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Harlingen, Texas
City of Harlingen
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine
Flag of Harlingen, Texas
Flag
Official seal of Harlingen, Texas
Seal
Coat of arms of Harlingen, Texas
Coat of arms
Official logo of Harlingen, Texas
Police patch
Nickname(s): 
"Capital City of the Valley", "H-Town"
Motto(s): 
"The Capital of the Rio Grande Valley"
Location in Cameron County and the state of Texas
Location in Cameron County and the state of Texas
Harlingen, Texas is located in Texas
Harlingen, Texas
Harlingen, Texas
Location in Texas
Harlingen, Texas is located in the United States
Harlingen, Texas
Harlingen, Texas
Location in the United States
Country  United States
State  Texas
County Cameron
Founded 1904
Named for Harlingen, Netherlands
Government
 • Type Council-Manager
Area
 • City 40.63 sq mi (105.22 km2)
 • Land 40.13 sq mi (103.93 km2)
 • Water 0.50 sq mi (1.29 km2)
Elevation
39 ft (12 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • City 64,849
 • Estimate 
(2019)
75,023
 • Density 1,620.36/sq mi (625.62/km2)
 • Metro
406,220
Time zone UTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
78550-78553
Area code(s) 956
FIPS code 48-32372
GNIS feature ID 1337354

Harlingen ( har-LIN-jin) is a city in Cameron County in the central region of the Rio Grande Valley of the southern part of the U.S. state of Texas, about 30 miles (48 km) from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The city covers more than 40 square miles (104 km2) and is the second-largest city in Cameron County, as well as the fourth-largest in the Rio Grande Valley. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 74,924, for a growth rate of 12.5% since the 2000 census.

Harlingen is a principal city of the Brownsville–Harlingen metropolitan area, which is part of the larger Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville combined statistical area, included in the Matamoros–Brownsville metropolitan region.

History

LonHill-July1912
A drawing of Lon Hill in 1912
Jackson Street, Harlingen, Texas, 1957
Harlingen's Jackson Street in the late 1950s.

Harlingen's strategic location at the intersection of U.S. Route 77 and U.S. Route 83, designated as Interstate 69 East and Interstate 2 respectively, in northwestern Cameron County fostered its development as a distribution, shipping, and industrial center. In 1904 Lon C. Hill (a man of Choctaw ancestry) envisioned the Arroyo Colorado as a commercial waterway. He named the town he founded on the north bank after the Frisian city of Harlingen, the Netherlands. The town's post office was established that year. The first school opened with fifteen pupils in 1905 near the Hill home, the first residence built in Harlingen. Harlingen incorporated on April 15, 1910, when the population totaled 1,126. In 1920 the census listed 1,748. The local economy at first was almost entirely agricultural. Major crops were vegetables and cotton.

World War II military installations in Harlingen caused a jump in population from 23,000 in 1950 to 41,000 by 1960. Harlingen Army Air Field preceded Harlingen Air Force Base, which closed in 1962. The city's population fell to 33,603 by 1972, then climbed to 40,824 by 1980. Local enterprise, focused on the purchase and utilization of the abandoned base and related housing, laid the groundwork for continuing progress through a diversified economy. The estimated population in July 1985 was 49,000, of which about 80 percent was Hispanic. In the late 1980s income from tourism ranked second only to citrus fruit production, with grain and cotton next in order. The addition of wholesale and retail trade, light and medium manufacturing, and an array of service industries has broadened the economic base. Large-scale construction for multifaceted retirement communities is a new phase of industrial development.

The City of Harlingen operates a busy industrial airpark where bombers used to land. At Valley International Airport the Confederate Air Force (now Commemorative Air Force) occupied hangar and apron space until 1991. The first hospital in Harlingen opened in 1923 and consisted of little more than two barracks as wings. The Valley Baptist Hospital was built nearby a few years later, and eventually the older hospital closed. The Valley Baptist Hospital has grown into the Valley Baptist Medical Center. The city's outstanding network of health care specialists and facilities parallels the growth of the still-expanding center. Also serving regional health needs are the South Texas State Chest Hospital, the State Hospital for Children, and the Rio Grande State Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center.

Besides public and church-affiliated schools, Harlingen students attend the University Preparatory School, the Marine Military Academy, Texas State Technical College, or Rio Grande Vocational and Rehabilitation Classes. Civic and cultural development in Harlingen has kept pace with the growth of the community. Fraternal orders and civic organizations operating in the community include Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Optimist, 20-30, VFW, American Legion, and the Lower Valley Cotillion Club; a woman's building is maintained as a center for the activities of the many woman's clubs active in the city. Development and appreciation of the fine arts are encouraged by organizations such as the Rio Grande Valley Art League, the Art Forum, and the Rio Grande Valley Civic Association, which stages its winter concert series at the 2,300-seat Harlingen Municipal Auditorium. Each March Harlingen is the site of the Rio Grande Valley International Music Festival. The city has two newspapers—the Harlingen Press, a weekly paper established in 1951, and the Valley Morning Star, a daily established in 1911. In 1990 the population was 48,735. In 1992 the city was named an All-America City, cited especially for its volunteer spirit and self-help programs. In 2000 the community had 57,564 inhabitants and 2,549 businesses.

The famous Tejana singer Selena also performed here with her band Selena and the Dinos.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 40.3 square miles (104.4 km2), of which 39.8 square miles (103.1 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2), or 1.22%, is water.

Soils in Harlingen range in texture from fine sandy loam to clay. They are neutral to moderately alkaline with pH of 7.2 to 8.5 (most commonly around 8.2), and are moderately well drained or well drained in most cases. There are small areas of poorly drained, saline clays.

Climate

Climate data for Harlingen, Texas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 94
(34)
99
(37)
104
(40)
107
(42)
105
(41)
106
(41)
107
(42)
108
(42)
107
(42)
100
(38)
97
(36)
93
(34)
108
(42)
Average high °F (°C) 70.7
(21.5)
74.0
(23.3)
80.1
(26.7)
85.8
(29.9)
90.5
(32.5)
93.7
(34.3)
95.1
(35.1)
95.9
(35.5)
91.3
(32.9)
86.8
(30.4)
79.6
(26.4)
71.5
(21.9)
83.9
(28.8)
Daily mean °F (°C) 60.1
(15.6)
63.4
(17.4)
69.0
(20.6)
75.3
(24.1)
80.7
(27.1)
83.9
(28.8)
85.1
(29.5)
85.4
(29.7)
81.9
(27.7)
76.1
(24.5)
68.4
(20.2)
60.7
(15.9)
73.9
(23.3)
Average low °F (°C) 48.8
(9.3)
52.5
(11.4)
57.2
(14.0)
65.0
(18.3)
70.9
(21.6)
74.2
(23.4)
75.1
(23.9)
74.9
(23.8)
72.4
(22.4)
65.4
(18.6)
57.0
(13.9)
49.3
(9.6)
63.9
(17.7)
Record low °F (°C) 12
(−11)
10
(−12)
21
(−6)
37
(3)
46
(8)
57
(14)
60
(16)
60
(16)
52
(11)
33
(1)
27
(−3)
12
(−11)
10
(−12)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 1.06
(27)
1.41
(36)
1.29
(33)
1.67
(42)
2.49
(63)
2.50
(64)
1.93
(49)
1.86
(47)
5.22
(133)
2.99
(76)
1.50
(38)
1.26
(32)
25.18
(640)
Source: National Weather Service

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1920 1,784
1930 12,124 579.6%
1940 13,306 9.7%
1950 23,229 74.6%
1960 41,207 77.4%
1970 33,503 −18.7%
1980 43,543 30.0%
1990 48,735 11.9%
2000 57,564 18.1%
2010 64,849 12.7%
2019 (est.) 65,022 0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, 57,564 people, 19,021 households, and 14,360 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,689.6 people per square mile (652.4/km2). The 23,008 housing units averaged 675.3/mi2 (260.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 78.68% White, 0.92% Black, 0.52% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 16.39% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. About 72.76% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race; most are of Mexican descent.

As in other cities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, a significant part of Harlingen's transient population and a significant contributor to its economy consists of "Winter Texans", generally retirees from the northern Midwestern states and Canada, who come to escape the northern winter weather between roughly November and April.

Of the 19,021 households, 38.6% had children under the age of 18, 55.6% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were not families; 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94, and the average family size was 3.44.

In the city, the population was distributed as 30.7% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,296, and for a family was $34,015. Males had a median income of $27,014 versus $21,795 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,886. About 19.3% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.7% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

Sports and recreation

Most recently, Harlingen was the home of the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings, a minor league baseball team that existed from 1994 to 2003 and from 2006 to 2015. In 2000, the WhiteWings won the Texas-Louisiana League championship. Previously, Harlingen was home to the Harlingen Capitals, who were members of the Class D Rio Grande Valley League (1950) and Class B Gulf Coast League (1951–1953). Earlier, the Harlingen Ladds were members of the Rio Grande Valley League (1931) and the Harlingen Hubs were members of the Texas Valley League (1938). The Rio Grande Valley Giants, based in Harlingen, played in the Class AA Texas League (1960–1961) as an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Gaylord Perry played for the Rio Grande Valley Giants in 1960. In 1976, the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings played as members of the Gulf States League and the Harlingen Suns (1977) played in the Lone Star League. Beginning in 1950, all Harlingen teams played at Harlingen Field.

Valley Race Park is a racetrack for Greyhound dogs. It was the first Greyhound track in Texas to accept parimutuel wagering. The facility is fully air-conditioned and the grandstands totals over 80,000 square feet (7,400 m2). The grandstand has over 400 monitors to pick up the 50-plus Simulcast Live Racing signals from the top Greyhound and horse tracks from all around the United States. Valley Race Park shut down in the fall of 1995, but reopened five years later, in the spring of 2000.

The World Birding Center (Harlingen Arroyo Colorado) has a location in Harlingen's Hugh Ramsey Nature Park. Work continues on designs for a new 7,250-square-foot (674 m2) visitors' center at Hugh Ramsey Nature Park. The two-story center will include a gift shop, observation tower, meeting rooms, and enclosed viewing areas. Also, visitors at both Ramsey Park and the Thicket will find parking and extensive trails, as well as maps, information, and public restrooms.

The Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival occurs each November in Harlingen, attracting up to 3,000 participants per year. In 2018, the multi-day festival celebrated its 25th year, drawing 600 participants in guided birding tours, 80 to 90 paid guides, and 100 volunteers. 10,000-capacity

J. Lewis Boggus Stadium has an all-weather artificial playing surface and is located in downtown Harlingen. It is used for football, soccer, and other outdoor athletic events.

Culture and points of interest

  • Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum
  • Harlingen Performing Arts Theater
  • Iwo Jima Memorial Museum
  • Iwo Jima Memorial Monument

Education

TSTC, Harlingen entrance
The entrance to the Harlingen branch of the Texas State Technical College in 2008

Primary and secondary education

The city is covered by the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District and South Texas Independent School District. Harlingen is home to four high schools – Early College High School, Harlingen High School, Harlingen High School South, and Harlingen School of Health Professions, and a freshman Academy, Abraham P. Cano Academy. The Saint Anthony Catholic School is a parochial school for grades K–8 (with a Montessori program for 3- and 4-year-olds). It is one of the few Catholic schools in the city of Harlingen and has an enrollment of approximately 220 students.

The Marine Military Academy is a private, all-male, college preparatory school located in Harlingen.

Universities and colleges

In 1967, a branch of Texas State Technical College was established in Harlingen. The two-year technical state college currently offers more than 30 programs to over 5,000 students.

In 2002, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio opened the Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) Medical Education Division in Harlingen. In 2012, the UT System Board of Regents approved the merger of the University of Texas at Brownsville and the University of Texas-Pan American to form the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, the latter using resources from the RAHC.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine welcomed its first students in the summer of 2016. UTRGV's psychiatry program and Institute for Neurosciences are based in Harlingen.

Southern Careers Institute has a campus located in Harlingen, too.

Transportation

Airports

The city's airport, Valley International Airport, has a service area that encompasses the lower Rio Grande Valley and northern Mexico, serving more than two million people on both sides of the US-Mexico border. Valley International Airport lies in the northeastern portion of Harlingen and offers a border-crossing option via the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios. The airport has aligned itself as the air cargo hub of the Rio Grande Valley and works closely with carriers such as DHL, FedEx and Southwest Airlines Cargo. In 1975, Southwest Airlines began to fly to the Rio Grande Valley via Valley International Airport with four roundtrips each business day. Southwest currently offers nonstop flights between Harlingen and Austin and Houston Hobby. Additional airlines that serve the airport include United Express to Houston Intercontinental, American Airlines with daily nonstop service to Dallas DFW, Frontier Airlines with weekly nonstop service to Chicago and Denver, and Delta Air Lines and Sun Country Airlines with seasonal, nonstop service to Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Highways

The city of Harlingen is at the junction of U.S. Route 77 and U.S. Route 83, designated as Interstate 69E and Interstate 2, respectively. Interstate 69E runs through north-south through Harlingen, while the city serves as the eastern terminus of Interstate 2. U.S. Route 77 connects the Rio Grande Valley to Interstate 37 at Corpus Christi. U.S. Route 83 connects the Rio Grande Valley with Interstate 35 at Laredo.

International trade bridges

The Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios is a state-of-the-art international bridge located just 10 miles (16 km) south of Harlingen. With a full U.S. Customs inspection facility that accommodates up to 75 trucks simultaneously, the Free Trade Bridge is acclaimed as the most time-efficient border crossing in the valley. The bridge accesses a four-lane highway in northern Mexico, offering a fast route to the border cities of Matamoros and Reynosa, as well as the industrial city of Monterrey. With the completion of Mexico's State of Tamaulipas new 'autopista', the Free Trade Bridge will provide a seamless highway connection for more efficient distribution of industrial products to and from interior Mexico.

Ports

The Port of Harlingen is located 4 mi (6.4 km) east of Harlingen on Highway 106. It is 25 mi (40 km) west of mile marker 646 on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, which stretches from the Mexican border at Brownsville, along the entire coast of the Gulf of Mexico to St. Marks, Florida. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway provides over 1,300 miles (2,100 km) of protected waterway, 12 ft (3.7 m) deep and 125 ft (38 m) wide. The Harlingen Channel is maintained to a width of 125 feet (38 m) and a depth of 12 ft (3.7 m) and is supplied by the Arroyo Colorado, a freshwater river.

Railroads

Union Pacific Railroad has a local terminal and switching yard in Harlingen. The Harlingen Industrial Parks and Port of Harlingen have direct rail access. Harlingen has a rich history as a railroad town. The Southern Pacific depot has been razed, but it was one of four SP depots in the Rio Grande Valley (the others are Brownsville, now a museum; McAllen, now a law office; and Edinburg, now the home of the Chamber of Commerce).

Harlingen was served by the Missouri Pacific Railroad night train on a Houston, Texas-Brownsville, Texas route, the Pioneer (#315/316) until 1964 and day train on that route, the Valley Eagle (#321/322) until 1962.

Notable people

  • Gloria E. Anzaldúa (1942–2004), writer
  • Leo Araguz (born 1970), American football player
  • Thomas Haden Church (born 1960), actor
  • Parker Coppins, YouTuber
  • Danielle Doty (born 1993), Miss Texas Teen USA 2011, Miss Teen USA 2011
  • Carlos Elizondo, event planner and political aide
  • Cayetano Garza (born 1972), cartoonist
  • Bill Haley (1925–1981), rock and roll musician
  • Gina Haley (born 1975), singer-songwriter
  • Harry Holt, professional football player
  • Rose Wilder Lane (1886–1968), journalist, travel writer, novelist, political theorist, and daughter of American writer Laura Ingalls Wilder
  • Bobby Morrow (1935–2020), retired American sprinter who won three gold medals at the 1956 Olympics
  • Harry Nyquist (1889–1976), electronics engineer
  • Frank Page (1925–2013), American radio personality at KWKH in Shreveport, educated in Harlingen
  • Emmy Ruiz, political advisor
  • Nick Stahl (born 1979), actor
  • Jeffrey Thompson (born 1963), Idaho state representative
  • Blanca Vela (1936–2014), first female mayor of Brownsville, Texas (1999–2003), born and raised in Harlingen
  • Filemon Vela Jr., U.S. Representative
  • Larry Warner (1943–2022), lawyer and politician
  • Randy Williams (born 1975), former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball player
  • Kim Young (born 1955), professional golfer

See also

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