Santa Elena ZIP Code List — Starr County, TX

There is one unique ZIP code in Santa Elena, Texas and it is 78591. Area code: 956.

ZIP codes

175.51

sq mi land

0.17

sq mi water

956

area code

Santa Elena, TX ZIP code map

About Santa Elena, TX

Santa Elena, Texas, is a quaint city located in the southern part of the state. Nestled within Starr County, it offers a small-town atmosphere characterized by friendly locals and a tight-knit community. Known for its picturesque landscapes, Santa Elena serves as a serene escape for visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

Santa Elena is situated near the Rio Grande River, marking the border with Mexico and providing a unique cultural blend. The city is approximately 34 miles from McAllen to the southeast and about 23 miles from Roma to the northeast. The total land area of Santa Elena is 175.51 square miles, with a minimal water area of 0.17 square miles, reflecting its predominantly dry terrain.

Community & economy

The character of Santa Elena is shaped by its rich cultural heritage and agricultural roots, with many residents working in farming and related industries. Daily life in the city revolves around community events, local businesses, and a strong sense of identity among the locals. The close connections among residents create a supportive environment, making it a welcoming place for newcomers.

Transportation

Santa Elena is easily accessible via several key highways, including U.S. Route 83, which runs nearby and connects to larger urban centers. The nearest major airport is McAllen-Miller International Airport, located about 34 miles southeast of the city. Public transportation options are limited, but personal vehicle travel is a common method of getting around.

History

Santa Elena was established around the mid-20th century, developed primarily as an agricultural community. The local economy has historically centered on farming, with a particular focus on crops suited to the temperate climate. Over the years, Santa Elena has maintained its small-town charm while adapting to changes in the surrounding region.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Santa Elena is that its proximity to the Rio Grande not only offers beautiful landscapes but also provides a vital water source for local agriculture. The city is also unique for being one of the few communities in the U.S. that showcases a blend of American and Mexican cultures due to its border location.

ZIP codes for Santa Elena, TX (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
78591	Santa Elena	Starr	View map

Demographics & statistics

270

Population

44.6

Median age

Median household income

$57,007

Per capita income

$256,800

Median home value

Median monthly rent

96.7%

Home ownership

3.3%

Poverty rate

1.9%

Unemployment

242

Housing units

29.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

5–9

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	52	19.3%
18 and over	218	80.7%
65 and over	36	13.3%
Median age	44.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 59.8%

Hispanic or Latino 20.1%

Two or more races 13.9%

Other race 6.2%

Group	Count	%
White	202	59.8%
Hispanic or Latino	68	20.1%
Two or more races	47	13.9%
Other race	21	6.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.1%

$10k–$15k 3.3%

$15k–$25k 14.8%

$25k–$35k 15.6%

$35k–$50k 1.6%

$50k–$75k 3.3%

$75k–$100k 13.1%

$100k–$150k 4.1%

$150k–$200k 4.1%

$200k+ 36.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.1%
$10k–$15k	3.3%
$15k–$25k	14.8%
$25k–$35k	15.6%
$35k–$50k	1.6%
$50k–$75k	3.3%
$75k–$100k	13.1%
$100k–$150k	4.1%
$150k–$200k	4.1%
$200k+	36.1%
Median income	$0

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 15.3%

$50k–$100k 19.5%

$100k–$150k 4.2%

$150k–$200k 3.4%

$200k–$300k 34.7%

$500k–$1M 16.1%

$1M+ 6.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$256,800
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	96.7%
Renter occupied	3.3%
Vacant	50.4%
Single-family detached	86.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	13.4%
Median rooms	5.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.25

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	15.9%
2000–2009	24.4%
1990–1999	10.6%
1980–1989	10.6%
1970–1979	19.1%
1960–1969	1.6%
1950–1959	9.8%
1940–1949	8.1%
1939 or earlier	0.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.4%
1 bedroom	8.9%
2 bedrooms	26.0%
3 bedrooms	50.0%
4 bedrooms	11.8%
5+ bedrooms	0.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.9%
1 vehicle	12.3%
2 vehicles	76.2%
3 or more	6.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	82.8%
No fuel used	17.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	55	45.1%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	42	34.4%
Female householder, no spouse	25	20.5%
Households with children under 18	37	30.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	26	21.3%
Average household size	2.21

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	13.1%	8.0%
Married	51.5%	71.6%
Separated	0.0%	9.1%
Widowed	10.8%	3.4%
Divorced	24.6%	8.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.8%

Some HS, no diploma 0.0%

HS graduate 31.3%

Some college, no degree 32.2%

Associate's degree 4.7%

Bachelor's degree 10.7%

Graduate / professional 18.2%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	97.2%
Bachelor's or higher	29.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	52	91.2%
High school	0	0.0%
College / grad school	5	8.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Retail trade 33.1%

Professional & management 30.5%

Agriculture & mining 11.3%

Education & healthcare 11.3%

Public administration 8.6%

Construction 2.6%

Transportation & utilities 2.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	38.4%
Service	9.9%
Sales & office	33.8%
Natural resources & construction	1.3%
Production & transportation	16.6%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.8%
Government	13.2%
Self-employed	6.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	37.7%
Carpool	58.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	47.0

Poverty

All people 3.3%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 4.1%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.3%
Retirement income	28.7%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	41.5%
High cholesterol	38.0%
Heart disease	9.4%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	8.0%
Arthritis	25.7%
Kidney disease	4.6%
Pulmonary disease	6.6%
Cancer	6.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.4%
No physical activity	36.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	33.3%
Fair or poor health	27.7%
Poor mental health	13.0%
Poor physical health	14.8%
No health insurance	43.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.9%
Visited dentist	47.8%
Cholesterol screening	90.2%
Teeth loss	14.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	8	3.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	20.7%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	23.6%
65 and over	36.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	86.7%
Public insurance	21.9%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	270	100.0%
Spanish	21	7.8%
Other Indo-European	21	7.8%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	250	92.6%
Born in same state	250	92.6%
Born in different state	250	92.6%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	20	7.4%
Not a US citizen	19	95.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	17	6.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	45.2%
Internet access	73.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Santa Elena, TX?

Santa Elena, TX has one ZIP code: 78591.

What is the main ZIP code for Santa Elena, TX?

The primary ZIP code for Santa Elena, TX is 78591. The city uses area code 956 for phone service.

What county is Santa Elena, TX in?

Santa Elena is located in Starr County, Texas.

How many ZIP codes are in Santa Elena, TX?

Santa Elena, TX has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for Santa Elena's main residential area in Starr County?

Santa Elena is served by ZIP code 78591, which covers the city's residential neighborhoods and local businesses in Starr County.

If I'm sending mail to a business located in downtown Santa Elena, what ZIP code should I use?

You should use ZIP code 78591 for any mail addressed to downtown Santa Elena or anywhere else within the city limits.