McAllen, 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 120 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

Cityscape of McAllen Texas image

Geography

McAllen is located at 26°12'12"N 98°13'48"W (26.2034100, -98.2300100).

McAllen map

Click "full screen" icon to open full mode. View satellite images

People born in McAllen, including United States federal judge Samuel Frederick Biery Jr., fiction writer Elizabeth Moon, actress Lois January, .

List

• 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