78342 ZIP Code — Ben Bolt, TX

Jim Wells County, Texas

ZIP code 78342 is located in Ben Bolt, Texas, within Jim Wells County. It covers approximately 1.76 square miles and serves a population of 363 residents. This is a standard ZIP code in the Central (CT) timezone, served by area code 361.

About ZIP code 78342

The housing stock consists of predominantly single-family detached homes. Most homes were built in the 1970s, giving the area an established character. Median home value is $21,600. Owner-occupancy sits near the national average at 51%.

Median household income is $50,125. Poverty affects 18% of residents, above the national average. SNAP benefit usage at 45% of households reflects economic stress in the area. 56% of households receive Social Security income, suggesting a notable retiree or disability population.

The dominant occupation class is service, with education and healthcare as the leading industry. The average commute of 19 minutes is near the national average.

College attainment at 13% is below the national average, consistent with a trades and production-oriented local economy.

17% of residents lack health insurance, above the national average.

Overall, ZIP code 78342 reflects a community defined by a trades-oriented workforce, economic challenges above the national average, a significant Social Security-dependent population, and elevated reliance on food assistance.

363

population

1.76

sq mi land

Standard

ZIP type

Central (CT)

timezone

78342 ZIP code map

Cities in ZIP code 78342

Below are the cities the US Postal Service accepts for ZIP code 78342. Using any city not on this list may result in mail delivery delays.

City	Status
Ben Bolt	Acceptable

Demographics updated 06/2026

Population
Total population	363
Population density	206 / sq mi
State FIPS	48
County FIPS	249

Geography
Land area	1.76 sq mi
Water area	0.00 sq mi
Latitude	27.6476
Longitude	-98.0863
Timezone	Central (CT)
Area code	361

Total population by age

Gender

Race & ethnicity

Economics updated 06/2026

Household income

Income range	This ZIP	County avg	State avg
Under $50k	76.4%	53.1%	39.5%
$50k – $100k	0.0%	24.9%	30.1%
$100k – $200k	23.6%	18.7%	22.6%
Over $200k	0.0%	3.4%	7.8%

Demographics & statistics

363

Population

206

People per sq mi

51.3

Median age

$50,125

Median household income

$19,869

Per capita income

$21,600

Median home value

Median monthly rent

50.9%

Home ownership

18.2%

Poverty rate

0.0%

Unemployment

Housing units

12.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

10–14

20–24

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	71	19.6%
18 and over	292	80.4%
65 and over	96	26.4%
Median age	51.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 45.5%

Hispanic or Latino 27.3%

Two or more races 27.3%

Group	Count	%
White	227	45.5%
Hispanic or Latino	136	27.3%
Two or more races	136	27.3%

Household income

Income range	This ZIP	County avg	State avg
Under $50k	76.4%	53.1%	39.5%
$50k – $100k	0.0%	24.9%	30.1%
$100k – $200k	23.6%	18.7%	22.6%
Over $200k	0.0%	3.4%	7.8%

$15k–$25k 31.8%

$35k–$50k 17.3%

$50k–$75k 40.9%

$100k–$150k 10.0%

Range	% of households
$15k–$25k	31.8%
$35k–$50k	17.3%
$50k–$75k	40.9%
$100k–$150k	10.0%
Median income	$50,125

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 100.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$21,600
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	50.9%
Renter occupied	49.1%
Vacant	0.0%
Single-family detached	72.7%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	27.3%
Median rooms	4.9
Avg household size (owned)	3.41

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	17.3%
2000–2009	17.3%
1990–1999	10.0%
1980–1989	0.0%
1970–1979	40.9%
1960–1969	0.0%
1950–1959	0.0%
1940–1949	14.5%
1939 or earlier	0.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.0%
2 bedrooms	34.5%
3 bedrooms	55.5%
4 bedrooms	10.0%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	31.8%
2 vehicles	58.2%
3 or more	10.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	77.3%
Propane / LP gas	22.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	30	27.3%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	35	31.8%
Female householder, no spouse	45	40.9%
Households with children under 18	49	44.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	61	55.5%
Average household size	3.30

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	41.3%	64.8%
Married	25.3%	21.1%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	0.0%	0.0%
Divorced	33.3%	14.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 35.2%

Some HS, no diploma 19.1%

HS graduate 33.2%

Some college, no degree 0.0%

Associate's degree 0.0%

Bachelor's degree 12.6%

Graduate / professional 0.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	45.7%
Bachelor's or higher	12.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	0	0.0%
High school	25	100.0%
College / grad school	0	0.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 54.2%

Transportation & utilities 26.0%

Construction 10.7%

Agriculture & mining 9.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	14.1%
Service	28.2%
Sales & office	11.9%
Natural resources & construction	19.8%
Production & transportation	26.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	64.4%
Government	35.6%
Self-employed	0.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	92.9%
Carpool	0.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	7.1%
Work from home	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.3

Poverty

All people 18.2%

Under 18 years 35.2%

18 and over 14.0%

Married-couple families 63.3%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	55.5%
Retirement income	0.0%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	44.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
Obesity	39.0%
High blood pressure	30.3%
High cholesterol	31.8%
Diabetes	14.6%
Heart disease	5.4%
Stroke	2.5%
Asthma	8.4%
Arthritis	18.2%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	4.2%
Cancer	4.0%

Behavior / access	%
Smoking	15.2%
Binge drinking	17.4%
No physical activity	32.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.3%
Depression	18.8%
Fair or poor health	22.3%
Poor mental health	15.2%
Poor physical health	11.8%
No health insurance	46.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	67.2%
Visited dentist	47.6%
Cholesterol screening	86.4%
Teeth loss	14.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	0	0.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	21.5%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	13.8%
65 and over	53.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	25.3%
Public insurance	57.9%
No insurance	16.8%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	317	87.3%
Spanish	47	14.8%
Other Indo-European	47	14.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	347	95.6%
Born in same state	347	95.6%
Born in different state	322	88.7%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	16	4.4%
Not a US citizen	16	100.0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	30.3%
Internet access	67.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions about ZIP code 78342

What city is ZIP code 78342 in?

ZIP code 78342 is primarily assigned to Ben Bolt, Texas.

What county is ZIP code 78342 in?

ZIP code 78342 falls within Jim Wells County, Texas.

Does ZIP code 78342 have a large retiree population?

56% of households in ZIP code 78342 receive Social Security income, suggesting a significant retiree or disability population.

Does ZIP code 78342 have an older population?

26% of residents in ZIP code 78342 are 65 or older, above the national average of ~17%.

How educated is the population of ZIP code 78342?

13% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher — below the national average of ~33%, consistent with a trades-oriented local economy.

What is the poverty rate in ZIP code 78342?

18% of residents in ZIP code 78342 live below the poverty line, above the national average.

What timezone is ZIP code 78342 in?

ZIP code 78342 observes the CST timezone.