Demographics

Hidalgo County Has One of the Largest Hispanic Populations in Texas

About 91 percent of Hidalgo County residents are Hispanic, reflecting the region's centuries-old Spanish and Mexican ranching roots.

Hidalgo County History & Culture

By 2014, about 91 percent of Hidalgo County's people were Hispanic. That number reflects deep roots. Spanish-speaking families settled this land long before Texas was a state.

Over many generations, the area has also welcomed immigrants from Mexico. Spanish is used in daily life—at stores, schools, and in local government.

If you are new here, you will be in a fully bilingual community. Signs, services, and conversations happen in both English and Spanish. That is true across the whole county, not just in certain places.

For more background, the Handbook of Texas entry on Hidalgo County is the official source.

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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