Hidalgo County, TX

County

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2021 Population

865,677

0.527% 1-year growth

US Senator

John Cornyn

Republican Party

US Senator

Ted Cruz

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

29.6

0.68% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

28.1%

1.04% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$44,666

6.74% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$94,600

5.11% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

333,199

0.808% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Hidalgo County, TX had a population of 866k people with a median age of 29.6 and a median household income of $44,666. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Hidalgo County, TX grew from 861,137 to 865,677, a 0.527% increase and its median household income grew from $41,846 to $44,666, a 6.74% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Hidalgo County, TX are White (Hispanic) (58.7%), Two+ (Hispanic) (23%), Other (Hispanic) (10.5%), White (Non-Hispanic) (5.71%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.93%).

None of the households in Hidalgo County, TX reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

81.8% of the residents in Hidalgo County, TX are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Hidalgo County, TX are The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (6,962 degrees awarded in 2021), South Texas College (5,669 degrees), and Southern Careers Institute-Pharr (458 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Hidalgo County, TX was $94,600, and the homeownership rate was 67.5%.

Most people in Hidalgo County, TX drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.8 minutes. The average car ownership in Hidalgo County, TX was 2 cars per household.

Hidalgo County, TX borders Brooks County, TX, Cameron County, TX, Kenedy County, TX, Starr County, TX, and Willacy County, TX.

About the photo: McAllen Public Library

Photo by kirphotos

United States Texas McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX

Population & Diversity

Hidalgo County, TX is home to a population of 866k people, from which 81.8% are citizens. As of 2021, 26.1% of Hidalgo County, TX residents were born outside of the country (226k people).

In 2021, there were 2.55 times more White (Hispanic) residents (508k people) in Hidalgo County, TX than any other race or ethnicity. There were 199k Two+ (Hispanic) and 90.8k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

81.8%

2021 Citizenship

81.5%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 81.8% of Hidalgo County, TX residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Hidalgo County, TX was 81.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Hidalgo County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Hidalgo County, TX

White (Hispanic)
508k ± 8.29k
Two+ (Hispanic)
199k ± 8.48k
Other (Hispanic)
90.8k ± 4.72k

92.5%

Hispanic Population

801k people

92.5% of the people in Hidalgo County, TX are hispanic (801k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Hidalgo County, TX as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Texas.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
2,459,913 ± 36,829 people
India
290,669 ± 13,170 people
El Salvador
220,934 ± 11,496 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Texas was Mexico, the natal country of 2,459,913 Texas residents, followed by India with 290,669 and El Salvador with 220,934.

Foreign-Born Population

26.1%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

226k people

26.3%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

227k people

As of 2021, 26.1% of Hidalgo County, TX residents (226k people) were born outside of the United States, which is higher than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Hidalgo County, TX was 26.3%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Hidalgo County, TX compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
6,183 ± 586
Gulf War (2001-)
4,048 ± 651
Gulf War (1990s)
3,066 ± 548

Hidalgo County, TX has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.53 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Hidalgo County, TX employs 333k people. The largest industries in Hidalgo County, TX are Health Care & Social Assistance (52,865 people), Retail Trade (43,010 people), and Educational Services (42,756 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($55,789), Public Administration ($45,061), and Utilities ($43,608).

Males in Texas have an average income that is 1.39 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,604. The income inequality in Texas (measured using the Gini index) is 0.476, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

333k

2021 Value

± 5,798

0.808%

1 Year growth

± 2.45%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Hidalgo County, TX grew at a rate of 0.808%, from 331k employees to 333k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Hidalgo County, TX, are Sales & Related Occupations (40,772 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (34,114 people), and Construction & Extraction Occupations (29,379 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Hidalgo County, TX.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Texas (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

333k

2021 Value

± 5,798

0.808%

1 Year growth

± 2.45%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Hidalgo County, TX grew at a rate of 0.808%, from 331k employees to 333k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Hidalgo County, TX, are Health Care & Social Assistance (52,865 people), Retail Trade (43,010 people), and Educational Services (42,756 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Hidalgo County, TX, though some of these residents may live in Hidalgo County, TX and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$31,630

Median earning men ± $786

$21,591

Median earning women ± $576

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($52,792), Manufacturing ($42,585), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($41,254).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Construction ($43,298), Public Administration ($39,827), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($29,473).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Texas. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Texas.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

7,367
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
3,560
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
2,621
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$5.39M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$1.13M
Retail Trade
$1.06M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Electronics
$255B
Gasoline
$212B
Fuel oils
$180B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas product (by dollars) was Electronics with $255B, followed by Gasoline ($212B) and Fuel oils ($180B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Texas products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Texas.

$2.26T

2020 Value in Texas

$4.54T

Projected 2050 Value in Texas

101% growth

In 2020, total outbound Texas trade was $2.26T. This is expected to increase 101% to $4.54T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Texas trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Texas to other states, or from other states to Texas.

Most Common Trade Partners

Louisiana
$77.7B
California
$68.4B
Michigan
$58.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Texas domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Louisiana with $77.7B, followed by California with $68.4B and Michigan and $58.4B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Texas shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Hidalgo County, TX went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 58% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.571%).

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing the state of Texas. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (58%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (41%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.571%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Hidalgo County, TX went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 58% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (41%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.571%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Hidalgo County, TX for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Texas

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

John Cornyn

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on December 2, 2002
Phil Gramm resigned (effective November 30, 2002) a few weeks before the expiration of his term in hopes that his successor, fellow Republican John Cornyn, could gain seniority over other newly elected senators. However, Cornyn did not gain additional seniority due to a 1980 Rules Committee policy.

Ted Cruz

Senator from Texas

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

John Cornyn and Ted Cruz are the senators currently representing Texas.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Texas over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Texas

Texas is currently represented by 38 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Texas have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Hidalgo County, TX awarded 15,111 degrees. The student population of Hidalgo County, TX in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 25,966 male students and 38,757 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Hidalgo County, TX are Hispanic or Latino (13,862 and 92.1%), followed by White (624 and 4.15%), Asian (218 and 1.45%), and Unknown (156 and 1.04%).

The largest universities in Hidalgo County, TX by number of degrees awarded are The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (6,962 and 46.1%), South Texas College (5,669 and 37.5%), and Southern Careers Institute-Pharr (458 and 3.03%).

The most popular majors in Hidalgo County, TX are General Studies (969 and 6.41%), General Biological Sciences (710 and 4.7%), and General Business Administration & Management (616 and 4.08%).

The median tuition cost in Hidalgo County, TX for a public four year colleges is $5,234 for in-state students and $11,825 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Hidalgo County, TX, the percentage of applicants admitted was 93.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 40.3%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 64,723 (40.1% men and 59.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 64,723 students enrolled in Hidalgo County, TX, 40.1% men and 59.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Hispanic or Latino with 60,086 records, of which 60.3% were women and 39.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
491 degree-majors awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
518 degree-majors awarded
Other Multidisciplinary Studies
494 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Hidalgo County, TX was General Biological Sciences with 491 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Hidalgo County, TX according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
6,962 degrees awarded
South Texas College
5,669 degrees awarded
Southern Careers Institute-Pharr
458 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with 6,962 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 5,378 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Hidalgo County, TX, which is 0.553 times less than the 9,733 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was Hispanic or Latino students. These 13,862 degrees mean that there were 22.2 times more degrees awarded to Hispanic or Latino students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 624 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 4-year or above ($5,234) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,802) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,220) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Measure

In 2021, 1.46% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.43% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Texas.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (5.58M), Some college (4.95M), and Bachelors Degree (4.04M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Hidalgo County, TX was $94,600 in 2021, which is 0.386 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $90,000 to $94,600, a 5.11% increase. The homeownership rate in Hidalgo County, TX is 67.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Hidalgo County, TX have an average commute time of 22.8 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Hidalgo County, TX is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Hidalgo County, TX is $44,666. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Hidalgo County, TX was Census Tract 207.24 with a value of $71,946, followed by Census Tract 224.02 and Census Tract 243.01, with respective values of $65,524 and $60,087.

In 2022, 25.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Hidalgo County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.72%.

Housing

Property

$94,600

Median Property Value 2021

±$2,272

$170,147

Median Property Taxes

±$3,739

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Hidalgo County, TX the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Hidalgo County, TX compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

67.5%

Homeownership

2021

65.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 67.5% of the housing units in Hidalgo County, TX were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 68%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Hidalgo County, TX compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 207.24
Census Tract 224.02
Census Tract 243.01

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Hidalgo County, TX was Census Tract 207.24 with a value of $71,946, followed by Census Tract 224.02 and Census Tract 243.01, with respective values of $65,524 and $60,087.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Hidalgo County, TX colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$44,666

Median Household Income

± $1,239

252k

Number of Households

± 5,106

In 2021, the median household income of the 252k households in Hidalgo County, TX grew to $44,666 from the previous year's value of $41,846.

The following chart displays the households in Hidalgo County, TX distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Hidalgo County, TX is from Texas.

0.476

2021 Wage GINI in Texas

0.478

2020 Wage GINI in Texas

In 2021, the income inequality in Texas was 0.476 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.474% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Texas was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Texas in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Texas across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (78.6%)
Carpooled (9.28%)
Worked At Home (7.25%)

In 2021, 78.6% of workers in Hidalgo County, TX drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.28%) and those who worked at home (7.25%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22.8 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Hidalgo County, TX have a shorter commute time (22.8 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.33% of the workforce in Hidalgo County, TX have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Hidalgo County, TX compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Hidalgo County, TX distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Hidalgo County, TX have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 25.5% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Hidalgo County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 2.72%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

28.1% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Hidalgo County, TX (241k out of 856k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 6 - 11, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Hidalgo County, TX is Hispanic, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 32.5% of the children was living in poverty in Hidalgo County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 13.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 312 in Hidalgo County, TX. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 25.2 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

69.2% of the population of Hidalgo County, TX has health coverage, with 25.6% on employee plans, 27.7% on Medicaid, 6.26% on Medicare, 8.83% on non-group plans, and 0.785% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Hidalgo County, TX see 2161 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.415% decrease from the previous year (2170 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3543 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1418 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,161 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Hidalgo County, TX

Primary care physicians in Hidalgo County, TX see an average of 2,161 patients per year. This represents a 0.415% decrease from the previous year (2,170 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Hidalgo County, TX in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 34.8% under 18 years, 22.2% between 18 and 34 years, 32.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 10.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

30.8%

Uninsured

25.6%

Employer Coverage

27.7%

Medicaid

6.26%

Medicare

8.83%

Non-Group

0.785%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Hidalgo County, TX grew by 0.842% from 30.6% to 30.8%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Hidalgo County, TX changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 37.6 in Hidalgo County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Hidalgo County, TX.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 48.1% in Hidalgo County, TX.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Hidalgo County, TX.

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