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El Paso

city

El Paso, located in the far western tip of Texas where Texas, New Mexico, and the Mexican state of Chihuahua meet, is a vibrant border city steeped in history and culture. As the sixth-most populous city in Texas, El Paso had a population of approximately 678,815 in 2020. The city sits on the Rio Grande at the foot of the Franklin Mountains and is known as the Sun City for its sunny climate. El Paso's economy is diverse, with key sectors including healthcare, government, manufacturing, retail, and education. The city benefits from its location as a major port of entry and transcontinental crossroad, facilitating trade between the U.S. and Mexico. Fort Bliss, a major U.S. Army post, significantly contributes to the local economy. El Paso is also home to the Medical Center of the Americas and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). El Paso's unique blend of cultures, influenced by its proximity to Mexico and its long history, sets it apart. The city boasts a rich heritage evident in its architecture, cuisine, and numerous festivals. With access to outdoor recreation in the Franklin Mountains and along the Rio Grande, El Paso offers a high quality of life, combining urban amenities with natural beauty.

El Paso, Texas

Overview
Classification
City
FIPS Code
48141
Country
United States
County
El Paso County
Geography
Region
Chihuahuan Desert, Basin and Range Region
Elevation
3,740 ft
Total Area
258.43 sq mi
Land Area
257.4 sq mi
Water Area
0.82 sq mi
Latitude
31.75917
Longitude
-106.48861
Climate
Sunny, warm, and dry desert climate
Notable Features
Franklin Mountains · Rio Grande · Chihuahuan Desert
Neighboring Areas
Ciudad Juárez, Mexico · Doña Ana County, New Mexico
Demographics
Population (2020)
678,815
Est. Population (2026)
682,893
Median Age
34.5
Median Income
$59,932
Poverty Rate
18.36%
Owner-Occupied
64.3%
Racial & Ethnic Composition
81.2% Hispanic, 12% White, 3.2% Black or African American
Governance
Government Type
Mayor-Council
Governing Body
City Council
School District
El Paso Independent School District
Municipal Services
Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation
U.S. Congress
Cruz, Ted
Cruz, TedR
U.S. Senator
Cornyn, John
Cornyn, JohnR
U.S. Senator
Moran, Nathaniel
Moran, NathanielR
U.S. Representative - District 1
Crenshaw, Dan
Crenshaw, DanR
U.S. Representative - District 2
Self, Keith
Self, KeithR
U.S. Representative - District 3
Fallon, Pat
Fallon, PatR
U.S. Representative - District 4
Gooden, Lance
Gooden, LanceR
U.S. Representative - District 5
Ellzey, Jake
Ellzey, JakeR
U.S. Representative - District 6
Fletcher, Lizzie
Fletcher, LizzieD
U.S. Representative - District 7
Luttrell, Morgan
Luttrell, MorganR
U.S. Representative - District 8
Green, Al
Green, AlD
U.S. Representative - District 9
McCaul, Michael T.
McCaul, Michael T.R
U.S. Representative - District 10
Pfluger, August
Pfluger, AugustR
U.S. Representative - District 11
Goldman, Craig A.
Goldman, Craig A.R
U.S. Representative - District 12
Jackson, Ronny
Jackson, RonnyR
U.S. Representative - District 13
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Weber, Randy K. Sr.R
U.S. Representative - District 14
De La Cruz, Monica
De La Cruz, MonicaR
U.S. Representative - District 15
Escobar, Veronica
Escobar, VeronicaD
U.S. Representative - District 16
Sessions, Pete
Sessions, PeteR
U.S. Representative - District 17
Menefee, Christian D.
Menefee, Christian D.D
U.S. Representative - District 18
Arrington, Jodey C.
Arrington, Jodey C.R
U.S. Representative - District 19
Castro, Joaquin
Castro, JoaquinD
U.S. Representative - District 20
Roy, Chip
Roy, ChipR
U.S. Representative - District 21
Nehls, Troy E.
Nehls, Troy E.R
U.S. Representative - District 22
Van Duyne, Beth
Van Duyne, BethR
U.S. Representative - District 24
Williams, Roger
Williams, RogerR
U.S. Representative - District 25
Gill, Brandon
Gill, BrandonR
U.S. Representative - District 26
Cloud, Michael
Cloud, MichaelR
U.S. Representative - District 27
Cuellar, Henry
Cuellar, HenryD
U.S. Representative - District 28
Garcia, Sylvia R.
Garcia, Sylvia R.D
U.S. Representative - District 29
Crockett, Jasmine
Crockett, JasmineD
U.S. Representative - District 30
Carter, John R.
Carter, John R.R
U.S. Representative - District 31
Johnson, Julie
Johnson, JulieD
U.S. Representative - District 32
Veasey, Marc A.
Veasey, Marc A.D
U.S. Representative - District 33
Gonzalez, Vicente
Gonzalez, VicenteD
U.S. Representative - District 34
Casar, Greg
Casar, GregD
U.S. Representative - District 35
Babin, Brian
Babin, BrianR
U.S. Representative - District 36
Doggett, Lloyd
Doggett, LloydD
U.S. Representative - District 37
Hunt, Wesley
Hunt, WesleyR
U.S. Representative - District 38
Economy
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Economic Profile
Commercial · Industrial · Transportation/Distribution Hub
Employment Sectors
Healthcare · Government · Manufacturing · Retail · Education · Defense
Major Employers
Fort Bliss · University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) · El Paso Independent School District
Education
Students
54,615
School Districts
El Paso Independent School District · Ysleta Independent School District · Socorro Independent School District
Colleges & Universities
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) · El Paso Community College · Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso
Infrastructure
Transportation
Interstate 10 · U.S. Highways · El Paso International Airport · Public Transportation (Sun Metro)
Utilities
Municipal Water · Municipal Power · Broadband/Fiber
Major Facilities
Hospitals · El Paso International Airport · Convention Centers
Recreation
Outdoor Access
Yes
Major Recreation Areas
Franklin Mountains State Park · Ascarate Park · Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
Parks & Trails
City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department · El Paso County Parks & Recreation
History
Founded
1680
Incorporated
1873
Named After
El Paso del Norte, meaning "the Pass of the North"
Historical Significance
A significant pass and settlement along the Rio Grande, El Paso has served as a crossroads for various cultures and economies throughout its history.
Key Events
Settled by Spanish Franciscan friars in 1659 as El Paso del Norte · Served as temporary base for Spanish governance of New Mexico during the Pueblo Revolt in 1680 · El Paso County established in March 1850 · Arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1881 spurred population boom