Port Isabel ZIP Codes — Cameron County, TX

There is one unique ZIP code in Port Isabel, Texas and it is 78578. Area code: 956.

ZIP codes

56.95

sq mi land

22.02

sq mi water

956

area code

Port Isabel, TX ZIP code map

About Port Isabel, TX

Port Isabel, Texas, is a charming coastal city located in Cameron County. Renowned for its vibrant culture and rich history, this picturesque locale offers stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors and residents alike enjoy a serene atmosphere paired with access to various recreational activities.

Location & geography

Port Isabel is situated in the southernmost part of Texas, near the Mexican border. It is approximately 15 miles from Brownsville and 30 miles away from Harlingen, making it easily accessible to regional amenities. The city encompasses a total land area of 56.95 square miles and features a beautiful water area of 22.02 square miles.

Community & economy

The community of Port Isabel is characterized by its friendly residents and strong ties to its maritime heritage. The economy here benefits from tourism, fishing, and various service industries, which together create a vibrant daily life for its inhabitants. Local events often showcase the city's culture and foster a strong community spirit.

Transportation

Port Isabel is accessible via State Highway 100, connecting residents and visitors to surrounding areas. The nearest airport is Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport, located roughly 20 miles away for those traveling by air.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Port Isabel originally served as a vital port for trade and shipping. Over the years, it has developed a reputation for its fishing industry, attracting anglers and tourists alike. Notable events in its history include the construction of the Port Isabel Lighthouse, which remains a cherished landmark.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Port Isabel is that it is home to the only lighthouse on the Texas coast that is open to the public. The city also features a rich selection of historical sites that celebrate its role in maritime trade.

ZIP codes for Port Isabel, TX (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
78578	Port Isabel	Cameron	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,540

Population

44.1

Median age

$49,396

Median household income

$30,974

Per capita income

$184,100

Median home value

$636

Median monthly rent

69.9%

Home ownership

24.1%

Poverty rate

1.8%

Unemployment

5,137

Housing units

21.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

406

Under 5

430

330

5–9

348

318

10–14

336

251

15–19

265

193

20–24

203

561

25–34

593

611

35–44

645

495

45–54

524

253

55–59

268

421

60–64

445

690

65–74

729

482

75–84

509

114

85+

120

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	2,535	24.1%
18 and over	8,005	75.9%
65 and over	2,644	25.1%
Median age	44.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 77.5%

Hispanic or Latino 10.8%

Two or more races 8.3%

Other race 3%

Asian 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	9,153	77.5%
Hispanic or Latino	1,270	10.8%
Two or more races	985	8.3%
Other race	351	3%
Asian	40	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	11	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 13.4%

$10k–$15k 5.0%

$15k–$25k 10.2%

$25k–$35k 10.6%

$35k–$50k 11.3%

$50k–$75k 17.4%

$75k–$100k 10.8%

$100k–$150k 8.3%

$150k–$200k 6.7%

$200k+ 6.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	13.4%
$10k–$15k	5.0%
$15k–$25k	10.2%
$25k–$35k	10.6%
$35k–$50k	11.3%
$50k–$75k	17.4%
$75k–$100k	10.8%
$100k–$150k	8.3%
$150k–$200k	6.7%
$200k+	6.3%
Median income	$49,396

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 6.4%

$50k–$100k 16.3%

$100k–$150k 17.6%

$150k–$200k 15.2%

$200k–$300k 16.1%

$300k–$500k 20.3%

$500k–$1M 6.3%

$1M+ 1.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$184,100
Median rent / month	$636
Owner occupied	69.9%
Renter occupied	30.1%
Vacant	35.4%
Single-family detached	43.5%
Large apartment buildings	5.6%
Mobile homes	27.3%
Median rooms	4.7
Avg household size (owned)	2.50

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.6%
2010–2019	15.1%
2000–2009	17.9%
1990–1999	18.9%
1980–1989	18.7%
1970–1979	17.0%
1960–1969	6.0%
1950–1959	4.6%
1940–1949	1.1%
1939 or earlier	0.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.7%
1 bedroom	14.8%
2 bedrooms	39.3%
3 bedrooms	37.4%
4 bedrooms	6.3%
5+ bedrooms	0.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	3.3%
1 vehicle	56.0%
2 vehicles	32.7%
3 or more	8.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.8%
Electricity	91.1%
Propane / LP gas	3.0%
No fuel used	1.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,128	51.7%
Cohabiting couple	26	0.6%
Male householder, no spouse	742	18.0%
Female householder, no spouse	1,223	29.7%
Households with children under 18	1,193	29.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,855	45.0%
Average household size	2.56

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	21.1%	19.0%
Married	64.8%	56.7%
Separated	0.6%	3.2%
Widowed	5.2%	12.7%
Divorced	8.4%	8.4%

Education

Less than 9th grade 13.2%

Some HS, no diploma 6.2%

HS graduate 33.7%

Some college, no degree 19.0%

Associate's degree 6.2%

Bachelor's degree 12.9%

Graduate / professional 8.7%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	80.6%
Bachelor's or higher	21.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	50	2.5%
Kindergarten	154	7.6%
Elementary school	1,022	50.7%
High school	527	26.2%
College / grad school	261	13.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 20.2%

Retail trade 11.0%

Professional & management 10.0%

Finance & real estate 7.4%

Public administration 6.1%

Transportation & utilities 6.0%

Other services 5.3%

Manufacturing 4.7%

Construction 4.5%

Agriculture & mining 1.2%

Wholesale trade 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.1%
Service	22.1%
Sales & office	21.9%
Natural resources & construction	8.5%
Production & transportation	9.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	67.5%
Government	23.4%
Self-employed	9.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	85.9%
Carpool	4.1%
Public transit	1.1%
Walk	0.8%
Other means	1.8%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.7

Poverty

All people 24.1%

Under 18 years 34.8%

18 and over 20.7%

Married-couple families 12.5%

Female-led households 50.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.4%
Retirement income	22.9%
Supplemental Security	3.4%
Cash public assistance	1.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.0%
High cholesterol	37.2%
Heart disease	7.7%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	21.7%
Kidney disease	3.8%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	6.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.4%
No physical activity	29.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.2%
Fair or poor health	25.2%
Poor mental health	15.5%
Poor physical health	14.7%
No health insurance	42.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.7%
Visited dentist	51.3%
Cholesterol screening	87.5%
Teeth loss	13.9%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	561	7.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.1%
Under 18	1.1%
18–64 years	7.9%
65 and over	23.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	36.1%
Public insurance	39.5%
Uninsured under 19	43.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	9,704	92.1%
Spanish	1,793	18.5%
Other Indo-European	1,743	18.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	28	0.3%
Other languages	22	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	8,567	81.3%
Born in same state	8,545	81.1%
Born in different state	6,094	57.8%
Foreign born	22	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	1,973	18.7%
Not a US citizen	556	28.2%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	1,297	12.3%
Italian	327	3.1%
Arab	173	1.6%
Polish	118	1.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	51	0.5%
English	25	0.2%
Irish	9	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.1%
Internet access	93.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Port Isabel, TX have?

Port Isabel, TX has one ZIP code: 78578. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.