San Benito ZIP Codes — Cameron County, TX

There is one unique ZIP code in San Benito, Texas and it is 78586. Area code: 956.

ZIP codes

152.51

sq mi land

7.27

sq mi water

956

area code

San Benito, TX ZIP code map

About San Benito, TX

San Benito, Texas, is a vibrant city located in the southern region of the state. Known for its rich cultural heritage and access to beautiful natural surroundings, it serves as an inviting community for residents and visitors alike. With a unique blend of tradition and modern amenities, San Benito is a place that values its history while looking towards the future.

Location & geography

San Benito is situated in Cameron County, Texas, approximately 27 miles northwest of Brownsville and around 15 miles east of Harlingen. The city covers a substantial land area of 152.51 square miles, with additional water area measuring 7.27 square miles, making it a diverse region with both urban and natural landscapes. Its location offers residents easy access to nearby attractions and highlights the area's mixture of agricultural lands and developed infrastructure.

Community & economy

The character of San Benito is deeply ingrained in its local culture, which emphasizes community spirit and heritage. Predominantly a hub for agriculture and trade, industries in San Benito contribute to the economy, providing jobs and supporting local commerce. Residents enjoy a variety of recreational activities, community events, and cultural celebrations that foster a strong sense of belonging.

Transportation

San Benito is accessible via several key highways, including U.S. Highway 77 and Texas State Highway 345, facilitating ease of travel to and from nearby cities. The nearest named airport is Valley International Airport, located in Harlingen, which is only a short drive away and provides commercial flights to various destinations. Public transit options are limited, but local services connect residents to essential amenities within the city.

History

San Benito was founded in the early 1900s and initially served as an agricultural center, heavily influenced by the development of irrigation systems. The city's growth has been marked by its involvement in the citrus industry, which played a key role in its economic development. Over the years, San Benito has embraced its rich cultural heritage, becoming known for its annual events and celebrations that showcase its history.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about San Benito is that it is home to the famous Los Fresnos Cabbage Festival, celebrating the local agriculture and community spirit each year. Additionally, San Benito has a rich musical history as the birthplace of the renowned Tejano singer, Freddie Fender.

ZIP codes for San Benito, TX (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
78586	San Benito	Cameron	View map

Demographics & statistics

49,504

Population

30.2

Median age

$42,515

Median household income

$18,317

Per capita income

$75,800

Median home value

$812

Median monthly rent

76.7%

Home ownership

25.6%

Poverty rate

4.3%

Unemployment

12,915

Housing units

12.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,777

Under 5

1,821

2,039

5–9

2,089

2,272

10–14

2,327

2,484

15–19

2,546

2,170

20–24

2,223

2,660

25–34

2,725

2,647

35–44

2,713

2,889

45–54

2,960

1,231

55–59

1,261

972

60–64

995

1,919

65–74

1,966

903

75–84

925

489

85+

501

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	15,223	30.8%
18 and over	34,281	69.2%
65 and over	6,703	13.5%
Median age	30.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 42.5%

Hispanic or Latino 28.6%

Two or more races 23.5%

Other race 5.2%

Black or African American 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	29,454	42.5%
Hispanic or Latino	19,805	28.6%
Two or more races	16,310	23.5%
Other race	3,609	5.2%
Black or African American	63	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 7.2%

$10k–$15k 4.7%

$15k–$25k 18.5%

$25k–$35k 12.3%

$35k–$50k 14.8%

$50k–$75k 18.4%

$75k–$100k 9.3%

$100k–$150k 9.3%

$150k–$200k 2.7%

$200k+ 2.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.2%
$10k–$15k	4.7%
$15k–$25k	18.5%
$25k–$35k	12.3%
$35k–$50k	14.8%
$50k–$75k	18.4%
$75k–$100k	9.3%
$100k–$150k	9.3%
$150k–$200k	2.7%
$200k+	2.8%
Median income	$42,515

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 29.7%

$50k–$100k 33.3%

$100k–$150k 16.0%

$150k–$200k 8.3%

$200k–$300k 7.1%

$300k–$500k 3.9%

$500k–$1M 1.5%

$1M+ 0.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$75,800
Median rent / month	$812
Owner occupied	76.7%
Renter occupied	23.3%
Vacant	10.1%
Single-family detached	70.5%
Large apartment buildings	2.6%
Mobile homes	18.3%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	3.44

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	14.7%
2000–2009	22.0%
1990–1999	14.5%
1980–1989	13.5%
1970–1979	15.9%
1960–1969	5.8%
1950–1959	7.1%
1940–1949	3.1%
1939 or earlier	2.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.5%
1 bedroom	9.5%
2 bedrooms	30.1%
3 bedrooms	41.5%
4 bedrooms	13.9%
5+ bedrooms	3.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	5.5%
1 vehicle	35.6%
2 vehicles	34.4%
3 or more	24.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	6.2%
Electricity	90.4%
Propane / LP gas	3.0%
Wood	0.1%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	7,671	52.2%
Cohabiting couple	507	3.5%
Male householder, no spouse	2,636	17.9%
Female householder, no spouse	3,876	26.4%
Households with children under 18	6,389	43.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,877	33.2%
Average household size	3.35

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.2%	31.0%
Married	52.4%	49.0%
Separated	3.0%	4.2%
Widowed	3.7%	7.2%
Divorced	7.7%	8.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 21.3%

Some HS, no diploma 13.6%

HS graduate 28.0%

Some college, no degree 17.9%

Associate's degree 6.7%

Bachelor's degree 8.0%

Graduate / professional 4.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	65.1%
Bachelor's or higher	12.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	998	6.7%
Kindergarten	863	5.8%
Elementary school	6,894	46.0%
High school	3,535	23.6%
College / grad school	2,701	18.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 31.3%

Retail trade 12.8%

Construction 10.6%

Professional & management 8.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.3%

Manufacturing 6.8%

Transportation & utilities 5.9%

Other services 4.3%

Public administration 4.3%

Finance & real estate 2.8%

Agriculture & mining 2.4%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Information 0.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.9%
Service	27.4%
Sales & office	15.9%
Natural resources & construction	15.2%
Production & transportation	15.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.9%
Government	14.7%
Self-employed	11.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.3%
Carpool	9.5%
Public transit	0.3%
Walk	0.6%
Other means	2.1%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.9

Poverty

All people 25.6%

Under 18 years 38.2%

18 and over 20.1%

Married-couple families 19.7%

Female-led households 32.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	33.2%
Retirement income	18.9%
Supplemental Security	8.6%
Cash public assistance	3.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	29.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.4%
High cholesterol	33.8%
Heart disease	6.9%
Stroke	3.6%
Asthma	8.8%
Arthritis	18.6%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	6.4%
Cancer	4.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.5%
No physical activity	35.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.9%
Fair or poor health	30.3%
Poor mental health	16.8%
Poor physical health	16.1%
No health insurance	51.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	69.7%
Visited dentist	44.4%
Cholesterol screening	85.0%
Teeth loss	17.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,231	3.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	12.9%
Under 18	4.3%
18–64 years	11.5%
65 and over	38.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	35.2%
Public insurance	42.4%
Uninsured under 19	15.2%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	45,906	92.7%
Spanish	11,389	24.8%
Other Indo-European	11,357	24.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	32	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	38,694	78.2%
Born in same state	38,294	77.4%
Born in different state	35,052	70.8%
Foreign born	400	0.8%
Naturalized citizen	10,810	21.8%
Not a US citizen	3,881	35.9%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	528	1.1%
French	463	0.9%
Italian	316	0.6%
Polish	92	0.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	41	0.1%
Irish	11	0%
German	7	0%
Norwegian	5	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	29.7%
Internet access	84.7%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does San Benito, TX have?

San Benito, TX has one ZIP code: 78586. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.