Weslaco, Texas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Weslaco, Texas
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| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Hidalgo |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-Manager |
| Area | |
| • Total | 16.45 sq mi (42.61 km2) |
| • Land | 16.38 sq mi (42.42 km2) |
| • Water | 0.07 sq mi (0.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 79 ft (24 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 40,160 |
| • Density | 2,441.3/sq mi (942.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
78596, 78599
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| Area code(s) | 956 |
| FIPS code | 48-77272 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1349656 |
Weslaco (pronounced WESS-lə-koh) is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, in the United States. It's located at the very southern tip of Texas, in an area called the Rio Grande Valley. This area is close to the Mexican border, right across the Rio Grande river from the city of Nuevo Progreso, Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas.
In 2020, about 40,160 people lived in Weslaco. By 2023, studies showed the population had grown to about 43,053.
Weslaco got its name from the W.E. Stewart Land Company, which helped develop the area. It's known as the hometown of Harlon Block, one of the Marines famous for raising the flag at Iwo Jima during World War II. Actor David Spielberg also grew up here.
Weslaco is part of two larger city areas: the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission area and the Reynosa–McAllen area.
Contents
History of Weslaco
The land where Weslaco now stands was first part of a large land grant given to Juan José Ynojosa de Ballí in 1790. His family owned the land until 1852.
In 1904, a railroad line reached this area. People like Uriah Lott and Lon C. Hill Jr. wanted to develop the land for farming, not just ranching. The American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company bought a big part of the land in 1913.
To help control raids from Mexico, the United States government sent troops to the Rio Grande in 1916. They set up a camp near the railroad.
On December 14, 1917, the W. E. Stewart Land Company bought 30,000 acres of land. The city's name, Weslaco, comes from this company's name. The Stewart Company later sold the land to Ed C. Couch and others.
The town was officially planned out on September 18, 1919. Even though other towns tried to discourage people from moving there, the first land sale happened on December 8-10, 1919. People had to camp on their chosen lot until the sale day. Some lots were given away for free to church groups, and cars were even given away as prizes!
In 1941, a special discovery was made at the Weslaco post office. A stamp collector and the postmaster found 1,300 rare airmail stamps that were printed in the wrong colors. These stamps are very unique and valuable to collectors.
Where is Weslaco?
Weslaco is located in the southeastern part of Hidalgo County. It shares borders with Mercedes to the east and Donna to the west.
Major highways like Interstate 2 and U.S. Route 83 run through Weslaco. These highways connect Weslaco to McAllen (about 16 miles west) and Harlingen (about 19 miles east).
Weslaco is also about 5 miles north of Progreso and 7 miles north of the international bridge that crosses the Rio Grande into Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.
The city covers about 16.45 square miles (42.61 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Weslaco's Climate
Weslaco has a humid subtropical climate, which means it has two main seasons: a wet season and a dry season. The wet season runs from April to September, and the dry season is from October to March.
Temperatures in Weslaco
Winters in Weslaco are mild. The average high temperature in January is about 71°F (22°C), and the average low is around 50°F (10°C).
Summers are very long and hot. From May through September, average high temperatures are above 90°F (32°C), and average lows are above 70°F (21°C). The air can feel very humid, making it feel even hotter, often over 100°F (38°C).
The highest temperature ever recorded in Weslaco was 110°F (43°C) on April 17, 1920. The lowest temperature was 16°F (-9°C), recorded on January 12, 1962, and again on December 23, 1989.
Rainfall and Snow
Weslaco gets about 25.73 inches (654 mm) of rain each year. Most of this rain falls during the wet season. September is usually the wettest month, with an average of 5.64 inches (143 mm) of rain. This is because September is the peak of hurricane season, and tropical storms can bring a lot of rain. February is the driest month, with less than an inch of rain.
It doesn't snow often in Weslaco. The record snowfall was 3 inches (76 mm) on December 25, 2004. It also snowed on December 8, 2017. In October 2015, Weslaco received 10-12 inches of rain, which caused flooding in several areas.
| Climate data for Weslaco, Texas, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1914–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 93 (34) |
100 (38) |
104 (40) |
110 (43) |
108 (42) |
107 (42) |
108 (42) |
106 (41) |
107 (42) |
104 (40) |
99 (37) |
94 (34) |
110 (43) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 85.4 (29.7) |
89.6 (32.0) |
92.8 (33.8) |
94.9 (34.9) |
96.0 (35.6) |
99.5 (37.5) |
100.5 (38.1) |
101.4 (38.6) |
99.0 (37.2) |
95.6 (35.3) |
90.4 (32.4) |
86.0 (30.0) |
102.4 (39.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 71.3 (21.8) |
75.4 (24.1) |
80.7 (27.1) |
86.3 (30.2) |
90.3 (32.4) |
94.6 (34.8) |
95.7 (35.4) |
97.3 (36.3) |
92.0 (33.3) |
87.2 (30.7) |
79.9 (26.6) |
72.0 (22.2) |
85.2 (29.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 60.7 (15.9) |
64.4 (18.0) |
70.4 (21.3) |
75.7 (24.3) |
80.9 (27.2) |
85.1 (29.5) |
86.1 (30.1) |
86.9 (30.5) |
82.4 (28.0) |
76.6 (24.8) |
69.2 (20.7) |
61.8 (16.6) |
75.0 (23.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 50.0 (10.0) |
53.5 (11.9) |
60.4 (15.8) |
65.1 (18.4) |
71.5 (21.9) |
75.5 (24.2) |
76.5 (24.7) |
76.4 (24.7) |
72.8 (22.7) |
66.0 (18.9) |
58.4 (14.7) |
51.6 (10.9) |
64.8 (18.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 35.8 (2.1) |
39.5 (4.2) |
43.9 (6.6) |
51.2 (10.7) |
60.1 (15.6) |
68.6 (20.3) |
71.3 (21.8) |
71.1 (21.7) |
63.7 (17.6) |
50.3 (10.2) |
42.9 (6.1) |
36.2 (2.3) |
32.9 (0.5) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 16 (−9) |
20 (−7) |
26 (−3) |
33 (1) |
47 (8) |
53 (12) |
62 (17) |
62 (17) |
48 (9) |
33 (1) |
30 (−1) |
16 (−9) |
16 (−9) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.02 (26) |
0.95 (24) |
1.45 (37) |
1.46 (37) |
2.61 (66) |
2.79 (71) |
2.24 (57) |
1.87 (47) |
5.64 (143) |
2.84 (72) |
1.61 (41) |
1.25 (32) |
25.73 (653) |
| Source 1: NOAA | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: National Weather Service | |||||||||||||
People of Weslaco
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 4,879 | — | |
| 1940 | 6,883 | 41.1% | |
| 1950 | 7,514 | 9.2% | |
| 1960 | 15,649 | 108.3% | |
| 1970 | 15,313 | −2.1% | |
| 1980 | 19,331 | 26.2% | |
| 1990 | 21,877 | 13.2% | |
| 2000 | 26,935 | 23.1% | |
| 2010 | 35,670 | 32.4% | |
| 2020 | 40,160 | 12.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population and Diversity
| Race | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 3,668 | 9.13% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 134 | 0.33% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 46 | 0.11% |
| Asian (NH) | 350 | 0.87% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 6 | 0.01% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 62 | 0.15% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 126 | 0.31% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 35,768 | 89.06% |
| Total | 40,160 |
As of the 2020 United States census, Weslaco had 40,160 residents. There were 12,671 households and 9,998 families living in the city. The population of Weslaco is very diverse, with a large percentage of people identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
Weslaco's Economy
The way Weslaco makes its money has changed over time. It used to rely mostly on farming. But since 1994, when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed, the economy has shifted. Now, international trade, healthcare, retail (stores), and tourism are very important.
Trade and Business
Trade between the U.S. and Mexico is a big part of the economy in Hidalgo County, where Weslaco is located. The number of cargo trucks crossing the border has grown a lot since the 1990s. This shows how much trade has increased.
For example, trade between the U.S. and Mexico crossing through Hidalgo County went from $5 billion in 1994 to $19.9 billion in 2006. This growth helps the local economy.
Shopping and Tourism
Many people from Mexico visit Texas for vacations and shopping. It's estimated that about 40 million visits happen each year. These visitors spend money in stores, which boosts retail sales in Weslaco and nearby towns.
Weslaco is also a popular spot for "Winter Texans." These are people, often from colder states, who come to Texas for the winter months. In the summer, many travelers visit the area to go to the beaches of South Padre Island.
Healthcare Services
Healthcare is another important part of Weslaco's economy. Knapp Medical Center serves the city's medical needs. It has a heli-pad for emergencies, a trauma unit, and 233 hospital beds. Around the medical center, there are many doctors, medical services, and pharmacies. This area serves patients from the entire Mid-Valley region.
Getting Around Weslaco
Highways
Interstate 2 runs through Weslaco, making it easy to travel east and west.
U.S. 83 is the main east-west road in Weslaco.
Airports
For private planes, Weslaco has the Mid Valley Airport. If you need to catch a commercial flight, you can go to the McAllen Miller International Airport or the Valley International Airport in Harlingen, which are both nearby.
Buses
Local public transportation is provided by Valley Metro, which offers bus services.
Education in Weslaco
Schools for Kids
Most public schools in Weslaco are part of the Weslaco Independent School District. There are also schools like Idea Public Schools and South Texas Independent School District.
For private education, Weslaco has four schools: San Martin de Porres Catholic School, Valley Grande Adventist Academy, Mid-Valley Christian School, and First Christian Academy. There are also two Charter schools: Horizon Montessori and Technology Education Charter High School.
The city also has programs for younger children, like the Head Start Program and various private day care centers.
Colleges and Training
If you want to continue your education after high school, Weslaco has several options:
- South Texas College (Mid-Valley Campus)
- South Texas Vocational Technical Institute
- Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies
Texas A&M also has an agricultural research center in Weslaco, where they study farming and related topics.
Public Library
The Mayor Joe V. Sanchez Public Library serves the community of Weslaco. Besides having many books, the library offers computer classes and hosts different events for the community. It also has meeting rooms and an auditorium that people can use.
Notable People from Weslaco
Weslaco has been home to several well-known individuals:
- Natalia Anciso: A modern artist and teacher, born in Weslaco.
- Harlon Block: A United States Marine who lived in Weslaco and graduated from Weslaco High School.
- Omar Figueroa Jr.: A professional boxer and former world champion, who lives in Weslaco and graduated from Weslaco East High School.
- Roberto García: A professional boxer, who lives in Weslaco and graduated from Weslaco High School.
- Pat Hingle: An actor who lived in Weslaco and graduated from Weslaco High School.
- Chuck Leah: An Americana singer-songwriter and musician, born in Weslaco.
- David Spielberg: An actor, born in Weslaco.
Museums and Parks
Weslaco Museum
The Weslaco Museum has different exhibits and hosts events for local residents, helping them learn about the area's history and culture.
Nature Parks
Weslaco is home to one of the nine sites of the World Birding Center in the Rio Grande Valley. This site is located within the Estero Llano Grande State Park. Visitors can go on walks to see birds, butterflies, and dragonflies, or take an electric tram tour to explore nature. The park also offers programs and field trips for schools.
The Valley Nature Center is a 6-acre park and environmental education center. It focuses on teaching people about the local plants and animals of the Rio Grande Valley.
City Parks and Recreation
The City of Weslaco Parks & Recreation Department takes care of six city parks and three public swimming pools. These parks are used for many community events, like parades, festivals, and holiday programs. The department also organizes sports leagues, including baseball, softball, little league, and soccer.
Local Wildlife (Fauna)
Weslaco is home to many different animals. You might see native species like the White-tailed deer, Skunk, Green Anole (a type of lizard), Cane Toad, and even the American Alligator. There are also some animals that have been introduced to the area, such as the Brown Anole, Green Iguana, and the Monk Parakeet.
Images for kids
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This historic home is now part of a nature preserve in Weslaco. It's a haven for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
See also
In Spanish: Weslaco para niños
