Alamo, Texas
Encyclopedia
Alamo, Texas, in what is nicknamed the "Land of Two Summers," is a town in the irrigated area of southern Hidalgo County, Texas
. This town was incorporated in 1924, and it was named for the Alamo Land and Sugar Company, is 240 miles south of the more famous Texas Alamo Mission, and is near the Mexico-U.S. border. It is located in an area of abundant vegetable farming and citrus groves, and it is a noted winter resort/retirement town. Alamo is also one of the Rio Grande Valley
's gateways to Mexico
, via U.S. Route 281
and Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas
. Alamo's population was just 18,353 at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census.
Alamo 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 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 14,760 people, 4,621 households, and 3,826 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,580.8 people per square mile (996.3/km²). There were 6,208 housing units at an average density of 1,085.5 per square mile (419.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.61% White (including Latinos that were born before the 60s considered whites by law ), 0.21% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 13.73% from other races
, and 1.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.10% of the population.
There were 4,621 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples
living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.2% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.19 and the average family size was 3.57.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,928, and the median income for a family was $24,827. Males had a median income of $17,476 versus $14,683 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,564. About 24.9% of families and 32.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.0% of those under age 18 and 12.9% of those age 65 or over.
operates the Alamo Post Office.
. Another portion resides in the Donna Independent School District
.
elimentry schools in the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo district include Bowie Elementary, Zeferino Farias Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Gus Guerra Elementary, North Alamo Elementary. Alamo Middle School is located in Alamo and the PSJA district. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Memorial High School
serves Alamo.
Captain D. Salinas II Elementary of Donna ISD serves that portion.
In addition, all Alamo residents are allowed to apply to magnet schools operated by the South Texas Independent School District
.
Valley Christian Heritage School is in Alamo.
IDEA Alamo Academy & College Preparatory also enrolls local students as a branch of IDEA Public Schools
.
Sergeant Fernando "Ferna" De La Rosa, who died during a roadside bomb explosion on October 27, 2009 in the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan
.
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...
. This town was incorporated in 1924, and it was named for the Alamo Land and Sugar Company, is 240 miles south of the more famous Texas Alamo Mission, and is near the Mexico-U.S. border. It is located in an area of abundant vegetable farming and citrus groves, and it is a noted winter resort/retirement town. Alamo is also one of the Rio Grande Valley
Rio Grande Valley
The Rio Grande Valley or the Lower Rio Grande Valley, informally called The Valley, is an area located in the southernmost tip of South Texas...
's gateways to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, via U.S. Route 281
U.S. Route 281
U.S. Route 281 is a north–south United States highway. At 1,872 miles long it is the longest continuous three-digit U.S. Route....
and Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas
Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas
Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas is a Mexican town in Río Bravo Municipality in the state of Tamaulipas located on the U.S.-Mexican border. The Progreso-Nuevo Progreso International Bridge connects the town with Progreso Lakes, Texas. The 2010 census showed a population of 10,178 inhabitants.-External...
. Alamo's population was just 18,353 at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census.
Alamo 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
Alamo is located at 26°11′6"N 98°7′4"W (26.185113, -98.117892).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 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²), all of it land.
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 14,760 people, 4,621 households, and 3,826 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 2,580.8 people per square mile (996.3/km²). There were 6,208 housing units at an average density of 1,085.5 per square mile (419.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.61% White (including Latinos that were born before the 60s considered whites by law ), 0.21% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 13.73% 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 1.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 78.10% of the population.
There were 4,621 households out of which 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% 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, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.2% were non-families. 15.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.19 and the average family size was 3.57.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $23,928, and the median income for a family was $24,827. Males had a median income of $17,476 versus $14,683 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 $10,564. About 24.9% of families and 32.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.0% of those under age 18 and 12.9% 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 Alamo Post Office.
Primary and secondary scools
Much of Alamo resides in the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School DistrictPharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District is a public school district based in Pharr, Texas .The district serves most of Pharr, San Juan, and Alamo as well as a small portion of McAllen. PSJA ISD's total student enrollment for 2010 was 31,329 according to the Texas Education Agency's website...
. Another portion resides in the Donna Independent School District
Donna Independent School District
Donna Independent School District is a public school district based in Donna, Texas .In addition to Donna, the district also serves portions of Alamo as well as the communities of Muniz, Scissors, and South Alamo....
.
elimentry schools in the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo district include Bowie Elementary, Zeferino Farias Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Gus Guerra Elementary, North Alamo Elementary. Alamo Middle School is located in Alamo and the PSJA district. Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Memorial High School
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Memorial High School
Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Memorial High School is a public school in Alamo, Texas . It is part of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District and is one of the district's three high schools....
serves Alamo.
Captain D. Salinas II Elementary of Donna ISD serves that portion.
In addition, all Alamo residents are allowed to apply to magnet schools operated by the 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...
.
Valley Christian Heritage School is in Alamo.
IDEA Alamo Academy & College Preparatory also enrolls local students as a branch of IDEA Public Schools
IDEA Public Schools
IDEA Public Schools is an independently managed charter school system in the Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas. The schools have a significant focus on academics and are committed to ensuring that all of its graduating students will attend college. Faculty members in this charter school system...
.
Public libraries
Sergeant Fernando de la Rosa Memorial Library is located in Alamo. The library is named after United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Sergeant Fernando "Ferna" De La Rosa, who died during a roadside bomb explosion on October 27, 2009 in the Arghandab River Valley in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.