Zip code 78586: San Benito, Texas

Q: What city is zip code 78586?

78586 is assigned to San Benito, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 78586 in?

78586 is in Cameron County, Texas.

Q: What is the population of 78586?

About 50,964 people live in 78586, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 78586?

The median household income in 78586 is $45,575.

Q: What zip codes are near 78586?

The closest zip codes to 78586 are 78553, 78567, 78575, 78568, 78552.

Residential delivery areaCameron CountyCentral Time

Population

50,964

Median household income

$46K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$87K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$796/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

U.S. 38.9

Land area

153 sq mi

334 people/sq mi

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

About 78586

78586 is a small-town zip code in San Benito, Texas (Cameron County), covering 153 sq mi of land. About 50,964 people live here, or 334 per square mile. The median resident is 32 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $45,575 a year, 44% below the national median of $80,734. 28.8% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $87,200, or 1.9 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 74% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $796 a month.

13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 20.8 minutes each way, and 9% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in healthcare; construction and repair; and transportation and moving goods. 85% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 78586 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Uninsured rate28.7%
99th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · TX 17.1%174th of 1,808 in TX
Healthcare workers15.6%
96th
U.S. 9.7% · TX 8.6%117th of 1,810 in TX
Poverty rate28.8%
95th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · TX 13.8%138th of 1,794 in TX
Residents under 1829.9%
95th
U.S. 22% · TX 25%259th of 1,818 in TX
Population50,964
81st
U.S. 334,922,499 · TX 30,188,424138th of 1,818 in TX
Self-employed workers12.7%
81st
U.S. 10% · TX 10.5%610th of 1,810 in TX
Foreign-born residents22.9%
79th
U.S. 14.1% · TX 17.6%263rd of 1,818 in TX
Rent-burdened renters57.1%
74th
U.S. 51.1% · TX 51.7%433rd of 1,692 in TX
Housing vacancy9%
66th
U.S. 10.1% · TX 9.4%1,153rd of 1,794 in TX
Homeownership rate74.2%
64th
U.S. 65.2% · TX 62.6%912th of 1,792 in TX
Unemployment rate5.5%
61st
U.S. 5.2% · TX 5.3%621st of 1,810 in TX
Government workers14.9%
59th
U.S. 14.5% · TX 14.1%901st of 1,810 in TX
Income inequality (Gini)0.432
48th
U.S. 0.483 · TX 0.478863rd of 1,785 in TX
Work from home9.2%
29th
U.S. 15.1% · TX 14.4%847th of 1,810 in TX
Veterans4.2%
28th
U.S. 6.2% · TX 6.2%1,325th of 1,818 in TX
Residents 65 and older13.7%
28th
U.S. 17.2% · TX 13.4%1,151st of 1,818 in TX
Population density334/sq mi
27th
U.S. 95/sq mi · TX 116/sq mi714th of 1,818 in TX
Average commute20.8 min
16th
StrengthU.S. 26.4 min · TX 26.7 min1,389th of 1,738 in TX
Median age32
8th
U.S. 38.9 · TX 35.61,565th of 1,817 in TX
Median gross rent$796
7th
U.S. $1,413 · TX $1,4031,326th of 1,511 in TX
Median household income$45,575
6th
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · TX $78,4761,552nd of 1,712 in TX
Tech workers0.5%
6th
U.S. 3.8% · TX 3.8%1,205th of 1,810 in TX
Bachelor's degree or higher12.6%
5th
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · TX 33.8%1,494th of 1,811 in TX
Broadband access79.4%
4th
WeaknessU.S. 91% · TX 91.4%1,520th of 1,792 in TX
Diversity index9.4
3rd
U.S. 61.4 · TX 67.11,726th of 1,818 in TX
Per capita income$19,322
2nd
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · TX $40,7521,706th of 1,813 in TX
Median earnings per worker$28,654
2nd
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · TX $47,5751,665th of 1,794 in TX
Median home value$87,200
1st
U.S. $332,700 · TX $283,8001,568th of 1,679 in TX

Measure	78586	Cameron	TX	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in TX
Uninsured rateWeakness	28.7%	25.8%	17.1%	8.4%	99th	174th of 1,808
Healthcare workers	15.6%	12.3%	8.6%	9.7%	96th	117th of 1,810
Poverty rateWeakness	28.8%	24.8%	13.8%	12.5%	95th	138th of 1,794
Residents under 18	29.9%	28.7%	25%	22%	95th	259th of 1,818
Population	50,964	426,120	30,188,424	334,922,499	81st	138th of 1,818
Self-employed workers	12.7%	11.4%	10.5%	10%	81st	610th of 1,810
Foreign-born residents	22.9%	23.2%	17.6%	14.1%	79th	263rd of 1,818
Rent-burdened renters	57.1%	49.8%	51.7%	51.1%	74th	433rd of 1,692
Housing vacancy	9%	13.3%	9.4%	10.1%	66th	1,153rd of 1,794
Homeownership rate	74.2%	65.2%	62.6%	65.2%	64th	912th of 1,792
Unemployment rate	5.5%	5.9%	5.3%	5.2%	61st	621st of 1,810
Government workers	14.9%	19.1%	14.1%	14.5%	59th	901st of 1,810
Income inequality (Gini)	0.432	0.471	0.478	0.483	48th	863rd of 1,785
Work from home	9.2%	9.1%	14.4%	15.1%	29th	847th of 1,810
Veterans	4.2%	4.1%	6.2%	6.2%	28th	1,325th of 1,818
Residents 65 and older	13.7%	14.3%	13.4%	17.2%	28th	1,151st of 1,818
Population density	334/sq mi	478/sq mi	116/sq mi	95/sq mi	27th	714th of 1,818
Average commuteStrength	20.8 min	21.3 min	26.7 min	26.4 min	16th	1,389th of 1,738
Median age	32	32.7	35.6	38.9	8th	1,565th of 1,817
Median gross rent	$796	$912	$1,403	$1,413	7th	1,326th of 1,511
Median household incomeWeakness	$45,575	$52,601	$78,476	$80,734	6th	1,552nd of 1,712
Tech workers	0.5%	1.3%	3.8%	3.8%	6th	1,205th of 1,810
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	12.6%	22.1%	33.8%	35.7%	5th	1,494th of 1,811
Broadband accessWeakness	79.4%	84.4%	91.4%	91%	4th	1,520th of 1,792
Diversity index	9.4	19.5	67.1	61.4	3rd	1,726th of 1,818
Per capita incomeWeakness	$19,322	$24,089	$40,752	$44,673	2nd	1,706th of 1,813
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$28,654	$33,153	$47,575	$49,666	2nd	1,665th of 1,794
Median home value	$87,200	$136,500	$283,800	$332,700	1st	1,568th of 1,679

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

24%

5–17

12%

18–24

11%

25–34

12%

35–44

11%

45–54

11%

55–64

65–74

75+

Median age

Under 18

29.9%

65 and over

13.7%

Race and ethnicity

White5%
Black0.1%
Hispanic95%
Asian0.1%
Native American0.0%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0%
Multiracial0.1%

Diversity index

9.4

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

22.9%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

68.8%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

15%

Spanish

85%

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

0.2%

Other

Households

Households: 15,699
Average household size: 3.2
Family households: 78.4%
Married couples: 50.8%
Living alone: 19.3%
Veterans (of adults): 4.2%
Male / female: 51% / 49%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

28%

$25–50k

27%

$50–75k

17%

$75–100k

12%

$100–150k

11%

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

78586

$45,575

Cameron Co.

$52,601

Texas

$78,476

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$19,322

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

28.8%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

5.6%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.432

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

78586

$87,200

Cameron Co.

$136,500

Texas

$283,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

78586

$796

Cameron Co.

$912

Texas

$1,403

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

74%

2–4 units

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

17%

Boat, RV, van

0.6%

Housing units: 17,259
Owner-occupied: 74.2%
Vacant: 9%
Median year built: 1993
Median rooms: 4.9
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 57.1%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 31.4%
Home value to income: 1.9× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

76%

Carpooled

13%

Transit

0.0%

Walked

0.8%

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

12%

10–19

38%

20–29

26%

30–44

15%

45–59

60+

Average commute

20.8 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

5.5%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

55%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Healthcare

16%

Construction and repair

14%

Transportation and moving

11%

Cleaning and personal care

11%

Office and admin

Sales

Management

Education

Production

Food service

Legal and social services

Business and finance

Police and fire

Arts, media and sports

Engineering and science

Farming, fishing and forestry

0.8%

Computer and math

0.5%

Industries

Health care and social assistance

22%

Retail

12%

Construction

10%

Education

Manufacturing

Admin, support and management

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Restaurants and hotels

Other services

Public administration

Finance, insurance and real estate

Professional and technical services

Arts and recreation

Agriculture and mining

Wholesale

Information

Median earnings per worker

$28,654

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

12.7%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

14.9%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

4.2%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	78586	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$50,170	$74,888
Service	$17,649	$26,804
Sales and office	$27,409	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$33,473	$49,199
Production and transportation	$31,054	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

34%

High school

30%

Some college

17%

Associate's

Bachelor's

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 65.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 12.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Households with broadband: 79.4%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 44.6%
No internet access: 16.9%
Without health insurance: 28.7%
Limited-English households: 19.7%

Geography

City (USPS): San Benito
State: Texas
County: Cameron County
Center point: 26.1099° N, 97.6454° W
Land area: 153 sq mi
Water area: 7.1 sq mi
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

San Benito10% of zip
Brownsville6% of zip
Green Valley Farms (unincorporated)3% of zip
Rangerville2% of zip
Arroyo Gardens (unincorporated)2% of zip
Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz (unincorporated)2% of zip
La Paloma (unincorporated)1% of zip
Rice Tracts (unincorporated)1% of zip

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

Zip codes near 78586

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
78553	Harlingen, TX · PO box	6.4 mi	—	—	—
78567	Los Indios, TX	7.3 mi	323	—	$56,700
78575	Olmito, TX	7.9 mi	4,575	$71,765	$249,500
78568	Lozano, TX · PO box	8.5 mi	—	—	—
78552	Harlingen, TX	8.7 mi	42,332	$69,811	$169,300
78550	Harlingen, TX	10 mi	53,335	$49,007	$131,100
78551	Harlingen, TX · PO box	10 mi	—	—	—
78535	Combes, TX	11 mi	425	$39,000	$107,300
78559	La Feria, TX	12 mi	12,169	$49,383	$103,800
78523	Brownsville, TX · PO box	12 mi	—	—	—
78520	Brownsville, TX	12 mi	64,740	$50,116	$146,000
78592	Santa Maria, TX	13 mi	677	—	$76,700

Zip codes like 78586 elsewhere

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

Questions about 78586

What city is zip code 78586?

78586 is assigned to San Benito, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 78586 in?

78586 is in Cameron County, Texas.

What is the population of 78586?

About 50,964 people live in 78586, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 78586 in?

78586 is in Central Time.

What is the median household income in 78586?

The median household income in 78586 is $45,575.

What zip codes are near 78586?

The closest zip codes to 78586 are 78553, 78567, 78575, 78568, 78552.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 78586, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.