Del Rio, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Del Rio, Texas
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| City of Del Rio | ||
City Hall
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Location of Del Rio, Texas
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Texas | |
| County | Val Verde | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council-Manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 20.51 sq mi (53.12 km2) | |
| • Land | 20.44 sq mi (52.94 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2) | |
| Elevation | 1,002 ft (305.4 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 34,673 | |
| • Density | 1,749.60/sq mi (675.53/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (CST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CST) | |
| ZIP code |
78840-78843, 78847
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| Area code | 830 | |
| FIPS code | 48-19792 | |
| Website | CityOfDelRio.com | |
Del Rio is a city in southwestern Texas, United States. It is the main city of Val Verde County. In 2020, about 34,673 people lived there.
Contents
History of Del Rio
Spanish settlers first came to this area in the 1700s. They built a small village south of the Rio Grande river.
After the Mexican War, the United States gained control of this land. In 1862, Paula Losoya Taylor was the first Anglo-American to build a hacienda (a large estate or ranch house) here.
San Felipe Springs and the City's Start
San Felipe Springs is a natural spring about 8 miles (13 km) east of the Rio Grande. It provides a lot of fresh water every day. This water was very important for the dry region.
In 1868, a group of developers bought land near the springs. They built a system of canals to bring water to farms. This helped agriculture grow in the area. The town slowly started to form and was called San Felipe Del Rio.
Local stories say the name came from early Spanish explorers. They held a special church service there on St. Philip's Day in 1635.
How Del Rio Got Its Name
In 1883, people wanted a post office. The United States Postal Department shortened "San Felipe del Rio" to "Del Rio". This was to avoid confusion with another town called San Felipe de Austin.
In 1885, Val Verde County was created, and Del Rio became its main city. The City of Del Rio officially became a city on November 15, 1911.
The Arteaga family started the San Felipe community, and Arteaga Street and Arteaga Park are named after them.
During the early 1900s, especially during World War II, many Mexican workers came to the area to help on farms and ranches. After the war, some workers were sent back, even if they were citizens or had children born in the U.S.
Like many border towns, Del Rio has seen many people arriving from Mexico, Central, and South America in recent years. In September 2021, many migrants from Haiti crossed the border near Del Rio.
Geography and Climate
Del Rio covers about 20.5 square miles (53.1 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part covered by water.
The city is on the edge of the South Texas brush country. It is also near the Edwards Plateau, which is part of the Texas Hill Country. This area has many small springs, like the San Felipe Springs. These springs provide water for the city.
The land around Del Rio has a mix of desert plants and grasses. You can see plants like cenizo, different types of acacia, and cacti. The land is mostly flat, but some areas have deep canyons.
Del Rio's Weather
Del Rio has a hot, semi-dry climate. This means it has mild winters and hot, humid summers. The air often feels sticky during the warmer months.
In spring and fall, strong thunderstorms can form west of Del Rio. These storms sometimes affect the city. Temperatures are highest in late summer and then drop quickly in autumn.
| Climate data for Del Rio International Airport, Texas (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1905–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 92 (33) |
99 (37) |
103 (39) |
107 (42) |
112 (44) |
115 (46) |
112 (44) |
113 (45) |
110 (43) |
106 (41) |
96 (36) |
91 (33) |
115 (46) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 81.4 (27.4) |
87.4 (30.8) |
92.1 (33.4) |
97.9 (36.6) |
102.0 (38.9) |
103.3 (39.6) |
104.4 (40.2) |
104.1 (40.1) |
100.2 (37.9) |
94.6 (34.8) |
85.4 (29.7) |
80.0 (26.7) |
106.9 (41.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 67.5 (19.7) |
72.7 (22.6) |
80.1 (26.7) |
87.0 (30.6) |
93.1 (33.9) |
98.4 (36.9) |
100.4 (38.0) |
101.0 (38.3) |
93.8 (34.3) |
85.6 (29.8) |
74.8 (23.8) |
67.8 (19.9) |
85.2 (29.5) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 55.6 (13.1) |
60.5 (15.8) |
68.1 (20.1) |
74.9 (23.8) |
82.1 (27.8) |
87.7 (30.9) |
89.5 (31.9) |
89.9 (32.2) |
83.5 (28.6) |
74.8 (23.8) |
63.7 (17.6) |
56.1 (13.4) |
73.9 (23.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 43.6 (6.4) |
48.4 (9.1) |
56.1 (13.4) |
62.8 (17.1) |
71.1 (21.7) |
77.0 (25.0) |
78.7 (25.9) |
78.8 (26.0) |
73.3 (22.9) |
64.1 (17.8) |
52.5 (11.4) |
44.3 (6.8) |
62.6 (17.0) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 26.9 (−2.8) |
29.8 (−1.2) |
35.2 (1.8) |
43.8 (6.6) |
55.0 (12.8) |
67.0 (19.4) |
70.4 (21.3) |
70.5 (21.4) |
58.2 (14.6) |
42.8 (6.0) |
33.1 (0.6) |
27.4 (−2.6) |
24.4 (−4.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 12 (−11) |
11 (−12) |
19 (−7) |
33 (1) |
45 (7) |
49 (9) |
63 (17) |
60 (16) |
43 (6) |
28 (−2) |
17 (−8) |
10 (−12) |
10 (−12) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.61 (15) |
0.63 (16) |
1.18 (30) |
1.50 (38) |
3.06 (78) |
2.32 (59) |
1.48 (38) |
2.69 (68) |
2.63 (67) |
2.08 (53) |
0.91 (23) |
0.70 (18) |
19.79 (503) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
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 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 3.9 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 5.2 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 58.7 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service | |||||||||||||
People of Del Rio
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 50 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,980 | 3,860.0% | |
| 1900 | 2,098 | 6.0% | |
| 1910 | 5,688 | 171.1% | |
| 1920 | 10,589 | 86.2% | |
| 1930 | 11,693 | 10.4% | |
| 1940 | 13,343 | 14.1% | |
| 1950 | 14,211 | 6.5% | |
| 1960 | 18,612 | 31.0% | |
| 1970 | 21,330 | 14.6% | |
| 1980 | 30,034 | 40.8% | |
| 1990 | 30,705 | 2.2% | |
| 2000 | 33,867 | 10.3% | |
| 2010 | 35,591 | 5.1% | |
| 2020 | 34,673 | −2.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census [1] |
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2020 Census Information
In 2020, Del Rio had 34,673 people living in the city. There were 12,300 households and 8,898 families.
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 4,530 | 13.06% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 383 | 1.1% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 36 | 0.1% |
| Asian (NH) | 247 | 0.71% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 23 | 0.07% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 61 | 0.18% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 319 | 0.92% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 29,074 | 83.85% |
| Total | 34,673 |
Del Rio's Larger Area
Del Rio is the main city of the Del Rio micropolitan statistical area. This area includes all of Val Verde County. A micropolitan area is a city and its surrounding county that are connected by jobs and daily life. In 2007, this area had over 50,000 people.
Right across the border in Mexico is the city of Ciudad Acuña. It has a much larger population of over 200,000 people.
Economy and Jobs
Laughlin Air Force Base
Laughlin Air Force Base is a very important part of Del Rio's economy. It is the largest employer in the area. The base started in 1942 as a training base for pilots. It was closed for a short time but reopened during the Cold War. Today, it is the biggest pilot training base for the U.S. Air Force.
Val Verde Correctional Facility
The Val Verde Correctional Facility is a prison in Del Rio. It is managed by a private company called The GEO Group. This facility holds prisoners for the county and for U.S. federal agencies. It opened in 2001 and was made larger in 2007. It is also a major employer in the Del Rio area.
Arts and Culture
Del Rio has a rich history and culture.
Ancient Art
Some of the oldest artworks in the region are pictographs (rock paintings) found in local caves. Some of these paintings are 4,200 years old! They were made by ancient cultures in the Lower Pecos Canyonlands. A local group, the Shumla Archaeological Research and Education Center, helps protect and teach about these amazing artworks.
Museums and History
- The Whitehead Memorial Museum shares the history of Del Rio. It also has items from Judge Roy Bean, a famous justice of the peace.
- The Laughlin Heritage Museum Foundation teaches people about the history of Laughlin Air Force Base.
Winery and Food
Del Rio is home to the oldest winery in Texas, the Val Verde Winery. It was started in 1883 by Frank Qualia, an Italian immigrant. He brought his family's winemaking traditions with him. Today, his grandson, Thomas Qualia, runs the winery.
Del Rio is a mix of many cultures, including Hispanic, Black Seminole, Mestizo, and Tejano people.
The city offers many delicious food choices. You can find Tex-Mex food, steakhouses, barbecue, real Mexican food, and Pan Dulce (Mexican pastries).
Performing Arts and Community Centers
- The Upstagers group has been performing live theater in Del Rio since 1977.
- The Casa de la Cultura is a non-profit group that helps young people and adults. It offers classes like Ballet Folklorico, guitar, singing, pottery, and art camps. They also host "Noches Musicales," a summer music festival.
- The Del Rio Council for the Arts provides affordable art education and entertainment for the community.
Events and Celebrations
Del Rio hosts the George Paul Memorial Bullriding event, which is the oldest of its kind in the world.
Some popular celebrations in Del Rio include:
- Cinco de Mayo
- July 4th Independence Day City-Wide Celebration
- 16 de Septiembre (Mexican Independence Day)
- Fiesta de Amistad
- Fiesta of Flight Air Show
In June 2019, Del Rio held its first ever Pride event.
Many different religious groups live in Del Rio, including Christians (Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Pentecostals, Presbyterians) and Jewish people.
Education in Del Rio
The city's schools are part of the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District. About 10,450 students attend 14 schools in the district. There are also two charter schools: Del Rio Heritage Academy High School and Premier High School.
Colleges and Universities
- Two four-year universities have campuses in Del Rio: Sul Ross State University and Park University.
- Southwest Texas Junior College, a two-year community college, also has a campus here.
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Media and News
Print Media
The Del Rio News-Herald was a daily newspaper that covered Val Verde County. It closed in November 2020.
In 2020, The 830 Times started. It is a local news website and weekly newspaper that covers Del Rio and the wider Southwest Texas area.
Radio Stations
There are several radio stations in and around Del Rio, including:
- KDLK-FM
- KTDR
- KVFE (a Christian station)
- KWMC
- KDRN
- KTPD
- KDLI
In 2016, Texas Public Radio opened a transmitter in Del Rio.
Online News
The 830 Times launched its local news website in 2020. It covers news for Del Rio and the surrounding region.
Transportation
Air Travel
Del Rio International Airport (FlyDRT) serves the city. In the past, American Airlines offered flights between Del Rio and Dallas/Fort Worth. As of April 2023, Del Rio does not have regular passenger flights, but two cargo airlines use the airport.
Local Transportation
The City of Del Rio Transportation Department provides transportation services for its citizens.
Train Service
Amtrak offers passenger train service to Del Rio station. The Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle trains stop here three times a week in each direction. You can travel directly to Los Angeles, San Antonio, New Orleans, Chicago, and other cities.
Major Roads
Several important highways pass through Del Rio:
- U.S. Route 90 connects Del Rio to Alpine and El Paso to the west, and Uvalde and San Antonio to the east.
- U.S. Route 277 goes north to San Angelo and southeast to Crystal City and Laredo.
- U.S. Route 377 crosses West Texas and eventually reaches Fort Worth.
- Texas State Highway Loop 79 is a newer road that connects with U.S. Route 90, U.S. Route 277, and U.S. Route 377. It is part of a larger corridor that will connect Laredo to Denver, Colorado.
US 90
US 277
US 377
SH 297
SH 239
SH 79
Famous People From Del Rio
Many notable people have connections to Del Rio:
- Jessica Alba (born 1981), a famous actress, lived in Del Rio when her father was stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base.
- Lance Blanks (1966-2023), an NBA player and later a general manager for the Phoenix Suns.
- Larvell Blanks (born 1950), a MLB infielder.
- Sid Blanks (1941-2021), a halfback for the Houston Oilers and Boston Patriots.
- Radney Foster (born 1959), a country music singer and songwriter. His first album was named Del Rio, TX 1959.
- Todd Hays (born 1969), a bobsledder who won a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Cory James (born 1993), an NFL football player.
- Jay Kerr (born 1948), an actor who appeared in movies and TV shows.
- Jack Mayfield (born 1990), a professional baseball infielder.
- Shawn Michaels (born 1965), a professional wrestler, lived in Del Rio when his father was at Laughlin Air Force Base.
- Byron Velvick (born 1964), a professional fisherman and reality TV star.
- Jeremy Silman (1954–2023), a chess player.
Neighborhoods of Del Rio
Del Rio has several unique neighborhoods:
- Rincon del Diablo: Where Barron Street meets Magnolia Street.
- Barrio Chihuahua: In the southern part of the city, named after the Chihuahua Soccer Field.
- Buena Vista: Located near Buena Vista Park, close to Lake Amistad.
- Cienegas Terraces: Outside the city limits, known for the "Duck Pond" and ranches.
- Eastside: Named after a local school, it's home to Star Park and the Val Verde Regional Medical Center.
- San Felipe: The original neighborhood in Del Rio, where the city got its name. It's home to the San Felipe Creek.
- Qualia: Next to San Felipe, this neighborhood is home to Val Verde Winery, the oldest operating winery in Texas.
- Westside: Home to Del Rio International Airport.
- Comalia: A neighborhood found by traveling down W. 2nd Street, isolated by the Woodlawn cemetery.
Images for kids
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City Hall
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Location of Del Rio, Texas
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Del Rio, TX Logo
See also
In Spanish: Del Río (Texas) para niños
