Population |
11,948 |
![]() |
|
Click to enlarge. | Map legend. |
Physical Features: Southwestern county near Mexican border; rolling plains broken by much brush; Nueces, Leona, other streams; Upper Nueces Reservoir.
Economy: Agribusiness, food packaging, leading county in Winter Garden truck-farming area, government/services.
![]() |
History: Coahuiltecan area; Apaches, Comanches arrived later. Ranching developed in the late 1860s. County created from Maverick and Uvalde counties in 1858; organized in 1884; named for Texas Revolutionary leader Lorenzo de Zavala.
Race/Ethnicity: (In percent) Anglo, 5.1; Black, 1.2; Hispanic, 93.9; Asian, 0.2; Other, 1.2; Two or more races, 0.7.
Vital Statistics, annual: Births, 195; deaths, 111; marriages, 40; divorces, 4.
Recreation: Hunting, fishing; spinach festival in November.
Minerals: Oil, natural gas.
Agriculture: Cattle, grains, vegetables, cotton, pecans. About 30,000 acres irrigated. Market value $72.7 million. Hunting leases important.
CRYSTAL CITY (7,261) county seat; agribusiness, food processing, oil-field services; site of World War II detention center. Home of Popeye statue.
Other towns include: Batesville (1,039) and La Pryor (1,710).
![]() |
Cropland along U.S. 83 at La Pryor. Photo by Robert Plocheck. |