Hidalgo County, Texas

Infobox U.S. County
county = Hidalgo County
state = Texas




map size = 250
founded = 1852
seat = Edinburg | area_total_sq_mi =1583
area_land_sq_mi =1570
area_water_sq_mi =13
area percentage = 0.82%
census yr = 2000
pop = 569463
density_km2 =140
web = www.co.hidalgo.tx.us
|

Hidalgo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 569,463; in 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population to have reached 710,514. It is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, and is the seventh most-populous county in Texas. It is named for Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the priest who raised the call for Mexico's independence from Spain. The seat of the county is Edinburg, while the largest city is McAllen.GR|6.

The McAllen–Edinburg–Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Hidalgo County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,583 square miles (4,099 km²), of which, 1,570 square miles (4,066 km²) of it is land and 13 square miles (33 km²) of it (0.82%) is water.

Major highways

*
*
*

=Adjacent counties and municipios=

*Brooks County (north)
*Kenedy County (northeast)
*Willacy County (east)
*Cameron County (east)
*Starr County (west)
*Ciudad Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Tamaulipas, Mexico (south)
*Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico (south)
*Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico (south)
*Río Bravo, Tamaulipas, Mexico (south)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 569,463 people, 156,824 households, and 132,829 families residing in the county. The population density was 363 people per square mile (140/km²). There were 192,658 housing units at an average density of 123 per square mile (47/km²). The racial makeup of the county is 77.71% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 18.64% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. 88.35% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 156,824 households out of which 49.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.00% were married couples living together, 15.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.30% were non-families. 13.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.60 and the average family size was 3.96.

In the county, the population was spread out with 35.30% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 16.00% from 45 to 64, and 9.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $24,863, and the median income for a family was $26,009. Males had a median income of $21,299 versus $18,297 for females. The per capita income for the county was $9,899. About 31.30% of families and 35.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.50% of those under age 18 and 23.30% of those age 65 or over. The county's per-capita income makes it one of the poorest counties in the United States.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Education

The following school districts serve Hidalgo County
* Donna Independent School District
* Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District
* Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District
* Hidalgo Independent School District
* La Joya Independent School District
* La Villa Independent School District
* Lyford Consolidated Independent School District (partial)
* McAllen Independent School District
* Mercedes Independent School District
* Mission Consolidated Independent School District
* Monte Alto Independent School District
* Progreso Independent School District
* Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District
* Sharyland Independent School District
* Valley View Independent School District

In addition, the county is served by the multi-county South Texas Independent School District

The Catholic Diocese of Brownsville operates three PK-8th Grade schools, two lower-level elementary schools and one high school. The Diocese has announced plans to open a second high school, San Juan Diego Regional High School, in Fall 2008.

Area Radio Stations

* KFRQ 94.5FM - [http://www.q945rocks.com Official Site]
* KKPS 99.5FM - [http://www.995quepasa.com Official Site]
* KNVO 101.1FM - [http://www.romantica101.com Official Site]
* KVLY 107.9FM - [http://www.mix1079.net Official Site]

Magazines

* Contempo Magazine(print monthly and daily online)-owned by Contempo Magazine,Inc.McAllen [http://www.contempomag.com Official Site]

Area Newspapers

* [http://www.themonitor.com/ The Monitor]
*The Mid Valley Town Crier
* [http://www.rgvbusiness.com/ RGV Business Journal]
* The Edinburg Review

References

External links

* [http://www.co.hidalgo.tx.us Hidalgo County] website
* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/search/?q=%22United+States+-+Texas+-+Hidalgo+County%22&t=dc.coverage Historic photos of Hidalgo County] hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History]
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/HH/hch14.html Hidalgo County in "Handbook of Texas Online"] at the University of Texas----