Port Lavaca ZIP Code List — Calhoun County, TX

There is one unique ZIP code in Port Lavaca, Texas and it is 77979. Area code: 361.

ZIP codes

340.46

sq mi land

147.80

sq mi water

361

area code

Port Lavaca, TX ZIP code map

About Port Lavaca, TX

Port Lavaca, Texas, is a charming coastal city located in Calhoun County. Known for its rich maritime history and beautiful waterfront, it offers a unique blend of culture and outdoor activities. The city is an important hub for fishing, shipping, and tourism in the region.

Location & geography

Port Lavaca sits along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 30 miles northeast of Victoria, Texas, and about 60 miles southwest of Houston. The city has a total land area of 340.46 square miles, supplemented by a significant water area of 147.80 square miles. The surrounding landscape features a combination of beautiful beaches, wetlands, and coastal prairies.

Community & economy

The character of Port Lavaca is defined by its strong maritime heritage and friendly community atmosphere. The local economy is heavily influenced by fishing, agriculture, and shipping industries, which provide many job opportunities for residents. Daily life in Port Lavaca includes a mix of community events, outdoor recreational activities, and cultural celebrations.

Transportation

Port Lavaca is accessible via major highways, including U.S. Highway 87 and State Highway 35, which connect the city to neighboring communities and cities. The nearest named airport is the Victoria Regional Airport, located approximately 30 miles away. Public transportation options are limited, but local services are available for residents.

History

Founded in the 19th century, Port Lavaca has a rich history tied to the maritime industry and has been a port city since its inception. The location became an essential center for shipping and trade, especially during the booming fishing and oyster industries. Over the years, significant events, such as the establishment of the Port Lavaca State Aquarium, have further enhanced its appeal as a tourist destination.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Port Lavaca is that it is named after the Spanish phrase 'Puerto Lavaca,' which means 'cow harbor.' Additionally, the city boasts a beautiful lighthouse, the Point Bolivar Lighthouse, which is a significant landmark overlooking the coastal waters.

ZIP codes for Port Lavaca, TX (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
77979	Port Lavaca	Calhoun	View map

Demographics & statistics

16,607

Population

37.4

Median age

$60,782

Median household income

$32,351

Per capita income

$123,500

Median home value

$944

Median monthly rent

74.6%

Home ownership

9.8%

Poverty rate

3.3%

Unemployment

6,124

Housing units

16.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

518

Under 5

508

641

5–9

628

496

10–14

486

580

15–19

568

541

20–24

529

1,096

25–34

1,074

945

35–44

926

995

45–54

974

662

55–59

649

487

60–64

476

833

65–74

815

369

75–84

361

227

85+

223

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	4,058	24.4%
18 and over	12,549	75.6%
65 and over	2,828	17.0%
Median age	37.4 years

Race & ethnicity

White 55.5%

Hispanic or Latino 17.9%

Two or more races 15.5%

Other race 4.3%

Asian 3.7%

Black or African American 2.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	11,225	55.5%
Hispanic or Latino	3,624	17.9%
Two or more races	3,131	15.5%
Other race	865	4.3%
Asian	750	3.7%
Black or African American	578	2.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	58	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 3.2%

$10k–$15k 5.9%

$15k–$25k 4.7%

$25k–$35k 8.4%

$35k–$50k 15.1%

$50k–$75k 24.0%

$75k–$100k 12.7%

$100k–$150k 14.9%

$150k–$200k 4.9%

$200k+ 6.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.2%
$10k–$15k	5.9%
$15k–$25k	4.7%
$25k–$35k	8.4%
$35k–$50k	15.1%
$50k–$75k	24.0%
$75k–$100k	12.7%
$100k–$150k	14.9%
$150k–$200k	4.9%
$200k+	6.2%
Median income	$60,782

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.5%

$50k–$100k 21.2%

$100k–$150k 28.7%

$150k–$200k 14.6%

$200k–$300k 13.3%

$300k–$500k 9.6%

$500k–$1M 0.7%

$1M+ 0.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$123,500
Median rent / month	$944
Owner occupied	74.6%
Renter occupied	25.4%
Vacant	16.3%
Single-family detached	73.9%
Large apartment buildings	4.4%
Mobile homes	10.3%
Median rooms	5.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.60

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	9.4%
2000–2009	8.7%
1990–1999	8.8%
1980–1989	11.1%
1970–1979	14.6%
1960–1969	18.9%
1950–1959	22.8%
1940–1949	4.2%
1939 or earlier	1.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.3%
1 bedroom	6.2%
2 bedrooms	22.8%
3 bedrooms	55.8%
4 bedrooms	12.4%
5+ bedrooms	0.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.2%
1 vehicle	29.9%
2 vehicles	46.3%
3 or more	18.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	28.3%
Electricity	61.5%
Propane / LP gas	8.0%
Wood	0.2%
No fuel used	2.0%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	3,396	52.2%
Cohabiting couple	454	7.0%
Male householder, no spouse	1,212	18.6%
Female householder, no spouse	1,446	22.2%
Households with children under 18	2,070	31.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,938	29.8%
Average household size	2.51

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.6%	25.3%
Married	60.2%	52.9%
Separated	1.1%	3.9%
Widowed	3.0%	7.7%
Divorced	10.1%	10.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.7%

Some HS, no diploma 8.9%

HS graduate 34.0%

Some college, no degree 24.2%

Associate's degree 9.4%

Bachelor's degree 10.2%

Graduate / professional 6.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	84.4%
Bachelor's or higher	16.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	160	4.2%
Kindergarten	342	9.0%
Elementary school	1,704	44.7%
High school	977	25.6%
College / grad school	633	16.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Manufacturing 25.4%

Education & healthcare 22.0%

Retail trade 9.8%

Construction 9.0%

Professional & management 7.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 6.0%

Public administration 5.3%

Other services 5.2%

Agriculture & mining 3.3%

Finance & real estate 3.1%

Transportation & utilities 2.2%

Wholesale trade 1.0%

Information 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.9%
Service	15.1%
Sales & office	17.2%
Natural resources & construction	16.9%
Production & transportation	18.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.5%
Government	19.6%
Self-employed	1.7%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.8%
Carpool	12.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.3%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.3

Poverty

All people 9.8%

Under 18 years 12.6%

18 and over 8.9%

Married-couple families 3.0%

Female-led households 18.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	26.3%
Retirement income	22.3%
Supplemental Security	8.2%
Cash public assistance	5.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.2%
High cholesterol	34.9%
Heart disease	7.3%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	9.0%
Arthritis	23.5%
Kidney disease	3.4%
Pulmonary disease	7.3%
Cancer	5.9%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.1%
No physical activity	30.9%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.0%
Fair or poor health	21.8%
Poor mental health	15.6%
Poor physical health	13.0%
No health insurance	35.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.6%
Visited dentist	46.8%
Cholesterol screening	87.8%
Teeth loss	17.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,061	8.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	19.0%
Under 18	8.0%
18–64 years	15.1%
65 and over	50.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	71.3%
Public insurance	34.9%
Uninsured under 19	7.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	15,581	93.8%
Spanish	1,581	10.1%
Other Indo-European	1,180	7.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	401	2.6%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	14,787	89.0%
Born in same state	14,641	88.2%
Born in different state	13,217	79.6%
Foreign born	146	0.9%
Naturalized citizen	1,820	11.0%
Not a US citizen	923	50.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	684	4.1%
Italian	630	3.8%
French	358	2.2%
Polish	18	0.1%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	17	0.1%
Dutch	17	0.1%
German	5	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.2%
Internet access	90.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Port Lavaca, TX?

Port Lavaca, TX has one ZIP code: 77979.

What is the main ZIP code for Port Lavaca, TX?

The primary ZIP code for Port Lavaca, TX is 77979. The city uses area code 361 for phone service.

What county is Port Lavaca, TX in?

Port Lavaca is located in Calhoun County, Texas.

How many ZIP codes are in Port Lavaca, TX?

Port Lavaca, TX has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code covers the downtown Port Lavaca waterfront area along Lavaca Bay?

The downtown Port Lavaca waterfront area, including the bay front and historic downtown district, is located in ZIP code 77979.

What is the ZIP code for Port Lavaca's commercial shipping port and industrial waterfront facilities?

Port Lavaca's major shipping port and associated industrial waterfront facilities are situated in ZIP code 77979, which encompasses the entire city.