RANK #749 / 1001 NAT · #43 / 72 TX · POP 891,977
1YR FORECAST: -0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Hidalgo County, Texas, is defined by its position in the Rio Grande Valley, bordering Mexico, which shapes its culture and economy. Edinburg serves as the county seat, while McAllen is the largest city. The county is known for its subtropical climate and extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, including numerous parks and nature centers ideal for birding, biking, and walking. The Hidalgo County Precinct 2 Regional Hike and Bike Trail connects McAllen, Pharr, and Hidalgo, offering miles of paved routes. The community offers a blend of urban and small-town atmospheres, with a strong sense of local identity. Life in Hidalgo County is generally affordable, with many residents owning their homes. The area attracts families, with public schools in the county generally performing above average. The economy is significantly influenced by international trade due to its border location, with several international bridges facilitating commerce. Recent economic developments highlight growth in sectors related to trade, including the movement of mineral fuels, electric machinery, and agricultural products. The county also focuses on promoting infrastructure development in rural areas and workforce development through partnerships with educational institutions like the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Hidalgo County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +0.5% YoY, population +1.3%, wages +2.5%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 9.7x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Val Vista Grid BESS (combined BESS 1 and BESS 2)
Eolian
|
$420M | Planned |
|
Monte Cristo Wind Farm (Phase I)
Terra-Gen
|
$216M | Commissioned |
|
Anemoi Energy Storage Project
Plus Power, LLC (Anemoi Energy)
|
$190M | Under Construction |
|
Gunnar Reliability Project
GridStor
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
Great Kiskadee Storage (100MW Battery Energy Storage System)
Apex Clean Energy
|
$75M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 24/100, Hidalgo County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $54,338 combined with job growth of +1.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
By national standards, Hidalgo County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $140,900, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.39 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $957/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Hidalgo County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.5% clip. Home values shifted +0.5% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.1% of Hidalgo County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.