County Facts

Hidalgo County Is One of the Most Populous Counties in Texas

Hidalgo County covers 1,596 square miles and had a population exceeding 831,000 by 2014—making it one of the largest counties in Texas by population.

Hidalgo County History & Culture

Hidalgo County covers 1,596 square miles along the Texas-Mexico border. In 1880, fewer than 4,400 people lived here. By 2014, the population had grown to over 831,000.

That growth was driven by the railroad, irrigation canals, trade along the U.S.-Mexico border, and steady natural population growth over many decades.

McAllen is the largest city. Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, and Weslaco follow. The county has a subtropical climate. Average July highs are near 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The county gets about 23 inches of rain per year, most of it in summer and fall.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas – Hidalgo County

More Hidalgo County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two Separate Offices Handle Your Property Taxes

Hidalgo County has one office that values your property and a different office that collects the taxes—you need to know which to contact.

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Homestead Exemption

A Homestead Exemption Can Lower Your Tax Bill

If your home is your main residence, you can file for a homestead exemption that reduces how much of its value gets taxed.

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Taxing Units

Your Tax Bill Comes From Many Different Entities

Hidalgo County has 56 active taxing units, so your total tax bill is the sum of rates from several different entities.

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Agricultural Valuation

Farm and Ranch Land Can Be Taxed on Productivity, Not Market Value

Texas law lets qualifying farmland and ranchland be taxed on what it produces rather than what it could sell for, which can cut the tax bill significantly.

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