Elsa, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elsa, Texas
|
|
|---|---|
Location of Elsa, Texas
|
|
 |
|
| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  Texas |
| County | Hidalgo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.09 sq mi (5.41 km2) |
| • Land | 2.09 sq mi (5.41 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 5,668 |
| • Density | 2,715.86/sq mi (1,048.60/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
78543
|
| Area code(s) | 956 |
| FIPS code | 48-24036 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1335417 |
Elsa is a city located in Hidalgo County, Texas, in the United States. In 2020, about 5,668 people lived there. Elsa is part of a larger area called the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission metropolitan area.
Contents
Where is Elsa Located?
Elsa is in the eastern part of Hidalgo County. It is about 9 miles (14 km) north of Weslaco. The city is also 11 miles (18 km) east of Edinburg. You can find Elsa along State Highway 107 and FM 88.
To the east of Elsa is the city of Edcouch. To the west, you'll find the community of La Blanca. The city covers a total area of about 2.1 square miles (5.4 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
How Many People Live in Elsa?
The population of Elsa has grown over the years. Here's how it has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 1,006 | — | |
| 1950 | 3,179 | 216.0% | |
| 1960 | 3,847 | 21.0% | |
| 1970 | 4,400 | 14.4% | |
| 1980 | 5,061 | 15.0% | |
| 1990 | 5,242 | 3.6% | |
| 2000 | 5,549 | 5.9% | |
| 2010 | 5,660 | 2.0% | |
| 2020 | 5,668 | 0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Elsa's Population in 2020
In 2020, there were 5,668 people living in Elsa. There were 2,093 households and 1,735 families in the city. Most people in Elsa are of Hispanic or Latino background. About 96.56% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino in 2020.
Schools in Elsa
Students in Elsa attend schools that are part of the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District. This district helps educate many young people in the area. Also, the South Texas Independent School District runs special magnet schools that serve the community. Elsa also has its own public library, which is a great place to read and learn.
A Brief History of Elsa
Before 1800, the area where Elsa is now was mostly ranch land. American settlers began to move into the area in the early 1900s. The town of Elsa was officially planned in 1927. This happened when the Texas and New Orleans Railroad came through the area. The city was officially formed in 1940. It was named after a student.
An interesting fact about Elsa's history involves a popular food item. The Ro-Tel brand of canned tomatoes and green chiles started in Elsa. It began in 1943 as a family canning plant. This plant was set up by Carl Roetelle. Ro-Tel is now a common ingredient in Tex-Mex cooking.
