Zip code 78543: Elsa, Texas

Q: What city is zip code 78543?

78543 is assigned to Elsa, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 78543 in?

78543 is in Hidalgo County, Texas.

Q: What is the population of 78543?

About 8,400 people live in 78543, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 78543?

The median household income in 78543 is $44,527.

Q: What zip codes are near 78543?

The closest zip codes to 78543 are 78558, 78538, 78599, 78562, 78537.

Residential delivery areaHidalgo CountyCentral Time

Population

8,400

Median household income

$45K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$88K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$844/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

33.2

U.S. 38.9

Land area

6.4 sq mi

1,321 people/sq mi

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

About 78543

78543 is a suburban zip code in Elsa, Texas (Hidalgo County), covering 6.4 sq mi of land. About 8,400 people live here, or 1,321 per square mile. The median resident is 33.2 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $44,527 a year, 45% below the national median of $80,734. 27.6% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $87,800, or 2.0 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 75% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $844 a month.

7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 15.2 minutes each way, and 5% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in healthcare; construction and repair; and office and administrative support. 94% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 78543 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Rent-burdened renters81.1%
99th
WeaknessU.S. 51.1% · TX 51.7%76th of 1,692 in TX
Healthcare workers20.3%
99th
U.S. 9.7% · TX 8.6%50th of 1,810 in TX
Uninsured rate24.5%
97th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · TX 17.1%308th of 1,808 in TX
Government workers24.9%
95th
U.S. 14.5% · TX 14.1%228th of 1,810 in TX
Poverty rate27.6%
94th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · TX 13.8%155th of 1,794 in TX
Residents under 1826.9%
86th
U.S. 22% · TX 25%541st of 1,818 in TX
Housing vacancy9.4%
68th
U.S. 10.1% · TX 9.4%1,126th of 1,794 in TX
Homeownership rate74.5%
65th
U.S. 65.2% · TX 62.6%903rd of 1,792 in TX
Foreign-born residents14%
62nd
U.S. 14.1% · TX 17.6%581st of 1,818 in TX
Population density1,321/sq mi
49th
U.S. 95/sq mi · TX 116/sq mi503rd of 1,818 in TX
Income inequality (Gini)0.433
49th
U.S. 0.483 · TX 0.478846th of 1,785 in TX
Unemployment rate4.4%
41st
U.S. 5.2% · TX 5.3%889th of 1,810 in TX
Residents 65 and older13.5%
26th
U.S. 17.2% · TX 13.4%1,175th of 1,818 in TX
Broadband access87.7%
22nd
U.S. 91% · TX 91.4%1,022nd of 1,792 in TX
Veterans3.2%
17th
U.S. 6.2% · TX 6.2%1,520th of 1,818 in TX
Population8,400
13th
U.S. 334,922,499 · TX 30,188,424869th of 1,818 in TX
Median age33.2
12th
U.S. 38.9 · TX 35.61,442nd of 1,817 in TX
Median gross rent$844
9th
U.S. $1,413 · TX $1,4031,275th of 1,511 in TX
Work from home4.7%
7th
U.S. 15.1% · TX 14.4%1,354th of 1,810 in TX
Median household income$44,527
5th
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · TX $78,4761,568th of 1,712 in TX
Per capita income$20,527
3rd
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · TX $40,7521,663rd of 1,813 in TX
Median earnings per worker$30,514
3rd
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · TX $47,5751,634th of 1,794 in TX
Average commute15.2 min
2nd
StrengthU.S. 26.4 min · TX 26.7 min1,645th of 1,738 in TX
Diversity index5.3
2nd
U.S. 61.4 · TX 67.11,761st of 1,818 in TX
Self-employed workers4.3%
2nd
U.S. 10% · TX 10.5%1,662nd of 1,810 in TX
Median home value$87,800
1st
U.S. $332,700 · TX $283,8001,563rd of 1,679 in TX
Bachelor's degree or higher6.6%
1st
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · TX 33.8%1,719th of 1,811 in TX
Tech workers0%
1st
U.S. 3.8% · TX 3.8%1,536th of 1,810 in TX

Measure	78543	Hidalgo	TX	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in TX
Rent-burdened rentersWeakness	81.1%	48.7%	51.7%	51.1%	99th	76th of 1,692
Healthcare workers	20.3%	11.6%	8.6%	9.7%	99th	50th of 1,810
Uninsured rateWeakness	24.5%	28.2%	17.1%	8.4%	97th	308th of 1,808
Government workers	24.9%	16.8%	14.1%	14.5%	95th	228th of 1,810
Poverty rateWeakness	27.6%	26.7%	13.8%	12.5%	94th	155th of 1,794
Residents under 18	26.9%	31%	25%	22%	86th	541st of 1,818
Housing vacancy	9.4%	12.4%	9.4%	10.1%	68th	1,126th of 1,794
Homeownership rate	74.5%	67.5%	62.6%	65.2%	65th	903rd of 1,792
Foreign-born residents	14%	26.1%	17.6%	14.1%	62nd	581st of 1,818
Population density	1,321/sq mi	568/sq mi	116/sq mi	95/sq mi	49th	503rd of 1,818
Income inequality (Gini)	0.433	0.477	0.478	0.483	49th	846th of 1,785
Unemployment rate	4.4%	7.6%	5.3%	5.2%	41st	889th of 1,810
Residents 65 and older	13.5%	11.7%	13.4%	17.2%	26th	1,175th of 1,818
Broadband access	87.7%	88%	91.4%	91%	22nd	1,022nd of 1,792
Veterans	3.2%	3.2%	6.2%	6.2%	17th	1,520th of 1,818
Population	8,400	891,977	30,188,424	334,922,499	13th	869th of 1,818
Median age	33.2	30.5	35.6	38.9	12th	1,442nd of 1,817
Median gross rent	$844	$957	$1,403	$1,413	9th	1,275th of 1,511
Work from home	4.7%	9.2%	14.4%	15.1%	7th	1,354th of 1,810
Median household incomeWeakness	$44,527	$54,338	$78,476	$80,734	5th	1,568th of 1,712
Per capita incomeWeakness	$20,527	$23,117	$40,752	$44,673	3rd	1,663rd of 1,813
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$30,514	$32,284	$47,575	$49,666	3rd	1,634th of 1,794
Average commuteStrength	15.2 min	22.5 min	26.7 min	26.4 min	2nd	1,645th of 1,738
Diversity index	5.3	15.1	67.1	61.4	2nd	1,761st of 1,818
Self-employed workers	4.3%	13.9%	10.5%	10%	2nd	1,662nd of 1,810
Median home value	$87,800	$140,900	$283,800	$332,700	1st	1,563rd of 1,679
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	6.6%	20.6%	33.8%	35.7%	1st	1,719th of 1,811
Tech workers	0%	1.1%	3.8%	3.8%	1st	1,536th 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

19%

5–17

14%

18–24

11%

25–34

11%

35–44

11%

45–54

12%

55–64

65–74

75+

Median age

33.2

Under 18

26.9%

65 and over

13.5%

Race and ethnicity

White3%
Black0%
Hispanic97%
Asian0%
Native American0%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0%
Multiracial0%

Diversity index

5.3

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

14%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

75.5%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

Spanish

94%

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 2,834
Average household size: 3
Family households: 70%
Married couples: 42.5%
Living alone: 28.5%
Veterans (of adults): 3.2%
Male / female: 46% / 54%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

29%

$25–50k

27%

$50–75k

11%

$75–100k

$100–150k

14%

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

78543

$44,527

Hidalgo Co.

$54,338

Texas

$78,476

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$20,527

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

27.6%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

9.1%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.433

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

78543

$87,800

Hidalgo Co.

$140,900

Texas

$283,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

78543

$844

Hidalgo Co.

$957

Texas

$1,403

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

76%

2–4 units

12%

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

11%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 3,129
Owner-occupied: 74.5%
Vacant: 9.4%
Median year built: 1994
Median rooms: 4.9
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 81.1%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 23.3%
Home value to income: 2.0× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

82%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

10%

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

27%

10–19

32%

20–29

25%

30–44

15%

45–59

0.9%

60+

Average commute

15.2 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

4.4%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

53.1%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Healthcare

20%

Construction and repair

14%

Office and admin

11%

Transportation and moving

11%

Sales

Cleaning and personal care

Education

Food service

Production

Police and fire

Farming, fishing and forestry

Arts, media and sports

Management

0.9%

Business and finance

Computer and math

Engineering and science

Legal and social services

Industries

Health care and social assistance

26%

Education

15%

Construction

15%

Retail

12%

Manufacturing

Public administration

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Restaurants and hotels

Finance, insurance and real estate

Admin, support and management

Wholesale

Agriculture and mining

Other services

Professional and technical services

Information

0.9%

Arts and recreation

Median earnings per worker

$30,514

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

4.3%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

24.9%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	78543	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$53,775	$74,888
Service	$17,934	$26,804
Sales and office	$27,332	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$58,111	$49,199
Production and transportation	$36,250	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

21%

High school

41%

Some college

25%

Associate's

Bachelor's

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 78.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 6.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.5%
Households with broadband: 87.7%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 58.2%
No internet access: 11.4%
Without health insurance: 24.5%
Limited-English households: 13.7%

Geography

City (USPS): Elsa
State: Texas
County: Hidalgo County
Center point: 26.3012° N, 98.0051° W
Land area: 6.4 sq mi
Water area: under 0.1 sq mi
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

La Blanca (unincorporated)35% of zip
Elsa33% of zip

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

Zip codes near 78543

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
78558	La Blanca, TX	1.3 mi	722	$57,969	$53,500
78538	Edcouch, TX	5 mi	11,982	$40,399	$92,100
78599	Weslaco, TX	5.9 mi	35,454	$58,349	$125,400
78562	La Villa, TX	7.2 mi	3,211	$31,522	$102,400
78537	Donna, TX	9.4 mi	51,426	$40,668	$81,900
78542	Edinburg, TX	11 mi	89,401	$55,243	$150,200
78570	Mercedes, TX	11 mi	34,348	$41,965	$86,500
78539	Edinburg, TX	11 mi	37,168	$66,967	$214,500
78593	Santa Rosa, TX	11 mi	5,455	$48,649	$85,100
78502	McAllen, TX · PO box	12 mi	—	—	—
78594	Sebastian, TX	13 mi	1,206	$23,307	$38,300
78561	Lasara, TX	13 mi	1,457	$102,528	$55,500

Zip codes like 78543 elsewhere

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

Questions about 78543

What city is zip code 78543?

78543 is assigned to Elsa, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 78543 in?

78543 is in Hidalgo County, Texas.

What is the population of 78543?

About 8,400 people live in 78543, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 78543 in?

78543 is in Central Time.

What is the median household income in 78543?

The median household income in 78543 is $44,527.

What zip codes are near 78543?

The closest zip codes to 78543 are 78558, 78538, 78599, 78562, 78537.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 78543, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.