Zip code 79838: Fabens, Texas

Q: What city is zip code 79838?

79838 is assigned to Fabens, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 79838 in?

79838 is in El Paso County, Texas.

Q: What is the population of 79838?

About 4,969 people live in 79838, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 79838?

The median household income in 79838 is $43,367.

Q: What zip codes are near 79838?

The closest zip codes to 79838 are 79836, 79853, 79849, 79927, 79928.

Residential delivery areaEl Paso CountyMountain Time

Population

4,969

Median household income

$43K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$96K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$606/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

46.7

U.S. 38.9

Land area

31 sq mi

161 people/sq mi

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

About 79838

79838 is a small-town zip code in Fabens, Texas (El Paso County), covering 31 sq mi of land. About 4,969 people live here, or 161 per square mile. The median resident is 46.7 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $43,367 a year, about 54% of the national median of $80,734. 27.4% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $95,800, or 2.2 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 $606 a month.

12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 29.7 minutes each way, and 3% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in office and administrative support; production and manufacturing; and transportation and moving goods. 91% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often Spanish.

How 79838 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Uninsured rate21.9%
96th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · TX 17.1%427th of 1,808 in TX
Poverty rate27.4%
94th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · TX 13.8%159th of 1,794 in TX
Foreign-born residents36.2%
92nd
U.S. 14.1% · TX 17.6%56th of 1,818 in TX
Median age46.7
90th
U.S. 38.9 · TX 35.6316th of 1,817 in TX
Housing vacancy16.3%
89th
U.S. 10.1% · TX 9.4%622nd of 1,794 in TX
Government workers21.2%
88th
U.S. 14.5% · TX 14.1%386th of 1,810 in TX
Residents 65 and older21.9%
83rd
U.S. 17.2% · TX 13.4%450th of 1,818 in TX
Average commute29.7 min
72nd
U.S. 26.4 min · TX 26.7 min552nd of 1,738 in TX
Income inequality (Gini)0.459
69th
U.S. 0.483 · TX 0.478529th of 1,785 in TX
Homeownership rate72.6%
60th
U.S. 65.2% · TX 62.6%991st of 1,792 in TX
Veterans5.5%
45th
U.S. 6.2% · TX 6.2%1,066th of 1,818 in TX
Healthcare workers9%
43rd
U.S. 9.7% · TX 8.6%705th of 1,810 in TX
Unemployment rate3.6%
26th
U.S. 5.2% · TX 5.3%1,122nd of 1,810 in TX
Rent-burdened renters43.4%
24th
U.S. 51.1% · TX 51.7%1,053rd of 1,692 in TX
Population density161/sq mi
18th
U.S. 95/sq mi · TX 116/sq mi828th of 1,818 in TX
Broadband access86.6%
17th
WeaknessU.S. 91% · TX 91.4%1,107th of 1,792 in TX
Residents under 1817.3%
15th
U.S. 22% · TX 25%1,510th of 1,818 in TX
Self-employed workers6.3%
12th
U.S. 10% · TX 10.5%1,560th of 1,810 in TX
Population4,969
8th
U.S. 334,922,499 · TX 30,188,4241,027th of 1,818 in TX
Diversity index13.2
6th
U.S. 61.4 · TX 67.11,696th of 1,818 in TX
Tech workers0.5%
6th
U.S. 3.8% · TX 3.8%1,211th of 1,810 in TX
Median household income$43,367
5th
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · TX $78,4761,581st of 1,712 in TX
Bachelor's degree or higher12%
5th
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · TX 33.8%1,529th of 1,811 in TX
Per capita income$21,080
3rd
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · TX $40,7521,649th of 1,813 in TX
Median home value$95,800
2nd
U.S. $332,700 · TX $283,8001,525th of 1,679 in TX
Work from home2.8%
2nd
U.S. 15.1% · TX 14.4%1,527th of 1,810 in TX
Median earnings per worker$25,270
2nd
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · TX $47,5751,713th of 1,794 in TX
Median gross rent$606
1st
U.S. $1,413 · TX $1,4031,458th of 1,511 in TX

Measure	79838	El Paso	TX	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in TX
Uninsured rateWeakness	21.9%	21.6%	17.1%	8.4%	96th	427th of 1,808
Poverty rateWeakness	27.4%	18.7%	13.8%	12.5%	94th	159th of 1,794
Foreign-born residents	36.2%	23.1%	17.6%	14.1%	92nd	56th of 1,818
Median age	46.7	33.6	35.6	38.9	90th	316th of 1,817
Housing vacancy	16.3%	7.4%	9.4%	10.1%	89th	622nd of 1,794
Government workers	21.2%	20.3%	14.1%	14.5%	88th	386th of 1,810
Residents 65 and older	21.9%	13.1%	13.4%	17.2%	83rd	450th of 1,818
Average commute	29.7 min	24.1 min	26.7 min	26.4 min	72nd	552nd of 1,738
Income inequality (Gini)	0.459	0.467	0.478	0.483	69th	529th of 1,785
Homeownership rate	72.6%	64.2%	62.6%	65.2%	60th	991st of 1,792
Veterans	5.5%	7.6%	6.2%	6.2%	45th	1,066th of 1,818
Healthcare workers	9%	10.1%	8.6%	9.7%	43rd	705th of 1,810
Unemployment rate	3.6%	6%	5.3%	5.2%	26th	1,122nd of 1,810
Rent-burdened renters	43.4%	53.6%	51.7%	51.1%	24th	1,053rd of 1,692
Population density	161/sq mi	859/sq mi	116/sq mi	95/sq mi	18th	828th of 1,818
Broadband accessWeakness	86.6%	89.8%	91.4%	91%	17th	1,107th of 1,792
Residents under 18	17.3%	26.1%	25%	22%	15th	1,510th of 1,818
Self-employed workers	6.3%	8.8%	10.5%	10%	12th	1,560th of 1,810
Population	4,969	870,779	30,188,424	334,922,499	8th	1,027th of 1,818
Diversity index	13.2	30.3	67.1	61.4	6th	1,696th of 1,818
Tech workers	0.5%	1.9%	3.8%	3.8%	6th	1,211th of 1,810
Median household incomeWeakness	$43,367	$59,806	$78,476	$80,734	5th	1,581st of 1,712
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	12%	25.9%	33.8%	35.7%	5th	1,529th of 1,811
Per capita incomeWeakness	$21,080	$28,486	$40,752	$44,673	3rd	1,649th of 1,813
Median home value	$95,800	$180,400	$283,800	$332,700	2nd	1,525th of 1,679
Work from home	2.8%	8.8%	14.4%	15.1%	2nd	1,527th of 1,810
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$25,270	$35,464	$47,575	$49,666	2nd	1,713th of 1,794
Median gross rent	$606	$1,079	$1,403	$1,413	1st	1,458th of 1,511

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

11%

5–17

18–24

19%

25–34

35–44

13%

45–54

17%

55–64

13%

65–74

75+

Median age

46.7

Under 18

17.3%

65 and over

21.9%

Race and ethnicity

White5%
Black0%
Hispanic93%
Asian0%
Native American1%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0%
Multiracial1%

Diversity index

13.2

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

36.2%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

59.1%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

Spanish

91%

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

Other

Households

Households: 1,850
Average household size: 2.7
Family households: 73%
Married couples: 45%
Living alone: 24.5%
Veterans (of adults): 5.5%
Male / female: 49% / 51%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

38%

$25–50k

18%

$50–75k

22%

$75–100k

$100–150k

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

79838

$43,367

El Paso Co.

$59,806

Texas

$78,476

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$21,080

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

27.4%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

7.1%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.459

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

79838

$95,800

El Paso Co.

$180,400

Texas

$283,800

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

79838

$606

El Paso Co.

$1,079

Texas

$1,403

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

63%

2–4 units

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

24%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 2,210
Owner-occupied: 72.6%
Vacant: 16.3%
Median year built: 1987
Median rooms: 5.3
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 43.4%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 37.6%
Home value to income: 2.2× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

87%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

23%

10–19

15%

20–29

21%

30–44

26%

45–59

60+

Average commute

29.7 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

3.6%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

57.3%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Office and admin

17%

Production

10%

Transportation and moving

10%

Sales

10%

Healthcare

Construction and repair

Cleaning and personal care

Food service

Management

Education

Engineering and science

Police and fire

Farming, fishing and forestry

Computer and math

0.5%

Legal and social services

0.5%

Business and finance

Arts, media and sports

Industries

Retail

16%

Education

12%

Health care and social assistance

11%

Construction

Restaurants and hotels

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Admin, support and management

Manufacturing

Public administration

Wholesale

Agriculture and mining

Professional and technical services

Other services

Finance, insurance and real estate

Information

Arts and recreation

Median earnings per worker

$25,270

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

6.3%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

21.2%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

3.9%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	79838	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$61,411	$74,888
Service	$18,714	$26,804
Sales and office	$20,153	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$34,131	$49,199
Production and transportation	$24,167	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

38%

High school

25%

Some college

12%

Associate's

12%

Bachelor's

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 61.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 12%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Households with broadband: 86.6%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 49.8%
No internet access: 13.4%
Without health insurance: 21.9%
Limited-English households: 31.7%

Geography

City (USPS): Fabens
State: Texas
County: El Paso County
Center point: 31.4863° N, 106.1611° W
Land area: 31 sq mi
Water area: 0.1 sq mi
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

Cities and towns within this zip

Fabens (unincorporated)13% of zip

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

Zip codes near 79838

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
79836	Clint, TX	6.5 mi	7,711	$59,003	$115,500
79853	Tornillo, TX	6.8 mi	2,686	$42,234	$83,200
79849	San Elizario, TX	8 mi	14,409	$44,831	$109,800
79927	El Paso, TX	13 mi	44,444	$53,652	$138,400
79928	El Paso, TX	14 mi	86,599	$76,643	$207,900
79910	El Paso, TX · PO box	17 mi	—	—	—
79914	El Paso, TX · PO box	17 mi	—	—	—
79917	El Paso, TX · PO box	17 mi	—	—	—
79923	El Paso, TX · PO box	17 mi	—	—	—
79926	El Paso, TX · PO box	17 mi	—	—	—
79929	El Paso, TX · PO box	17 mi	—	—	—
79931	El Paso, TX · PO box	17 mi	—	—	—

Zip codes like 79838 elsewhere

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

Questions about 79838

What city is zip code 79838?

79838 is assigned to Fabens, Texas. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 79838 in?

79838 is in El Paso County, Texas.

What is the population of 79838?

About 4,969 people live in 79838, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 79838 in?

79838 is in Mountain Time.

What is the median household income in 79838?

The median household income in 79838 is $43,367.

What zip codes are near 79838?

The closest zip codes to 79838 are 79836, 79853, 79849, 79927, 79928.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 79838, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.