| City: | Big Spring, Texas |
| County: | Howard County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:41:38 PM |
| Population: | 1,660 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 432 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 32.2506, -101.4786 |
| Land Area: | 0.038 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
The post office maintains 795 PO Boxes for an institutionalized population of 1,660. That works out to roughly two people per box, which is standard for correctional facilities where mail is sorted and distributed through internal systems. There's no street delivery infrastructure because the facility handles internal mail routing from the boxes. The 32 carrier routes are all PO Box routes (Route B designations), with no city or rural carrier routes serving street addresses.
This ZIP sits inside the larger 79720 ZIP code that covers the rest of Big Spring. The separation exists purely for mail sorting purposes. Residents of standard Big Spring neighborhoods get street delivery through 79720, while this facility-specific ZIP handles institutional mail through boxes. The median age of 40.1 years reflects the demographics of the incarcerated population.
The post office also serves 359 business entities, likely representing internal facility operations, vendors, and administrative offices. All 795 PO Boxes exist within 0.038 square miles, making this one of the smallest geographic ZIPs in Texas by land area. Every square mile contains roughly 20,921 PO Boxes, a density that only makes sense in institutional contexts where mail is centralized rather than distributed to individual street addresses.
No street delivery routes exist in this ZIP code. All mail is processed through PO Boxes serving the correctional facility.
ZIP Code 79721 has 1,660 residents and 0 households. The median age is 40.1 years, older than the state (35.6) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 99.9% male and 0.1% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (96.2%, much higher than the state average of 50.1% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (95.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 95.4%, which is much higher than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,660Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 466Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 43,684.2 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 0Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 0.00Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 0.00Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 603 | 558 | 466 |
| Decennial Census | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,660 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 40.1
Male Median Age: 40.1
Female Median Age: 57
| 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 65 | 165 | 278 | 308 | 300 | 222 | 152 | 95 | 54 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 65 | 165 | 278 | 308 | 300 | 222 | 152 | 97 | 54 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White: | 1,597 | 49.23% |
| Black: | 46 | 1.42% |
| Hispanic:* | 1,584 | 48.83% |
| Asian: | 17 | 0.52% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 3,244 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 1,658 | 99.88% | 40.1 years |
| Females: | 2 | 0.12% | 57.0 years |
| Total: | 1,660 | 100% | 40.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 125 | 26.82% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 341 | 73.18% |
| Total Population: | 466 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 125 | 26.82% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 341 | 73.18% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $0, which is far less than the state median ($76,292), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. 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 $0, which is well under the state female median ($49,838), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 0.0%, which is far less than the state rate (65.3%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $16,875 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 466 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 466 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 0 | 0% |
| Service: | 0 | 0% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 0 | 100% |
In 2023, 2.20% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 38.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.40%). Insufficient data for health insurance coverage. Insufficient data for poverty. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is high school (60.00%). College enrollment is 40.00%, which is on par with the state rate (23.90%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 111 | 24.13% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 174 | 37.83% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 93 | 20.22% |
| Some college, no degree: | 68 | 14.78% |
| Associate's degree: | 4 | 0.87% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 10 | 2.17% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 460 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 175 | 38.04% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 10 | 2.17% |
| Private Insurance: | 0 | 0% |
| Public Insurance: | 0 | 0% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 0 | 0% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 3 | 60.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 2 | 40.00% |
| Total: | 5 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 3 | 60.00% |
ZIP Code 79721 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 24 business establishments, employing about 190 people with an annual payroll of $13,594,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 2,845Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 24Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $3,474,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $13,594,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 190Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 79721 is located in Howard County, Texas, within the Big Spring, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 13700) and Texas's 19th Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 33,127 people, about 5.01% of whom live in ZIP Code 79721. It covers 0.038 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Big Spring, TXSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 13700Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 33,127Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.038 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 19Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 25835.59 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 4808236Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Big Spring city; TexasSource: Census |
ZIP Code 79721 is in the Big Spring Independent School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 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.