McAllen, Texas
McAllen: The second most populous city in Hidalgo County, Texas.
About
McAllen is a city located in the county of Hidalgo in the U.S. state of Texas. Its population at the 2010 census was 129,877 and a population density of 853 people per km². After 10 years in 2020 city had an estimated population of 143,751 inhabitants.
The city was created 122 years ago in 1903.
McAllen is a city located in southern Texas along the Rio Grande, across the border from Reynosa, Mexico. With over 140,000 residents, McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County and the center of the Rio Grande Valley metropolitan area.
History
McAllen traces its roots back to a ranch settlement established in 1904 named for the landowner, John McAllen. In 1911, the town site was surveyed and organized around the newly arriving railroad.
Agriculture, cattle ranching, and the cotton trade fueled McAllen's early development through the first half of the 20th century. Today the economy is more diverse, though produce growing remains important.
Transportation Hub
Being a border city along a key north-south interstate, McAllen has emerged as an important trade and transportation center. Features include:
- Foreign-Trade Zone status allowing duty-free importing
- McAllen-Miller International Airport serving cargo and passenger flights
- Rail crossings handling freight between the U.S. and Mexico
- An international trucking industry focused on produce
Tourism
McAllen also caters to tourists and snowbirds attracted to its warm weather and cultural sights:
- The International Museum of Art and Science
- Historic theater Cine El Rey showcasing independent films
- Quinta Mazatlan - Spanish colonial mansion turned nature center
- Winter Texan RV parks and residential towers
Overall, McAllen combines border town intrigue with cultural attractions in the unique Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. It's a window into commerce with Mexico and Hispanic heritage.
Quick Facts about McAllen
| Population | 143,751 (2020) |
| Country | United States of America |
| State | Texas (United States) |
| County | Hidalgo County |
| Postal code | 78501–78505 |
| Phone Area Codes | 956 |
| Area | 152.18 km2 |
| Latitude & Longitude | 26.2034,-98.2300 |
| Altitude | 121 feet / 37 meters |
| Establishment | January 01, 1904 (122 years ago) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone |
| Local time | 15:26:34 (22nd April 2026) |
| Density | 945 Pop. per km² as of 2020 |
| Population growth | 9.65% (2010-2020) |
| Weather | 88℉ Mostly Sunny 7-days weather |
Geography
McAllen is located at 26°12'12"N 98°13'48"W (26.2034100, -98.2300100).
McAllen map
icon to open full mode. View satellite images
Weather
Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Southeast wind 6 to 10 mph.
7-Day ForecastOfficial website of McAllen
Official Website- Acapulco de Juárez
- Cadereyta Jiménez
- Guadalupe
- Irapuato
Demographics
The population of McAllen increased by 9.65% in 10 years.
| Year | Population | % Change | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 129,877 | - | census |
| 2011 | 134,639 | 3.54% | estimation process |
| 2012 | 136,277 | 1.2% | estimation process |
| 2013 | 137,421 | 0.83% | estimation process |
| 2014 | 138,719 | 0.94% | estimation process |
| 2015 | 139,909 | 0.85% | estimation process |
| 2016 | 141,888 | 1.39% | estimation process |
| 2017 | 142,249 | 0.25% | estimation process |
| 2018 | 142,530 | 0.2% | estimation process |
| 2019 | 143,268 | 0.52% | estimation process |
| 2020 | 143,751 | 0.34% | estimation process |
Services and Civic Places in McAllen
1Mc Allen Animal Control
1601 N Bicentennial Blvd, McAllen, TX 78501 View details
Phone: +19566812000 | Website available
2McAllen Passports Department
221 S 15th St, McAllen, TX 78501 View details
Phone: +19566811450 | Website available
3McAllen City Hall
1300 W Houston Ave, McAllen, TX 78501 View details
Phone: +19566813111 | Website available
4McAllen City Vital Statistics
221 S 15th St, McAllen, TX 78501 View details
Phone: +19566811195
5Doctors Hospital at Renaissance RMF Administration
3231 N McColl Rd, McAllen, TX 78501, United States View details
6Mc Allen Water Reclamation
2100 Sprague Rd, McAllen, TX 78504 View details
Phone: +19566811150
7Mcallen Retail and Business Development Office
1300 Houston Ave City, Hall - 2nd Floor, McAllen, TX 78501 View details
Phone: +19566811001
8McAllen City Risk Management
1300 W Houston Ave, McAllen, TX 78501 View details
Phone: +19566811400
9McAllen City Hall
W Houston Ave, McAllen, TX 78501 View details
People born in McAllen (32)
People born in McAllen, including United States federal judge Samuel Frederick Biery Jr., fiction writer Elizabeth Moon, actress Lois January, .
More notable people
- Christian Chávez (Mexican singer and actor) he was born in 07/08/1983
- Jorge Cantú (American baseball player) he was born in 30/01/1982
- Carlos Moreno Jr. (American actor) he was born in 20/12/1971
- Mitch Watkins (American musician) he was born in 01/08/1952
- Mike Heath (American swimmer, Olympic gold medalist, world champion, former world record-holder) he was born in 09/04/1964
- Kevin Kruger (American basketball player) he was born in 01/05/1983
- Gloria DeLeon (American organizational executive) she was born in 16/12/1952
- Víctor Garza (Mexican association football player) he was born in 25/02/1992
- Juan Hinojosa (Texas politician) he was born in 07/03/1946
- Marisa Quinn (American actress) she was born in 01/01/2000
- Matt Gonzalez (American politician, lawyer, and activist) he was born in 04/06/1965
- Rick Luecken (American baseball player) he was born in 15/11/1960
- Stephen Saenz (Mexican shot putter) he was born in 23/08/1990
- Viola Canales (American writer) she was born in 21/04/1957
- Henry Cuesta (American clarinetist) he was born in 23/12/1931
- James N. Rowe (Recipient of the Purple Heart medal) he was born in 08/02/1938
- Eddie Rodriguez (American politician) he was born in 01/07/1971
- Raúl Castillo (American actor and playwright) he was born in 30/08/1977
Nearby Schools and Colleges
Schools and campuses linked to McAllen, TX. Select a name to open its map and contact details.
| Code | Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 229656 | Vogue College of Cosmetology-McAllen | McAllen (TX) | 78501-1945 |
| 408385 | Southern Careers Institute-Pharr | Pharr (TX) | 78577 |
| 409315 | South Texas College | McAllen (TX) | 78502-9701 |
| 228219 | Platt College-STVT-McAllen | McAllen (TX) | 78501 |
| 489283 | The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus | McAllen (TX) | 78504-4398 |
Nearby Transit Stations (3)
Rail and bus stations connected to McAllen, TX. Select a station to open its map and address details.
| Code | Name | Address | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEN | McAllen, Texas | 1501 West US Hwy 83 Business | BUS |
| HGN | Harlingen, Texas | 215 E. Monroe Ave. | BUS |
| BSV | Brownsville, Texas | 1134 E. St. Charles Street | BUS |
Closest post offices linked to McAllen.
| Post Office Name | City | ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Mcallen Post Office | McAllen (TX) | 78501 |
| Mcallen Post Office | McAllen (TX) | 78501 |
| Pharr Post Office | Pharr (TX) | 78577 |
| San Juan Post Office | San Juan (TX) | 78589 |
| Mission Post Office | Mission (TX) | 78572 |
Other cities in Hidalgo County
Cities, towns, neighborhoods & other populated places in Hidalgo County , TX. (more)
| City Name | Population | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburg | 102,374 | The most populous city in Hidalgo County, Texas. |
| Mission | 84,496 | A city in Hidalgo County, Texas. |
| Pharr | 79,513 | The most populous city in Hidalgo County, Texas. |
| Weslaco | 43,273 | The largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas. |
| San Juan | 37,034 | In Hidalgo County, Texas, San Juan is a city. |
| Alamo | 20,556 | Town in southern Texas, United States |
| Alton | 18,785 | City in Texas |
| Mercedes | 16,598 | City in Texas, USA |
| Donna | 16,316 | City in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States |
| Hidalgo | 14,305 | City in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States |
| La Homa | 11,985 | Census designated place |
| Elsa | 7,120 | City in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States |
| Mila Doce | 6,222 | Census designated place |
| Progreso | 5,979 | City in Hidalgo County, Texas |
| Palmview | 5,839 | City in Texas |
| Palmview South | 5,575 | Census designated place |
Distance to Other Cities
McAllen distances to largest Texas cities