According to Allcitycodes, La Villa is located in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, and is known for its sunny and mild winters. The geography of the area is mostly flat, with some rolling hills in the north. The climate is subtropical, with temperatures rarely falling below 50 °F (10 °C) in winter months.
The city has a long history as part of the Spanish colonial period of Texas, and was originally founded as a mission in 1767 by Spaniards from Mexico. It was later incorporated as a city in 1848. La Villa has always been known for its strong community spirit, with many festivals and celebrations throughout the year celebrating local culture.
Politically, La Villa is part of Cameron County and primarily leans Democratic in elections. The city has an active mayor-council form of government that works to ensure that all residents have their voices heard.
The economy of La Villa is largely based on agriculture and tourism, with many visitors coming to enjoy the warm climate year-round. There are also a number of small businesses that cater to both locals and tourists alike.
Schools in La Villa are managed by both the Cameron County Independent School District (CCISD) and several smaller independent districts such as Santa Rosa ISD, Los Fresnos CISD, Laguna Madre ISD, and Southmost ISD. All districts offer quality education for students from pre-K through 12th grade.
La Villa has several notable landmarks including Mission San Francisco de los Tejas National Historical Park which preserves some of the earliest Spanish colonial structures in Texas; Fort Brown Memorial Park which commemorates an important battle during the Mexican-American War; and Resaca de la Palma State Park which features historical sites related to two battles during the Mexican-American War as well as hiking trails along a former resaca (oxbow lake).
Population: 1,305. Estimated population in July 2020: 1,455 (+11.5% change)
Males: 609 (46.7%), Females: 696 (53.3%)
Hidalgo County
Zip code: 78562
Median resident age: 25.3 years
Median household income: $18,333
Median house value: $25,400
Races in La Villa:
- Hispanic (98.1%)
- Other race (30.3%)
- Two or more races (2.5%)
- White Non-Hispanic (1.9%)
(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)
Ancestries: .
Land area: 0.3 square miles
Population
La Villa, Texas is a small town in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It has a population of around 4,000 people and is located just off US Highway 83. The town was founded in the late 19th century and has since grown to become a thriving community. The majority of the population is Hispanic or Latino, with over 90% of residents identifying as such. The median age is 25, making it one of the youngest communities in the United States. Nearly all residents speak Spanish as their primary language and are predominantly Catholic. There are several small businesses that serve the local community, including restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail outlets. Education is also important to La Villa’s citizens; there are two elementary schools and one high school within town limits. La Villa has a strong sense of community pride; most residents have lived here for generations and many are actively involved in local events such as festivals, parades, and other activities that bring people together. Residents enjoy spending time outdoors at various parks or taking part in recreational activities like biking or fishing on nearby lakes. La Villa is an ideal place to live for those who want to experience small-town life without sacrificing access to modern amenities like shopping centers and entertainment venues nearby.
For population 25 years and over in La Villa
- High school or higher: 40.5%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 3.8%
- Graduate or professional degree: 1.4%
- Unemployed: 20.4%
- Mean travel time to work: 21.1 minutes
For population 15 years and over in La Villa city
- Never married: 32.8%
- Now married: 53.3%
- Separated: 2.2%
- Widowed: 6.9%
- Divorced: 4.7%
12.9% Foreign born (12.9% Latin America).
Population change in the 1990s: -98 (-7.0%).
Hospitals
Hospitals/medical centers near La Villa:
- KNAPP MEDICAL CENTER (about 11 miles; WESLACO, TX)
- RIO GRANDE STATE CENTER (about 18 miles; HARLINGEN, TX)
- SOUTH TEXAS HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; HARLINGEN, TX)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to La Villa:
- VALLEY INTL (about 20 miles; HARLINGEN, TX; Abbreviation: HRL)
- MC ALLEN MILLER INTL (about 24 miles; MC ALLEN, TX; Abbreviation: MFE)
- BROWNSVILLE/SOUTH PADRE ISLAND INT’L (about 45 miles; BROWNSVILLE, TX; Abbreviation: BRO)
Other public-use airports nearest to La Villa:
- MID VALLEY (about 10 miles; WESLACO, TX; Abbreviation: T65)
- EDINBURG INTL (about 17 miles; EDINBURG, TX; Abbreviation: 25R)
- CHARLES R JOHNSON (about 39 miles; PORT MANSFIELD, TX; Abbreviation: T05)
Amtrak station near La Villa:
- 18 miles: HARLINGEN (215 E. MONROE ST.) – Bus Station. Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones.
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to La Villa:
- TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE-HARLINGEN (about 18 miles; HARLINGEN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,167)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN (about 18 miles; EDINBURG, TX; Full-time enrollment: 9,651)
- SOUTH TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 23 miles; MCALLEN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 7,142)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT BROWNSVILLE (about 39 miles; BROWNSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 6,044)
- TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE (about 39 miles; BROWNSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,556)
- TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLE (about 83 miles; KINGSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,860)
- TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI (about 105 miles; Corpus Christi, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,282)
Schools
Public high school in La Villa:
- LA VILLA H S (Students: 190; Location: 500 E 9TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
Public primary/middle schools in La Villa:
- JOSE BERNABE MUNOZ ELEMENTARY (Students: 346; Location: 500 E 9TH ST; Grades: PK – 05)
- LA VILLA MIDDLE (Students: 141; Location: 500 E 9TH ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
- LA VILLA ALTERNATIVE H S (Students: 10; Location: 500 E 9TH ST; Grades: 06 – 12)