Weslaco, Texas
Encyclopedia
Weslaco is a city in Hidalgo County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 35,670 at the 2010 census. Weslaco derives its name from the W.E. Stewart Land Company. It was the hometown of Harlon Block
, one of the Marines photographed raising the flag at Iwo Jima
.
Streets north of the railroad tracks have Spanish names, and streets south of the railroad tracks have English ones as a consequence of a 1921 municipal ordinance which declared that land north of the tracks be reserved for Hispanic residences and businesses, and land south of the tracks be reserved for Anglo residences and businesses. During World War II
, sandbag production reached a peak in Welaco, and the town declared itself the "sandbagging capital of the world."
Weslaco is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen
metropolitan areas.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 12.8 square miles (33.2 km²), of which, 12.7 square miles (32.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.55%) is water.
of 2000, there were 26,935 people, 8,295 households, and 6,602 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,123.1 people per square mile (819.5/km²). There were 10,230 housing units at an average density of 806.4 per square mile (311.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.92% White, 0.27% African American, 0.49% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 20.93% from other races
, and 2.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 83.76% of the population. The estimated population of Weslaco as of now is somewhere between 36,000 and 40,000 people.
There were 8,295 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples
living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.21 and the average family size was 3.68.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,573, and the median income for a family was $29,215. Males had a median income of $24,202 versus $19,688 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $11,235. About 26.5% of families and 30.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.6% of those under age 18 and 23.5% of those age 65 or over.
operates the Weslaco Post Office.
, Idea Schools and South Texas Independent School District
. There are 4 private schools: San Martin de Porres Catholic School, Valley Grande Adventist Academy, Mid-Valley Christian School, and First Christian Academy and 2 Charter schools: Horizon Montessori and Technology Education Charter High School. The city also has head start and pre-kinder programs as well as several privately owned day care centers. Continuing education facilities located within Weslaco include South Texas College
, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute and Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies. Texas A&M operates two agricultural research centers in Weslaco and the U.S. Department of Agriculture operates another.
The Weslaco Public Library serves Weslaco.
for health care. Weslaco employs 206 doctors, 9 dentists and 1 vet. There are 11 home health care agencies and 4 nursing homes.
Hidalgo County, Texas
Hidalgo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. Located in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, Hidalgo County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, and is the seventh most-populous county in Texas. Its population in 2010 was 774,769, a 35% increase from 2000...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 35,670 at the 2010 census. Weslaco derives its name from the W.E. Stewart Land Company. It was the hometown of Harlon Block
Harlon Block
Harlon Henry Block was a United States Marine during World War II. Born in Texas, Block joined the Marine Corps in November 1943 and subsequently saw action during the Battle of Bougainville and the Battle of Iwo Jima where he was killed in action...
, one of the Marines photographed raising the flag at Iwo Jima
Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima
Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima is a historic photograph taken on February 23, 1945, by Joe Rosenthal. It depicts five United States Marines and a U.S. Navy corpsman raising the flag of the United States atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.The photograph was extremely...
.
Streets north of the railroad tracks have Spanish names, and streets south of the railroad tracks have English ones as a consequence of a 1921 municipal ordinance which declared that land north of the tracks be reserved for Hispanic residences and businesses, and land south of the tracks be reserved for Anglo residences and businesses. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, sandbag production reached a peak in Welaco, and the town declared itself the "sandbagging capital of the world."
Weslaco is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen
Reynosa–McAllen Metropolitan Area
Reynosa–McAllen, also known as McAllen–Reynosa, or simply as Borderplex, is one of the six bi-national metropolitan areas along the Mexico–U.S border. The city of Reynosa is situated on the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, while the city of McAllen is located in...
metropolitan areas.
Geography
Weslaco is located at 26°9′33"N 97°59′15"W (26.159130, -97.987374).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 12.8 square miles (33.2 km²), of which, 12.7 square miles (32.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.55%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 26,935 people, 8,295 households, and 6,602 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,123.1 people per square mile (819.5/km²). There were 10,230 housing units at an average density of 806.4 per square mile (311.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 74.92% White, 0.27% African American, 0.49% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 20.93% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 83.76% of the population. The estimated population of Weslaco as of now is somewhere between 36,000 and 40,000 people.
There were 8,295 households out of which 41.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 17.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.4% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.21 and the average family size was 3.68.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,573, and the median income for a family was $29,215. Males had a median income of $24,202 versus $19,688 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $11,235. About 26.5% of families and 30.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.6% of those under age 18 and 23.5% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Weslaco Post Office.
Education
Public education in Weslaco is provided by the Weslaco Independent School DistrictWeslaco Independent School District
Weslaco Independent School District is a school district headquartered in Weslaco, Texas . WISD serves the city of Weslaco, a western portion of the city of Mercedes, and several unincorporated communities in Hidalgo County...
, Idea Schools and South Texas Independent School District
South Texas Independent School District
South Texas Independent School District is a public school district headquartered in Mercedes, Texas . STISD operates magnet schools that draw students from three counties: Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy...
. There are 4 private schools: San Martin de Porres Catholic School, Valley Grande Adventist Academy, Mid-Valley Christian School, and First Christian Academy and 2 Charter schools: Horizon Montessori and Technology Education Charter High School. The city also has head start and pre-kinder programs as well as several privately owned day care centers. Continuing education facilities located within Weslaco include South Texas College
South Texas College
South Texas College is a public community college in the Rio South Texas Region, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Bachelor of Applied Technology, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts and Associate of Science...
, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute and Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies. Texas A&M operates two agricultural research centers in Weslaco and the U.S. Department of Agriculture operates another.
The Weslaco Public Library serves Weslaco.
Health care
Knapp Medical Center serves Weslaco’s emergency medical needs. The facility is outfitted with a Heli-Pad, Level 3 Trauma Unit and 233 hospital beds. Surrounding Knapp Medical is an unofficial Health care district featuring a concentration of physicians, medical services and pharmacies. This district draws patients from the entire Mid-Valley, however for many specialized needs Weslaco residents still must travel to McAllen or HarlingenHarlingen, Texas
Harlingen is a city in Cameron County in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States, about from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The city covers more than , and is the second largest city in Cameron County and the sixth largest in the Rio Grande Valley...
for health care. Weslaco employs 206 doctors, 9 dentists and 1 vet. There are 11 home health care agencies and 4 nursing homes.