Wharton ZIP Code List — Wharton County, TX

There is one unique ZIP code in Wharton, Texas and it is 77488. Area code: 979.

ZIP codes

224.98

sq mi land

2.46

sq mi water

979

area code

Wharton, TX ZIP code map

About Wharton, TX

Wharton, Texas, is a small city located in Wharton County that offers a blend of small-town charm and southern hospitality. Known for its agricultural roots and community spirit, Wharton has a rich history that dates back to its founding in the 19th century. Today, it serves as a hub for local commerce and a gateway to the scenic landscapes of Texas.

Location & geography

Wharton is located approximately 60 miles southwest of Houston, making it accessible for those looking to enjoy the calm of a rural environment while still being close to urban amenities. The city is bordered by notable landmarks such as the Colorado River and enjoys a mix of flat terrain and suburban landscapes. Covering a land area of 224.98 square miles and a water area of 2.46 square miles, the geography of Wharton features a blend of agricultural land and residential areas.

Community & economy

The character of Wharton is primarily shaped by its friendly residents and a tight-knit community atmosphere, making it an inviting place to live and work. The local economy is heavily influenced by agriculture, with many residents employed in farming and related industries, alongside a growing number of retail and service businesses. Daily life in Wharton includes a variety of community events and festivals that celebrate the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Transportation

Wharton is accessible via U.S. Highway 59, which connects it to major cities in Texas, facilitating easy travel for both residents and visitors. The nearest named airport is the Wharton Regional Airport, providing basic aviation services to the area. Public transit options, however, are limited, with most residents relying on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Wharton was founded in the early 1880s along a newly established railroad, which played a significant role in its growth and development. Historically, the city became an agricultural center, attracting settlers and farmers looking to take advantage of the fertile land in the area. Among notable events in its history is the establishment of the Wharton County Fair, which continues to be a highlight of local culture.

Did you know?

A lesser-known fact about Wharton is that it was once home to a thriving cotton industry in the early 20th century, which heavily influenced its economy. Furthermore, Wharton's community events, including parades and fairs, reflect the city's strong commitment to preserving its cultural heritage.

ZIP codes for Wharton, TX (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
77488	Wharton	Wharton	View map

Demographics & statistics

14,205

Population

40.6

Median age

$53,167

Median household income

$26,920

Per capita income

$161,900

Median home value

$788

Median monthly rent

61.3%

Home ownership

17.6%

Poverty rate

4.8%

Unemployment

4,300

Housing units

15.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

420

Under 5

434

338

5–9

349

481

10–14

498

532

15–19

550

482

20–24

498

758

25–34

784

870

35–44

899

740

45–54

765

506

55–59

523

513

60–64

530

705

65–74

729

431

75–84

446

208

85+

216

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	3,025	21.3%
18 and over	11,180	78.7%
65 and over	2,735	19.3%
Median age	40.6 years

Race & ethnicity

White 52.2%

Black or African American 18.8%

Hispanic or Latino 13.1%

Two or more races 10.2%

Other race 4.7%

Asian 1.1%

Group	Count	%
White	8,533	52.2%
Black or African American	3,066	18.8%
Hispanic or Latino	2,133	13.1%
Two or more races	1,667	10.2%
Other race	767	4.7%
Asian	172	1.1%

Household income

Under $10k 7.9%

$10k–$15k 7.1%

$15k–$25k 8.3%

$25k–$35k 12.3%

$35k–$50k 12.4%

$50k–$75k 19.2%

$75k–$100k 11.4%

$100k–$150k 9.1%

$150k–$200k 5.5%

$200k+ 6.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	7.9%
$10k–$15k	7.1%
$15k–$25k	8.3%
$25k–$35k	12.3%
$35k–$50k	12.4%
$50k–$75k	19.2%
$75k–$100k	11.4%
$100k–$150k	9.1%
$150k–$200k	5.5%
$200k+	6.8%
Median income	$53,167

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.1%

$50k–$100k 20.8%

$100k–$150k 11.4%

$150k–$200k 22.6%

$200k–$300k 18.3%

$300k–$500k 11.3%

$500k–$1M 1.6%

$1M+ 1.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$161,900
Median rent / month	$788
Owner occupied	61.3%
Renter occupied	38.7%
Vacant	15.6%
Single-family detached	63.6%
Large apartment buildings	7.1%
Mobile homes	8.6%
Median rooms	5.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.94

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.2%
2010–2019	9.1%
2000–2009	8.7%
1990–1999	16.9%
1980–1989	10.6%
1970–1979	22.9%
1960–1969	12.3%
1950–1959	10.2%
1940–1949	5.1%
1939 or earlier	4.2%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.8%
1 bedroom	17.3%
2 bedrooms	22.1%
3 bedrooms	43.1%
4 bedrooms	12.2%
5+ bedrooms	1.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	10.7%
1 vehicle	28.8%
2 vehicles	34.2%
3 or more	26.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	20.9%
Electricity	67.4%
Propane / LP gas	11.2%
No fuel used	0.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,524	46.8%
Cohabiting couple	52	1.0%
Male householder, no spouse	1,245	23.1%
Female householder, no spouse	1,569	29.1%
Households with children under 18	1,486	27.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,020	37.5%
Average household size	2.56

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.6%	32.3%
Married	48.7%	45.5%
Separated	0.9%	0.5%
Widowed	4.8%	9.9%
Divorced	9.0%	11.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 5.8%

Some HS, no diploma 12.6%

HS graduate 30.4%

Some college, no degree 26.7%

Associate's degree 9.5%

Bachelor's degree 9.8%

Graduate / professional 5.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	81.6%
Bachelor's or higher	15.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	56	1.9%
Kindergarten	198	6.6%
Elementary school	1,129	37.8%
High school	701	23.5%
College / grad school	900	30.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 22.0%

Manufacturing 13.8%

Retail trade 13.2%

Construction 10.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.9%

Other services 6.6%

Agriculture & mining 6.3%

Transportation & utilities 5.6%

Public administration 4.4%

Finance & real estate 3.7%

Professional & management 3.5%

Wholesale trade 1.5%

Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	22.0%
Service	23.7%
Sales & office	21.3%
Natural resources & construction	12.3%
Production & transportation	20.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.9%
Government	15.5%
Self-employed	7.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.5%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.8%
Carpool	10.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.3%
Other means	3.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	23.5

Poverty

All people 17.6%

Under 18 years 25.2%

18 and over 15.5%

Married-couple families 7.4%

Female-led households 25.3%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	39.0%
Retirement income	22.7%
Supplemental Security	8.0%
Cash public assistance	7.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	42.5%
High cholesterol	35.5%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	4.4%
Asthma	10.1%
Arthritis	26.3%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	8.7%
Cancer	6.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.9%
No physical activity	32.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	38.1%
Fair or poor health	24.2%
Poor mental health	16.5%
Poor physical health	14.5%
No health insurance	32.3%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.5%
Visited dentist	47.5%
Cholesterol screening	88.2%
Teeth loss	20.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	855	7.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.1%
Under 18	2.0%
18–64 years	11.8%
65 and over	45.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	54.9%
Public insurance	36.8%
Uninsured under 19	23.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	13,351	94.0%
Spanish	1,040	7.8%
Other Indo-European	1,005	7.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	14	0.1%
Other languages	21	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	12,893	90.8%
Born in same state	12,789	90.0%
Born in different state	11,326	79.7%
Foreign born	104	0.7%
Naturalized citizen	1,312	9.2%
Not a US citizen	404	30.8%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	671	4.7%
French	610	4.3%
Arab	234	1.6%
Polish	23	0.2%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	18	0.1%
Norwegian	18	0.1%
German	9	0.1%
Dutch	3	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.9%
Internet access	84.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Wharton, TX?

Wharton, TX has one ZIP code: 77488.

What is the main ZIP code for Wharton, TX?

The primary ZIP code for Wharton, TX is 77488. The city uses area code 979 for phone service.

What county is Wharton, TX in?

Wharton is located in Wharton County, Texas.

How many ZIP codes are in Wharton, TX?

Wharton, TX has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for downtown Wharton and the historic courthouse area?

The downtown Wharton area, including the Wharton County Courthouse, is located in ZIP code 77488, which serves as the primary ZIP code for the city's central business district.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing to businesses along Highway 59 in Wharton?

Businesses and residences along the Highway 59 corridor in Wharton use ZIP code 77488, which covers the main commercial and residential areas of the city.