1st Advantage MortgageThe median Hidalgo County household earns $54,338, and 27% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Texas license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Hidalgo County
- Jobs and commutes in Hidalgo County
- Income in Hidalgo County compared with Texas
- Housing costs in Hidalgo County
- Places inside Hidalgo County
- Regional comparison for Hidalgo County
- Who lives in Hidalgo County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Hidalgo County
- What a median Hidalgo County budget can carry
- Steps before you apply in Hidalgo County
- Texas rules that apply in Hidalgo County
- More guides for Hidalgo County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County is home to about 891,977 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 9th most populous of 254 county-level areas in Texas. It covers 1,571 square miles of land, or about 568 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX metropolitan area. Of the 58 Census places inside Hidalgo County, McAllen leads by population with about 145,385; 22 of the 58 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Hidalgo County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Hidalgo County residents work in education and health care and 12% in retail trade. Education and health care stands out: 27% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 7.6% in Hidalgo County. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. Households without a car make up 5.6% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Sector | Hidalgo County | Compared with Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.4% | +5.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +1.0 pts |
| Construction | 10.1% | +1.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -4.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.8% | +0.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.6% | -0.1 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Income in Hidalgo County compared with Texas
Half of Hidalgo County households take in less than $54,338 a year and half take in more, 31% below the Texas median of $78,476. That places it 205th among Texas's 254 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Hidalgo County | Difference from Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.7% | +13.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.2% | +1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.4% | -7.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -7.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Hidalgo County households make $100,000 or more, and 35% make less than $35,000. Census counts 26.7% of Hidalgo County residents in poverty, against 13.8% across Texas. For a borrower in Hidalgo County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Housing costs in Hidalgo County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $957 in Hidalgo County versus $1,403 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. With a median value of $140,900, a typical Hidalgo County house costs 2.6 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 67% of homes.
| Hidalgo County | Texas | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $957/mo | $1,403/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $140,900 | $283,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 67% | 63% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 32% | 29% | n/a |
Places inside Hidalgo County
58 Census places fall mainly inside Hidalgo County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 740,275 residents, leaving about 17% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $19,222 in Hargill to $98,125 in Palmhurst. 4 of them have a separate city guide (linked). For the rest, this is the local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McAllen | city | 145,385 | $61,579 | $1,049 | 13 mi |
| Edinburg | city | 104,550 | $59,466 | $996 | 6 mi |
| Mission | city | 87,038 | $60,767 | $950 | 16 mi |
| Pharr | city | 80,333 | $52,814 | $1,037 | 16 mi |
| Weslaco | city | 42,229 | $59,551 | $967 | 20 mi |
| San Juan | city | 36,149 | $56,562 | $961 | 14 mi |
| Alamo | city | 20,255 | $57,096 | $811 | 15 mi |
| Alton | city | 20,214 | $52,715 | $1,038 | 11 mi |
| Donna | city | 16,833 | $40,438 | $806 | 18 mi |
| Mercedes | city | 16,733 | $46,904 | $812 | 24 mi |
| Palmview | city | 15,921 | $43,963 | $678 | 17 mi |
| Hidalgo | city | 14,498 | $59,441 | $842 | 20 mi |
| La Homa | CDP | 11,285 | $36,895 | $740 | 14 mi |
| Murillo | CDP | 8,883 | $70,609 | $748 | 10 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Regional comparison for Hidalgo County
Six nearby counties, 36 to 57 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Willacy County leads the group on income ($54,180), Starr County trails ($37,639), and Hidalgo County out-earns 6 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hidalgo County | - | $54,338 | $957/mo | 67% |
| Starr County, TX | 36 mi | $37,639 | $726/mo | 70% |
| Willacy County, TX | 37 mi | $54,180 | $809/mo | 75% |
| Brooks County, TX | 44 mi | $47,764 | $719/mo | 53% |
| Cameron County, TX | 48 mi | $52,601 | $912/mo | 65% |
| Kenedy County, TX | 50 mi | $38,882 | n/a | 53% |
| Jim Hogg County, TX | 57 mi | $42,211 | $824/mo | 56% |
Who lives in Hidalgo County, in numbers
21% of Hidalgo County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 28.2%, against 17.1% for Texas.
| Measure | Hidalgo County | Texas statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 30.5 | 35.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.6% | 33.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 29.8% | 14.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 28.2% | 17.1% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.2% | 14.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 26.7% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.6% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Hidalgo County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Borrowing situations common in Hidalgo County
A few patterns in the Hidalgo County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 28% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 27% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- 49% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
What a median Hidalgo County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Hidalgo County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Hidalgo County: $4,528
- Less median rent of $957, which is 21% of it
- $854: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $957, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Steps before you apply in Hidalgo County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Hidalgo County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Hidalgo County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Texas.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Texas rules that apply in Hidalgo County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Hidalgo County borrowers answers to the Texas Department of Banking. The Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner handles consumer-credit questions as well. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Texas guide.
More guides for Hidalgo County
Guides that cover parts of Hidalgo County:
Frequently asked questions
Is Hidalgo County a high-income county?
Its $54,338 median ranks 205th of 254 Texas counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Hidalgo County rent compare with Texas?
$957 locally versus $1,403 for the state, 32% below.
Which towns does the Hidalgo County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 58 Census places: McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, Weslaco.
Can Hidalgo County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Texas county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Hidalgo County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Texas it is the Texas Department of Banking.