McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area

McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area located in the southern part of Texas, comprising Hidalgo County, Texas, and is part of the larger Rio Grande Valley region, which includes Brownsville, Texas, Harlingen, Texas, and Weslaco, Texas. The metropolitan area is situated near the Mexico–United States border, with the cities of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, and Matamoros, Tamaulipas, being major urban centers on the Mexican side. The area is also close to the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, and the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, which are all protected areas managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Geography

The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area is located in the Rio Grande Valley, which is a region in southern Texas that includes the Rio Grande river and its surrounding landscape. The area is characterized by a subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters, and is influenced by the Gulf of Mexico and the North American Monsoon. The metropolitan area is situated near several major waterways, including the Rio Grande, Arroyo Colorado, and Resaca de la Palma, which provide habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including the Texas tortoise, Bobcat, and Mountain lion. The area is also home to several major parks and nature reserves, including the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, McAllen Nature Center, and the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, which are managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area was 870,781, with a population density of approximately 457 people per square mile. The metropolitan area is ethnically diverse, with a large proportion of Hispanic or Latino residents, including people of Mexican American and Tejano descent. The area is also home to a significant number of Cuban American and Puerto Rican American residents, as well as people of European American and African American descent. The metropolitan area has a high percentage of residents who speak Spanish at home, and is served by several major media outlets, including the The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, and KGBT-TV.

Economy

The economy of the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area is diverse and includes major industries such as Agriculture, Health care, Retail trade, and Manufacturing. The area is a major producer of citrus fruits, including Oranges, Grapefruits, and Lemons, and is also a significant producer of Cotton, Sugarcane, and Corn. The metropolitan area is home to several major medical centers, including the Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, McAllen Medical Center, and the Edinburg Regional Medical Center, which are affiliated with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The area is also a major shopping destination, with several large malls, including the La Plaza Mall, Palms Crossing, and the Streets of St. Charles.

Transportation

The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area is served by several major transportation routes, including Interstate 2, U.S. Route 83, and Texas State Highway 107. The area is also served by the McAllen Miller International Airport, which offers flights to several major destinations, including Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. The metropolitan area has a public transportation system, including the Metro McAllen, which provides bus service to several major destinations, including McAllen, Texas, Edinburg, Texas, and Mission, Texas. The area is also served by the Valley Metro, which provides bus service to several major destinations, including Brownsville, Texas, Harlingen, Texas, and Weslaco, Texas.

Education

The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area is served by several major educational institutions, including the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, South Texas College, and the Texas A&M University–Kingsville. The area is also home to several major school districts, including the McAllen Independent School District, Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District, and the Mission Consolidated Independent School District. The metropolitan area has a high school graduation rate of approximately 85%, and is served by several major libraries, including the McAllen Public Library, Edinburg Public Library, and the Mission Public Library, which are part of the Hidalgo County Library System.

Government

The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area is governed by several major government entities, including the Hidalgo County government, the City of McAllen government, the City of Edinburg government, and the City of Mission government. The area is represented in the Texas Senate by Juan Hinojosa and Eddie Lucio Jr., and in the Texas House of Representatives by Armando Martinez, Oscar Longoria, and Sergio Muñoz Jr.. The metropolitan area is also served by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, which has a courthouse located in McAllen, Texas.