🇺🇸 United States ZIP Code

STANDARD

78521

Brownsville

ZIP Code 78521 is a standard zip code serving Brownsville, Brownsville, Texas (TX), in Cameron County, United States. It has an estimated population of 93,818 with a median household income of $26,684. The area falls within the America/Chicago timezone.

Median Household Income vs. National Average

Location

Country: 🇺🇸 United States
State / Province: Texas (TX)
County: Cameron
City: Brownsville
Timezone: America/Chicago

Coordinates

Latitude: 25.922100
Longitude: -97.461200

Geographic Details

Land Area: 93.14 mi²
Water Area: 27.91 mi²
Population Density: 1007.0 people per mi² (75th percentile)
Bounding Box: 26.066048°N, 25.837164°S, -97.142880°E, -97.510602°W

With 93,818 residents spread across 93.14 square miles, this area has a population density of 1007.0 people per square mile.

Demographics

93,818

Population

95th percentile

$26,684

Median Income

5th percentile

$67,500

Median Home Value

10th percentile

93.14 mi²

Land Area

The median household income in 78521 is $26,684, and the median home value is $67,500. This is below the national average for household income.

Housing

27,808

Total Units

25,763

Occupied Units

92.6%

Occupancy Rate

Nearby ZIP Codes

Other zip codes in Brownsville, TX.

78520

Brownsville

78522

Brownsville

78523

Brownsville

78526

Brownsville

Similar ZIP Codes in Texas

ZIP codes with similar median household income in Texas.

76635

Coolidge

$29,327

78852

Eagle Pass

$31,214

77506

Pasadena

$30,617

75966

Newton

$29,595

78237

San Antonio

$26,702

77801

Bryan

$23,162

76834

Coleman

$30,000

78384

San Diego

$26,542

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is available for each ZIP code?

Each ZIP code page shows city, state, county, geographic coordinates, timezone, population, median household income, median home value, housing units, land area, population density, commute time, educational attainment, area codes, and ZIP code type (Standard, PO Box, or Unique).

What are the different types of ZIP codes?

There are three types of ZIP codes: Standard (residential and commercial delivery areas), PO Box (assigned to post office box sections), and Unique (assigned to a single high-volume address like a government agency or large company). Standard ZIP codes are the most common.

How often is ZIP code data updated?

ZIP code assignments are updated quarterly by the USPS. Demographic data comes from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), which releases new 5-year estimates annually. ZipFYI updates its data to reflect the latest available information.

What is population density and why does it matter?

Population density measures the number of people per square mile in a ZIP code area. It helps identify urban vs. rural areas, affects real estate values, impacts service availability, and is used in market analysis. Dense urban ZIP codes may have 50,000+ people per square mile.

How are ZIP code boundaries determined?

ZIP code boundaries are determined by the USPS based on mail delivery routes, not political or geographic boundaries. They follow carrier routes and may cross city, county, or even state lines. Boundaries can change when the USPS reorganizes delivery operations.

What does median household income tell me about a ZIP code?

Median household income is the middle value when all household incomes in a ZIP code are sorted. Half of households earn more and half earn less. It is a better indicator of typical earnings than average income, which can be skewed by very high or very low outliers.