Zapata County

Zapata County Offices

Zapata County Town List

The Texas State Congress founded Zapata County in 1858. It identified Zapata as the county seat. The legislature named the county for Colonel Jose Antonio de Zapata. 

Zapata County has an estimated area coverage of 1058 square miles or 2580 square kilometers. Additionally, it’s the 28th congressional district. It is located in Zapata, Texas Micropolitan Statistical Area. 

The U.S. population censor of 2020 puts the total number of inhabitants in Zapata County at 13,889. It makes Zapata 143rd most populated out of Texas’ 254 counties. 

Zapata County has a rich cultural and historical heritage. As a result, It has numerous attraction centers making it an ideal place to stay or visit, more so, for site-seeing. 

Geography of Zapata County, Texas 

Zapata, located in South Texas,  borders Webb County in the north.  Also, it borders Jim Hogg and Starr Counties in the east, as Mexico borders it in the west. 

Additionally, the county comprises several communities that include Ramireno, Lopeno, San Ygnacio, and Escober. 

Zapata County covers an area of 1058 square miles and has an elevation ranging between 200 to 700 feet above sea level. Its soils remain light-colored loamy on the surface with reddish mottled clayey subsoils. 

Thorny shrubs, grasses, mesquite, and cacti account for the flora in the County. Besides, several mineral resources are available in the county; including caliches, sands, gravel, lignite coal, clay, oil, and gas.  

Zapata has a humid subtropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 44 -69 degrees Fahrenheit in January and 75 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit in July. Also, rainfall averages 19 inches yearly, and farmers enjoy an extended growing season lasting for 295 days.

History of Zapata County, Texas 

During prehistoric times, Zapata saw several communities settle in the area. Among the earliest settlers include Carrizos, Tapemaca, and Barido Indians. 

Captain Miguel de la Garza Falcon made the first known European exploration in 1747. He led a group of fellow explorers into the Rio Grande area. 

Since then, settlers established several other settlements and colonies with little success due to the constant and relentless attacks from the Indians. 

Interestingly, the number of inhabitants in the area kept growing amid the intense political turmoil. 

By 1848, the Mexican and Spanish authorities had given out thirty-eight “Porcienes” and fifteen tracts of lands. However, relentless raids by the Comanches, Apaches, and other Indian groups significantly slowed down these settlements. 

Subsequently, Henry Redmond, an early Anglo-American settler in the area, filed a petition claiming the ‘Habitacion de Redmond”. Shortly, a settlement known as that was later renamed Bellville, flourished at the site. 

In 1858, the Texas legislature passed a measure that founded Zapata County. The legislature then organized the county in the same year. Bellville, later renamed as Carrizo and subsequently Zapata, became the county seat. 

Zapata County Offices, Texas 

The Texas legislature organized Zapata County offices to ensure citizens get all the essential services to ease their lives. The significant offices that work in coordination for service delivery include the office of the county judge, commissioners court, clerk, auditor, treasurer, tax collector, and sheriff. 

Joe Rathmell serves as the County Judge in Zapata County, Texas. Residents can contact him using the phone: 956-765-9920. 

Judge J. Rathmell chairs the Commissioners Court consisting of four other members. The court serves as the topmost decision-making organ of the county government. 

Paco Mendoza sits as the Commissioner Precinct 1. People can contact Paco using the phone:956-765-9920. 

Olga M.Elizonda serves as the Commissioner Precinct 2. Citizens can reach out to her via the phone: 956-765-6804. 

Jose A. Solis occupies the office of Commissioner Precinct 3. People can contact Jose using the phone: 956-765-9920. 

Norberto Garza sits as the Commissioner Precinct 4. Residents can reach him via phone:956-334-4858. 

Said Alfonso Figueroa serves as the County Attorney in Zapata County, Texas. Residents can contact him using the phone: 956-765-9905. 

Romeo Salinas sits as the County Treasurer. Citizens can reach Romeo using the phone: 956-765-9748. 

Delia Mendoza occupies the office of the Tax Assessor/ Collector. Residents may contact her using her phone: 956-765-9971. 

Raymundo Del Bosque remains the County Sheriff. Citizens can contact him using the phone: 956-765-9960. 

Triunfo Gonzalez sits as the County Auditor. People can reach Triunfo using the phone: 956-765-9910. 

Cost of Living in Zapata County, Texas 

The cost of living in Zapata County, Texas, is at 74.4, which is relatively lower than in other parts of the United States of America. Meaning Zapata County remains one of the cheaper counties you may settle in the U.S. 

Grocery, housing, utilities, transportation, and miscellaneous remains relatively affordable. Conversely, the cost of health services remains highly prohibitive compared to other U.S. regions.  

Education in Zapata County, Texas 

Zapata County has five public schools and 0 private schools. 

The county’s yearly average cost of education per student surpasses the average U.S. cost. 

The overall cost of education per year per student index stands at $12,420 to the U.S. average of $12,383. 

Also, the county provides:

• A teacher for every 16 pupils
• A librarian for every 724 pupils
• A counselor for every 329 pupils

The Economy of Zapata County, Texas 

Zapata County’s economy can’t be highly rated compared to other parts of the United States of America. Major economic indicators don’t speak well on the economy either. However, the county registered a 5.9% job market growth over the past year. 

Unemployment stood at 14.0%, a figure that remains more than twice the U.S. average of 6.0%.  

Additionally, the projected ten-year job market growth remains at 8.9% compared to the U.S. average of 33.5%. More significantly, the average yearly income per resident stands at $20,171 to the U.S. average of $28,555. 

Covid -19 Situation in Zapata County, Texas 

Zapata County government urges the residents to stay informed on where the Coronavirus is spreading. Thus, it will help them understand how it could affect their families, commerce, and travel. 

Since the virus broke out in 2020, Zapata County has always adjusted its service delivery model to comply with stringent Coronavirus prevention measures. These protective measures include social distancing, wearing face masks, and sanitizing hands. 

The county government took the responsibility of updating residents on the Covid-19 situation daily. The latest figures show that 2350 positive cases with 46 fatalities registered. 

At the same time, the Zapata County government urges all its citizens to frequently check on helpful websites for the latest Covid-19 updates. 

Financial Transparency in Zapata County, Texas 

Zapata County has a legal obligation to stay transparent in all financing matters. Before implementing any budgetary proposals, the County’s Commissioners Court holds a public participation forum with the residents. 

Public scrutiny scrutinizes proposed budgets and proposed tax rate increments beyond 3% during public hearings. General members pass the funding before the county implements it. 

More importantly, the County Treasurer publishes the audited financial statements on the Zapata County website to ensure transparency on financial matters. Also, audited financial statements dating back to 2008 are available on the website. 

Property tax rates dating back to 2010 are also available on the county’s website for public scrutiny.