Zip code 78597: South Padre Island, Texas

Q: What city is zip code 78597?

78597 is assigned to South Padre Island, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 78597 in?

78597 is in Cameron County, Texas.

Q: What is the population of 78597?

About 2,935 people live in 78597, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 78597?

The median household income in 78597 is $68,421.

Q: What zip codes are near 78597?

The closest zip codes to 78597 are 78566, 78583, 78578, 78568, 78598.

Residential delivery areaCameron CountyCentral Time

Population

2,935

Median household income

$68K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$527K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$1,521/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

U.S. 38.9

Land area

8.8 sq mi

332 people/sq mi

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

About 78597

78597 is a small-town zip code in South Padre Island, Texas (Cameron County), covering 8.8 sq mi of land. About 2,935 people live here, or 332 per square mile. The median resident is 61 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $68,421 a year, 15% below the national median of $80,734. 15.8% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $527,200, or 7.7 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively expensive for local earners. 71% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $1,521 a month.

54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 12.7 minutes each way, and 32% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in management; sales; and business and finance. 18% of them are self-employed (U.S.: 10%). 22% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 78597 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Median age61
99th
U.S. 38.9 · TX 35.644th of 1,817 in TX
Housing vacancy70.7%
99th
U.S. 10.1% · TX 9.4%8th of 1,794 in TX
Residents 65 and older40.9%
99th
U.S. 17.2% · TX 13.4%49th of 1,818 in TX
Income inequality (Gini)0.556
98th
WeaknessU.S. 0.483 · TX 0.47849th of 1,785 in TX
Work from home31.5%
96th
U.S. 15.1% · TX 14.4%62nd of 1,810 in TX
Veterans12.6%
95th
U.S. 6.2% · TX 6.2%158th of 1,818 in TX
Tech workers9.2%
95th
U.S. 3.8% · TX 3.8%59th of 1,810 in TX
Self-employed workers17.6%
95th
U.S. 10% · TX 10.5%255th of 1,810 in TX
Per capita income$76,832
94th
StrengthU.S. $44,673 · TX $40,75253rd of 1,813 in TX
Bachelor's degree or higher53.6%
83rd
StrengthU.S. 35.7% · TX 33.8%166th of 1,811 in TX
Median home value$527,200
77th
U.S. $332,700 · TX $283,800100th of 1,679 in TX
Median earnings per worker$60,428
76th
U.S. $49,666 · TX $47,575277th of 1,794 in TX
Poverty rate15.8%
72nd
U.S. 12.5% · TX 13.8%650th of 1,794 in TX
Rent-burdened renters56.6%
72nd
U.S. 51.1% · TX 51.7%456th of 1,692 in TX
Foreign-born residents14.5%
63rd
U.S. 14.1% · TX 17.6%553rd of 1,818 in TX
Unemployment rate5.6%
62nd
U.S. 5.2% · TX 5.3%599th of 1,810 in TX
Uninsured rate8.5%
62nd
U.S. 8.4% · TX 17.1%1,503rd of 1,808 in TX
Median gross rent$1,521
57th
U.S. $1,413 · TX $1,403345th of 1,511 in TX
Homeownership rate70.6%
55th
U.S. 65.2% · TX 62.6%1,059th of 1,792 in TX
Diversity index42.8
40th
U.S. 61.4 · TX 67.11,142nd of 1,818 in TX
Median household income$68,421
33rd
U.S. $80,734 · TX $78,476908th of 1,712 in TX
Population density332/sq mi
27th
U.S. 95/sq mi · TX 116/sq mi716th of 1,818 in TX
Broadband access84.5%
11th
WeaknessU.S. 91% · TX 91.4%1,234th of 1,792 in TX
Population2,935
5th
U.S. 334,922,499 · TX 30,188,4241,169th of 1,818 in TX
Residents under 189.4%
2nd
U.S. 22% · TX 25%1,703rd of 1,818 in TX
Average commute12.7 min
1st
StrengthU.S. 26.4 min · TX 26.7 min1,701st of 1,738 in TX
Healthcare workers2.2%
1st
U.S. 9.7% · TX 8.6%1,640th of 1,810 in TX
Government workers5.6%
1st
U.S. 14.5% · TX 14.1%1,711th of 1,810 in TX

Measure	78597	Cameron	TX	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in TX
Median age	61	32.7	35.6	38.9	99th	44th of 1,817
Housing vacancy	70.7%	13.3%	9.4%	10.1%	99th	8th of 1,794
Residents 65 and older	40.9%	14.3%	13.4%	17.2%	99th	49th of 1,818
Income inequality (Gini)Weakness	0.556	0.471	0.478	0.483	98th	49th of 1,785
Work from home	31.5%	9.1%	14.4%	15.1%	96th	62nd of 1,810
Veterans	12.6%	4.1%	6.2%	6.2%	95th	158th of 1,818
Tech workers	9.2%	1.3%	3.8%	3.8%	95th	59th of 1,810
Self-employed workers	17.6%	11.4%	10.5%	10%	95th	255th of 1,810
Per capita incomeStrength	$76,832	$24,089	$40,752	$44,673	94th	53rd of 1,813
Bachelor's degree or higherStrength	53.6%	22.1%	33.8%	35.7%	83rd	166th of 1,811
Median home value	$527,200	$136,500	$283,800	$332,700	77th	100th of 1,679
Median earnings per worker	$60,428	$33,153	$47,575	$49,666	76th	277th of 1,794
Poverty rate	15.8%	24.8%	13.8%	12.5%	72nd	650th of 1,794
Rent-burdened renters	56.6%	49.8%	51.7%	51.1%	72nd	456th of 1,692
Foreign-born residents	14.5%	23.2%	17.6%	14.1%	63rd	553rd of 1,818
Unemployment rate	5.6%	5.9%	5.3%	5.2%	62nd	599th of 1,810
Uninsured rate	8.5%	25.8%	17.1%	8.4%	62nd	1,503rd of 1,808
Median gross rent	$1,521	$912	$1,403	$1,413	57th	345th of 1,511
Homeownership rate	70.6%	65.2%	62.6%	65.2%	55th	1,059th of 1,792
Diversity index	42.8	19.5	67.1	61.4	40th	1,142nd of 1,818
Median household income	$68,421	$52,601	$78,476	$80,734	33rd	908th of 1,712
Population density	332/sq mi	478/sq mi	116/sq mi	95/sq mi	27th	716th of 1,818
Broadband accessWeakness	84.5%	84.4%	91.4%	91%	11th	1,234th of 1,792
Population	2,935	426,120	30,188,424	334,922,499	5th	1,169th of 1,818
Residents under 18	9.4%	28.7%	25%	22%	2nd	1,703rd of 1,818
Average commuteStrength	12.7 min	21.3 min	26.7 min	26.4 min	1st	1,701st of 1,738
Healthcare workers	2.2%	12.3%	8.6%	9.7%	1st	1,640th of 1,810
Government workers	5.6%	19.1%	14.1%	14.5%	1st	1,711th 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

5–17

10%

18–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

29%

55–64

29%

65–74

12%

75+

Median age

Under 18

9.4%

65 and over

40.9%

Race and ethnicity

White74%
Black7%
Hispanic13%
Asian4%
Native American0%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0.8%
Multiracial1%

Diversity index

42.8

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

14.5%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

29.4%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

78%

Spanish

20%

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 1,642
Average household size: 1.8
Family households: 50.8%
Married couples: 47.9%
Living alone: 46.7%
Veterans (of adults): 12.6%
Male / female: 54% / 46%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

10%

$25–50k

13%

$50–75k

31%

$75–100k

21%

$100–150k

$150–200k

$200k+

19%

Median household income

78597

$68,421

Cameron Co.

$52,601

Texas

$78,476

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$76,832

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

15.8%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

20.3%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.556

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

78597

$527,200

Cameron Co.

$136,500

Texas

$283,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

78597

$1,521

Cameron Co.

$912

Texas

$1,403

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

15%

2–4 units

11%

5–19 units

20+ units

65%

Mobile home

0.4%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 5,603
Owner-occupied: 70.6%
Vacant: 70.7%
Median year built: 1984
Median rooms: 4.3
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 56.6%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 22.7%
Home value to income: 7.7× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

33%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

26%

Bicycle

Worked from home

31%

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

56%

10–19

29%

20–29

30–44

45–59

60+

Average commute

12.7 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

5.6%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

47.1%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Management

22%

Sales

20%

Business and finance

16%

Computer and math

Engineering and science

Education

Cleaning and personal care

Food service

Construction and repair

Office and admin

Healthcare

Production

0.8%

Legal and social services

0.7%

Police and fire

0.7%

Arts, media and sports

Farming, fishing and forestry

Transportation and moving

Industries

Finance, insurance and real estate

30%

Education

17%

Professional and technical services

14%

Restaurants and hotels

Retail

Other services

Admin, support and management

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Construction

Public administration

Health care and social assistance

Manufacturing

0.8%

Wholesale

Information

Arts and recreation

Agriculture and mining

Median earnings per worker

$60,428

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

17.6%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

5.6%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

5.9%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	78597	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$70,194	$74,888
Service	$6,491	$26,804
Sales and office	$23,313	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$36,750	$49,199
Production and transportation	—	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

High school

13%

Some college

16%

Associate's

12%

Bachelor's

31%

Graduate

23%

High school graduate or higher: 93.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 53.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 22.6%
Households with broadband: 84.5%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 57.5%
No internet access: 10%
Without health insurance: 8.5%
Limited-English households: 1.3%

Geography

City (USPS): South Padre Island
State: Texas
County: Cameron County
Center point: 26.2732° N, 97.2764° W
Land area: 8.8 sq mi
Water area: 124 sq mi
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

South Padre Island30% of zip

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

Zip codes near 78597

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
78566	Los Fresnos, TX	12 mi	25,110	$60,187	$154,300
78583	Rio Hondo, TX	12 mi	5,236	$51,453	$161,900
78578	Port Isabel, TX	16 mi	10,016	$51,880	$196,200
78568	Lozano, TX · PO box	17 mi	—	—	—
78598	Port Mansfield, TX	21 mi	245	—	—
78526	Brownsville, TX	22 mi	60,012	$70,565	$185,000
78521	Brownsville, TX	23 mi	87,380	$44,509	$99,700
78575	Olmito, TX	24 mi	4,575	$71,765	$249,500
78550	Harlingen, TX	24 mi	53,335	$49,007	$131,100
78523	Brownsville, TX · PO box	25 mi	—	—	—
78586	San Benito, TX	26 mi	50,964	$45,575	$87,200
78553	Harlingen, TX · PO box	27 mi	—	—	—

Zip codes like 78597 elsewhere

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

Questions about 78597

What city is zip code 78597?

78597 is assigned to South Padre Island, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 78597 in?

78597 is in Cameron County, Texas.

What is the population of 78597?

About 2,935 people live in 78597, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 78597 in?

78597 is in Central Time.

What is the median household income in 78597?

The median household income in 78597 is $68,421.

What zip codes are near 78597?

The closest zip codes to 78597 are 78566, 78583, 78578, 78568, 78598.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 78597, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.