| City: | Progreso, Texas |
| County: | Hidalgo County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:50:07 AM |
| Population: | 2,637 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 956 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 26.0842, -97.9685 |
| Land Area: | 5.695 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Progreso sits along US Highway 281 in Hidalgo County, Texas, just north of the international border crossing to Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas. With 2,637 residents across just 0.12 square miles, this is one of the most densely populated PO Box-classified ZIP codes in the country. The post office maintains 796 PO Boxes for 660 households, a 121% adoption rate that goes beyond local needs.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. Despite the official designation, limited street delivery exists along E US Highway 281, which accounts for 106 of the 110 street delivery records in the ZIP code. Most residents and businesses rely on PO Boxes as their primary mailing address. The mixed Urban+Rural carrier route pattern serves the highway corridor and surrounding area.
Census data shows only 0.2% of residents were born in the United States, indicating a community shaped by cross-border connections. The median age is 30.1 years. Of the 780 total housing units, 660 are occupied and 85% are owner-occupied (558 homes). Per capita income is $12,359, and 18.8% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
Progreso's location on Highway 281, a major north-south corridor connecting the Rio Grande Valley to San Antonio and beyond, positions it as both a local community and a service point for cross-border movement. Nearly 22% of workers work from home, and significant numbers commute by carpool (393 workers) or use public transportation (138 workers). Public administration employs 556 people, and transportation/warehousing employs 414, both well above typical levels for a town this size.
For reliable mail delivery to Progreso, use a PO Box address:
PO Box [number]
Progreso, TX 78579Limited street delivery is available along E US Highway 281, but PO Boxes remain the primary and most reliable mailing option.
Street delivery is concentrated almost entirely on E US Highway 281, with minimal local street infrastructure.
ZIP Code 78579 has 2,637 residents and 660 households (average 3.99 persons per household). The median age is 30.1 years, younger than the state (35.6) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.7% male and 52.3% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.4%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (98.6%) and White (28.0%, much lower than the state average of 50.1% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 98.6%, which is much higher than the national average (18.7%), and Other / Two or More Races share is much higher than both the state (13.6%) and national averages (8.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 2,637Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 2,039Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 463.0 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $19,172Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 660Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.99Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.54Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 4,541 | 4,576 | 3,933 | 4,146 | 4,324 | 4,654 | 4,775 | 5,642 | 5,836 | 5,562 | 3,176 | 3,063 | 2,548 | 2,039 |
| Decennial Census | 4,580 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,637 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 30.1
Male Median Age: 29
Female Median Age: 30.8
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 108 | 114 | 105 | 138 | 84 | 89 | 68 | 47 | 87 | 80 | 73 | 68 | 59 | 52 | 33 | 19 | 17 | 18 |
| Female | 100 | 111 | 155 | 140 | 86 | 83 | 87 | 80 | 71 | 78 | 80 | 74 | 62 | 64 | 28 | 44 | 20 | 15 |
| Total | 208 | 225 | 260 | 278 | 170 | 172 | 155 | 127 | 158 | 158 | 153 | 142 | 121 | 116 | 61 | 63 | 37 | 33 |
| White: | 738 | 18.27% |
| Black: | 11 | 0.27% |
| Hispanic:* | 2,600 | 64.36% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 19 | 0.47% |
| Hawaiian: | 2 | 0.05% |
| Other: | 670 | 16.58% |
| Total: | 4,040 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 1,259 | 47.74% | 29.0 years |
| Females: | 1,378 | 52.26% | 30.8 years |
| Total: | 2,637 | 100% | 30.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,377 | 67.53% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 197 | 9.66% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 465 | 32.47% |
| Total Population: | 2,039 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,377 | 67.53% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 662 | 32.47% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $19,172, which is far less than the national median ($78,538), is down $6,316 (24.8%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $34,175. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $34,063, which is well under the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $34,063 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 58.3%, which is tends to be lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 6.8%, which is higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (39.5%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $25,488 | $26,996 | $31,099 | $32,426 | $32,883 | $39,940 | $44,886 | $44,427 | $53,347 | $53,393 | $0 | $27,941 | $0 | $19,172 |
| Median Family Income | $26,465 | $27,419 | $31,716 | $33,103 | $32,883 | $39,940 | $46,042 | $48,173 | $53,972 | $54,122 | $37,873 | $27,941 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $10,298 | $12,386 | $13,095 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $16,742 | $17,445 | $21,667 | $27,839 | $28,654 | $31,974 | $32,461 | $36,359 | $38,906 | $38,442 | $29,070 | $21,467 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $15,375 | $15,449 | $16,875 | $16,690 | $18,512 | $15,779 | $18,316 | $23,179 | $23,556 | $22,950 | $21,806 | $21,425 | $32,863 | $34,063 |
| Employed: | 894 | 54.38% |
| Unemployed: | 65 | 3.95% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 685 | 41.67% |
| Total: | 1,644 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 353 | 39.49% |
| Service: | 193 | 21.59% |
| Sales and Office: | 248 | 27.74% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 65 | 7.27% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 35 | 3.91% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 894 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($303,400), is down $64,100 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $58,000. The median gross rent is $948, which is far less than the national median ($1,348), is up $404 (74.26%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $331. Of occupied housing, owners make up 68.27% (7.05% with a mortgage, 92.95% free-and-clear) and renters 31.73% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 10.62%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $64,100 | $64,200 | $64,400 | $66,200 | $58,300 | $57,000 | $56,700 | $57,500 | $58,000 | $58,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 32 | 15.17% |
| $500 to $999: | 83 | 39.34% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 87 | 41.23% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 9 | 4.27% |
| Total: | 211 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $544 | $538 | $556 | $566 | $564 | $563 | $561 | $648 | $617 | $580 | $549 | $0 | $871 | $948 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 32 | 4.81% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 422 | 63.46% |
| Renter Occupied: | 211 | 31.73% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 665 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 665 | 89.38% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 79 | 10.62% |
| Total Housing Units: | 744 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 601 | 80.78% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 143 | 19.22% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 744 | 100% |
In 2024, 22.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 52.40%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 26.70%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 28.90%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.30%). The share of people in poverty is 56.10%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.70%), down 0.10 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 28.60 percentage points. Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (67.21%). College enrollment is 67.21%, which is far higher than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 580 | 44.58% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 39 | 3.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 209 | 16.06% |
| Some college, no degree: | 141 | 10.84% |
| Associate's degree: | 35 | 2.69% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 127 | 9.76% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 170 | 13.07% |
| Total: | 1,301 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 682 | 52.42% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 297 | 22.83% |
| Private Insurance: | 589 | 28.89% |
| Public Insurance: | 905 | 44.38% |
| No Insurance: | 545 | 26.73% |
| Total: | 2,039 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,494 | 73.27% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 51.5% | 48.4% | 40.0% | 40.3% | 39.7% | 26.5% | 22.5% | 30.9% | 22.8% | 20.6% | 47.2% | 64.5% | 51.4% | 56.1% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 10 | 2.73% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 110 | 30.05% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 246 | 67.21% |
| Total: | 366 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 10 | 2.73% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 120 | 32.79% |
ZIP Code 78579 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 36 business establishments, employing about 278 people with an annual payroll of $10,531,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 3,694Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 36Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $2,322,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $10,531,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 278Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 78579 is located in Hidalgo County, Texas, within the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 32580) and Texas's 34th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 774,769 people, about 0.34% of whom live in ZIP Code 78579. It covers 5.695 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TXSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 32580Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 774,769Source: Census |
| MSA: | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 5.695 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 34Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 8190.32 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 4859636Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Progreso city; TexasSource: Census |
ZIP Code 78579 is in the Progreso Independent School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 6 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.