El Paso
cityEl 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
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 48141
- Country
- United States
- County
- El Paso County
- 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
- 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
- Government Type
- Mayor-Council
- Governing Body
- City Council
- School District
- El Paso Independent School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation







































- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
