[4] As an unincorporated community, Zapata has no municipal government, but like all 254 Texas counties has four elected county commissioners chosen by single-member districts and a countywide elected administrative judge.

Precipitation averages 19.8 in (500 mm) annually, with higher amounts typically occurring from May to October.

[18] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 5,383 people, 2,010 households, and 1,037 families residing in the CDP.

Leading employers in Zapata County are the educational, health and social services, natural gas and oil, and retail trade industries.

The county’s present economy is mainly centered on oil and gas production, ranching, trading and services, and tourism.

Its primary employers are in the mining/energy, construction, retail trade, health care, social welfare, and the services sector.

The city is located on Falcon International Reservoir[26] which is at the center of multiple fishing events throughout the year.

Falcon International Reservoir located in Zapata is becoming well known for its bass fishing.

The community hosts numerous "Winter Texans" between November and April, most residing in travel camper trailers.

[29] The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[30] Zapata is represented in the Texas Senate by Democrat Judith Zaffirini, District 28, and in the Texas House of Representatives by former Democrat, now Republican Ryan Guillen, District 31.