View source for McAllen, Texas

{{short description|City in Texas, United States}}
{{Redirect|McAllen|the surname|McAllen (surname)}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = McAllen
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = "The City of Palms"
| motto              = <!-- Images --------------->
| image_skyline      = {{photomontage|photo1a=Chase Bank Tower in McAllen, TX.jpg|photo2a=Breezeway at Quinta Mazatlan, a historical adobe mansion within a nature and birding center in McAllen, Texas LCCN2014630410.tif|photo2b=McAllen Performing Arts Center.jpg|photo3a=McAllen Convention Center - Night.jpg|photo3b=McAllen Public Library.jpg|spacing=1|color_border=white|color=white|size=280|foot_montage=Images, from top down, left to right: Chase Bank Tower in downtown McAllen; Interior of the Quinta Mazatlan; [[McAllen Convention Center]] at night; McAllen Performing Arts Center; Entrance to [[McAllen Public Library]]}}
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         =
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps ----------------->
| image_map          = Hidalgo County McAllen.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location within Hidalgo County
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location ------------->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Texas]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Texas|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Hidalgo County, Texas|Hidalgo]]
<!-- Government ----------->| named_for          = John McAllen
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = [[Council-manager government|Council-Manager]]
| leader_title       = [[City Council]]
| leader_name        = [[List of mayors of McAllen, Texas|Mayor]] [[Javier Villalobos]]<br /> Tony Aguirre (District 1) <br />Joaquin J. Zamora (District 2)<br />Julian Omar Quintanilla (District 3) <br />Rodolfo "Rudy" Castillo (District 4)<br />Victor Sebastian Haddad (District 5)<br />Pepe Cabeza de Vaca (District 6)
| leader_title1      = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name1       = Roel "Roy" Rodriguez
| leader_title2      = [[Texas House of Representatives|Texas State Representative]]
| leader_name2       = [[Robert Guerra (politician)|Robert Guerra]]
| leader_title3      = [[Texas State Senator]]
| leader_name3       = [[Juan Hinojosa]]
| leader_title4      = [[U.S. Representative]]
| leader_name4       = [[Monica De La Cruz]]
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = December 5, 1904
| established_title1 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date1  = February 20, 1911
<!-- Area ----------------->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_48.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 24, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 162.48
| area_land_km2      = 161.37
| area_water_km2     = 1.11
| area_total_sq_mi   = 62.73
| area_land_sq_mi    = 62.31
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.43
<!-- Population ----------->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 148782
| pop_est_as_of      = 2024
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2024"/>
| population_footnotes = <ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
| population_total   = 142210
| population_rank    = US: [[List of United States cities by population|186th]]<br>TX: [[List of municipalities in Texas|23rd]]
| population_density_km2 = 895.9
| population_density_sq_mi = 2,320
| population_urban   = 779553 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|56th]])
| population_density_urban_km2 = 922.7
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 2389.7
| population_metro   = 914820  (US: [[Metropolitan statistical area|64th]])
<!-- General information -->| population_demonym = Mcallenite
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = –6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = –5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m        = 37
| elevation_ft       = 121
| coordinates        = {{coord|26|12|59|N|98|14|11|W|region:US-TX_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code        = 78501, 78502, 78503, 78504, 78505, 78539, 78557, 78572
| area_code          = [[Area code 956|956]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 48-45384
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1374829<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1374829}}</ref>
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Sales Tax]]
| blank_info_sec1    = 8.25%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irs-offices.com/texas/mcallen/|title=Mcallen (TX) sales tax rate|work=IRS offices |access-date=November 10, 2022}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://www.mcallen.net/|mcallen.net}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''McAllen''' is a city in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Texas]] and the most populous city in [[Hidalgo County, Texas|Hidalgo County]]. It is located at the southern tip of the state in the [[Lower Rio Grande Valley|Rio Grande Valley]], on the [[Mexico–United States border|Mexican border]]. The city limits extend south to the [[Rio Grande]], across from the [[Mexico|Mexican]] city of [[Reynosa]]. McAllen is about {{convert|70|mi|km|abbr=on}} west of the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2024 census estimate]], McAllen's population was 148,782,<ref name="2020 Census (City)">{{cite web|title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/McAllen_city,_Texas?g=160XX00US4845384 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=December 17, 2023}}</ref> making it the [[List of cities in Texas by population|23rd-most populous]] city in [[Texas]]. It is the fifth-most populous metropolitan area ([[McAllen–Edinburg–Mission metropolitan area|McAllen–Edinburg–Mission]]) in the state of Texas, and the binational [[Reynosa–McAllen|Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan area]] counts a population of more than 1.5 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=McAllen Overview |url=http://www.mcallen.org/Business-Community/McAllen-Overview |publisher=McAllen Chamber of Commerce |access-date=August 26, 2011}}</ref>

From its settlement in 1904, the area around McAllen was largely rural and agricultural in character, but the latter half of the 20th century had steady growth, which has continued in the 21st century in the metropolitan area. The introduction of the ''[[maquiladora]]'' economy and the [[North American Free Trade Association]] led to an increase in cross-border trading with Mexico.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bogan |first=Jesse |title=A Boom at the Border |magazine=Forbes |date=April 2, 2009 |url=https://www.forbes.com/2009/04/01/mexico-texas-economy-business-border.html |access-date=November 22, 2011}}</ref>

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of McAllen, Texas}}
In 1904, the Hidalgo and San Miguel Extension (now the Sam Fordyce Branch) of the [[St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway]] reached the Santa Anita Ranch. John McAllen and his son James had donated land to the railroad to guarantee it would cross this area. On December 5, 1904, the McAllen Townsite Company was formed by Uriah Lott, Leonidas C. Hill Sr., John McAllen (1826-1913), James Ballí McAllen (1862-1916), and John J. Young. The new community, which was named for John McAllen, had the depot nearest the county seat, [[Hidalgo, Texas|Hidalgo]], {{convert|8|mi|0|abbr=on}} to the south.

By 1911, {{convert|5000|acre|abbr=on}} were under cultivation in East McAllen: commodity crops of cotton, alfalfa, [[broom corn]], citrus fruits, grapes, and figs were raised. East McAllen had an estimated population of 1,000 that year, and West McAllen had ceased to exist. In 1911, the town applied for and was issued a charter of incorporation under the name McAllen. In 1916, 20,000 New York state troops were stationed at McAllen to help quell [[Border War (1910–1919)|border disturbances]] related to the Mexican Civil War. The resulting economic boom increased the population from 1,200 in 1916 to 6,000 in 1920.<ref>{{cite web|last=Garza |first=Alicia A. |title=McAllen |publisher=Handbook of Texas Online |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hdm01 |access-date=November 22, 2011}}</ref>

McAllen adopted a [[home rule]] charter in 1927. Canning factories, a winery, tortilla plants, wood-working plants, and some oil exploration increased the population to 9,074 by 1930. In 1936, Hiram Garner opened the Valley Distillery, Incorporated, which produced wines from citrus juices. The town was a petroleum and [[Chemurgy|farm chemurgic center]] with a population of 11,877 in 1940, by which time it had adopted the nickname "The City of Palms". In 1941, a [[suspension bridge]] replaced the old bridge from Hidalgo to Reynosa in [[Tamaulipas]]; the new toll bridge was purchased by McAllen and was named the [[McAllen–Hidalgo–Reynosa International Bridge]]. Its construction resulted in increased tourist trade, making McAllen a winter resort and port of entry to Mexico.

The discovery of oil in the Reynosa area in 1947 attracted a large migration of people from the Mexican interior to jobs in the region. They both constituted a new tourist market and a cheap labor supply for McAllen. The sister cities were linked as a result of the increased traffic between them. The population of McAllen was 20,005 in 1950 and 32,728 in 1960. In 1954 the McAllen–Hidalgo–Reynosa International Bridge was the number-two port of entry into Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|title=McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa Bridge |publisher=Texas Department of Transportation |url=http://www.txdot.gov/project_information/projects/border_crossing/mcallen.htm |access-date=November 22, 2011}}</ref>

McAllen was an agricultural, oil, and tourist center in 1970, when the population reached 37,636. By the start of the 1970s, McAllen had a 200-bed hospital and a new air-conditioned high school, the first school in the nation featuring on-site power generated by [[natural gas]]-powered turbines. The tourism industry continued to expand as people traveled to the area from both Mexico and the northern United States. The population continued to grow steadily through the 1970s, and reached 66,281 by 1980. During the late 1980s, the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone was an important general-purpose [[foreign trade zone]].<ref>{{cite web|title=City History |publisher=City of McAllen |url=http://www.mcallen.net/info/history.aspx |access-date=November 22, 2011}}</ref> At the time, McAllen's main industries were retail, tourism and farming, and each was in trouble. The devaluation of the [[Mexican peso]] in the 1980s put a damper on cross-border shopping; local tourism was down because of the [[early 1980s recession|recession]]. In 1983, a freeze took out much of the valley's citrus crop.

In the mid-1980s, fueled by trade and the growth of the ''[[maquiladora]]'' (in which components are shipped to Mexico from the United States, assembled, and shipped back as finished products), the economy began to improve in Hidalgo County. McAllen sits across the border from Reynosa, a large manufacturing center. After the peso devalued, Mexico was more successful in attracting companies to run their plants in Mexico, with support operations in Texas.

Border crossing is a daily event for many and is a key component in the local economy.{{r|LAT 2019-03-21}} The city became a focal point for concerns about the border during the [[United States federal government shutdown of 2018–2019]] over the [[Mexico–United States barrier]]. President Donald Trump held a briefing with the [[United States Border Patrol|border agents]] at the patrol station here in January 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-visits-u-s-mexico-border-as-shutdown-talks-stall|title=Trump highlights human trafficking as he calls for 'strong barrier' during visit to US-Mexico border|first=Alex|last=Pappas|date=January 10, 2019|work=Fox News|access-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref> Homeland Security Secretary [[Kirstjen Nielsen]] also visited the Border Patrol station in March 2019. In order to deal with [[National Emergency Concerning the Southern Border of the United States|overcrowded facilities in 2019]] resulting from the arrival of [[Central American migrant caravans]], immigration authorities were releasing a few hundred [[asylum seekers]] daily to private groups that assist them with basic needs and travel arrangements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2019/03/23/desperate-migrant-families-overwhelm-border-agencies/3238701002/|title=Desperate migrant families overwhelm border agencies|last=Merchant|first=Nomaan|date=March 23, 2019|website=[[Ventura County Star]]|language=en|access-date=March 24, 2019}}</ref>

The mayor emphasized how safe and secure the city is when [[Operation Faithful Patriot|U.S military troops were mobilized]] in the city to help the Border Patrol.{{r|LAT 2019-03-24}} Portions of the [[Concertina wire|razor wire coils]] considered unnecessary by the city were removed after troops had placed it at the border.<ref name="LAT 2019-03-24">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-border-concertina-wire-20190324-story.html|title=Trump says barbed wire 'can be a beautiful sight.' Many border communities disagree|last=Hennessy-Fiske|first=Molly|date=March 24, 2019|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=March 24, 2019}}</ref> The troops assisted by using [[military helicopters]] to carry border patrol agents to and from locations along the [[Mexico–United States border]] and by maintaining vehicles.<ref name="LAT 2019-03-21">{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-marine-corps-border-national-emergency-20190321-story.html|title=Marine Corps commandant says deploying troops to the border poses 'unacceptable risk'|last=O'Toole|first=Molly|date=March 21, 2019|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=25 March 2019}}</ref>  The [[Marine Corps Commandant]] General [[Robert Neller]] expressed concerns about the impact of continuing [[Defense Support of Civil authorities|border support]] on combat readiness for the troops.<ref name="LAT 2019-03-21"/>

==Geography==
McAllen, located in southern Hidalgo County,<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> is bordered to the southwest by [[Granjeno, Texas|Granjeno]]; to the west by [[Mission, Texas|Mission]], [[Palmhurst, Texas|Palmhurst]], and [[Alton, Texas|Alton]]; to the north by [[Edinburg, Texas|Edinburg]], the Hidalgo [[county seat]]; to the east by [[Pharr, Texas|Pharr]]; and to the south by [[Hidalgo, Texas|Hidalgo]]. The McAllen city limits extend to the southwest as far as the Rio Grande, directly north of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, in Mexico. The [[Anzalduas International Bridge]] crosses the Rio Grande at this point, {{convert|11|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of downtown McAllen.

McAllen is {{convert|238|mi|abbr=on}} south of [[San Antonio]], {{convert|158|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]], {{convert|148|mi|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], {{convert|60|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Brownsville, Texas|Brownsville]], and {{convert|150|mi|abbr=on}} northeast of [[Monterrey]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|126.0|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.8|km2|order=flip|1|abbr=on}}, or 0.62%, is covered by water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{Cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4845384| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): McAllen city, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=February 15, 2018| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213113333/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US4845384| archive-date=February 13, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref>

Although McAllen is named the "City of Palms", [[Tropics|tropical]] vegetation is only locally dominant. Many thorny [[shrub]]s and [[deciduous]] trees occur in the area, such as the Rio Grande ash (''[[Fraxinus berlandieriana]]''), cedar elm (''[[Ulmus crassifolia]]''), and honey mesquite (''[[Neltuma glandulosa]]'').

===Climate===
McAllen, like much of [[South Texas]], has a [[subtropical climate]].<ref>[[Voy:Rio Grande Valley|Rio Grande Valley]]. Wikivoyage.</ref> Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], the city features a subtropical [[semi-arid climate]] (''BSh''), featuring long, very hot and humid summers, and brief, warm winters. The city has two distinct seasons, a [[wet season]] from May to October and a [[dry season]] from November to April. The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from {{convert|62.8|F|1}} in January to {{convert|89.3|F|1}} in August.<ref name= "NOWData NWS Brownsville, TX (BRO)"/> The warm season is extremely long, as average high temperatures from May through September are above {{convert|90|F}} and average low temperatures are above {{Convert|70|F}}, with relatively high [[dew point]] values, resulting in higher [[relative humidity]] and [[heat index]] values. Heat indices consistently reach over {{convert|110|F}} during these months. Winter temperatures in McAllen and surrounding Rio Grande Valley are some of the warmest in the [[contiguous United States]] outside of [[South Florida]], and comparable to the [[Coachella Valley|Coachella]] and [[Imperial Valley|Imperial]] Valleys and [[Yuma Desert]], but with warmer nighttime lows and higher [[Dewpoint|dew points]].

Average annual precipitation is {{convert|22.31|in|mm|abbr=on}}. Most precipitation occurs in the warm season, with the least precipitation distinctly occurring in the cooler winter. As September is the peak of the north [[Atlantic hurricane season]] and tropical storms and hurricanes occasionally drop copious amounts of rainfall on the region, this month tends by far to be the wettest, averaging {{convert|4.74|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain. The driest month is February, with only {{convert|0.66|in|mm|abbr=on}} of precipitation. Since 1941, it has snowed twice, once when the city received {{convert|1.7|in|abbr=on}} on [[2004 Christmas Eve United States winter storm|December 25, 2004]].<ref name= "NOWData NWS Brownsville, TX (BRO)"/>

Temperatures consistently rise above {{convert|100|F}} from June through August, with exceptionally high humidity. The highest temperature ever recorded in McAllen was {{convert|111|F}}, set on June 22, 2017 and May 9, 2024. The lowest temperature ever recorded in McAllen was {{convert|13|F}}, on January 12, 1962.<ref name= "NOWData NWS Brownsville, TX (BRO)"/>

While usually a hot, humid, but relatively dry climate, McAllen has received unusual weather phenomena. In 2013, McAllen received a large hailstorm that destroyed many vehicles and buildings. The storm came suddenly, and many people were unprepared. In December 2017, McAllen received almost {{convert|3|in|mm|abbr=on}} of snow, nearly 13 years after the previous snowfall, which took place during the [[2004 Christmas Eve United States winter storm]]. In February 2021, McAllen reached record low temperatures between {{Convert|10|F}} and {{Convert|20|F}} and lost power, heat, and water for a week due to [[Winter Storm Uri]]. In addition to these fluke weather events, McAllen is prone to tropical storms, hurricanes such as [[Hurricane Dolly (2008)]] and [[Hurricane Hanna (2020)]], and heatwaves.

{{Weather box|width=auto
|location = McAllen, Texas ([[McAllen Miller International Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals,{{efn|Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020}} extremes 1941–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F =  96
|Feb record high F = 101
|Mar record high F = 105
|Apr record high F = 109
|May record high F = 111
|Jun record high F = 111
|Jul record high F = 109
|Aug record high F = 108
|Sep record high F = 108
|Oct record high F = 104
|Nov record high F = 102
|Dec record high F =  96

|Jan avg record high F = 87.4
|Feb avg record high F = 92.4
|Mar avg record high F = 96.1
|Apr avg record high F = 98.8
|May avg record high F = 99.5
|Jun avg record high F = 102.0
|Jul avg record high F = 103.2
|Aug avg record high F = 103.8
|Sep avg record high F = 101.0
|Oct avg record high F = 96.8
|Nov avg record high F = 91.7
|Dec avg record high F = 87.5
|year avg record high F= 105.5

|Jan high F = 72.8
|Feb high F = 77.4
|Mar high F = 83.2
|Apr high F = 88.4
|May high F = 93.1
|Jun high F = 97.4
|Jul high F = 98.5
|Aug high F = 99.6
|Sep high F = 94.3
|Oct high F = 89.3
|Nov high F = 80.3
|Dec high F = 73.8
|year high F= 
|Jan mean F = 62.8
|Feb mean F = 67.2
|Mar mean F = 72.9
|Apr mean F = 78.4
|May mean F = 83.6
|Jun mean F = 87.7
|Jul mean F = 88.6
|Aug mean F = 89.3
|Sep mean F = 85.0
|Oct mean F = 79.0
|Nov mean F = 70.2
|Dec mean F = 64.0
|year mean F=  
|Jan low F = 52.7
|Feb low F = 56.9
|Mar low F = 62.7
|Apr low F = 68.4
|May low F = 74.1
|Jun low F = 78.0
|Jul low F = 78.8
|Aug low F = 78.9
|Sep low F = 75.6
|Oct low F = 68.7
|Nov low F = 60.1
|Dec low F = 54.1
|year low F= 
|Jan avg record low F = 36.2
|Feb avg record low F = 38.5
|Mar avg record low F = 43.9
|Apr avg record low F = 51.1
|May avg record low F = 61.4
|Jun avg record low F = 70.6
|Jul avg record low F = 73.0
|Aug avg record low F = 73.3
|Sep avg record low F = 64.9
|Oct avg record low F = 50.4
|Nov avg record low F = 41.7
|Dec avg record low F = 36.2
|year avg record low F = 33.2
|Jan record low F = 13
|Feb record low F = 19
|Mar record low F = 31
|Apr record low F = 40
|May record low F = 50
|Jun record low F = 59
|Jul record low F = 65
|Aug record low F = 64
|Sep record low F = 50
|Oct record low F = 41
|Nov record low F = 30
|Dec record low F = 18

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.84
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.66
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.15
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.35
|May precipitation inch = 1.98
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.73
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.10
|Aug precipitation inch = 1.75
|Sep precipitation inch = 4.74
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.04
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.19
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.10
|year precipitation inch =22.31
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 6.1
|Feb precipitation days = 4.5
|Mar precipitation days = 4.4
|Apr precipitation days = 3.8
|May precipitation days = 4.3
|Jun precipitation days = 4.8
|Jul precipitation days = 4.7
|Aug precipitation days = 4.7
|Sep precipitation days = 8.0
|Oct precipitation days = 5.8
|Nov precipitation days = 5.2
|Dec precipitation days = 6.1
|year precipitation days=62.4
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name= "NOWData NWS Brownsville, TX (BRO)">{{cite web |url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=bro |title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=October 18, 2019}}</ref><ref name = "NCEI normals">{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00012959&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020 |publisher = National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration |access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 150
|1920= 5331
|1930= 9074
|1940= 11877
|1950= 20067
|1960= 32728
|1970= 37636
|1980= 66281
|1990= 89000
|2000= 106414
|2010= 129877
|2020= 142210
|estyear=2022
|estimate=144579
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=December 17, 2023|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=December 17, 2023}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><br>2020 Census<ref name="2020 Census (City)"/>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''McAllen, Texas – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – McAllen, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=160XX00US4845384&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – McAllen, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4845384&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – McAllen, Texas |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=160XX00US4845384&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 26, 2024}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|17,924
|15,193
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13,032
|16.84%
|11.70%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |9.16%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|487
|833
|style='background: #ffffe6; |894
|0.46%
|0.64%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.63%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|112
|120
|style='background: #ffffe6; |141
|0.11%
|0.09%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.10%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|2,010
|3,288
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,576
|1.89%
|2.53%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.51%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|15
|17
|style='background: #ffffe6; |21
|0.01%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.01%
|-
|Some other race alone (NH)
|42
|88
|style='background: #ffffe6; |409
|0.04%
|0.07%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.29%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or multiracial]] (NH)
|397
|428
|style='background: #ffffe6; |887
|0.37%
|0.33%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.62%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|85,427
|109,910
|style='background: #ffffe6; |123,250
|80.28%
|84.630%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |86.67%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''106,414'''
|'''129,877'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''142,210'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|census of 2020]], 142,210 people, 45,429 households, and 34,119 families were residing in the city.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|census of 2010]], 129,877 people, 41,573 households, and 31,823 families resided in the city. Of the 45,862 housing units,  4,289, or 9.4%, were vacant.

The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the city was 83.9% White, 0.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.6% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 10.4% some other race, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 84.6% of the population.

Of the 41,573 households, 46.0% had children under 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 19.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were not families. About 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.9% were someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 3.10, and the average family size was 3.58.

In the city, the age distribution was 30.1% under 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% 65 or older. The median age was 32.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.2 males.

For the period 2012–2016, the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $45,568, and for a family was $50,184. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,726. About 22.5% of families and 25.7% of the entire population were below the [[poverty line]], including 36.6% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="DP03">{{Cite web| url=https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP03/1600000US4845384| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213100246/https://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/16_5YR/DP03/1600000US4845384| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 13, 2020| title=Selected Economic Characteristics: 2012-2016 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): McAllen city, Texas| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| work=American Factfinder| access-date=February 15, 2018}}</ref>

===Crime===
{{Infobox UCR
|city_name= McAllen
|year= 2022
|violent_crime= 290
|homicide= 5
|rape= 58
|robbery= 42
|aggravated_assault= 185
|property_crime= 2,864
|arson= 13
|burglary= 159
|larceny_theft= 2,629
|motor_vehicle_theft= 63
|source_url= https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/crime-trend
|source_name= 2022 FBI UCR Data
|notes= 2022 population: 144,579
}}

Based on the Texas Department of Public Safety's ''Annual Crime in Texas'' report and the FBI's ''Crime in the United States'' report, five murders were reported during 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mcallen.net/docs/default-source/pd/crime-reports/2022-mcallen-national-incident---based-reporting-system-(nibrs)-crime-report.pdf?sfvrsn=2|title=City of McAllen Police Department 2022|website=City of McAllen|access-date=January 20, 2023}}</ref> The city has been consistently ranked among the safest cities in Texas.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://valleybusinessreport.com/community/mcallen-in-the-top-five-safest-u-s-cities/|title=McAllen In The Top Five Safest U.S. Cities|date=January 20, 2023|website=Positive Valley News (PVN) |first= |last= |language=en-US|access-date=January 20, 2023|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Health===
McAllen was the focus of a 2009 article in ''[[The New Yorker]]'' by [[Atul Gawande]] entitled "The Cost Conundrum", an inquiry into the factors that contribute to the cost of health care. The McAllen area had the highest taxpayer-sponsored spending per beneficiary in the United States, despite areas with similar demographics and health profiles having half the cost per recipient. The article noted that while the area has a higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes, its rates of [[infant mortality]], [[HIV]], and [[tobacco use]] were lower than the national average.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/06/01/the-cost-conundrum |title=The Cost Conundrum |date=May 25, 2009 |access-date=December 16, 2017 |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |last1=Gawande |first1=Atul }}</ref>

McAllen was the most [[obesity|obese]] metropolitan area in the country in 2012, with 38.5% of the adult population considered obese. The high obesity rate has likely contributed to area residents' poor health. More than 21% of the population has been diagnosed with [[diabetes]], more than any other metro area in the United States. Poverty may play a large role in the community's health problems, as well. Over 25% of the city population was living below the poverty line during the period 2012–2016.<ref name="DP03"/> More than 29% of the population also lacked health coverage during that time.<ref name="DP03"/>

McAllen is featured in ''Supersize vs Superskinny'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/supersize-vs-superskinny-kids |title=Supersize vs Superskinny Kids - Channel 4 |website=www.channel4.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303005953/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/supersize-vs-superskinny-kids |archive-date=March 3, 2011}}</ref> a British television programme on Channel 4 that features information about dieting and extreme eating lifestyles. One of the main show features is a weekly comparison between an overweight person and an underweight person. In the show, the overweight participant visits morbidly obese McAllen residents to find motivation for lifestyle and diet changes.

==Economy==
The [[Rio Grande Valley (Texas)|Rio Grande Valley]] began its rapid development with the introduction of [[irrigation]] in 1898 and the construction of the railroad in 1904. These major additions turned a once relatively desolate area into a major agricultural center. Throughout much of the 1900s, McAllen was a rural, agriculture-based economy characterized by sporadic growth.

Today, the area is transforming into a major international trade area. As recently as 1990, McAllen's unemployment rate was at 22.6%. By the end of 2005, that figure had dropped to 7.7%. However, in 2011, census.gov listed the McAllen metro area the poorest in the nation.<ref>Martha C. White (October 21, 2011) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20111022225509/http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/10/21/8432089-poorest-place-in-us-mcallen-texas-and-heres-why Poorest place in US? McAllen, Texas, and here's why] " ''[[MSNBC.com]]'' Accessed November 5, 2011.</ref> As of 2012, the average cost of a home in McAllen was the third-least expensive in the country, at $178,000, while average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment was $708. In 2012, the cost of living in McAllen was 16.2% lower than the national average.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/10-cheapest-places-to-live-in-the-us/3/ |title=10 cheapest places to live in the U.S. |date=November 13, 2012 |access-date=February 23, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

===Trade===
Since the 1980s and especially since the ratification of the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] in 1994, the focal point of economic activity has shifted from agriculture to international trade, health care, retail, and tourism.

The McAllen Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) is located south of McAllen between McAllen and Reynosa. Commissioned in 1973, it was the first inland [[Foreign-trade zones of the United States|foreign-trade zone]] in the United States. Also, an FTZ designation site is at the [[McAllen Miller International Airport]] to facilitate air cargo needs. Under U.S. and Mexican laws and NAFTA provisions, the FTZ designation offers specific cost-saving opportunities to manufacturers. Products can be brought into the FTZ duty-free. Services have recently expanded to include full logistic support services, including public warehouse services such as pick and pack, order processing, inventory control, incoming/outgoing quality inspection, and kitting.<ref>{{cite web |title= Rio Grande Valley |publisher= Texas Border Business |url= http://www.texasborderbusiness.com/About/Rio-Grande-Valley |access-date=November 21, 2011}}</ref>

==Sports==
McAllen hosted the [[NAIA National Football Championship]] in the late 1970s and [[NCAA Division II national football championship]] games in the 1980s.

Until 2014, McAllen was home to the [[Texas Thunder (baseball)|Texas Thunder]] of the [[independent baseball league|independent]] [[United League Baseball]], who played at [[Edinburg Stadium]].

==Recreation==

===Birdwatching===
McAllen is positioned on a major flyway, the migratory path of birds between North and South America, presenting opportunities for bird and butterfly expeditions. The landscape hosts a diverse wildlife population. The Quinta Mazatlan, a historic Spanish colonial mansion, is used as McAllen's wing of the World Birding Center.<ref>{{cite web | last=Strong | first=W.F. | title=Commentary: Quinta Mazatlan, a garden refuge in McAllen, is an extension of the man who built it | website=Texas Standard | date=2023-03-16 | url=https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/commentary-quinta-mazatlan-garden-refuge-mcallen-tx-extension-jason-chilton-matthews/ | access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> The McAllen Nature Center is a popular spot for bird-watchers and nature enthusiasts alike. This preserved green space offers visitors a chance to explore walking trails, climb a small hill, and has a cactus garden - all without any charge for admission.

The Bicentennial Bike Path runs from Highway 83 on the south side to Bicentennial and Trenton Road on the north side. The International Museum of Art & Science,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theimasonline.org/ |title=International Museum of Art and Science |publisher=theimasonline.org |access-date=January 29, 2020}}</ref> Smithsonian affiliate and AAM-accredited museum founded in 1967, is located near the path at the corner of Bicentennial and Nolana Avenue.

The Zinnia Spray Water Park is McAllen's first [[splash pad|sprayground]] park. It is located at 29th and Zinnia Ave.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.exploremcallen.com/ |title=Zinnia Spray Park |publisher=ExploreMcAllen.com |access-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref>

Champion Lakes Golf Course is located on South Ware Road just south of Highway 83. The golf course has 18 holes plus a driving range. This course hosts numerous tournaments year round.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcallen.net/golf/default.aspx/ |title=Palm View Golf Course |publisher=McAllen.net |access-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref>

==Government==
{{hidden begin
|title = List of mayors of McAllen, Texas
|titlestyle = background:#F8F8FF;width:60%
}}
* Frank W. Crow, 1911–1913<ref name=mayors>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcallen.net/docs/default-source/city-secretary/reports/history-of-mcallen-mayors-city-commissioners.pdf?sfvrsn=10 |title=History of Election of Mayors & City Officials |publisher=City of McAllen |access-date= April 9, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcallenheritagecenter.com/history.asp |title=Outline History of McAllen, Texas and the Surrounding Area |publisher=McAllen Heritage Center }} (Includes brief info about mayors)</ref>
* O. P. Archer, 1913–1923
* F.B. Freeland, 1923–1929
* Frank E. Osborn, 1929–1931
* John Ewing, 1931–1934
* A.L. Landry, 1935–1937
* Horace Etchison, 1937–1944
* Dr. Frank Osborn, 1944–1945
* Allen F. Vannoy, 1945–1947
* T. B. Waite, Jr., 1947–1948
* C. W. Davis, 1949–1952
* Angus McLeod, 1952–1953
* Phillip Boeye, 1953–1961
* Robert F. Barnes, 1961–1963
* Paul G. Veale, 1963–1969
* Jack Whetsel, 1969–1977
* Othal E. Brand, 1977–1997
* Leo Montalvo, 1997–2005
* [[Richard Cortez (politician)|Richard F. Cortez]], 2005–2013
* [[Jim Darling|James E. Darling]], 2013–2021
* [[Javier Villalobos]], 2021–Present
{{hidden end}}

The [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]] operates an office in McAllen.<ref>"[http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff4.htm Parole Division Region IV] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904002737/http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/parole/parole-directory/paroledir-rgnldisparoff4.htm |date=September 4, 2011}}." [[Texas Department of Criminal Justice]]. Retrieved on May 21, 2010.</ref>

===Federal representation===
The [[United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas]] McAllen Division is located at Bentsen Tower 1701 W. Hwy. 83, Suite 1011, McAllen, Texas.

The [[United States Postal Service]] operates two post offices in McAllen: McAllen Post Office, located at 620 Pecan Blvd, and the McAllen Downtown Post Office at 406 12th Street.<ref>"[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/mcallen-620-e-pecan-blvd-mcallen-tx-1372393 Post Office Location MCALLEN] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504034404/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/mcallen-620-e-pecan-blvd-mcallen-tx-1372393 |date=May 4, 2010}}." [[United States Postal Service]]. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.</ref><ref>"[http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/downtown-mcallen-406-s-12th-st-mcallen-tx-1435759 Post Office Location – DOWNTOWN MCALLEN] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618184319/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/downtown-mcallen-406-s-12th-st-mcallen-tx-1435759 |date=June 18, 2010}}."[[United States Postal Service]]. Retrieved on May 9, 2010.</ref>

The [[United States Border Patrol]] McAllen Station is located at 3000 West Military Highway.

The [[U.S. Customs and Border Protection]] (CBP) Rio Grande Valley Centralized Processing Center (CPC) is located at 3700 W Ursula Avenue, McAllen, Texas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.themonitor.com/news/local/article_b22a23ae-0e2b-11e4-b9d3-0017a43b2370.html|title=Border Patrol Opens Central Processing Facility for Unaccompanied Kids|last=Findell|first=Elizabeth|date=July 17, 2014|website=The Monitor|access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-migrant-border-detention-20190403-story.html|title=Border Patrol's largest holding area — known to migrants as 'the kennel' — is overwhelmed|last=Hennessy-Fiske|first=Molly|date=April 3, 2019|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 7, 2019}}</ref>

The 2LT Luis G. Garcia United States Army Reserve Center located at 600 S Col Rowe Blvd is home for the [[United States Army Reserve]] 961st Quartermaster Company, 461st Transportation Detachment, and 519th Transportation Detachment.

McAllen is represented in the [[United States House of Representatives]] by [[Monica De La Cruz]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Edinburg, Texas|Edinburg]]), of the 15th Congressional District, and [[Vicente Gonzalez (American politician)|Vicente Gonzalez]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-McAllen), of the [[Texas's 34th congressional district|34th Congressional District]].

==Transportation==

===Mass transit===
Metro McAllen (formerly McAllen Express Transit – MET) has provided public transportation for the City of McAllen since June 1997. In the beginning, McAllen Express was administered by the [[Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council]]. Since 2005, Metro McAllen has been operated as a department of the city of McAllen. Metro McAllen now has 12 fixed routes and paratransit, serving residents and visitors. It operates seven days a week, from 6am–9pm Monday through Saturday and from 8am-6pm on Sunday. LRGVDC continues to operate regional buses under the name Valley Metro.

====Downtown Bus Terminal====
The City of McAllen also operates the bus terminal facility in downtown McAllen, known as McAllen Central Station. Central Station serves as a hub for MET and for 14 private domestic and international bus lines. Around 60 buses depart from Central Station on a daily basis. It is centrally located in downtown McAllen at 1501 W Hwy 83.

===Highways===
*[[File:I-2.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 2|I-2]] travels through McAllen from Taylor Road to Sugar Road.
*[[File:US 83.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 83 in Texas|US 83]] travels through McAllen as its major east–west artery. It runs directly south of [[Downtown McAllen|downtown]].
*[[File:Texas 107.svg|25px]] [[Texas State Highway 107|SH 107]] travels east through McAllen into Downtown Edinburg, where it intersects with the Business Route US 281 and then I-69C/US 281.
*[[File:Texas 336.svg|25px]] [[Texas State Highway 336|SH 336]] travels north to an intersection of FM 1016 in McAllen to an interchange with US-281
*[[File:Texas 495.svg|25px]] [[Texas State Highway 495|SH 495]] travels through McAllen from FM 2220 (Ware Road) to FM 2061 (McColl Street).


===Airports===
* [[McAllen Miller International Airport]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcallenairport.com |title=McAllen International Airport – Welcome |publisher=Mcallenairport.com |access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref> is served by [[American Airlines]] with nonstop service to [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport|Dallas/Fort Worth]], by [[United Airlines|United]] with nonstop service to [[George Bush Intercontinental Airport|Houston]], by [[Aeromexico]] with nonstop service to [[Felipe Ángeles International Airport|Mexico City/Santa Lucía]], by [[Delta Air Lines|Delta]] with nonstop service to [[Austin–Bergstrom International Airport|Austin]], and by [[Allegiant Air]] with nonstop flights to [[McCarran International Airport|Las Vegas]] and seasonal service to [[Los Angeles International Airport|Los Angeles]] and [[Orlando Sanford International Airport|Orlando-Sanford]].

==Education==

===Postsecondary===
* [[South Texas College]] has a total of more than 27,000 students attending its five campuses in Hidalgo and Starr counties, and the eSTC virtual campus. The main campus is in McAllen.

===Primary and secondary schools===
The [[McAllen Independent School District]] serves most of the city followed by the [[Valley View Independent School District (Hidalgo County, Texas)|Valley View Independent School District]] and the [[Sharyland Independent School District]]. Portions of the city extend into the [[Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District]], which operates two elementary schools within the McAllen city limits. The [[Hidalgo Independent School District]], [[Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District]] also serve McAllen.

In addition, residents are allowed to apply to magnet schools operated by the [[South Texas Independent School District]].

The Catholic [[Diocese of Brownsville]] operates Our Lady of Sorrows School, an elementary and middle school.

===Public libraries===
[[McAllen Public Library]] operates a main library and two branches, the Lark Branch and the Palm View Branch. The New Main Library opened in the fall of 2011 inside a former [[Walmart]] big-box store.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcallenlibrary.net/about/newmain.aspx |title=McAllen Public Library – New Main Library – opening 2011 |publisher=Mcallenlibrary.net |access-date=2011-09-04}}</ref> The library earned high praise and received the International Interior Design Association's 2012 Library Interior Design Award.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/07/07/abandoned_walmart_in_mcallen_texas_becomes_an_award_winning_public_library_how_big_box_stores_are_becoming_public_spaces_.html |title=How an Abandoned Wal-Mart Became an Award-Winning Public Library |last1=Lametti |first1=Daniel |date=July 7, 2012 |last2=Waldman |first2=Katy |newspaper=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339 |access-date=September 3, 2016}}</ref>

===Arts and culture===
[[International Museum of Art & Science]] (IMAS), founded in 1967, is a Smithsonian Affiliate and American Alliance of Museums (AAM) accredited museum located in McAllen at the corner of Bicentennial and Nolana Avenue.

==Media==
{{see also|List of newspapers in Texas|List of radio stations in Texas|List of television stations in Texas}}

===Television stations===
* [[XHTAM-TV]] 2 [[Reynosa]], Tamaulipas [[XEW-TV|Las Estrellas]]
* [[KGBT-TV]] 4 [[Harlingen, Texas]] [[Independent station (North America)|Independent]]
* [[KRGV-TV]] 5 [[Weslaco, Texas]] [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
* [[XHAB-TV]] 8 Matamoros, Tamaulipas [[XHAB-TV|Vallevision]]
* [[XERV-TV]] 9 [[Reynosa]], Tamaulipas [[XEW-TV|Las Estrellas]]
* [[XHREY-TV]] 1 [[Reynosa, Tamaulipas]] [[Azteca Uno]]
* [[XHOR-TV]] 7 Reynosa, Tamaulipas [[Azteca 7]]
* [[KVEO]] 23 [[Brownsville, Texas]] [[NBC]]/[[CBS]]
* [[KTFV-CD]] 32 McAllen, Texas [[UniMás]]
* [[KTLM]] 40 [[Rio Grande City, Texas]] [[Telemundo]]
* [[KNVO (TV)|KNVO]] 48 McAllen, Texas [[Univision]]
* [[XHVTV-TV]] 6 Reynosa, Tamaulipas [[Multimedios]] ([[Canal 6 (Mexico)|Canal 6 Mexico]])
* [[KFXV (TV)|KFXV]] 60 Harlingen, Texas [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]]
* [[KMBH-LD]] 67 McAllen, Texas [[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX]]
* [ MCN ] 17.12 McAllen, Texas [[Public Broadcasting Station]]

===Radio stations===
* [[KURV]] 710 AM News Talk Radio
* [[XERDO-AM]] La Raza 1060 AM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish]
* [[XEMS-AM]] Radio Mexicana 1490 AM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish]
* [[KHID]] 88.1 FM McAllen  (National Public Radio)
* [[XHRYS-FM]] Ultra 90.1 FM [Spanish]
* [[XHRYN-FM]] Uni 90.5 FM [Spanish]
* [[XHRYA-FM]] Mas Music 90.9 FM (Hit Radio) [Spanish]
* [[XHMLS-FM]] Exitos 91.3 FM (All-Time Hits) [Spanish]
* [[KCAS]] The New KCAS 91.5 FM
* [[XHEOQ-FM]] Notigape 91.7 FM (News) [Spanish]
* [[XHAAA-FM]] La Caliente 93.1 FM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish]
* [[KFRQ]] Q94.5 FM (Classic/Modern/Hard Rock)
* [[XHRT-FM]] @FM (Arroba FM) 95.3 FM (All-Time Hits) [Spanish]
* [[KBTQ]] Recuerdo 96.1 FM (Oldies) [Spanish]
* [[KVMV]] Family Friendly & Commercial Free 96.9 FM (Adult Contemporary Christian)
* [[KGBT-FM]] Solamente Exitos 98.5 FM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish]
* [[KKPS]] Fuego 99.5 FM (CHR) [Spanish]
* [[KTEX (FM)|KTEX]] South Texas Country 100.3 FM (Country)
* [[KNVO-FM]] La Suavecita 101.1 FM [Spanish]
* [[XHAVO-FM]] Digital 101.5 FM (International Music) [Spanish]
* [[KBUC]] Super Tejano 102.1 FM (Tejano) [Spanish]
* [[XHRR-FM]] La Ley 102.5 FM (Regional Mexican) [Spanish]
* [[KBFM]] Wild 104.1 FM (Hip-Hop/R&B/Reggaeton)
* [[KJAV]] Life Radio 104.9 (Contemporary Christian)
* [[KQXX]] Kiss 105.5 FM 
* [[KHKZ]] Kiss 106.3 FM ([[Hot Adult Contemporary|Hot AC]])
* [[XHVTH-FM]] La Comadre 107.1 FM (Regional Mexican) {{in lang|es}}
* [[KVLY (FM)|KVLY]] RGV FM 107.9 FM (Top 40)

===Area newspapers===
* ''[[The Monitor (Texas)|The Monitor]]'' 
* ''[[Valley Morning Star]]''
* ''Texas Border Business''
* ''Mega Doctor News''

==Architecture and points of interest==
* '''Tallest buildings'''
[[File:Mcallen2009.jpg|thumb|McAllen skyline. On far right is the Chase Neuhaus Tower in Downtown.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Rank !! Building !! Height
|-
| 1 || Chase Neuhaus Tower || 17 Floors
|-
| 2 || PNC Bank Building || 11 Floors
|-
| 3 || Bentsen Tower || 11 Floors
|-
| 4 ||  DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel || 9 Floors
|-
| 5 || [[McAllen Medical Center]] || 8 Floors
|-
| 6 || [[Inter National Bank]] || 6 Floors
|}

* '''Districts'''
[[File:Mcallen 2016-08-29-20-44-18-1.png|thumb|McAllen Convention Center District]]
# Downtown McAllen
# De Palmas Historic District
# 17 Street Entertainment District
# McAllen Arts District
# Uptown McAllen
# McAllen Convention Center District

* '''Points of Interest'''
[[File:McAllen Convention Center.jpg|thumb|McAllen Convention Center]]
# [[McAllen Botanical Gardens]]
# Quinta Mazatlan<ref>[http://www.quintamazatlan.com Quinta Mazatlan]</ref>
# [[McAllen Convention Center]]
# [[La Plaza Mall]]
# International Museum of Art & Science
# Historic Cine El Rey Theatre
#[[Veterans War Memorial of Texas|Veteran's War Memorial of Texas]][[File:Veteran's War Memorial of Texas.jpg|alt=Veteran's War Memorial of Texas|thumb|'''Veteran's War Memorial of Texas''']]

== Notable people ==
* [[Cristela Alonzo]], a stand-up comedian and actress, was given the [[Key to the City]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://valleycentral.com/news/local/cristela-alonzo-receives-key-to-the-city-of-mcallen|title=Cristela Alonzo receives Key to the city of McAllen|last=Cepeda|first=Paola|date=November 16, 2019|work=KGBT|access-date=November 16, 2019}}</ref>
* [[Abraham Ancer]], a professional golfer, was born in McAllen.
* [[Viola Canales]], a lecturer in law and writer, was born in McAllen in 1957.
* [[Jorge Cantú]], a baseball player, was born in McAllen in 1982.
* [[Shaine Casas]], a competitive [[Swimming (sport)|swimmer]], was raised in McAllen.<ref>[https://www.kbtx.com/2021/06/04/casas-highlights-18-qualified-am-swimmers-us-olympic-team-trials/ "Casas Highlights 18 Qualified A&M Swimmers at U.S. Olympic Team Trials"]. ''[[KBTX-TV]]''. June 4, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.</ref>
* [[Raúl Castillo (actor)|Raúl Castillo]], an actor, was born in McAllen in 1977.
* [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] is a professional wrestling commentator for [[WWE]].
* [[Ana Brenda Contreras]], a [[Mexican-American]] actress and singer, was born in McAllen on December 24, 1986.
* [[Henry Cuesta]], a [[clarinet]]ist on ''[[The Lawrence Welk Show]]'', was born in McAllen in 1931.
* [[Matt Gonzalez]], former San Francisco supervisor and [[Ralph Nader 2008 presidential campaign|running mate]] of [[Ralph Nader]] in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]], born in McAllen in 1965
* [[Vicente Gonzalez (American politician)|Vicente Gonzalez]], [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]], lives in McAllen<ref>{{Cite web |last=Livingston |first=By Abby |date=2020-05-04 |title=U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez suffers broken back, ordered to bed rest at least four weeks |url=https://www.texastribune.org/2020/05/04/us-rep-vicente-gonzalez-suffers-broken-back/ |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=The Texas Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Catherine Hardwicke]], a film director, though born in [[Cameron, Texas]], grew up in McAllen.
* [[Carl Möhner]], an actor, director, screenwriter, and painter was born in [[Vienna]] in 1921, and died 2005 in McAllen.
* [[Elizabeth Moon]], fantasy and science fiction writer who won the [[Nebula Award]] in 2003, was raised in McAllen.
* [[James Nicholas Rowe]], a colonel United States Army, was born in McAllen in 1938.
* [[Gladys Tamez]], a celebrity milliner, was born in McAllen.
* [[Gloria Trevi]], a Mexican pop star, was born in [[Monterrey, Nuevo Leon]], Mexico, but now lives in McAllen.
* [[Vanessa Angélica Villarreal]], poet, essayist, and cultural critic.

==Sister cities==
McAllen, Texas sister cities

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Cadereyta Jiménez, Nuevo León|Cadereyta Jiménez]], Mexico 
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Chilpancingo|Chilpancingo de los Bravo]], Mexico 
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Ciudad Victoria]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[García, Nuevo León|García]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Guadalupe, Nuevo León|Guadalupe]], Mexico 
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Irapuato]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Monterrey]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Reynosa Municipality|Reynosa]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[San Luis Potosí City|San Luis Potosí]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Tampico]], Mexico 
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Taxco de Alarcón (municipality)|Taxco de Alarcón]], Mexico
*{{flagicon|MEX}} [[Zihuatanejo|Zihuatanejo de Azueta]], Mexico 
{{div col end}}

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of McAllen, Texas#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of McAllen, Texas}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Texas}}
{{Wikivoyage|McAllen}}
* [https://www.mcallen.net/ City of McAllen official website]
* [http://www.mcallencvb.com/ McAllen Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* [https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hdm01 The Handbook of Texas Online]

{{Hidalgo County, Texas}}
{{Texas}}
{{McAllen, Texas}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcallen, Texas}}
[[Category:McAllen, Texas| ]]
[[Category:1904 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Hidalgo County, Texas]]
[[Category:Cities in Texas]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1904]]
[[Category:Texas populated places on the Rio Grande]]