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Weslaco
cityWeslaco is a city located in Hidalgo County, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, near the Mexican border. As of 2020, the population was 41,103, with recent estimates placing it around 43,053. The city is known for its agricultural heritage, international trade, and nature preserves. Weslaco's economy is diverse, with key industries including healthcare, education, retail, and a growing technology sector. The city benefits from its location near the U.S.-Mexico border, which facilitates international trade and logistics. Major employers include Weslaco ISD, H-E-B, and Knapp Medical Center. Weslaco was founded in 1919 and named after the W.E. Stewart Land Company. The city is also known as the birthplace of the 1015 Onion, a sweet onion variety developed at the Texas A&M Weslaco Station, celebrated annually at the Onion Fest.
Weslaco, Texas
Overview
- Classification
- City
- FIPS Code
- 48-77272
- Country
- United States
- County
- Hidalgo County
Geography
- Region
- Rio Grande Valley
- Elevation
- 79 ft
- Total Area
- 14.8 sq mi
- Land Area
- 14.7 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.1 sq mi
- Latitude
- 26.15913
- Longitude
- -97.987374
- Climate
- Weslaco has a humid subtropical climate with hot, oppressive summers and short, cool, dry winters. The temperature typically varies from 51°F to 97°F.
- Neighboring Areas
- Mercedes · Donna
Demographics
- Population (2020)
- 40,160
- Est. Population (2024)
- 42,229
- Median Age
- 31.1
- Median Income
- $59,551
- Poverty Rate
- 23.2%
- Family Households
- 72.8%
- Owner-Occupied
- 56.4%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The largest racial/ethnic groups are Hispanic (87.9%), followed by White (10.8%) and Black (0.6%).
Governance
- Government Type
- Mayor-Council
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 8 members
- School District
- Weslaco Independent School District
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire · Public Works · Parks & Recreation
U.S. Congress
Cruz, TedR
U.S. SenatorCornyn, JohnR
U.S. SenatorMoran, NathanielR
U.S. Representative - District 1Crenshaw, DanR
U.S. Representative - District 2Self, KeithR
U.S. Representative - District 3Fallon, PatR
U.S. Representative - District 4Gooden, LanceR
U.S. Representative - District 5Ellzey, JakeR
U.S. Representative - District 6Fletcher, LizzieD
U.S. Representative - District 7Luttrell, MorganR
U.S. Representative - District 8Green, AlD
U.S. Representative - District 9McCaul, Michael T.R
U.S. Representative - District 10Pfluger, AugustR
U.S. Representative - District 11Goldman, Craig A.R
U.S. Representative - District 12Jackson, RonnyR
U.S. Representative - District 13Weber, Randy K. Sr.R
U.S. Representative - District 14De La Cruz, MonicaR
U.S. Representative - District 15Escobar, VeronicaD
U.S. Representative - District 16Sessions, PeteR
U.S. Representative - District 17Menefee, Christian D.D
U.S. Representative - District 18Arrington, Jodey C.R
U.S. Representative - District 19Castro, JoaquinD
U.S. Representative - District 20Roy, ChipR
U.S. Representative - District 21Nehls, Troy E.R
U.S. Representative - District 22Van Duyne, BethR
U.S. Representative - District 24Williams, RogerR
U.S. Representative - District 25Gill, BrandonR
U.S. Representative - District 26Cloud, MichaelR
U.S. Representative - District 27Cuellar, HenryD
U.S. Representative - District 28Garcia, Sylvia R.D
U.S. Representative - District 29Crockett, JasmineD
U.S. Representative - District 30Carter, John R.R
U.S. Representative - District 31Johnson, JulieD
U.S. Representative - District 32Veasey, Marc A.D
U.S. Representative - District 33Gonzalez, VicenteD
U.S. Representative - District 34Casar, GregD
U.S. Representative - District 35Babin, BrianR
U.S. Representative - District 36Doggett, LloydD
U.S. Representative - District 37Hunt, WesleyR
U.S. Representative - District 38Economy
- Economic Profile
- Commercial growth
- Employment Sectors
- Educational Services · Health Care & Social Assistance · Retail Trade
- Major Employers
- Frito-Lay · H-E-B · Knapp Medical Center · Weslaco ISD · Hi-Tech Plastics, Inc. · Hidalgo County · City of Weslaco · Texas Citrus Exchange · Mission Shippers
Education
- Schools
- 19
- Students
- 16,430
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18:1
- Graduation Rate
- 93.6%
- School Districts
- Weslaco Independent School District · South Texas Independent School District · IDEA Public Schools · Horizon Montessori Public School
- Colleges & Universities
- South Texas College Mid Valley Campus · University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Center for Innovation & Commercialization · Valley Grande Institute
Infrastructure
- Transportation
- Interstate access (IH2) · U.S. Route 83 · Mid Valley Airport · Rail service via Rio Valley Switching Company
- Utilities
- Municipal water · Fiber/broadband
- Major Facilities
- Mid Valley Airport · Knapp Medical Center
Recreation
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Estero Llano Grande State Park · Valley Nature Center · Frontera Audubon Society
- Parks & Trails
- Judge Gilbert Garza Park · Harlon Block Sports Complex · Mayor Pablo Peña Park · Isaac Rodriguez Park · Gibson Park · La Plazita Park · Cavazos Park
History
- Founded
- 1919
- Named After
- W.E. Stewart Land Company
- Historical Significance
- Weslaco has evolved from an agricultural center to a diverse community with a growing economy, strategically located near the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Key Events
- Camp Llano Grande established in 1916 · Weslaco ISD established in 1921 · Rio Grande Valley Citrus Growers Association established in 1932 · International bridge at Progreso crossing opened in 1954