McAllen, Texas

City of McAllen
—  City  —
Nickname(s): City of Palms
Location within the state of Texas
Coordinates:
Country United StatesUnited States
State TexasTexas
County Hidalgo
Government
 - Type Council-Manager
 - City Council Mayor Richard F. Cortez
Scott Crane
Marcus Barrera
Hilda Salinas
Aida Ramirez
John Ingram
Jim Darling
 - City Manager Mike Perez
Area
 - City 46.3 sq mi (119.8 km2)
 - Land 46.0 sq mi (119.1 km2)
 - Water 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)
Elevation 121 ft (37 m)
Population (2000)
 - City 106,414 (city proper)
 - Density 2,314.7/sq mi (893.8/km2)
 - Metro 569,463
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 - Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP codes 78501-78505
Area code(s) 956
FIPS code 48-45384[1]
GNIS feature ID 1374829[2]
Website http://www.mcallen.net/

McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley and is part of the American Southwest. The population was 106,414 at the 2000 census, while the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 569,463; rapid growth pushed the metropolitan area's population to 710,514 by 2007.[3] It is the 187th largest city in the U.S. and the 70th largest metropolitan area. Its southern boundary is located about five miles from the U.S.-Mexico border and the Mexican city of Reynosa, the Rio Grande River and about 70 miles (110 km) west of South Padre Island and the Gulf of Mexico.

Contents

Geography

McAllen is located at (26.216263, -98.236385)[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 46.3 square miles (119.8 km²). 46.0 square miles (119.1 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (0.63%) is water.

Although McAllen is named the City of Palms, tropical vegetation is only locally dominant. There are many deciduous trees such as Rio Grande Ash (Fraxinus berlandieriana), Cedar Elm (Ulmus crassifolia), Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) and Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa). In winter, when these trees are bare, many neighbourhoods take on a much more temperate appearance.

Climate

McAllen has a humid subtropical climate, similar to that of the Tampa Bay Area of Florida but with less precipitation and slightly higher summer maximum temperatures. The average high in January is 70 °F and the average low is 50 °F. The average high is 96 °F and the average low is 76 °F in August. The warm season is extremely long, as average high temperatures are above 90°F (32 °C) and average low temperatures are above 70 °F (21 °C), with relatively high dew point values resulting in higher relative humidity values and heat index values from May through September. Heat index values can consistently reach over 100 °F from May through September.

Average annual precipitation is only 22.96 inches (583 mm). Most precipitation occurs in the warm season, with the least precipitation distinctly occurring in the cooler winter. As September is the peak of the North Atlantic Hurricane Season and tropical storms and hurricanes occasionally drop copious amounts of rainfall on the region, this month tends to be by far the wettest, averaging 4.08 inches (104 mm) of rain. The driest month is March, with only 0.72 inches (18 mm) of precipitation.

Temperatures are frequently above 100 °F (38 °C), occasionally as early as February and as late as the end of October, the highest temperature ever recorded in McAllen is 110 °F (43 °C), once in 1998 and once in 1999. The lowest temperature ever recorded in McAllen is 13 °F (-11 °C), on January 12, 1962.

Climate data for McAllen, Texas
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: National Weather Service[5]''

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 106,414 people, 33,151 households, and 26,089 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,314.7 people per square mile (893.8/km²). There were 37,922 housing units at an average density of 824.9/sq mi (318.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.46% White, 0.61% African American, 0.40% Native American, 4.93% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 15.85% from other races, and 2.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 77.28% of the population.

There were 33,151 households out of which 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.18 and the average family size was 3.64.

In the city the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,641, and the median income for a family was $36,050. Males had a median income of $30,089 versus $22,480 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,939. About 20.9% of families and 23.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.5% of those under age 18 and 20.3% of those age 65 or over.

Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1910 150
—
1920 5,331 3,454.0%
1930 9,074 70.2%
1940 11,877 30.9%
1950 20,067 69.0%
1960 32,728 63.1%
1970 37,636 15.0%
1980 66,281 76.1%
1990 89,000 34.3%
2000 106,414 19.6%

Transportation

Mass transit

Public Transportation for the City of McAllen began in June 1997. In the beginning, McAllen’s public transportation system, McAllen Express (ME), was administered by the Lower Rio Grande Development Council. Since 2005, McAllen Express Transit (MET) has been operated as a Department of the City of McAllen. MET now has seven fixed routes serving residents and visitors of McAllen. MET operates six days out of the week, 13 hours per day. In 2003, changes in the census affected McAllen’s urbanized area, and MET lost $1.5 million in operating funds. Nonetheless, the City of McAllen has worked diligently to ensure that service levels are maintained, and continues to plan for service improvements. Ridership in 1997 totaled 42,578 passenger trips. The first full year of operation was in 1998, and the ridership recorded for that year was 201,506 passenger trips. In 2008 McAllen Express Transit accomplished record high numbers in ridership, totalling 412,151 passenger trips, accounting for more that twice the ridership recorded in 1998.

MET FARE STRUCTURE

Adults Students Elderly
$1.00 $0.50 $0.50

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 as well as 14 private domestic and international bus lines. Approximately 60 buses depart from Central Station on a daily basis. Central Station also hosts 2 million visitors per year. McAllen Central Station has been the first successful terminal of its kind in the region and has become a model facility for agencies such as Brownsville, Houston, and Baytown.

Highways

US Highway 83 running through a major retail district of McAllen.

U.S. 83 travels through McAllen as its major east-west artery. It runs less than a mile south of downtown McAllen.

Airports

Economy

FtradezonesignMcAllen.jpg
Paseo Plaza at 10th Street and U.S. Highway 83

Prior to ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement, economic activity in McAllen was centered around agriculture and petroleum.

A Foreign trade zone is located on the southwest side of the city. In addition to the industrial activity, there is a retail sector that is heavily dependent on purchases made by wealthier, and largely, Mexican middle and upper middle-class consumers. This sector benefits greatly from the express highway links, on the Mexican side of the border, to Monterrey, Cd. Victoria and Tampico.

A Forbes article on the internet list McAllen as one of the best real estate markets in the United States.

McAllen has the second highest per capita health-care costs in the United States.[7]

Media and journalism

Television stations

Radio stations

Magazines

Area newspapers

Government and infrastructure

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) operates the McAllen Parole Office in McAllen.[8]

The United States Postal Service operates two post offices in McAllen, including the McAllen Post Office and the Downtown McAllen post office.[9][10]

Education

Area colleges and universities

Primary and secondary schools

McAllen Independent School District serves most of the city. Portions of the city extend into Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District and that district operates two elementary schools located in the City of McAllen. The Hidalgo Independent School District, La Joya Independent School District, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, Sharyland Independent School District, and Valley View Independent School District also serve the City of McAllen.

In addition, residents are allowed to apply to magnet schools operated by the South Texas Independent School District. Idea Public Schools also has Quest Academy in North McAllen (mile 17 &1/2 and Rooth road).

Public libraries

McAllen Public Library operates a main library and two branches, the Lark Branch and the Palm View Branch.[11]

Architecture and points of interest

  1. Chase Texas Tower (tallest tower in McAllen)
  2. BBVA Compass Tower
  3. Bentsen Tower
  4. Embassy Suites Hotel
  5. Mcallen Medical Center
  6. Rio Grande Regional Hospital
  1. McAllen Botanical Gardens
  2. Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
  3. Quinta Mazatlan
  1. Microsoft Repair Shop
  2. Mcallen Convention Center
  3. La Plaza Mall
  4. Rio Grande Speedway
  5. State Farm Arena(Hidalgo,Texas)Hidalgo, Texas
  6. South Texas College
  7. International Museum of Art
  8. Cine El Rey
  9. Things to do in McAllen Texas/Rio Grande Valley

Surrounding cities

Nearest cities

Nearest major cities

Recreation and Sports

Birdwatching - The McAllen is positioned on the migratory path between North and South America, presenting bird and butterfly expeditions. The landscape hosts a diverse wildlife population.

McAllen has hosted the NAIA national football championship and NCAA Division II national football championship games in the 1980s. McAllen is home to Rio Grande Speedway, a 1/4 mile dirt track with races the 1st, and 3rd Saturday of each month from March through November, and a national multi-day event around December.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  3. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 (CBSA-EST2007-01)" (CSV). 2007 Population Estimates. United States Census Bureau, Population Division. 2008-03-27. http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2007/CBSA-EST2007-01.csv. Retrieved 2008-05-02. 
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2005-05-03. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  5. ↑ National Weather Service Brownsville
  6. ↑ website
  7. ↑ Gawande, Atul (2009-06-01). The Cost Conundrum: What a Texas town can teach us about health care. The New Yorker. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/06/01/090601fa_fact_gawande?currentPage=all. Retrieved 2009-08-31. 
  8. ↑ "Parole Division Region IV." Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Retrieved on May 21, 2010.
  9. ↑ "Post Office™ Location MCALLEN." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Post Office™ Location - DOWNTOWN MCALLEN." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Main Library." McAllen Public Library. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.

External links

Municipalities and communities of Hidalgo County, Texas
County seat: Edinburg
Cities

Alamo | Alton | Donna | Edcouch | Edinburg | Elsa | Granjeno | Hidalgo | La Joya | La Villa | McAllen | Mercedes | Mission | Palmhurst | Palmview | Penitas | Pharr | Progreso | Progreso Lakes | San Juan | Sullivan City | Weslaco
CDPs

Abram-Perezville | Cesar Chavez | Citrus City | Cuevitas | Doffing | Doolittle | Faysville | Havana | Heidelberg | Indian Hills | La Blanca | La Homa | Laguna Seca | Llano Grande | Lopezville | Los Ebanos | Midway North | Midway South | Mila Doce | Monte Alto | Muniz | North Alamo | Nurillo | Olivarez | Palmview South | Relampago | San Carlos | San Manuel-Linn | Scissors | South Alamo | Villa Verde | West Sharyland
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See: Table of Texas counties  or List
McAllen, Texas
Attractions & Sports
State Farm Arena · Rio Grande Valley Dorados · Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees · Rio Grande Valley Vipers
Companies
Inter National Bank · Lone Star National Bank · Rio Bank · McAllen Express Transit · The Monitor (Texas)
History
International Museum of Art & Science · McAllen Botanical Gardens · Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge
Education
South Texas College · McAllen Independent School District · South Texas Independent School District · Idea Public Schools
Media
Television:
XHFOX · XHRIO · KGBT · XHAB · XERV · XHREY · KVEO · KTLM · KNVO · XHVTV · KTIZ · KMBH · XHOR
Transportation
McAllen-Miller International Airport · McAllen–Hidalgo–Reynosa International Bridge · Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge · Anzalduas International Bridge
Mayors of cities with populations exceeding 100,000 in Texas
   
  1. Annise Parker (Houston)
  2. Julian Castro (San Antonio)
  3. Tom Leppert (Dallas)
  4. Lee Leffingwell (Austin)
  5. Mike Moncrief (Fort Worth)
  6. John Cook (El Paso)
  1. Robert Cluck (Arlington)
  2. Joe Adame (Corpus Christi)
  3. Phil Dyer (Plano)
  4. Raul Gonzalez Salinas (Laredo)
  5. Tom Martin (Lubbock)
  6. Ronald E. Jones (Garland)
  1. Herbert A. Gears (Irving)
  2. Debra McCartt (Amarillo)
  3. Pat Ahumada (Brownsville)
  4. Charles England (Grand Prairie)
  5. Johnny Isbell (Pasadena)
  6. John Monaco (Mesquite)
  1. Richard F. Cortez (McAllen)
  2. Ron Branson (Carrollton)
  3. Virginia DuPuy (Waco)
  4. Bill Whitfield (McKinney)
  5. Mark Burroughs (Denton)
  6. Timothy L. Hancock (Killeen)
  7. Norm Archibald (Abilene)
  1. Becky Ames (Beaumont)
  2. Wes Perry (Midland)
  3. Alan McGraw (Round Rock)
  4. Dean Ueckert (Lewisville)
  5. Bill Keffler (Richardson)
  6. Lanham Lyne (Wichita Falls)
  7. Larry Melton (Odessa)