Jim Hogg County is a county in Texas, United States, on the South Texas brush country between Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley. It had a population of 4,838 at the 2020 census and covers 1,136 square miles (2,940 km2) centred near 27°03′N 98°41′W.
Hebbronville is the county seat, and its postal code is 78361. The county has two census-designated places besides Hebbronville, two unincorporated communities, and no incorporated cities or towns; it lies in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in Jim Hogg County
Jim Hogg County has no incorporated municipalities — every place on the list below is a census-designated place (CDP) or an unincorporated community. Hebbronville, the seat, holds roughly 85 percent of the county’s population.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hebbronville | CDP · seat | 4,101 | 78361 |
| Guerra | CDP | — | 78360 |
| Las Lomitas | CDP | — | 78361 |
| South Fork Estates | CDP | — | 78361 |
| Thompsonville | CDP | — | 78361 |
| Agua Nueva | Unincorp. | — | 78361 |
| Randado | Unincorp. | — | 78361 |
The old county list also carried Cuevitas, Humble Colorado Camp, Las Lomitas A/B/C Colonia, and South Fork Colonia — these are informal colonia subdivisions rather than distinct Census Bureau places and are folded into their parent CDPs above rather than listed separately.
ZIP Codes
- 78361 — Hebbronville (also serves Las Lomitas, Agua Nueva, Randado, South Fork Estates, and Thompsonville)
- 78360 — Guerra
Guerra’s 78360 ZIP covers a large, sparsely populated stretch of the county’s northwest and currently has few if any residents; almost everyone in the county uses the 78361 Hebbronville ZIP.
Geography
Jim Hogg County sits in the South Texas Plains, a flat-to-rolling landscape of mesquite brush, cactus, and cattle range with little surface water. The county is bordered by Duval County to the north, Brooks County to the east, Starr County to the south, Zapata County to the west, and Webb County to the northwest.
Demographics
The county’s 4,838 residents at the 2020 census give it a density of about 4.3 people per square mile, among the more sparsely populated counties in South Texas. Hebbronville and Las Lomitas are the two largest communities. Median household income in Jim Hogg County runs well below the Texas median of $75,780, typical of the ranching counties along the Rio Grande brush country.
Economy & Local Life
Ranching has driven the county’s economy since its founding — Hebbronville was once the largest cattle-shipping point in the United States and remains a working ranching hub. Oil and gas leasing on county ranchland is a secondary source of jobs and royalty income. Jim Hogg County Independent School District, based in Hebbronville, is one of the county’s largest employers.
History
Jim Hogg County was organized in 1913 from parts of Brooks and Duval counties and named for James Stephen Hogg, governor of Texas from 1891 to 1895 and the first Texas governor born in the state. Hebbronville was platted around the arrival of the railroad in the 1880s and became the county seat at organization. The county has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since it was created.
Getting There
U.S. Route 59 runs through Hebbronville, connecting the county to Laredo to the west and Alice and Corpus Christi to the northeast; Texas State Highway 16 runs south toward Zapata County and Falcon Lake.
- Laredo — 55 miles west
- Alice — 45 miles northeast
- Corpus Christi — 105 miles northeast
- McAllen — 90 miles south
The nearest commercial airport is Laredo International Airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Jim Hogg County, Texas?
It is in the South Texas brush country, between Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley, roughly 55 miles east of Laredo.
What is the population of Jim Hogg County?
4,838 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Jim Hogg County?
1,136 square miles (2,940 km2), almost entirely land.
What is the county seat of Jim Hogg County?
Hebbronville is the county seat and largest community.
How many towns are in Jim Hogg County?
None are incorporated; the county has five census-designated places and two unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Jim Hogg County?
78361 (Hebbronville) and 78360 (Guerra).
Who is Jim Hogg County named after?
James Stephen Hogg, Texas’s governor from 1891 to 1895 and the first governor born in the state.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Texas.