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Real Estate & Homes in McAllen - Texas - McAllen, Texas homes and communities
McAllen
McAllen Background Just a few years ago, only Texans were aware of the existence of the sleepy rural community of McAllen, but anonymity is no longer a characteristic of this hard-charging border town. The McAllen Metropolitan Service Area is the fourth-fastest growing MSA in America and ranks first in Texas in terms of percentage of population growth. Fueling this population boom is an aggressive economic development program, a strong international and retail trade program, and an emphasis on attracting quality manufacturing companies. McAllen has been unusually successful in blending its Hispanic and Caucasian populations to make its biculturalism an asset for both residents and businesses.
McAllen History It wasn't until the early 1850s that this city's namesake, John McAllen, arrived in the Rio Grande Valley from Scotland. Prior to his arrival, the development of the area was by land grant from the Spanish crown. One of those land grants was to the Santa Anita Ranch, which McAllen acquired through his marriage to the great-granddaughter of the original grantee.
By 1904, McAllen had acquired more than 80,000 acres. When the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railroad reached the Santa Anita Ranch, McAllen decided to form a company to create a town nearby. This town was called McAllen, and a railroad depot was opened there in 1905. Another group of men established a second town site east of McAllen’s settlement, and the two towns were called “West McAllen” and “East McAllen,” respectively.
On Feb. 20, 1911, the city of McAllen was incorporated. By then, the population was 150, and the Chamber of Commerce and the McAllen Monitor were established. In 1916, 12,000 National Guard soldiers were sent to McAllen to help stop border banditry. The presence of these soldiers spurred economic growth in the new city.
Growth continued throughout the next two decades, and by 1930, the population had burgeoned to 9,074. During this time, the first International Bridge to Reynosa was completed; the first college was created; and the airport was created. In the next 30 years, McAllen would see its population triple, and by 1961, it was recognized as the oil capital of the Rio Grande Valley and the leading winter resort of Texas.
From the beginning, McAllen paid close attention to providing its residents with cultural facilities. A magnificent civic center was completed in 1959; the library was doubled in size in 1968; and the McAllen International Museum was founded in 1969. The city continued to grow and began attracting significant national retailers. The history of McAllen since 1970 has seen a boom in the population accompanied by a flurry of construction activity on public buildings and infrastructure.
McAllen Fast Facts Location: McAllen is located near the Mexican border, about 60 miles west of Brownsville
*Total area: 46.26 square miles
*Population: 106,414
*Housing units: 37,922
*Per capita income: $15,674
*Average household income: $51,728
*Average home price: $80,020
Average annual rainfall: 22.96 inches
Average temperatures: 86ºF in summer, 60ºF in winter
*Information provided by 2000 Census
Economy
Known as the “Rioplex,” the McAllen-Mission-Edinburg MSA and Reynosa, Mexico, have a combined population of 1.4 million, giving the Rio Grand Valley the seventh-largest pool of labor in the country. The fact that the labor pool is predominantly bilingual makes the area particularly attractive for call center activity. Thirty-seven of the country's top 100 retailers have a presence in McAllen, and more than 80 Fortune 500 global manufacturers have operations in the area.
The retail business in McAllen is particularly strong: The city ranks 12th in the state in retail sales. McAllen’s retail sales accounted for 48 percent of the total retail sales in Hidalgo County, but McAllen’s population is only 19 percent of the county's total. The retail sector is the most important factor driving the city's economy, as it employs 27 percent of the workforce. Between 1990 and 2000, McAllen’s retail sales grew 74 percent, from $1.86 billion to more than $2.37 billion.
Transportation improvements in the area are helping to boost trade between the United States and Mexico. In 2000 the Rioplex’s Ports of Entry accounted for $25 billion — nearly 12 percent of the U.S. total. In 1999, Congress passed an important piece of legislation that will have a profound positive impact on McAllen. The Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century creates a new interstate highway, Interstate 69, to link all three NAFTA partners. I-69 will link the United States and Mexico at the Rioplex, which is likely to become a major center of international trade and commerce. In addition, Congress approved an additional $1.8 billion to bring the Rioplex’s highways to Interstate standards. Other transportation improvements are the construction of a third international bridge across the Rio Grande, and improvements to the McAllen-Miller International Airport.
The strength of McAllen’s economy is reflected in its rapidly growing construction industry. Building permit values in the Rioplex rose from $264 million in 1990 to $826 million in 2000. The McAllen Economic Development Corporation has been instrumental in locating and attracting new businesses to the area. MEDC helped establish the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone between McAllen and Reynosa. It was the first foreign trade zone in the United States and is still one of the most active. Some of the factors contributing to McAllen’s popularity for corporate relocation are labor availability, land costs, utility credits and tax abatements.
Since the ratification of NAFTA, a number of foreign-owned facilities have located manufacturing and support operations in McAllen and Reynosa. The manufacturing facilities are producing a wide assortment of consumer goods, computer chips, fiber optic cable, control valves and computer parts. Agriculture is still a very important component of the McAllen economy. Hidalgo County is home to the Rio Grande delta, where some of the world's richest soil supports the production of grapefruits, oranges, crop vegetables, and sugar cane. To the north, wheat, milo and corn are grown and shipped nationwide. Hidalgo County also produces more than 90 percent of the country's aloe vera.
*Information provided by McAllen Chamber of Commerce (www.mcallen.org)
Quality of Life McAllen’s biculturalism adds richness to the texture of life in this fascinating Texas town. There is a constant interplay between McAllen and the Mexican cities just south of the border, and the exchange of Texas and Mexican cultures creates a colorful backdrop for events and activities. There are fine arts and music to enjoy; beautiful beaches are in close proximity; and shopping is superb in this retail capital of the Southwest. The city's warm, friendly climate enables its residents to take advantage of the outdoor venues year-round.
ActivitiesBeaches and Fresh-Water Recreation
Just a little over an hour's drive to the east lies South Padre Island, a popular destination for college kids. Isla Blanca County Park has two beachfront pavilions, a 1,000-foot sea walk, marina, gift shops and other recreational activities. The 26-acre Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark recreates a Brazilian beach with Latin American food and music. There are several large reservoir lakes, including the 115,600-acre Falcon Dam, Lake and State Park, which provide camping, skiing, fishing, and boating.
Shopping
Shopping is the No. 1 recreational activity for most visitors to McAllen. Mexican tourists, in particular, love the variety and quality of the merchandise available in McAllen’s malls, strip centers and downtown area. La Plaza Mall, a 1.2 million square foot shopping center, is a fabulously popular retail center — one of the most popular of the Simon Property Group's malls in the United States. To the east and north, more than 40 retails centers have been constructed, offering visitors every possible shopping experience. Even the downtown shopping area is crowded with shoppers. For a unique shopping experience, tourists can travel just three miles south of McAllen to the Mexican city of Reynosa and Nuevo Progreso.
Events and Festivals
The Chamber of Commerce sponsors a series of events to attract visitors, including the Texas Square Dance Jamboree, the “World's Largest Beginners Square Dance Class,” the Christmastime Candlelight Posada, an international travel show and a talent show. Many of the festivals are tied to Latin roots, including the Dias Festivos, a Christmas marketplace held at the Civic Center; the Texas Citrus Fiesta; Borderfest; and Springfest. The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show is held annually in March and attracts more than 160,000 visitors. This event features entertainment of every kind, carnival rides, dances, rodeos and games.
Arts and Culture
McAllen’s Valley Symphony Orchestra and Chorale not only provides musical entertainment to Valley residents, it helps educate young people with its popular musical programs. The McAllen Performing Arts brings Broadway shows and performers to the stage as well as local productions, dances and music. McAllen also has the benefit of the arts produced at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg. McAllen also has the Rio Grande Valley Ballet for those who enjoy classical dance.
Outdoor Recreation
McAllen residents love the outdoors, and they have 365 days of beautiful weather in which to enjoy it. In addition to hiking, biking, swimming and the full range of organized amateur sporting activities, McAllen has some noteworthy unique activities not available in many places. Because of McAllen’s location in the migration path of birds, it is a mecca for “birders.” The city has created refuges throughout the valley to encourage the preservation of the wildlife and to provide access to hobbyists to view it.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission awarded McAllen a $750,000 grant to convert an historic building into a World Birding Center. McAllen will join 10 other locations in the Rio Grande Valley to create a network of bird-watching and outdoor recreational opportunities.
For those more interested in eating the wildlife, hunting and fishing are popular pastimes. Great fishing is available in the reservoirs, and saltwater fishing is available an hour away.
Historical and Cultural Sites
There is an abundance of historical sites for visitors to see, including the shrine to the Virgen de San Juan de Los Lagos, the Los Ebanos Ferry, La Lomita Mission, the Shary Estate, Rio Grande City and Roma Los Saenz. Just south of the border, Mexican towns beckon with their colorful shops, fragrant restaurants and lively marketplaces.
Dining and Nightlife
As might be expected, fabulous Tex-Mex restaurants headline the culinary options for visitors to McAllen. However, there are more than 400 restaurants in McAllen offering cuisine from every nation. Nightlife is plentiful at the many colorful clubs, bars and saloons in the area. South Padre Island is the scene for tropical outdoor bars and grills, seaside dancing and dining, and floating bars. The fun continues year-round with the beautiful tropical climate creating balmy nights and sunny days.
Schools There are 38 public schools in McAllen as well as South Texas Community College.
Where is McAllen?
Written by Margaret Bowles exclusively for HomesParadise.com.
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