Karnes City ZIP Codes — Karnes County, TX

There is one unique ZIP code in Karnes City, Texas and it is 78118. Area code: 830.

ZIP codes

191.81

sq mi land

1.15

sq mi water

830

area code

Karnes City, TX ZIP code map

About Karnes City, TX

Karnes City, Texas, is a small but vibrant community located in the heart of Karnes County. With its rich history and strong local character, the city serves as a hub for the surrounding rural areas. Residents enjoy a close-knit atmosphere, fostering both community spirit and local commerce.

Location & geography

Karnes City is situated in South Texas and is approximately 30 miles southeast of San Antonio. The city is surrounded by charming neighboring towns, including Kenedy, which is 10 miles to the northwest, and Hobson, located about 15 miles to the east. The city has a total land area of 191.81 square miles, complemented by a water area of 1.15 square miles, enabling a blend of rural landscapes with local water features.

Community & economy

The character of Karnes City is defined by its welcoming residents and a strong sense of community pride. The local economy is primarily driven by agriculture, oil production, and small businesses, contributing to both employment and cultural enrichment. Daily life in Karnes City involves community events, local markets, and a commitment to preserving the town's historical roots.

Transportation

Karnes City is accessible via several highways, including U.S. Highway 181, which runs north to south through the area. The nearest major airport is San Antonio International Airport, located about 30 miles northwest, providing both commercial and regional flight options. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the most common mode of transportation.

History

Karnes City was founded in the 1880s and quickly became vital due to its proximity to oil-rich lands and fertile farming areas. Historically, the city's economy has been influenced by the discovery of oil, which sparked growth and development in the region. Notable events in Karnes City's history include the establishment of several local businesses that date back over a century, contributing to the town's enduring legacy.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Karnes City is that it hosts an annual 'Karnes County Country Christmas' festival, which celebrates the holiday season with local vendors and entertainment. Additionally, the city is known for its close ties to the oil industry, which has significantly shaped its economic landscape over the years.

ZIP codes for Karnes City, TX (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
78118	Karnes City	Karnes	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,147

Population

39.3

Median age

$61,577

Median household income

$29,630

Per capita income

$110,900

Median home value

$829

Median monthly rent

78.1%

Home ownership

20.4%

Poverty rate

6.7%

Unemployment

1,384

Housing units

15.2%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

141

5–9

135

10–14

159

15–19

105

267

20–24

177

398

25–34

263

324

35–44

214

357

45–54

237

175

55–59

116

175

60–64

116

167

65–74

110

111

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	699	16.9%
18 and over	3,448	83.1%
65 and over	558	13.5%
Median age	39.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 48.8%

Hispanic or Latino 22.3%

Two or more races 18.3%

Other race 6.1%

Black or African American 4.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	2,605	48.8%
Hispanic or Latino	1,187	22.3%
Two or more races	977	18.3%
Other race	327	6.1%
Black or African American	232	4.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	6	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 2.7%

$10k–$15k 2.3%

$15k–$25k 17.5%

$25k–$35k 4.8%

$35k–$50k 9.0%

$50k–$75k 20.0%

$75k–$100k 10.5%

$100k–$150k 12.9%

$150k–$200k 11.1%

$200k+ 9.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.7%
$10k–$15k	2.3%
$15k–$25k	17.5%
$25k–$35k	4.8%
$35k–$50k	9.0%
$50k–$75k	20.0%
$75k–$100k	10.5%
$100k–$150k	12.9%
$150k–$200k	11.1%
$200k+	9.1%
Median income	$61,577

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 25.9%

$50k–$100k 22.7%

$100k–$150k 10.1%

$150k–$200k 14.9%

$200k–$300k 14.9%

$300k–$500k 4.6%

$500k–$1M 5.6%

$1M+ 1.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$110,900
Median rent / month	$829
Owner occupied	78.1%
Renter occupied	21.9%
Vacant	27.0%
Single-family detached	71.6%
Large apartment buildings	2.4%
Mobile homes	17.0%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.55

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	17.2%
2000–2009	7.6%
1990–1999	7.8%
1980–1989	11.2%
1970–1979	17.7%
1960–1969	10.4%
1950–1959	7.9%
1940–1949	6.9%
1939 or earlier	13.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.1%
1 bedroom	15.3%
2 bedrooms	17.2%
3 bedrooms	48.2%
4 bedrooms	11.8%
5+ bedrooms	4.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.7%
1 vehicle	33.4%
2 vehicles	34.5%
3 or more	27.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	17.0%
Electricity	74.6%
Propane / LP gas	7.0%
Fuel oil	1.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	578	48.0%
Cohabiting couple	78	6.5%
Male householder, no spouse	326	27.1%
Female householder, no spouse	221	18.4%
Households with children under 18	305	25.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	361	30.0%
Average household size	2.45

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	49.8%	32.6%
Married	32.0%	45.2%
Separated	5.7%	3.3%
Widowed	4.3%	9.1%
Divorced	8.1%	9.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 13.3%

Some HS, no diploma 16.9%

HS graduate 33.9%

Some college, no degree 16.1%

Associate's degree 4.6%

Bachelor's degree 11.8%

Graduate / professional 3.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	69.8%
Bachelor's or higher	15.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	61	8.3%
Elementary school	351	47.8%
High school	284	38.7%
College / grad school	38	5.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.2%

Retail trade 16.6%

Agriculture & mining 13.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.4%

Public administration 7.9%

Manufacturing 7.2%

Professional & management 6.4%

Information 5.9%

Transportation & utilities 5.3%

Construction 5.2%

Finance & real estate 2.9%

Other services 0.9%

Wholesale trade 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.7%
Service	21.9%
Sales & office	20.0%
Natural resources & construction	14.5%
Production & transportation	16.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.8%
Government	21.8%
Self-employed	6.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	77.5%
Carpool	15.8%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.8%
Other means	0.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	22.3

Poverty

All people 20.4%

Under 18 years 22.1%

18 and over 20.0%

Married-couple families 1.9%

Female-led households 47.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.6%
Retirement income	22.1%
Supplemental Security	3.4%
Cash public assistance	1.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.1%
High cholesterol	36.3%
Heart disease	8.1%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	8.8%
Arthritis	24.6%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	7.7%
Cancer	6.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.5%
No physical activity	32.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.7%
Fair or poor health	23.8%
Poor mental health	15.0%
Poor physical health	13.7%
No health insurance	39.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.8%
Visited dentist	47.6%
Cholesterol screening	87.6%
Teeth loss	19.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	271	7.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.8%
Under 18	1.7%
18–64 years	17.8%
65 and over	38.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	60.1%
Public insurance	23.7%
Uninsured under 19	15.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,099	98.8%
Spanish	762	18.6%
Other Indo-European	706	17.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	24	0.6%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,373	81.3%
Born in same state	3,362	81.1%
Born in different state	2,961	71.4%
Foreign born	11	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	774	18.7%
Not a US citizen	124	16.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	200	4.8%
Arab	146	3.5%
French	105	2.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	47	1.1%
German	6	0.1%
Irish	2	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	29.0%
Internet access	89.3%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Karnes City, TX have?

Karnes City, TX has one ZIP code: 78118. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.