Brownsville-Harlingen, TX Metro Area

Brownsville-Harlingen, TX · Metro Area

426,120Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 1 county, part of the Brownsville-Harlingen-Raymondville, TX combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $52,601
Median home value: $136,500
Land area: 892 sq mi

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Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Cameron County, TX	Central	426,120	$52,601	$136,500

Largest cities and towns

51 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Brownsville, TX	City	189,177	$52,130
Harlingen, TX	City	72,087	$53,645
San Benito, TX	City	24,709	$43,639
Los Fresnos, TX	City	8,291	$61,938
La Feria, TX	City	6,891	$45,081
Cameron Park, TX	CDP	5,955	$36,089
Primera, TX	Town	5,344	$80,116
Port Isabel, TX	City	5,111	$32,222
Laureles, TX	CDP	4,224	$34,771
Laguna Vista, TX	Town	3,673	$63,632
Laguna Heights, TX	CDP	3,386	$29,178
Santa Rosa, TX	Town	3,215	$36,780
Combes, TX	Town	3,178	$45,504
South Padre Island, TX	Town	2,891	$70,472
Rancho Viejo, TX	Town	2,849	$90,714
La Paloma, TX	CDP	2,797	$59,840
Encantada-Ranchito-El Calaboz, TX	CDP	2,552	$45,505
Palm Valley, TX	City	2,155	$99,438
Rio Hondo, TX	City	1,865	$35,682
South Point, TX	CDP	1,054	$49,779
Indian Lake, TX	Town	962	$25,982
Los Indios, TX	Town	948	$45,179
Reid Hope King, TX	CDP	932	$79,894
Bayview, TX	Town	887	$135,685
Olmito, TX	CDP	887	$37,950

Also in the Brownsville-Harlingen-Raymondville, TX combined area

Raymondville, TX · micro · 20,139

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

24.8%

Unemployment

5.9%

College Educated

22.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$52,601

Mean Household Income

$71,924

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.4%

Female

50.6%

Population Split

Male49.4%

Female50.6%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

Mexican83.7%

German2.3%

English2.2%

Irish1.3%

Italian0.7%

French0.4%

Scottish0.3%

Polish0.2%

African0.1%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

23.2%Foreign Born

76.8%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized38.7%

Non-Citizen61.3%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later23.9%

Before 201076.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

159,679

Median Rent

$912/mo

Median Home Value

$136,500

Median Year Built

1992

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

126,279

College Enrollment

16.8%

High School

22.9%

College Educated

22.1%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

21.3 min

Drive Alone Rate

75.6%

Public Transit

0.4%

Work From Home

9.1%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

28.7%

18-34 Years

23.9%

35-64 Years

33.1%

65+ Years

14.3%

Population Composition

Under 1828.7%

18-3423.9%

35-6433.1%

65+14.3%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

48.4%

Single Parent

10.9%

Living Alone

21.5%

Avg Size

3.05

Household Types

Married Couples48.4%

Single Parent10.9%

Living Alone21.5%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$24,089

SNAP Usage

24.8%

Health Insurance

74.2%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k25.0%

$25k - $50k23.3%

$50k - $100k28.9%

$100k+22.9%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

6.3%

Retail Trade

11.1%

Education & Health Care

30.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.3%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

74.2%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

84.4%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

91.2%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

86.0

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

177.9

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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