Zapata, Texas

Zapata was named for José Antonio de Zapata (died 1839), the revolutionary commander who served in the cavalry of the Republic of the Rio Grande, of which the town was a part.[4] The town was relocated to higher ground in 1953 prior to the completion of Falcon Dam, which left the original town center beneath the waters of Falcon Lake.

Zapata is located at 26°54′22″N 99°16′12″W (26.906244, -99.270007).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 9.6 square miles (25 km²), of which, 7.6 square miles (20 km²) of it is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km²) is water.[6]

The city is located right on Falcon International Reservoir[7] which is at the center of multiple, fishing events throughout the year

The city also served by a number of parks, most notably, Romeo Flores Park.

At the 2010 census,[1] there were 5,089 people, 4,328 households and 1,265 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 629.9 per square mile (243.2/km²). There were 2,239 housing units at an average density of 290.4 per square mile (112.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.38% White, 0.02% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 6.82% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 94.99% of the population.

At the 2000 census, there were 1,574 households, of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.6% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.50.

31% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.4% from 20 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 49, 15.2% from 50 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median household income was $24,136 and the median family income was $27,708. Males had a median income of $30,833 compared with $12,604 for females. The per capita income was $11,863. About 29.1% of families and 33.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.1% of those under the age of 18 and 27.0% of those ages 65 and older.

Leading employers in Zapata County are the educational, health and social services, natural gas and oil, and retail trade industries.

The county’s present economy is mainly centered on oil and gas production, ranching, trading and services, and tourism. Its primary employers are in the mining/energy, construction, retail trade, health care, social welfare, and the services sector. Government is also a major employer in the county.

All of Zapata County is within the Zapata County Independent School District. ZCISD is designated as Class 3A, and participates in numerous UIL academic and athletic events. Sports offered by the school include cross country, volleyball, football, basketball, tennis, golf, track & field, softball, baseball, as well as powerlifting through the THSPA/THSWPA.

The Zapata High School Mariachi Band, Mariachi Halcon, has won the state championship in division 3A. It was the subject of a film, Mariachi High, which was broadcast nationally on PBS in 2012.

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More world records in hang gliding have been set from Zapata than any other location in the world. The World Record Encampment has been taking place at the Zapata County Airport since 2000, and the first hang glider flights to break the 308-mile barrier took place there the first year. A distance record of 438 miles was set by Mike Barber in 2002. Three new world records were set in 2005,[12][13] with the current world record, 472 miles, set by Dustin Martin in July, 2012.[14]

Major highways in Zapata and their starting and ending points:

• U.S. Highway 83 Brownsville-Zapata-Westhope.
• Texas State Highway 16 Zapata Wichita Falls
• Farm to Market Road 496 Zapata – Falcon Mesa
• Farm to Market Road 3074 Falcon Mesa – Falcon Mesa

Zapata County Airport (FAA: APY) provides general aviation services to Zapata.

Falcon International Reservoir located in Zapata is becoming well known for its bass fishing. The community hosts numerous "Winter Texans" between November and April, most residing in travel camper trailers.

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  Zapata High School
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  The Olga V. Figueroa Zapata County Public Library
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  The new Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Zapata has replaced an older sanctuary.
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  The rustic Frontier Ranch Museum on State Highway 16 in Zapata
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  The First Baptist Church of Zapata, located north of State Highway 16
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  The United Methodist Church of Zapata.
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  The praying cowboy at Zapata Sesquicentennial Travel Park on U.S. Highway 83 is a flashy and jazzy, yet remarkably humble, addition to the town's decor.
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  Side view of the Zapata County Courthouse.
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  The former La Hacienda Del Rey restaurant in Zapata
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  The mariachi Herencia Mexicana band from San Antonio is shown performing at the former La Hacienda Del Rey in Zapata.

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Media related to Zapata, Texas at Wikimedia Commons

• Mariachi High at IMDb