.6	19.5	67.1	61.4	3rd	1,747th of 1,818
Per capita incomeWeakness	$19,594	$24,089	$40,752	$44,673	2nd	1,695th of 1,813
Median home value	$99,700	$136,500	$283,800	$332,700	2nd	1,512th of 1,679
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$28,268	$33,153	$47,575	$49,666	2nd	1,669th 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

21%

5–17

14%

18–24

13%

25–34

11%

35–44

12%

45–54

55–64

65–74

75+

Median age

31.3

Under 18

27.1%

65 and over

14.2%

Race and ethnicity

White3%
Black0.0%
Hispanic96%
Asian0.4%
Native American0.0%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0.1%
Multiracial0.2%

Diversity index

7.6

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

30.4%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

63%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

Spanish

92%

Other Indo-European

0.3%

Asian / Pacific

0.1%

Other

Households

Households: 27,731
Average household size: 3.1
Family households: 75.8%
Married couples: 44.1%
Living alone: 21.6%
Veterans (of adults): 2%
Male / female: 48% / 52%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

29%

$25–50k

27%

$50–75k

16%

$75–100k

12%

$100–150k

11%

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

78521

$44,509

Cameron Co.

$52,601

Texas

$78,476

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$19,594

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

30.2%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

5.2%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.459

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

78521

$99,700

Cameron Co.

$136,500

Texas

$283,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

78521

$889

Cameron Co.

$912

Texas

$1,403

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

67%

2–4 units

10%

5–19 units

20+ units

10%

Mobile home

Boat, RV, van

0.5%

Housing units: 29,741
Owner-occupied: 60.3%
Vacant: 6.8%
Median year built: 1989
Median rooms: 4.5
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 48.4%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 26.7%
Home value to income: 2.2× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

74%

Carpooled

13%

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

0.0%

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

10–19

38%

20–29

31%

30–44

15%

45–59

60+

Average commute

22.4 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

6.9%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

57.1%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Office and admin

12%

Construction and repair

12%

Healthcare

11%

Sales

10%

Cleaning and personal care

Transportation and moving

Education

Food service

Management

Production

Police and fire

Legal and social services

Business and finance

Arts, media and sports

Engineering and science

Computer and math

0.8%

Farming, fishing and forestry

0.8%

Industries

Health care and social assistance

18%

Retail

12%

Education

11%

Construction

Restaurants and hotels

Manufacturing

Admin, support and management

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Other services

Finance, insurance and real estate

Public administration

Professional and technical services

Wholesale

Agriculture and mining

Arts and recreation

Information

Median earnings per worker

$28,268

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

11%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

17.7%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

6.4%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	78521	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$46,617	$74,888
Service	$17,787	$26,804
Sales and office	$24,507	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$32,243	$49,199
Production and transportation	$29,987	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

36%

High school

26%

Some college

15%

Associate's

Bachelor's

13%

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 63.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 16.7%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
Households with broadband: 82.8%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 46.3%
No internet access: 12.5%
Without health insurance: 30.7%
Limited-English households: 21.4%

Geography

City (USPS): Brownsville
State: Texas
County: Cameron County
Center point: 25.9439° N, 97.3179° W
Land area: 94 sq mi
Water area: 28 sq mi
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

Brownsville28% of zip
South Point (unincorporated)1% of zip

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

Zip codes near 78521

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
78578	Port Isabel, TX	6.9 mi	10,016	$51,880	$196,200
78526	Brownsville, TX	9 mi	60,012	$70,565	$185,000
78522	Brownsville, TX · PO box	12 mi	—	—	—
78523	Brownsville, TX · PO box	13 mi	—	—	—
78566	Los Fresnos, TX	14 mi	25,110	$60,187	$154,300
78520	Brownsville, TX	14 mi	64,740	$50,116	$146,000
78575	Olmito, TX	16 mi	4,575	$71,765	$249,500
78568	Lozano, TX · PO box	22 mi	—	—	—
78597	South Padre Island, TX	23 mi	2,935	$68,421	$527,200
78586	San Benito, TX	23 mi	50,964	$45,575	$87,200
78583	Rio Hondo, TX	26 mi	5,236	$51,453	$161,900
78567	Los Indios, TX	27 mi	323	—	$56,700

Zip codes like 78521 elsewhere

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

Questions about 78521

What city is zip code 78521?

78521 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 78521 in?

78521 is in Cameron County, Texas.

What is the population of 78521?

About 87,380 people live in 78521, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 78521 in?

78521 is in Central Time.

What is the median household income in 78521?

The median household income in 78521 is $44,509.

What zip codes are near 78521?

The closest zip codes to 78521 are 78578, 78526, 78522, 78523, 78566.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 78521, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.