Weslaco, Texas

According to Homethodology, Weslaco is located in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, just a few miles from the Mexican border. The climate is subtropical, with hot summers and mild winters. The average temperature in the summer is around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the winter it rarely dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Weslaco’s history begins with its settlement by Spanish missionaries in 1750. After that, it was part of Mexico until 1848 when it became part of the United States after the war with Mexico. Since then, Weslaco has been growing steadily and developing into a modern city. Politically, Weslaco is represented by state senators and representatives from Texas’s 15th congressional district.

The economy of Weslaco is based mainly on agriculture and tourism, with many residents employed in farming or ranching related jobs. The area also has a large industrial sector that produces steel products, electronics components, clothing, plastics and other goods for export to other parts of the country or abroad. There are also numerous small businesses located in town which provide goods and services to local residents.

Education is provided by several school districts including Weslaco ISD which has fourteen elementary schools and three middle schools as well as two high schools – one public and one private – offering a variety of academic programs for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Higher education opportunities are available at South Texas College located nearby in McAllen or at various universities throughout Texas via online courses or distance learning programs offered by those institutions.

Weslaco has many interesting landmarks that attract visitors from all over the world including historic buildings such as City Hall (built in 1925), the old post office (built 1912) ,the old fire station (1906) ,the old jail (1934),and various churches such as St Joseph’s Catholic church (1880). Other attractions include scenic parks like Memorial Park where visitors can enjoy picnicking or fishing along with nature trails perfect for bird watching or biking; museums such as the Rio Grande Valley Museum which houses artifacts from pre-historic times to present; and art galleries featuring works created by local artists showcasing their talent for all to see!

Population: 26,935. Estimated population in July 2020: 31,442 (+16.7% change)
Males: 12,598 (46.8%), Females: 14,337 (53.2%)

Hidalgo County

Zip codes: 78596.

Median resident age: 30.8 years
Median household income: $26,573
Median house value: $53,200

Races in Weslaco:

  • Hispanic (83.8%)
  • Other race (20.9%)
  • White Non-Hispanic (14.7%)
  • Two or more races (2.2%)
  • American Indian (0.7%)
  • Filipino (0.7%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (3.9%), English (2.8%), Irish (2.2%), United States (1.7%).

Elevation: 81 feet

Land area: 12.7 square miles

Weslaco, Texas

Population

Weslaco, Texas is located in Hidalgo County and has a population of 37,739 people as of 2020. It is situated in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, just north of the Mexico-U.S. border. Weslaco is part of the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area, one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the United States. The city has a diverse population made up primarily of Hispanic and Latino Americans, with an estimated 79% being Hispanic or Latino. The majority of residents are Mexican American or Mexican nationals who have migrated to Weslaco for work or other opportunities. Other ethnicities present in Weslaco are White (17%), African American (3%), Asian (1%), and Native American (less than 1%). The median household income in 2019 was $41,694 and 18% of households were living below poverty line level at that time.

The demographics of Weslaco are also reflected in its educational attainment rate; nearly 66% of adults over 25 years old had obtained at least a high school diploma or equivalent as per 2019 estimates, while only 18% had completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher level education. The city has several elementary schools, middle schools and high schools within its boundaries that serve students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Moreover, there is one private school offering grades from pre-K to eighth grade and two universities located nearby – South Texas College and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – offering post-secondary educational opportunities for those wishing to pursue higher education degrees after graduating from high school.

For population 25 years and over in Weslaco

  • High school or higher: 55.9%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 4.3%
  • Unemployed: 14.3%
  • Mean travel time to work: 19.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Weslaco city

  • Never married: 24.2%
  • Now married: 57.2%
  • Separated: 3.2%
  • Widowed: 7.8%
  • Divorced: 7.5%

20.4% Foreign born (19.1% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +1,231 (+4.8%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Weslaco:

  • KNAPP MEDICAL CENTER (1401 EAST EIGHT STREET PO BOX 1110)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Weslaco:

  • MC ALLEN HEART HOSP (about 19 miles; MC ALLEN, TX)
  • RIO GRANDE REGIONAL HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; MC ALLEN, TX)
  • CORNERSTONE REGIONAL HOSPITAL (about 19 miles; EDINBURG, TX)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Weslaco:

  • MC ALLEN MILLER INTL (about 18 miles; MC ALLEN, TX; Abbreviation: MFE)
  • VALLEY INTL (about 24 miles; HARLINGEN, TX; Abbreviation: HRL)
  • BROWNSVILLE/SOUTH PADRE ISLAND INT’L (about 44 miles; BROWNSVILLE, TX; Abbreviation: BRO)

Other public-use airports nearest to Weslaco:

  • MID VALLEY (about 2 miles; WESLACO, TX; Abbreviation: T65)
  • EDINBURG INTL (about 21 miles; EDINBURG, TX; Abbreviation: 25R)
  • PORT ISABEL-CAMERON COUNTY (about 46 miles; PORT ISABEL, TX; Abbreviation: PIL)

Amtrak station near Weslaco:

  • 18 miles: MCALLEN (120 S. 16TH ST.) – Bus Station. Services: enclosed waiting area, intercity bus service.

Colleges and Universities

College/University in Weslaco:

  • SOUTH TEXAS VO-TECH INSTITUTE (Full-time enrollment: 292; Location: 2419 E HAGGAR AVE; Private, for-profit; Website: www.stvt.net)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Weslaco:

  • SOUTH TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 18 miles; MCALLEN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 7,142)
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN (about 19 miles; EDINBURG, TX; Full-time enrollment: 9,651)
  • TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE-HARLINGEN (about 21 miles; HARLINGEN, TX; Full-time enrollment: 2,167)
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT BROWNSVILLE (about 37 miles; BROWNSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 6,044)
  • TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE (about 37 miles; BROWNSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,556)
  • TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLE (about 93 miles; KINGSVILLE, TX; Full-time enrollment: 4,860)
  • TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI (about 116 miles; Corpus Christi, TX; Full-time enrollment: 5,282)

Schools

Public high schools in Weslaco:

  • WESLACO H S (Students: 1,994; Location: 1005 W PIKE AVE; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • WESLACO EAST HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,591; Location: 319 W 4TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION CHARTER H S (Students: 134; Location: 116 W 5TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • SOUTH PALM GARDENS H S (Students: 63; Location: 319 W 4TH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)
  • HORTON ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGR (Location: 103 S IOWA; Grades: 09 – 12)

Private high school in Weslaco:

  • VALLEY GRANDE ACADEMY (Students: 70; Location: 1000 5 BRIDGE AVE; Grades: 9 – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Weslaco:

  • DR R E MARGO ELEMENTARY (Students: 1,218; Location: 1701 S BRIDGE ST; Grades: PK – 05)
  • BEATRIZ G GARZA MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 943; Location: 1111 W SUGAR CANE DR; Grades: 06 – 09)
  • AIRPORT ELEMENTARY (Students: 895; Location: 410 N AIRPORT DR; Grades: PK – 05)
  • CLECKLER/HEALD ELEMENTARY (Students: 887; Location: 1601 W SUGARCANE; Grades: PK – 05)
  • CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 859; Location: 506 E 6TH ST; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • A N RICO ELEMENTARY (Students: 854; Location: 2202 N INTERNATIONAL BLVD; Grades: PK – 05)
  • MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY (Students: 854; Location: 1700 S BORDER; Grades: PK – 05)
  • NORTH BRIDGE ELEMENTARY (Students: 816; Location: 2001 N BRIDGE ST; Grades: PK – 05)
  • MARY HOGE MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 802; Location: 2302 N INTERNATIONAL BLVD; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • RODOLFO RUDY SILVA JR ELEMENTARY (Students: 749; Location: 1001 W MILE 10; Grades: PK – 05)

Private primary/middle schools in Weslaco:

  • MID-VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 127; Location: 417 WESTGATE ST; Grades: PK – 7)
  • VALLEY GRANDE ELEMENTARY (Students: 93; Location: P.O. BOX 8205; Grades: PK – 8)

Libraries

Library in Weslaco:

  • WESLACO PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $659,234; Location: 525 S KANSAS AVE; 66,998 books; 2,745 audio materials; 2,901 video materials; 270 serial subscriptions)