Rio Grande City
RANK #826 / 996 NAT · #45 / 69 TX · POP 65,716
1YR FORECAST: +0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
The Roma Historic District, a National Historic Landmark, distinguishes Starr County with its preserved 19th-century border town architecture, showcasing unique molded brickwork and wrought iron balconies influenced by German architect Heinrich Portscheller. Located in South Texas, Starr County sits along the Rio Grande, approximately 100 miles from larger cities like Brownsville and Laredo. The community maintains a close-knit feel, with local events like the Starr County Fair and Fourth of July Parade. Outdoor recreation opportunities are available at Falcon State Park, offering birdwatching, fishing, and lake access, and the Roma Bluffs World Birding Center.
Life in Starr County is characterized by a strong sense of community, with many families owning their homes. Public schools in the county, including those in Rio Grande City and Roma, are considered above average. Commuting within Rio Grande City averages 23.1 minutes, shorter than the national average. The local economy is experiencing investment in energy, infrastructure, and government sectors. These developments aim to create more opportunities for residents, including those seeking skilled trades and engineering professions.
Above national median (4.7x)
Contracting economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.7x 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.
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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cascabel Wind Project
BORDAS Renewable Energy
|
$400M | Planned |
|
Mesteño Wind Project
Deriva Energy (formerly E.ON Climate & Renewables)
|
$300M | Operating |
|
State Loop 195 (SL 195) Relief Route
TxDOT and RPM xConstruction
|
$240M | Under Construction |
|
Starr Solar Farm
Lightsource bp
|
$230M | Operating |
|
Border Barrier System
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
|
$100M | Proposed |
|
Las Americas Industrial Park
City of Roma
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Starr County scores just 16/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #826 of 996 counties. Job growth at -1.8% and median household income of $35,979 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
By national standards, Starr County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $88,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.41 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $670/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Starr County's job market is contracting (-1.8% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.2% change). Home values are -3.0% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
Not particularly — 1.84% of Starr County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.