Harlingen ZIP Codes — Cameron County, TX

There are 4 unique ZIP codes in Harlingen, Texas. Area code: 956.

ZIP codes

142.22

sq mi land

1.23

sq mi water

956

area code

Harlingen, TX ZIP code map

About Harlingen, TX

Harlingen, Texas, is a vibrant city located in the southern part of the state. Known as a hub for cross-border trade and cultural exchange, Harlingen offers a unique blend of Texan and Mexican influences. The city's rich heritage is reflected in its architecture, festivals, and diverse community.

Location & geography

Harlingen is situated in Cameron County, within close proximity to other notable cities such as Brownsville, approximately 30 miles to the east, and McAllen, about 15 miles to the west. The city covers a land area of 142.22 square miles and includes a water area of 1.23 square miles, contributing to its scenic landscapes. The terrain primarily consists of flat land, which is characteristic of the Rio Grande Valley region.

Community & economy

The character of Harlingen is shaped by its diverse population and strong community spirit, with a blend of cultures enriching daily life. The city's economy is bolstered by industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and retail, offering a variety of job opportunities. Community events, local markets, and cultural festivals foster a close-knit atmosphere where residents enjoy celebrating their heritage together.

Transportation

Harlingen is served by major highways, including U.S. Highway 77 and U.S. Highway 83, which provide easy access to surrounding areas. The nearest major airport is the Valley International Airport, located within the city limits, facilitating travel for both residents and visitors. Public transit options are available, making it convenient for residents to navigate the city.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Harlingen quickly grew as a center for agriculture and commerce in the region. The city played a crucial role during World War II as a training ground for pilots, which significantly contributed to its development. Over the years, Harlingen has evolved into a key player in trade and tourism in the southern Texas region.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Harlingen is that it has been recognized as one of the best places to retire in the United States due to its affordable cost of living and warm climate. Additionally, the city is home to the annual Harlingen RGV Birding Festival, which attracts birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts from around the country.

ZIP codes for Harlingen, TX (4)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
78550	Harlingen	Cameron	View map
78551	Harlingen	Cameron	View map
78552	Harlingen	Cameron	View map
78553	Harlingen	Cameron	View map

Demographics & statistics

95,265

Population

33.6

Median age

$53,152

Median household income

$24,879

Per capita income

$119,600

Median home value

$910

Median monthly rent

64.0%

Home ownership

23.3%

Poverty rate

4.9%

Unemployment

25,424

Housing units

20.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

3,643

Under 5

3,710

3,953

5–9

4,025

3,961

10–14

4,033

3,672

15–19

3,739

2,557

20–24

2,604

6,779

25–34

6,904

5,472

35–44

5,573

4,964

45–54

5,055

2,432

55–59

2,477

2,434

60–64

2,478

3,988

65–74

4,062

2,438

75–84

2,482

907

85+

923

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	28,266	29.7%
18 and over	66,999	70.4%
65 and over	14,800	15.7%
Median age	33.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 55.2%

Hispanic or Latino 20.7%

Two or more races 15.4%

Other race 5.9%

Black or African American 1.4%

Asian 1.1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	66,306	55.2%
Hispanic or Latino	24,874	20.7%
Two or more races	18,516	15.4%
Other race	7,112	5.9%
Black or African American	1,697	1.4%
Asian	1,297	1.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	244	0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	93	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 5.7%

$10k–$15k 6.6%

$15k–$25k 11.5%

$25k–$35k 10.8%

$35k–$50k 12.1%

$50k–$75k 18.6%

$75k–$100k 13.4%

$100k–$150k 12.7%

$150k–$200k 4.2%

$200k+ 4.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.7%
$10k–$15k	6.6%
$15k–$25k	11.5%
$25k–$35k	10.8%
$35k–$50k	12.1%
$50k–$75k	18.6%
$75k–$100k	13.4%
$100k–$150k	12.7%
$150k–$200k	4.2%
$200k+	4.5%
Median income	$53,152

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 17.3%

$50k–$100k 26.2%

$100k–$150k 18.5%

$150k–$200k 14.6%

$200k–$300k 14.6%

$300k–$500k 7.3%

$500k–$1M 1.3%

$1M+ 0.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$119,600
Median rent / month	$910
Owner occupied	64.0%
Renter occupied	36.1%
Vacant	13.6%
Single-family detached	62.8%
Large apartment buildings	3.5%
Mobile homes	13.7%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.88

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	9.4%
2000–2009	20.8%
1990–1999	17.7%
1980–1989	18.0%
1970–1979	14.9%
1960–1969	6.4%
1950–1959	6.9%
1940–1949	3.0%
1939 or earlier	2.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.4%
1 bedroom	10.5%
2 bedrooms	30.3%
3 bedrooms	41.2%
4 bedrooms	12.8%
5+ bedrooms	2.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.2%
1 vehicle	37.9%
2 vehicles	36.5%
3 or more	19.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	7.4%
Electricity	88.9%
Propane / LP gas	2.5%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	0.7%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	14,719	45.8%
Cohabiting couple	2,211	6.8%
Male householder, no spouse	5,514	16.4%
Female householder, no spouse	10,533	31.1%
Households with children under 18	12,249	37.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	10,424	31.9%
Average household size	2.86

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	39.3%	32.1%
Married	47.6%	43.6%
Separated	2.0%	3.5%
Widowed	2.9%	9.4%
Divorced	8.4%	11.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 11.0%

Some HS, no diploma 10.0%

HS graduate 27.5%

Some college, no degree 21.2%

Associate's degree 9.6%

Bachelor's degree 13.8%

Graduate / professional 7.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	79.0%
Bachelor's or higher	20.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	2,046	7.8%
Kindergarten	1,806	7.3%
Elementary school	12,614	49.0%
High school	5,557	21.1%
College / grad school	3,921	15.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 32.1%

Retail trade 11.3%

Professional & management 9.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.6%

Other services 5.9%

Public administration 5.9%

Construction 5.8%

Transportation & utilities 5.2%

Finance & real estate 5.2%

Manufacturing 4.9%

Agriculture & mining 2.3%

Wholesale trade 1.7%

Information 1.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.8%
Service	25.8%
Sales & office	23.1%
Natural resources & construction	7.8%
Production & transportation	10.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.4%
Government	18.5%
Self-employed	9.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.8%
Carpool	8.3%
Public transit	0.1%
Walk	0.9%
Other means	1.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.7

Poverty

All people 23.3%

Under 18 years 37.9%

18 and over 17.1%

Married-couple families 9.7%

Female-led households 37.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	30.8%
Retirement income	19.9%
Supplemental Security	8.6%
Cash public assistance	2.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	20.0%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.1%
High cholesterol	35.6%
Heart disease	7.6%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	20.8%
Kidney disease	4.0%
Pulmonary disease	7.1%
Cancer	5.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.3%
No physical activity	31.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.8%
Fair or poor health	27.1%
Poor mental health	15.7%
Poor physical health	15.3%
No health insurance	44.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.3%
Visited dentist	49.2%
Cholesterol screening	87.2%
Teeth loss	17.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	4,658	7.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.2%
Under 18	7.7%
18–64 years	12.0%
65 and over	40.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	47.9%
Public insurance	40.0%
Uninsured under 19	15.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	87,912	92.2%
Spanish	13,010	14.5%
Other Indo-European	12,690	14.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	46	0.1%
Other languages	274	0.4%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	81,892	85.9%
Born in same state	80,583	84.6%
Born in different state	68,861	72.3%
Foreign born	1,309	1.3%
Naturalized citizen	13,373	14.1%
Not a US citizen	5,702	43.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	3,448	3.6%
Arab	2,550	2.7%
Italian	2,051	2.2%
German	149	0.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	110	0.1%
English	98	0.1%
Dutch	72	0.1%
Irish	63	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	34.5%
Internet access	89.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Harlingen, TX have?

Harlingen, TX has two ZIP codes: 78550 and 78552. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.