| City: | Fabens, Texas |
| County: | El Paso County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:43:43 PM |
| Population: | 7,895 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 915 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 31.4733, -106.1586 |
| Land Area: | 30.802 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Fabens sits in the Rio Grande valley of far West Texas, about 40 miles southeast of El Paso. With 7,895 residents, it's one of the most populous communities in the country classified as a PO Box ZIP. Despite its size, this is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the 21.5 square mile territory.
The Fabens post office maintains 2,650 PO Boxes for 2,507 households, a near-universal adoption rate of 1.06. Nearly every household relies on a PO Box. The limited street delivery infrastructure consists of just two rural routes serving 11 addresses, making PO Boxes the practical necessity for residents.
| Mail Service Metric | Count |
|---|---|
| PO Boxes | 2,650 |
| Households | 2,507 |
| Adoption Rate | 1.06 |
| Rural Routes | 2 |
| Business Delivery Points | 91 |
Fabens is a working-class border community. Median household income is $43,413, and per capita income is $21,116. Home values are modest at $89,700, and monthly rent averages $645. Educational attainment is low, with just 10.5% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The population shows larger household sizes typical of Hispanic communities, with a ratio of 3.15 people per household.
The economy centers on transportation and logistics. Of the local workforce, 1,685 people work in transportation, warehousing, and utilities. That's a significant portion of employment. Another 506 work in public administration, and 113 are federal government employees. Interestingly, 27.1% of workers work from home, higher than many rural communities. Fabens has 65 business establishments employing 535 people.
The town covers 21.5 square miles with a median age of 35.2 years. The housing stock includes 2,752 total units, with 2,507 occupied. Of those, 1,767 are owner-occupied and 740 are rentals. Only 16 homes are used seasonally. The ZIP code has been classified as PO Box since before October 2004, when USPS tracking began.
All mail to Fabens residents should be addressed to PO Boxes:
[Recipient Name]
PO Box [Number]
Fabens, TX 79838Limited street delivery infrastructure with just 9 street names and 11 total delivery records.
ZIP Code 79838 has 7,895 residents and 2,507 households (average 3.15 persons per household). The median age is 35.2 years, about the same as the state (35.6) and younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.8% male and 52.2% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.4%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (96.9%) and White (32.3%, much lower than the state average of 50.1% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 96.9%, 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: | 7,895Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 4,813Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 256.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $43,413Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 2,507Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $89,700Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.15Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.42Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 8,399 | 8,586 | 8,290 | 8,514 | 8,031 | 7,552 | 6,719 | 6,376 | 6,171 | 4,872 | 5,687 | 5,470 | 4,813 |
| Decennial Census | 8,699 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 7,895 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 35.2
Male Median Age: 32.6
Female Median Age: 37.5
| 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 | 253 | 316 | 330 | 376 | 300 | 213 | 189 | 147 | 175 | 222 | 221 | 246 | 235 | 207 | 140 | 95 | 59 | 46 |
| Female | 275 | 252 | 300 | 337 | 315 | 242 | 242 | 204 | 190 | 257 | 267 | 313 | 277 | 224 | 161 | 125 | 66 | 78 |
| Total | 528 | 568 | 630 | 713 | 615 | 455 | 431 | 351 | 365 | 479 | 488 | 559 | 512 | 431 | 301 | 220 | 125 | 124 |
| White: | 2,550 | 20.70% |
| Black: | 20 | 0.16% |
| Hispanic:* | 7,652 | 62.12% |
| Asian: | 3 | 0.02% |
| American Indian: | 65 | 0.53% |
| Hawaiian: | 5 | 0.04% |
| Other: | 2,023 | 16.42% |
| Total: | 12,318 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 3,770 | 47.75% | 32.6 years |
| Females: | 4,125 | 52.25% | 37.5 years |
| Total: | 7,895 | 100% | 35.2 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 2,994 | 62.21% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 14 | 0.29% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 651 | 13.53% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 1,154 | 37.50% |
| Total Population: | 4,813 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 3,008 | 62.50% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 1,805 | 37.50% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $43,413, which is well under the national median ($78,538), is up $22,963 (112.3%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $13,634. Family households earn a median of $60,526 versus $20,786 for nonfamily households (a difference of $39,740). By gender, male median income is $42,075 and female is $26,781, which is much lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $15,294 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 59.2%, which is falls short of the state rate (65.3%). The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Sales (29.6%).
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 | $20,450 | $26,801 | $26,477 | $24,739 | $24,519 | $24,767 | $27,724 | $27,458 | $29,779 | $30,737 | $30,374 | $36,366 | $43,413 |
| Median Family Income | $24,531 | $29,985 | $30,395 | $27,446 | $28,012 | $31,085 | $30,492 | $30,567 | $34,919 | $38,555 | $34,983 | $52,417 | $60,526 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $8,765 | $8,988 | $9,896 | $11,761 | $13,564 | $13,184 | $11,071 | $10,125 | $12,893 | $15,481 | $16,914 | $20,053 | $20,786 |
| Median Male Income | $23,750 | $25,769 | $24,430 | $24,583 | $24,533 | $27,072 | $26,795 | $27,358 | $29,274 | $30,037 | $33,160 | $40,370 | $42,075 |
| Median Female Income | $18,641 | $22,625 | $21,920 | $21,140 | $21,936 | $21,563 | $23,114 | $24,856 | $26,063 | $26,107 | $28,923 | $30,518 | $26,781 |
| Employed: | 2,304 | 57.37% |
| Unemployed: | 75 | 1.87% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 1,637 | 40.76% |
| Total: | 4,016 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 325 | 14.11% |
| Service: | 635 | 27.56% |
| Sales and Office: | 682 | 29.60% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 175 | 7.60% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 487 | 21.14% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 2,304 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $89,700, which is much lower than the national median ($303,400), is up $26,700 (42.38%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $28,200. The median gross rent is $645, which is far less than the national median ($1,348), is up $209 (47.94%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $107. Of occupied housing, owners make up 77.97% (23.15% with a mortgage, 76.85% free-and-clear) and renters 22.03% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 17.28%, which is markedly above the state rate (9.62%).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $63,000 | $64,500 | $65,000 | $62,300 | $60,700 | $62,100 | $58,300 | $58,900 | $61,500 | $62,500 | $67,100 | $84,000 | $89,700 |
| Less than $500: | 108 | 26.73% |
| $500 to $999: | 199 | 49.26% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 59 | 14.60% |
| $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: | 38 | 9.41% |
| Total: | 404 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $436 | $491 | $477 | $476 | $491 | $481 | $513 | $530 | $538 | $551 | $583 | $635 | $645 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 331 | 18.05% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 1,099 | 59.92% |
| Renter Occupied: | 404 | 22.03% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 1,834 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 1,834 | 82.72% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 383 | 17.28% |
| Total Housing Units: | 2,217 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 1,410 | 63.60% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 241 | 10.87% |
| Other Units: | 566 | 25.53% |
| Total Housing Units: | 2,217 | 100% |
In 2023, 10.50% 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 60.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 23.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 42.80%, which is falls below the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 39.30%, which is notably higher than the state rate (28.90%). The share of people in poverty is 20.90%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.70%), down 28.50 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 4.10 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (42.84%). College enrollment is 26.72%, 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: | 1,073 | 29.86% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 342 | 9.52% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 934 | 25.99% |
| Some college, no degree: | 360 | 10.02% |
| Associate's degree: | 509 | 14.16% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 228 | 6.34% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 148 | 4.12% |
| Total: | 3,594 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 2,179 | 60.63% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 376 | 10.46% |
| Private Insurance: | 2,061 | 40.75% |
| Public Insurance: | 1,890 | 37.37% |
| No Insurance: | 1,107 | 21.89% |
| Total: | 5,058 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 3,951 | 78.11% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 49.4% | 46.9% | 44.0% | 44.9% | 41.3% | 39.7% | 28.5% | 28.5% | 25.0% | 23.0% | 24.5% | 21.2% | 20.9% |
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: | 35 | 3.34% |
| Kindergarten: | 94 | 8.97% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 449 | 42.84% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 190 | 18.13% |
| College or graduate school: | 280 | 26.72% |
| Total: | 1,048 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 129 | 12.31% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 733 | 69.94% |
ZIP Code 79838 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 61 business establishments, employing about 581 people with an annual payroll of $20,109,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 2,715Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 61Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $4,915,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $20,109,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 581Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 79838 is located in El Paso County, Texas, within the El Paso, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 21340) and Texas's 23rd Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 869,606 people, about 0.91% of whom live in ZIP Code 79838. It covers 30.802 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.112 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | El Paso, TXSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 21340Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 869,606Source: Census |
| MSA: | El Paso, TX MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 30.802 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.112 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 23Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 58059.18 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 4825032Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Fabens CDP; TexasSource: Census |
ZIP Code 79838 is in the Fabens Independent School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 4 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.