RANK #764 / 996 · POP 421,854 · TX
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.3%
Cameron County, Texas, the southernmost county in the state, is perhaps best known as home to South Padre Island, a popular tourist destination with over six miles of county beaches. Located in the Rio Grande Valley, approximately 140 miles south of Corpus Christi, the county offers a unique blend of American and Mexican cultures. The average one-way commute for residents is 20.2 minutes, shorter than the U.S. average. Public transportation, including bus routes and taxis, is available, with shuttle buses and rail services connecting to larger cities. The county boasts year-round warm temperatures and diverse natural geography, including beaches, riverfronts, and ancient river channels, supporting activities like swimming, windsurfing, boating, bird watching, and fishing.
Life in Cameron County offers a blend of small-town living and access to larger cities like Brownsville, the county seat, and Harlingen. The community provides numerous activities and events for families. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in various sectors. The county is seeing expansion in aerospace, with a significant spaceport located in Boca Chica, and development in energy and infrastructure projects, including improvements to international bridges and port facilities. Educational opportunities are available through multiple public school districts, such as Brownsville ISD and Harlingen CISD, and several higher education institutions.
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Rio Grande LNG Production and Export Terminal (Phase 1)
NextDecade
|
$32,000M | Under Construction |
|
Texas LNG Liquefaction Plant
Texas LNG Limited
|
$3,000M | Proposed |
|
Eneus Energy Data Center Campus
Eneus Energy
|
$2,000M | Proposed |
|
Cameron County Infrastructure Plan (Roads, Bridges, Port/Rail)
Cameron County
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Ouroboros Grid BESS 1
Undisclosed
|
$201M | Proposed |
|
Arroyo Energy Storage Portfolio (7 BESS facilities)
Goshe Energy Storage, LLC
|
$180M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cameron County has a Boom Town Index score of 23/100, ranking #764 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $47,435, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Cameron County is $109,600 with median rent at $855/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.4328, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +1.0% in the past 12 months.