County Seat History

Edinburg Was Renamed in 1911 After a Scandal

The county seat was originally called Chapin but was renamed Edinburg in 1911 after one of its founders was involved in a homicide.

Hidalgo County History & Culture

The city of Edinburg started as a town called Chapin. It was founded by John Closner and William Briggs. The name came from Dennis B. Chapin, one of the early developers.

After Dennis B. Chapin became involved in a homicide, the community voted to change the name. In 1911, they renamed it Edinburg—honoring Edinburgh, Scotland, the birthplace of a local figure named John Young.

Today Edinburg is the seat of Hidalgo County government. It is also home to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. By 2021, the city's population had grown to over 102,000 people.

Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas – Edinburg, Texas

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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