McAllen, Texas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids McAllen
City
Images, from top down, left to right: Chase Bank Tower in downtown McAllen; Bentsen Tower in downtown McAllen; PNC Bank Building (formerly BBVA Compass Building) in North McAllen; McAllen Convention Center at night; McAllen Performing Arts Center; Interior of the Quinta Mazatlan; Entrance to McAllen Public Library
Nickname(s):  "The City of Palms"
Location within Hidalgo County
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Hidalgo
Founded	December 5, 1904
Incorporated	February 20, 1911
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
Area
• City	62.73 sq mi (162.48 km2)
• Land	62.31 sq mi (161.37 km2)
• Water	0.43 sq mi (1.11 km2)
Elevation	121 ft (37 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	142,210
• Estimate  (2022)	144,579
• Rank	US: 190th TX: 23rd
• Density	2,320/sq mi (895.9/km2)
• Urban	779,553 (US: 56th)
• Urban density	2,389.7/sq mi (922.7/km2)
• Metro	888,367 (US: 65th)
Time zone	UTC–6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC–5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	78501, 78502, 78503, 78504, 78505, 78539, 78557, 78572
Area code(s)	956
Sales Tax	8.25%
GNIS feature ID	1374829

McAllen is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in Hidalgo County. It is located at the southern tip of the state in the Rio Grande Valley, on the Mexico–United States border. The city limits extend south to the Rio Grande, across from the Mexican city of Reynosa. McAllen is about 70 mi (110 km) west of the Gulf of Mexico. As of the 2020 census, McAllen's population was 142,210, making it the 23rd-most populous city in Texas. It is the fifth-most populous metropolitan area (McAllen–Edinburg–Mission) in the state of Texas, and the binational Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan area counts a population of more than 1.5 million.

From its settlement in 1904, the area around McAllen was largely rural and agricultural in character, but the latter half of the 20th century had steady growth, which has continued in the 21st century in the metropolitan area. The introduction of the maquiladora economy and the North American Free Trade Association led to an increase in cross-border trading with Mexico.

History

In 1904 the Hidalgo and San Miguel Extension (now the Sam Fordyce Branch) of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway reached the Santa Anita Ranch. John McAllen and his son James donated land to the railroad to guarantee it would cross the area. On December 5, 1904, the McAllen Townsite Company was formed by Uriah Lott, Leonidas C. Hill, Sr., John McAllen, James Ballí McAllen, and John J. Young. The new community, which was named for John McAllen, had the depot nearest the county seat, Hidalgo, eight miles to the south.

By 1911, 5,000 acres was under cultivation in East McAllen with produce consisting of cotton, alfalfa, broom corn, citrus fruits, grapes, and figs. East McAllen had an estimated population of 1,000 that year, and West McAllen had ceased to exist. In 1911 the town applied for and was issued a charter of incorporation under the name McAllen. In 1916, 20,000 New York state troops were stationed at McAllen to help quell border disturbances. The resulting economic boom increased the population from 1,200 in 1916, to 6,000 in 1920.

McAllen adopted a home rule charter in 1927. Canning factories, a winery, tortilla plants, wood-working plants, and some oil exploration increased the population to 9,074 by 1930. In 1936 Hiram Garner opened the Valley Distillery, Incorporated, which produced wines from citrus juices. The town was a petroleum and farm chemurgic center with a population of 11,877 in 1940, by which time it had adopted the nickname the City of Palms. In 1941, a suspension bridge replaced the old bridge to Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Tamaulipas; the new toll bridge was purchased by the city and was named the McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge. Its construction resulted in increased tourist trade, making McAllen a winter resort and port of entry to Mexico. The discovery of oil in the Reynosa area in 1947 resulted in a large migration of people from the Mexican interior, constituting a new tourist market and cheap labor supply for McAllen. The sister cities were linked as a result of the increased traffic between them. The population of McAllen was 20,005 in 1950 and 32,728 in 1960. The McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge was the number-two port of entry into Mexico in 1954.

McAllen was an agricultural, oil, and tourist center in 1970, when the population reached 37,636. By the start of the 1970s, McAllen had a 200-bed hospital and a new air-conditioned high school, the first school in the nation featuring on-site power generated by natural-gas-powered turbines. The tourism industry continued to expand as people traveled to the area from both Mexico and the northern United States. The population continued to grow steadily through the 1970s, and reached 66,281 by 1980. During the late 1980s the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone was an important general-purpose foreign trade zone. At the time McAllen's main industries were retail, tourism and farming, and each was in trouble. The devaluation of the Mexican peso in the 1980s put a damper on cross-border shopping; local tourism was down because of the recession. In 1983 a freeze took out much of the valley's citrus crop.

In the mid-1980s, fueled by trade and the growth of the maquiladora (in which components are shipped to Mexico, assembled and shipped back), the economy began to improve in Hidalgo County. McAllen sits across the border from Reynosa, a large manufacturing centre. After the peso devalued it became easier to coax companies to put their plants in Mexico with support operations in Texas.

Geography

McAllen is located at 26°12′59″N 98°14′11″W / 26.21639°N 98.23639°W / 26.21639; -98.23639 (26.216263, −98.236385). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.3 square miles (120 km²), of which 46.0 square miles (119 km²) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) (0.63%) is water.

Although McAllen is named the City of Palms, tropical vegetation is only locally dominant. There are many thorny shrubs and deciduous trees in the area such as Rio Grande Ash (Fraxinus berlandieriana), Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia) and Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa).

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 142,210 people, 45,429 households, and 34,119 families residing in the city.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 129,877 people, 41,573 households, and 31,823 families resided in the city. Of the 45,862 housing units, 4,289, or 9.4%, were vacant.

The racial makeup of the city was 83.9% White, 0.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 10.4% some other race, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 84.6% of the population.

Of the 41,573 households, 46.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were not families. About 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.9% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.10, and the average family size was 3.58.

In the city, the population was distributed as 30.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

For the period 2012–2016, the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $45,568, and for a family was $50,184. The per capita income for the city was $21,726. About 22.5% of families and 25.7% of the entire population were below the poverty line, including 36.6% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

The Rio Grande Valley began its rapid development with the introduction of irrigation in 1898 and the construction of the railroad in 1904. These major additions turned a once relatively desolate area into a major agricultural center. Throughout much of the 1900s, McAllen was a rural, agriculture-based economy characterized by sporadic growth.

Today, the area is transforming into a major international trade area. As recently as 1990, McAllen's unemployment rate was at 22.6%. By the end of 2005, that figure had dropped to 7.7%. However, in 2011, census.gov listed the McAllen metro area the poorest in the nation. As of 2012, the average cost of a home in McAllen was the third-least expensive in the country, at $178,000, while average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $708. In 2012, the cost of living in McAllen was 16.2% lower than the national average.

Trade

Since the 1980s and especially since the ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, the focal point of economic activity has shifted from agriculture to international trade, health care, retail, and tourism.

The McAllen Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) is located south of McAllen between McAllen and Reynosa. Commissioned in 1973, it was the first inland foreign-trade zone in the United States. Also, an FTZ designation site is at the McAllen Miller International Airport to facilitate air cargo needs. Under U.S. and Mexican laws and NAFTA provisions, the FTZ designation offers specific cost-saving opportunities to manufacturers. Products can be brought into the FTZ duty-free. Services have recently expanded to include full logistic support services, including public warehouse services such as pick and pack, order processing, inventory control, incoming/outgoing quality inspection, and kitting.

Sports

McAllen hosted the NAIA National Football Championship in the late 1970s and NCAA Division II national football championship games in the 1980s.

Until 2014, McAllen was home to the Texas Thunder of the independent United League Baseball, who played at Edinburg Stadium.

Recreation

Birdwatching

McAllen is positioned on a major flyway, the migratory path of birds between North and South America, presenting opportunities for bird and butterfly expeditions. The landscape hosts a diverse wildlife population. The Quinta Mazatlan, a historic Spanish colonial mansion, is used as McAllen's wing of the World Birding Center. The McAllen Nature Center is a popular spot for bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts alike. This preserved green space offers visitors a chance to explore walking trails, climb a small hill, and has a cactus garden - all without any charge for admission.

The Bicentennial Bike Path runs from Highway 83 on the south side to Bicentennial and Trenton Road on the north side. The International Museum of Art & Science, Smithsonian affiliate and AAM-accredited museum founded in 1967, is located near the path at the corner of Bicentennial and Nolana Avenue.

The Zinnia Spray Water Park is McAllen's first sprayground park. It is located at 29th and Zinnia Ave.

Champion Lakes Golf Course is located on South Ware Road just south of Highway 83. The golf course has 18 holes plus a driving range. This course hosts numerous tournaments year round.

Dog owners have room to run their pets at the McAllen Dog Park, which is divided into two sections.

Transportation

Mass transit

Metro McAllen (formerly McAllen Express Transit – MET) has provided public transportation for the City of McAllen since June 1997. In the beginning, McAllen Express was administered by the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. Since 2005, Metro McAllen has been operated as a department of the city of McAllen. Metro McAllen now has nine fixed routes and paratransit, serving residents and visitors. It operates seven days a week, from 6am–9pm Monday through Saturday and from 8am-6pm on Sunday. LRGVDC continues to operate regional buses under the name Valley Metro.

Downtown Bus Terminal

The City of McAllen also operates the bus terminal facility in downtown McAllen, known as McAllen Central Station. Central Station serves as a hub for MET and for 14 private domestic and international bus lines. Around 60 buses depart from Central Station on a daily basis. It is centrally located in downtown McAllen at 1501 W Hwy 83.

Highways

• Interstate 2 travels through McAllen from Taylor Road to Sugar Road.
• U.S. 83 travels through McAllen as its major east–west artery. It runs directly south of downtown McAllen.
• State Highway 107 travels east through McAllen into downtown Edinburg, where it intersects the Business Route of US Route 281 and then I-69C/US 281.
• State Highway 336 travels north to an intersection with FM 1016 in McAllen to an intersection with I-2/US 83.
• State Highway 495 travels through McAllen from FM 2220 (Ware Road) to FM 2061 (McColl Street).
• Interstate 69C travels through McAllen from Falfurrias through McAllen, past Pharr.

Airports

• McAllen Miller International Airport is served by American Airlines with non-stop service to Dallas/Fort Worth; by United with non-stop service to Houston; by Aeromexico with nonstop service to Mexico City/Santa Lucía; by Delta with nonstop service to Austin and by Allegiant Air with nonstop flights to Las Vegas and with seasonal service to Los Angeles and Orlando-Sanford.

Education

Postsecondary

• South Texas College has a total of more than 27,000 students attending its five campuses in Hidalgo and Starr counties, and the eSTC virtual campus. The main campus is in McAllen.

Primary and secondary schools

The McAllen Independent School District serves most of the city followed by the Valley View Independent School District and the Sharyland Independent School District. Portions of the city extend into the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, which operates two elementary schools within the McAllen city limits. The Hidalgo Independent School District, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District also serve McAllen.

In addition, residents are allowed to apply to magnet schools operated by the South Texas Independent School District.

The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville operates Our Lady of Sorrows School, an elementary and middle school.

Public libraries

McAllen Public Library operates a main library and two branches, the Lark Branch and the Palm View Branch. The New Main Library opened in the fall of 2011 inside a former Walmart big box store. The library earned high praise and received the International Interior Design Association's 2012 Library Interior Design Award.

Arts and culture

International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS), founded in 1967, is a Smithsonian Affiliate and American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accredited museum located in McAllen at the corner of Bicentennial and Nolana Avenue.

Media

Television stations

• KGBT-TV 4 Harlingen, Texas Independent
• KRGV-TV 5 Weslaco, Texas ABC
• XHAB-TV 8 Matamoros, Tamaulipas Vallevision
• XERV-TV 9 Reynosa, Tamaulipas Canal de las Estrellas
• XHREY-TV 12 Reynosa, Tamaulipas Azteca Uno
• XHOR-TV 14 Reynosa, Tamaulipas Azteca 7
• KVEO 23 Brownsville, Texas NBC/CBS
• KTFV-CD 32 McAllen, Texas UniMás
• KTLM 40 Rio Grande City, Texas Telemundo
• KNVO 48 McAllen, Texas Univision
• XHVTV-TV 54 Reynosa, Tamaulipas Multimedios (Canal 6 Mexico)
• KFXV 60 Harlingen, Texas FOX
• KMBH-LD 67 McAllen, Texas FOX
• [ MCN ] 17.12 McAllen, Texas Public Broadcasting Station

Radio stations

• KURV 710 AM News Talk Radio
• XERDO-AM La Raza 1060 AM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish]
• XEMS-AM Radio Mexicana 1490 AM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish]
• KHID 88.1 FM McAllen (National Public Radio)
• XHRYS-FM Ultra 90.1 FM [Spanish]
• XHRYN-FM Uni 90.5 FM [Spanish]
• XHRYA-FM Mas Music 90.9 FM (Hit Radio) [Spanish]
• XHMLS-FM Exitos 91.3 FM (All-Time Hits) [Spanish]
• KCAS The New KCAS 91.5 FM
• XHEOQ-FM Notigape 91.7 FM (News) [Spanish]
• XHAAA-FM La Caliente 93.1 FM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish]
• KFRQ Q94.5 FM (Classic/Modern/Hard Rock)
• XHRT-FM @FM (Arroba FM) 95.3 FM (All-Time Hits) [Spanish]
• KBTQ Recuerdo 96.1 FM (Oldies) [Spanish]
• KVMV Family Friendly & Commercial Free 96.9 FM (Adult Contemporary Christian)
• KGBT-FM Solamente Exitos 98.5 FM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish]
• KKPS Fuego 99.5 FM (CHR) [Spanish]
• KTEX South Texas Country 100.3 FM (Country)
• KNVO-FM La Suavecita 101.1 FM [Spanish]
• XHAVO-FM Digital 101.5 FM (International Music) [Spanish]
• KBFM Wild 104.1 FM (Hip-Hop/R&B/Reggaeton)
• KJAV Life Radio 104.9 (Contemporary Christian)
• KQXX Kiss 105.5 FM
• KHKZ Kiss 106.3 FM (Hot AC)
• XHVTH-FM La Comadre 107.1 FM (Regional Mexican)
• KVLY RGV FM 107.9 FM (Top 40)

Area newspapers

• The Monitor
• Valley Morning Star
• Texas Border Business
• Mega Doctor News

Architecture and points of interest

• Tallest buildings

McAllen skyline. On far right is the Chase Neuhaus Tower in Downtown.

• Districts

McAllen Convention Center District

1. Downtown McAllen
2. De Palmas Historic District
3. 17 Street Entertainment District
4. McAllen Arts District
5. Uptown McAllen
6. McAllen Convention Center District

• Points of Interest

McAllen Convention Center

1. McAllen Botanical Gardens
2. Quinta Mazatlan
3. McAllen Convention Center
4. La Plaza Mall
5. International Museum of Art & Science
6. Historic Cine El Rey Theatre
7. Veteran's War Memorial of Texas
   

   Veteran's War Memorial of Texas

Notable people

• Cristela Alonzo, stand-up comedian and actress, was given the Key to the City in 2019
• Abraham Ancer, professional golfer, born in McAllen
• Viola Canales, Lecturer in Law, writer, Born in McAllen, Texas in 1957
• Jorge Cantú, baseball player, born in McAllen in 1982
• Shaine Casas, competitive swimmer, born in San Diego, California, raised in McAllen
• Raúl Castillo, actor, born in McAllen in 1977
• Michael Cole, professional wrestling commentator for WWE
• Ana Brenda Contreras, Mexican American actress and singer, born in McAllen on December 24, 1986
• Henry Cuesta, clarinetist on The Lawrence Welk Show, born in McAllen in 1931
• Catherine Hardwicke, film director, born in Cameron, Texas, grew up in McAllen
• Carl Möhner, actor, director, screenwriter and painter born in Vienna, Austria in 1921, died 2005 in McAllen
• James Nicholas Rowe, Colonel United States Army, born in McAllen in 1938
• Gladys Tamez, celebrity milliner
• Gloria Trevi, Mexican pop star, born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, México. Now living in McAllen, Texas

Sister cities

McAllen, Texas sister cities

See also

In Spanish: McAllen para niños