The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 79838 sells for about $195,000, or $171 per square foot.
Prices are up +3.3% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 65 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,250 a month.
ZIP 79838 — Fabens
The 79838 housing market remains affordable and stable, with modest price appreciation driven by local demand and limited inventory. While the broader El Paso market shows competitive pressure, Fabens offers a more accessible entry point for buyers, supported by steady, albeit slow, economic growth.
This ZIP is well-suited for families and budget-conscious buyers seeking a quiet, small-town lifestyle while remaining within commuting distance of the El Paso metro area.
Median prices moved up 3.3% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 65 days on market with 6.5 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
11% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 6.8% · poverty 24.0% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.0%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 79838, El Paso County TX
Crime rates in Fabens are generally lower than the more urbanized sections of El Paso County, though property crime remains the primary concern for residents.
Schools in the area are primarily served by the Fabens Independent School District, which provides essential educational services to the local community.
The area is subject to standard regional risks including extreme heat and occasional flash flooding, with property insurance premiums reflecting these environmental factors.
Economic momentum is driven by agricultural roots and proximity to the El Paso industrial corridor, with ongoing infrastructure support for rural development.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Texas) — Senior (65+) and Disabled Homestead Exemption and School Tax Ceiling: Grants an additional mandatory $10,000 exemption from ISD appraised value (Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100,000 - $10,000) and establishes an absolute statutory tax freeze (school tax ceiling): total ISD property taxes cannot exceed the dollar ceiling established in the… State (Texas) — General Residence Homestead Exemption and 10% Valuation Growth Cap: Imposes mandatory state-level valuation deductions and growth limitations on the qualifying homestead: (1) Mandates a $100,000 deduction from appraised value for independent school district (ISD) maintenance and operations/debt taxation: Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100… State (Texas) — Ad Valorem Real Property Taxation and Assessment Ratio: Mandates ad valorem appraisal of all real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each tax year (Assessment Ratio = 1.00).
Commuting to the El Paso employment core typically involves a 30-45 minute drive via Interstate 10, which serves as the primary transit artery.
Residents have access to local community parks and are within driving distance of Hueco Tanks State Park, known for its historic rock formations and hiking trails.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and steady demand from local workers, with modest rent growth consistent with the broader El Paso region.
The local economy is anchored by agriculture, logistics, and regional trade, benefiting from its strategic location along the I-10 corridor.
Transportation is heavily reliant on personal vehicles, with I-10 providing the main connection to the broader El Paso metropolitan area.
Development is focused on maintaining rural character while supporting modest residential growth and infrastructure maintenance.
The El Paso Central Appraisal District manages property assessments for all parcels within the county, ensuring uniform valuation standards.
Parcels are subject to taxes from the Fabens ISD, El Paso County, and local water/utility districts.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by regional climate risks, including wind and hail exposure common in West Texas.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 79838 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Las Anitas417.6 mi
- Sky Zone4.119.7 mi
- Parque de Diversiones Anita Nueva Aventura417.7 mi
- RECREATIVO CONCHITA4.118.5 mi
- Centro Recreativo Del Camino4.113.9 mi
- Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch4.76.8 mi
- Pockets Plaza Bensa4.418.2 mi
- Anitas' Convention Center4.317.5 mi
- SISD Student Activities Complex4.617.2 mi
- Los Pinos Diamante4.518.6 mi
- San Lorenzo Catholic Church4.88.5 mi
- Golden Eagle Park4.512.7 mi
- Presidio Chapel of San Elizario4.79.9 mi
- Regional Museum of San Agustin (Valle de Juárez)4.66.6 mi
- Segundas Finca Bonita4.312.4 mi
- Wine Down4.714.5 mi
- Three Missions Brewery4.814.6 mi
- Bodega Loya4.814.5 mi
- Regional Museum of San Agustin (Valle de Juárez)4.66.6 mi
- Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Cultural Center4.716.8 mi
- Golden Eagle Park4.512.7 mi
- Agua Dulce Park4.311.4 mi
- Fabens Veterans Park4.20.9 mi
- P'a Kitu Skate Park4.612.6 mi
- Narigua Park412.8 mi
- Segundas Finca Bonita4.312.4 mi
- El Paso International Airport4.525.5 mi
- Ciudad Juárez International Airport4.119.5 mi
- Volaris Ciudad Juarez3.719.8 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Renowned for ancient rock art, hiking, and rock climbing.
Local green space for community gatherings and recreation.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.