Donna, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donna, Texas
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| Motto(s):
"The Heart of the Valley"
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Location of Donna, Texas
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| Country | United States of America |
| State | Texas |
| County | Hidalgo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 8.30 sq mi (21.50 km2) |
| • Land | 8.29 sq mi (21.48 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 92 ft (28 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 16,797 |
| • Density | 2,023.7/sq mi (781.26/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
78537
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| Area code(s) | 956 |
| FIPS code | 48-20884 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1334485 |
Donna is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. It is part of the larger McAllen–Edinburg–Mission region. In 2020, about 16,797 people lived there. Donna is known as "The Heart of the Valley."
Contents
History of Donna, Texas
Donna is located in southeastern Hidalgo County, about 11 miles east of McAllen. The land was first granted to Lino Cabazos in 1834 by the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. His family lived there for many years.
The first known Anglo-American settler was John F. Webber. He and his wife, Sylvia, who was formerly enslaved, moved to the area in 1839. They came to escape unfair treatment because they were an interracial couple.
How Donna Got Its Name
Many families from northern states, like the Ruthvens and Hooks, also settled here. Thomas Jefferson Hooks arrived in 1900. In 1902, he helped start the La Blanca Agricultural Company. They bought a large area of land.
Hooks gave some of this land to his 21-year-old daughter, Donna Hooks Fletcher. She started the Alameda Ranch and raised Jersey cattle. She even had a successful butter business!
The railroad reached the area in 1904, and the town was founded. In 1907, a train depot was built. The town was officially named "Donna" in honor of Donna Fletcher (1879-1969). She became the postmistress when the Donna post office opened in 1908.
Early Growth and Development
In 1908, the first store in west Donna opened. The community became known for shipping a lot of farm produce. A large sugar mill was also built that year.
The first local newspaper, The Donna Developer, started in 1910. Churches were built, and the telephone service began in 1911. Donna officially became a city on April 13, 1911.
By 1912, the town had two parts: Donna and East Donna. East Donna was the Mexican side of town. It had its own post office called "Beatriz." Saint Joseph Catholic Church and a school for Mexican children were located there.
In 1915, Donna had about 1,500 people. It had a bank, a hotel, churches, cotton gins, and the sugar mill. The Donna Dispatch was the local newspaper. By 1936, Donna had grown to 4,103 people and 110 businesses.
Donna in the Mid-20th Century
In the 1940s, Donna started using the motto "The City with a Heart in the Heart of the Rio Grande Valley." By 1945, the population was 4,712. Donna continued to be a major center for growing citrus fruits and vegetables.
In 1964, the American Legion Hall was made a historical landmark. By 1967, Donna had many businesses, churches, a bank, a library, and a newspaper.
After the 1970s, Donna's economy still relied on fruits, vegetables, and tourism. In 2000, Donna had a population of 14,768.
Nearby Communities (Colonias)
There are several small communities called colonias just south of Donna. These include Colonia Nueva, Colonia Algeria, Colonia Tierra Prieta, Colonia Salinas, and South Donna. These areas often have unique histories and community structures.
Geography of Donna
Donna is located in southern Texas at coordinates 26.170336° N, 98.049037° W. It is next to Weslaco on the east and Alamo on the west. The city's southern edge is a few miles north of the Rio Grande. This river forms the border between the United States and Mexico.
Transportation Routes
Interstate 2 and U.S. Highway 83 run through the northern part of Donna. These highways connect Donna to other cities. For example, it's about 11 miles west to McAllen and 23 miles east to Harlingen. Hooks Avenue is the main road in the center of Donna.
Land and Water
The city covers a total area of about 21.5 square kilometers (8.3 square miles). Most of this area is land. Only a small part, about 0.03 square kilometers (0.01 square miles), is water.
Climate in Donna
Donna has a hot semiarid climate. This means it is generally hot and dry, similar to parts of southwest Texas and northwest Mexico. The climate is also influenced by its closeness to the coast.
Nearby Colonias
Some of the colonias near Donna include:
- Donna North
- South Donna
- Val Verde
- Lunar Heights
Population of Donna
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1920 | 1,579 | — | |
| 1930 | 4,103 | 159.8% | |
| 1940 | 4,712 | 14.8% | |
| 1950 | 7,171 | 52.2% | |
| 1960 | 7,522 | 4.9% | |
| 1970 | 7,365 | −2.1% | |
| 1980 | 9,952 | 35.1% | |
| 1990 | 12,652 | 27.1% | |
| 2000 | 14,768 | 16.7% | |
| 2010 | 15,798 | 7.0% | |
| 2020 | 16,797 | 6.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 | |||
Donna is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan areas.
2020 Census Information
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 1,057 | 6.29% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 18 | 0.11% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 14 | 0.08% |
| Asian (NH) | 11 | 0.07% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 5 | 0.03% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 30 | 0.18% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 54 | 0.32% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 15,608 | 92.92% |
| Total | 16,797 |
In 2020, there were 16,797 people living in Donna. These people lived in 4,887 households, with 3,630 of them being families.
Education in Donna
The first teacher in Donna was Paciana Guerra in 1911. In 1913, the first four students graduated from Donna High School. At that time, the Donna school district covered a very large area.
Schools in Donna
Donna is served by the Donna Independent School District. This district has 13 elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools. They have worked to bring more technology into classrooms.
The South Texas Independent School District also has special magnet schools that serve the Donna community. In 1998, IDEA Academy & College Preparatory opened in Donna. It was the first school in the IDEA Public Schools network, which has grown across Texas.
Public Library
The Donna Public Library is located in the city. It provides books and resources for everyone in the community.
Fun Things to Do in Donna
Donna and the Rio Grande Valley area are great for outdoor activities.
- Bird Watching: The Rio Grande Valley is known as one of the best places in the United States for birding. You can visit places like the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge and the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge nearby.
- Winter Texans: Many people, called "Winter Texans," come to the area during the colder months. They enjoy the mild weather and all the activities available.
- International Bridge: A bridge is being built across the Rio Grande. It will connect Donna to Río Bravo, a city in Tamaulipas, Mexico.
- Bennie La Prade Stadium: This large stadium in Donna can hold 12,500 people.
Media and News
Donna has access to many television and radio stations that serve the Rio Grande Valley area.
Television Stations
Some of the TV stations available include:
- KGBT (Channel 4, Harlingen, Texas, a CBS affiliate)
- KRGV (Channel 5, Weslaco, Texas, an ABC affiliate)
- KVEO (Channel 23, Brownsville, Texas, an NBC affiliate)
- KTLM (Channel 40, Rio Grande City, Texas, a Telemundo affiliate)
- KNVO (Channel 48, McAllen, Texas, a Univision affiliate)
Radio Stations
You can listen to various radio stations in Donna, such as:
- KKPS (Local Tejano Music)
- KNVO-FM (Romantica 101.1)
- KVLY (Mix 107.9, Adult Contemporary music)
- KFRQ (The Q 94.5, Rock music)
- KBFM (Wild 104.1, Hip Hop/R&B/Rap)
- KURV (710 KURV, News, Weather & Talk)
Images for kids
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Donna, Texas was shown in a postcard mailed on November 15, 1916.
See also
In Spanish: Donna (Texas) para niños
