Terlingua ZIP Codes — Brewster County, TX

There is one unique ZIP code in Terlingua, Texas and it is 79852. Area code: 432.

ZIP codes

453.41

sq mi land

0.32

sq mi water

432

area code

Terlingua, TX ZIP code map

About Terlingua, TX

Terlingua, Texas, is an unincorporated community located in Brewster County. This unique area is known for its stunning desert landscapes and proximity to Big Bend National Park. Terlingua maintains a distinct charm, attracting visitors with its rich history and vibrant arts scene.

Location & geography

Situated in the southwestern part of Texas, Terlingua is surrounded by dramatic geological formations and beautiful desert scenery. The nearest cities include Study Butte, located just 6 miles to the northeast, and Alpine, approximately 26 miles to the northwest. The land area covers 453.41 square miles, with a water area of 0.32 square miles, highlighting the arid environment characteristic of the region.

Community & economy

The character of Terlingua is shaped by its artistic community and outdoor lifestyle. Predominantly a tourism-driven economy, it caters to visitors drawn to the nearby natural attractions and historical sites. Daily life in Terlingua is characterized by a close-knit atmosphere, with festivals and events reflecting its unique culture.

Transportation

Highway 118 is the primary route that connects Terlingua to neighboring areas, facilitating access to the vast landscapes of West Texas. The nearest named airport is in Alpine, which offers regional flights, making it accessible for travelers. Public transportation options are limited, emphasizing the area's rural character.

History

Founded in the late 19th century, Terlingua was originally a mining town, particularly known for its mercury mines. Over the years, the decline of mining shifted the local economy towards tourism, with notable events like the annual Terlingua Chili Cook-Off showcasing the community's heritage. This transformation has established Terlingua as a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and cultural explorers.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Terlingua is its ghost town, which attracts visitors interested in experiencing the remnants of its mining past. Additionally, the community is famed for its annual chili cook-off, which draws competitors and food lovers from across the country.

ZIP codes for Terlingua, TX (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
79852	Terlingua	Brewster	View map

Demographics & statistics

531

Population

61.7

Median age

$43,112

Median household income

$26,095

Per capita income

$121,400

Median home value

$779

Median monthly rent

69.3%

Home ownership

7.3%

Poverty rate

4.3%

Unemployment

312

Housing units

22.9%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

10–14

15–19

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	90	16.9%
18 and over	441	83.1%
65 and over	212	39.9%
Median age	61.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 57.3%

Two or more races 21.7%

Hispanic or Latino 21%

Group	Count	%
White	385	57.3%
Two or more races	146	21.7%
Hispanic or Latino	141	21%

Household income

Under $10k 6.3%

$10k–$15k 9.1%

$15k–$25k 14.6%

$25k–$35k 9.1%

$35k–$50k 31.5%

$50k–$75k 9.4%

$75k–$100k 16.5%

$150k–$200k 3.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	6.3%
$10k–$15k	9.1%
$15k–$25k	14.6%
$25k–$35k	9.1%
$35k–$50k	31.5%
$50k–$75k	9.4%
$75k–$100k	16.5%
$150k–$200k	3.5%
Median income	$43,112

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 18.8%

$50k–$100k 4.5%

$100k–$150k 31.3%

$150k–$200k 23.3%

$200k–$300k 19.3%

$500k–$1M 2.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$121,400
Median rent / month	$779
Owner occupied	69.3%
Renter occupied	30.7%
Vacant	34.9%
Single-family detached	65.4%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	19.7%
Median rooms	3.9
Avg household size (owned)	1.95

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	7.9%
2010–2019	7.2%
2000–2009	19.0%
1990–1999	20.3%
1980–1989	9.2%
1970–1979	24.1%
1960–1969	0.0%
1950–1959	6.4%
1940–1949	2.8%
1939 or earlier	3.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	10.3%
1 bedroom	36.4%
2 bedrooms	24.6%
3 bedrooms	27.4%
4 bedrooms	0.0%
5+ bedrooms	1.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	53.5%
2 vehicles	24.0%
3 or more	22.4%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	4.7%
Electricity	44.1%
Propane / LP gas	45.3%
Wood	3.1%
No fuel used	2.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	81	31.9%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	47	18.5%
Female householder, no spouse	126	49.6%
Households with children under 18	65	25.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	109	42.9%
Average household size	2.09

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	6.8%	18.3%
Married	77.6%	45.1%
Separated	0.0%	2.3%
Widowed	2.1%	19.2%
Divorced	13.5%	15.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.4%

Some HS, no diploma 15.2%

HS graduate 20.9%

Some college, no degree 30.4%

Associate's degree 7.3%

Bachelor's degree 16.3%

Graduate / professional 6.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	81.4%
Bachelor's or higher	22.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	81	90.0%
High school	9	10.0%
College / grad school	0	0.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Transportation & utilities 23.3%

Retail trade 21.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 17.0%

Finance & real estate 15.7%

Education & healthcare 11.7%

Professional & management 6.3%

Agriculture & mining 2.7%

Wholesale trade 1.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	10.3%
Service	29.1%
Sales & office	36.3%
Natural resources & construction	0.9%
Production & transportation	23.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.8%
Government	6.7%
Self-employed	13.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	43.7%
Carpool	36.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	11.3%
Other means	4.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	8.6

Poverty

All people 7.3%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 8.8%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.0%
Retirement income	14.6%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	7.5%
Food stamps / SNAP	18.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.7%
High cholesterol	38.1%
Heart disease	7.3%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	8.6%
Arthritis	25.3%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.0%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.8%
No physical activity	22.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.2%
Fair or poor health	15.7%
Poor mental health	13.4%
Poor physical health	11.0%
No health insurance	21.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.0%
Visited dentist	61.1%
Cholesterol screening	91.9%
Teeth loss	11.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	26	5.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.2%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	8.3%
65 and over	16.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	55.9%
Public insurance	44.6%
Uninsured under 19	33.3%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	531	100.0%
Spanish	141	26.6%
Other Indo-European	141	26.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	419	78.9%
Born in same state	403	75.9%
Born in different state	230	43.3%
Foreign born	16	3.0%
Naturalized citizen	112	21.1%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	170	32%
French	62	11.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Irish	19	3.6%
Arab	17	3.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	47.8%
Internet access	98.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Terlingua, TX have?

Terlingua, TX has one ZIP code: 79852. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.