Zip code 78538: Edcouch, Texas

Q: What city is zip code 78538?

78538 is assigned to Edcouch, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 78538 in?

78538 is in Hidalgo County, Texas.

Q: What is the population of 78538?

About 11,982 people live in 78538, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 78538?

The median household income in 78538 is $40,399.

Q: What zip codes are near 78538?

The closest zip codes to 78538 are 78543, 78558, 78562, 78561, 78542.

Residential delivery areaHidalgo CountyCentral Time

Population

11,982

Median household income

$40K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$92K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$556/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

32.6

U.S. 38.9

Land area

67 sq mi

179 people/sq mi

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

About 78538

78538 is a small-town zip code in Edcouch, Texas (Hidalgo County), covering 67 sq mi of land. About 11,982 people live here, or 179 per square mile. The median resident is 32.6 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $40,399 a year, about 50% of the national median of $80,734. 37.3% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $92,100, or 2.3 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 73% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $556 a month.

12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 23.2 minutes each way, and 8% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in construction and repair; healthcare; and office and administrative support. 96% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 78538 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Poverty rate37.3%
98th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · TX 13.8%53rd of 1,794 in TX
Uninsured rate27.1%
98th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · TX 17.1%225th of 1,808 in TX
Residents under 1831.4%
97th
U.S. 22% · TX 25%173rd of 1,818 in TX
Healthcare workers14.1%
93rd
U.S. 9.7% · TX 8.6%170th of 1,810 in TX
Unemployment rate8.8%
90th
WeaknessU.S. 5.2% · TX 5.3%222nd of 1,810 in TX
Self-employed workers13.6%
86th
U.S. 10% · TX 10.5%516th of 1,810 in TX
Foreign-born residents25.5%
82nd
U.S. 14.1% · TX 17.6%201st of 1,818 in TX
Government workers18.8%
80th
U.S. 14.5% · TX 14.1%547th of 1,810 in TX
Income inequality (Gini)0.469
75th
U.S. 0.483 · TX 0.478428th of 1,785 in TX
Housing vacancy9.6%
69th
U.S. 10.1% · TX 9.4%1,110th of 1,794 in TX
Homeownership rate72.9%
61st
U.S. 65.2% · TX 62.6%980th of 1,792 in TX
Rent-burdened renters50.8%
50th
U.S. 51.1% · TX 51.7%716th of 1,692 in TX
Average commute23.2 min
31st
U.S. 26.4 min · TX 26.7 min1,209th of 1,738 in TX
Work from home8.4%
25th
U.S. 15.1% · TX 14.4%942nd of 1,810 in TX
Population density179/sq mi
20th
U.S. 95/sq mi · TX 116/sq mi802nd of 1,818 in TX
Population11,982
18th
U.S. 334,922,499 · TX 30,188,424762nd of 1,818 in TX
Veterans3.2%
17th
U.S. 6.2% · TX 6.2%1,519th of 1,818 in TX
Residents 65 and older11.1%
13th
U.S. 17.2% · TX 13.4%1,446th of 1,818 in TX
Median age32.6
10th
U.S. 38.9 · TX 35.61,509th of 1,817 in TX
Bachelor's degree or higher12%
5th
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · TX 33.8%1,531st of 1,811 in TX
Median household income$40,399
3rd
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · TX $78,4761,624th of 1,712 in TX
Broadband access78.3%
3rd
WeaknessU.S. 91% · TX 91.4%1,555th of 1,792 in TX
Median earnings per worker$29,570
3rd
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · TX $47,5751,647th of 1,794 in TX
Median home value$92,100
2nd
U.S. $332,700 · TX $283,8001,541st of 1,679 in TX
Diversity index4.7
2nd
U.S. 61.4 · TX 67.11,768th of 1,818 in TX
Per capita income$17,362
1st
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · TX $40,7521,747th of 1,813 in TX
Median gross rent$556
1st
U.S. $1,413 · TX $1,4031,475th of 1,511 in TX
Tech workers0%
1st
U.S. 3.8% · TX 3.8%1,535th of 1,810 in TX

Measure	78538	Hidalgo	TX	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in TX
Poverty rateWeakness	37.3%	26.7%	13.8%	12.5%	98th	53rd of 1,794
Uninsured rateWeakness	27.1%	28.2%	17.1%	8.4%	98th	225th of 1,808
Residents under 18	31.4%	31%	25%	22%	97th	173rd of 1,818
Healthcare workers	14.1%	11.6%	8.6%	9.7%	93rd	170th of 1,810
Unemployment rateWeakness	8.8%	7.6%	5.3%	5.2%	90th	222nd of 1,810
Self-employed workers	13.6%	13.9%	10.5%	10%	86th	516th of 1,810
Foreign-born residents	25.5%	26.1%	17.6%	14.1%	82nd	201st of 1,818
Government workers	18.8%	16.8%	14.1%	14.5%	80th	547th of 1,810
Income inequality (Gini)	0.469	0.477	0.478	0.483	75th	428th of 1,785
Housing vacancy	9.6%	12.4%	9.4%	10.1%	69th	1,110th of 1,794
Homeownership rate	72.9%	67.5%	62.6%	65.2%	61st	980th of 1,792
Rent-burdened renters	50.8%	48.7%	51.7%	51.1%	50th	716th of 1,692
Average commute	23.2 min	22.5 min	26.7 min	26.4 min	31st	1,209th of 1,738
Work from home	8.4%	9.2%	14.4%	15.1%	25th	942nd of 1,810
Population density	179/sq mi	568/sq mi	116/sq mi	95/sq mi	20th	802nd of 1,818
Population	11,982	891,977	30,188,424	334,922,499	18th	762nd of 1,818
Veterans	3.2%	3.2%	6.2%	6.2%	17th	1,519th of 1,818
Residents 65 and older	11.1%	11.7%	13.4%	17.2%	13th	1,446th of 1,818
Median age	32.6	30.5	35.6	38.9	10th	1,509th of 1,817
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	12%	20.6%	33.8%	35.7%	5th	1,531st of 1,811
Median household incomeWeakness	$40,399	$54,338	$78,476	$80,734	3rd	1,624th of 1,712
Broadband accessWeakness	78.3%	88%	91.4%	91%	3rd	1,555th of 1,792
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$29,570	$32,284	$47,575	$49,666	3rd	1,647th of 1,794
Median home value	$92,100	$140,900	$283,800	$332,700	2nd	1,541st of 1,679
Diversity index	4.7	15.1	67.1	61.4	2nd	1,768th of 1,818
Per capita incomeWeakness	$17,362	$23,117	$40,752	$44,673	1st	1,747th of 1,813
Median gross rent	$556	$957	$1,403	$1,413	1st	1,475th of 1,511
Tech workers	0%	1.1%	3.8%	3.8%	1st	1,535th of 1,810

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

23%

5–17

11%

18–24

11%

25–34

13%

35–44

13%

45–54

55–64

65–74

75+

Median age

32.6

Under 18

31.4%

65 and over

11.1%

Race and ethnicity

White2%
Black0%
Hispanic98%
Asian0.6%
Native American0%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0%
Multiracial0.3%

Diversity index

4.7

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

25.5%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

65.2%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

Spanish

95%

Other Indo-European

0.8%

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 3,556
Average household size: 3.4
Family households: 77.8%
Married couples: 53.4%
Living alone: 20.4%
Veterans (of adults): 3.2%
Male / female: 50% / 50%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

37%

$25–50k

20%

$50–75k

16%

$75–100k

10%

$100–150k

10%

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

78538

$40,399

Hidalgo Co.

$54,338

Texas

$78,476

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$17,362

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

37.3%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

6.6%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.469

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

78538

$92,100

Hidalgo Co.

$140,900

Texas

$283,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

78538

$556

Hidalgo Co.

$957

Texas

$1,403

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

74%

2–4 units

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

13%

Boat, RV, van

0.5%

Housing units: 3,934
Owner-occupied: 72.9%
Vacant: 9.6%
Median year built: 2000
Median rooms: 5
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 50.8%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 24.7%
Home value to income: 2.3× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

79%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

24%

10–19

15%

20–29

24%

30–44

23%

45–59

60+

Average commute

23.2 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

8.8%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

56.4%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Construction and repair

14%

Healthcare

14%

Office and admin

14%

Cleaning and personal care

13%

Transportation and moving

10%

Management

Education

Food service

Sales

Production

Farming, fishing and forestry

Police and fire

Business and finance

Legal and social services

0.8%

Engineering and science

0.6%

Arts, media and sports

0.3%

Computer and math

0.0%

Industries

Health care and social assistance

19%

Education

12%

Admin, support and management

11%

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Restaurants and hotels

Construction

Retail

Public administration

Agriculture and mining

Manufacturing

Finance, insurance and real estate

Other services

Professional and technical services

Wholesale

Arts and recreation

0.5%

Information

0.4%

Median earnings per worker

$29,570

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

13.6%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

18.8%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

4.8%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	78538	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$43,275	$74,888
Service	$16,054	$26,804
Sales and office	$30,769	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$46,473	$49,199
Production and transportation	$30,793	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

33%

High school

35%

Some college

12%

Associate's

Bachelor's

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 66.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 12%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.9%
Households with broadband: 78.3%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 47.7%
No internet access: 19.1%
Without health insurance: 27.1%
Limited-English households: 19.1%

Geography

City (USPS): Edcouch
State: Texas
County: Hidalgo County
Center point: 26.3672° N, 97.9740° W
Land area: 67 sq mi
Water area: 3.8 sq mi
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

Monte Alto (unincorporated)3% of zip
Edcouch2% of zip

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

Zip codes near 78538

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
78543	Elsa, TX	5 mi	8,400	$44,527	$87,800
78558	La Blanca, TX	6 mi	722	$57,969	$53,500
78562	La Villa, TX	7.7 mi	3,211	$31,522	$102,400
78561	Lasara, TX	7.9 mi	1,457	$102,528	$55,500
78542	Edinburg, TX	8.5 mi	89,401	$55,243	$150,200
78549	Hargill, TX	9.1 mi	609	$19,222	$75,400
78599	Weslaco, TX	10 mi	35,454	$58,349	$125,400
78594	Sebastian, TX	11 mi	1,206	$23,307	$38,300
78593	Santa Rosa, TX	11 mi	5,455	$48,649	$85,100
78540	Edinburg, TX	13 mi	0	—	—
78570	Mercedes, TX	14 mi	34,348	$41,965	$86,500
78569	Lyford, TX	14 mi	4,342	$58,950	$117,000

Zip codes like 78538 elsewhere

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

Questions about 78538

What city is zip code 78538?

78538 is assigned to Edcouch, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 78538 in?

78538 is in Hidalgo County, Texas.

What is the population of 78538?

About 11,982 people live in 78538, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 78538 in?

78538 is in Central Time.

What is the median household income in 78538?

The median household income in 78538 is $40,399.

What zip codes are near 78538?

The closest zip codes to 78538 are 78543, 78558, 78562, 78561, 78542.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 78538, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.