South Padre Island ZIP Codes — Cameron County, TX

There is one unique ZIP code in South Padre Island, Texas and it is 78597. Area code: 956.

ZIP codes

8.84

sq mi land

124.47

sq mi water

956

area code

South Padre Island, TX ZIP code map

About South Padre Island, TX

South Padre Island, Texas, is a popular tourist destination located on the southernmost tip of the state. Known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife, the city attracts thousands of visitors each year. With its unique blend of natural beauty and recreational activities, South Padre Island offers a truly distinctive coastal experience.

Location & geography

South Padre Island is situated in Cameron County, Texas, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the east. It is approximately 30 miles from Brownsville, a major neighboring city to the west, while Harlingen lies about 40 miles northwest. The city features a land area of 8.84 square miles and is surrounded by a significant water area measuring 124.47 square miles, reflecting its coastal environment.

Community & economy

The character of South Padre Island is vibrant and laid-back, attracting a diverse mix of both locals and tourists. The economy is heavily reliant on tourism, with many industries focused on hospitality, recreation, and retail. Daily life on the island revolves around its stunning beaches, water sports, and community events that embrace its rich culture.

Transportation

South Padre Island is easily accessible via State Highway 100, which connects the island to the mainland and nearby cities. The nearest major airport is Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, located approximately 30 miles away. Public transportation options include buses and shuttles that serve the island and surrounding areas.

History

South Padre Island was officially established in the early 20th century, with its development primarily emerging from the growing tourism industry. Over the years, the island has become a popular vacation spot, particularly known for its family-friendly atmosphere and nature-focused activities. Significant events, such as beach festivals and wildlife conservation efforts, have shaped its identity and community engagement.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about South Padre Island is that it is home to the annual South Padre Island Beach and Bike Fest, a popular event that celebrates biking culture along the beautiful coastline. The island also serves as a nesting ground for endangered sea turtles, highlighting its commitment to environmental preservation.

ZIP codes for South Padre Island, TX (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
78597	South Padre Island	Cameron	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,386

Population

58.5

Median age

$62,557

Median household income

$52,745

Per capita income

$389,400

Median home value

$1,361

Median monthly rent

71.2%

Home ownership

14.4%

Poverty rate

3.4%

Unemployment

5,699

Housing units

53.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

108

20–24

25–34

35–44

152

45–54

113

289

55–59

214

185

60–64

137

262

65–74

193

126

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	228	9.6%
18 and over	2,158	90.4%
65 and over	674	28.2%
Median age	58.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 67.4%

Hispanic or Latino 12.4%

Two or more races 6.7%

Other race 5.7%

Black or African American 4.5%

Asian 3.3%

Group	Count	%
White	1,836	67.4%
Hispanic or Latino	337	12.4%
Two or more races	183	6.7%
Other race	154	5.7%
Black or African American	122	4.5%
Asian	91	3.3%

Household income

Under $10k 5.8%

$15k–$25k 9.5%

$25k–$35k 3.8%

$35k–$50k 10.6%

$50k–$75k 29.0%

$75k–$100k 14.3%

$100k–$150k 11.4%

$150k–$200k 2.0%

$200k+ 13.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.8%
$15k–$25k	9.5%
$25k–$35k	3.8%
$35k–$50k	10.6%
$50k–$75k	29.0%
$75k–$100k	14.3%
$100k–$150k	11.4%
$150k–$200k	2.0%
$200k+	13.7%
Median income	$62,557

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 3.1%

$150k–$200k 14.1%

$200k–$300k 9.8%

$300k–$500k 42.4%

$500k–$1M 29.0%

$1M+ 1.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$389,400
Median rent / month	$1,361
Owner occupied	71.2%
Renter occupied	28.8%
Vacant	79.6%
Single-family detached	13.2%
Large apartment buildings	62.3%
Mobile homes	0.3%
Median rooms	4.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.07

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.7%
2000–2009	13.6%
1990–1999	5.4%
1980–1989	50.5%
1970–1979	22.8%
1960–1969	2.0%
1950–1959	2.0%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	0.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	4.8%
1 bedroom	10.6%
2 bedrooms	40.0%
3 bedrooms	35.0%
4 bedrooms	9.5%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.1%
1 vehicle	55.2%
2 vehicles	34.6%
3 or more	6.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.9%
Electricity	96.9%
No fuel used	1.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	555	45.0%
Cohabiting couple	25	2.0%
Male householder, no spouse	439	35.6%
Female householder, no spouse	214	17.4%
Households with children under 18	154	12.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	512	41.5%
Average household size	1.93

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	35.3%	10.9%
Married	56.1%	53.0%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	2.2%	15.5%
Divorced	6.4%	20.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.2%

Some HS, no diploma 3.2%

HS graduate 4.8%

Some college, no degree 26.2%

Associate's degree 6.8%

Bachelor's degree 31.4%

Graduate / professional 22.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	91.6%
Bachelor's or higher	53.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	38	14.6%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	40	15.3%
High school	59	22.6%
College / grad school	124	47.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Arts, food & hospitality 25.5%

Professional & management 19.9%

Education & healthcare 18.1%

Finance & real estate 9.7%

Retail trade 7.3%

Transportation & utilities 6.1%

Other services 5.3%

Public administration 3.4%

Construction 2.6%

Manufacturing 1.2%

Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	58.9%
Service	20.5%
Sales & office	12.9%
Natural resources & construction	2.9%
Production & transportation	4.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	81.3%
Government	8.4%
Self-employed	10.3%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	58.5%
Carpool	1.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	15.9%
Other means	4.2%
Avg commute (minutes)	14.6

Poverty

All people 14.4%

Under 18 years 42.6%

18 and over 11.9%

Married-couple families 11.0%

Female-led households 24.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	38.5%
Retirement income	22.5%
Supplemental Security	1.2%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	1.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.1%
High cholesterol	40.2%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	7.7%
Arthritis	23.4%
Kidney disease	3.3%
Pulmonary disease	6.3%
Cancer	8.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	16.4%
No physical activity	17.8%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.6%
Fair or poor health	14.8%
Poor mental health	11.9%
Poor physical health	10.9%
No health insurance	20.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	75.3%
Visited dentist	68.9%
Cholesterol screening	94.0%
Teeth loss	7.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	122	5.7%

Disability	%
Any disability	7.7%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	6.6%
65 and over	12.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	65.8%
Public insurance	34.9%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,272	95.2%
Spanish	116	5.1%
Other Indo-European	116	5.1%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,103	88.1%
Born in same state	2,033	85.2%
Born in different state	774	32.4%
Foreign born	70	2.9%
Naturalized citizen	283	11.9%
Not a US citizen	200	70.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	476	19.9%
Italian	140	5.9%
Arab	117	4.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	40	1.7%
Dutch	10	0.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	51.7%
Internet access	95.0%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does South Padre Island, TX have?

South Padre Island, TX has one ZIP code: 78597. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.