Laguna Seca, Texas
Encyclopedia
Laguna Seca is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Hidalgo County
, Texas
, United States
. The population was 251 at the 2000 census. It is part of the McAllen
–Edinburg
–Mission
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), all of it land.
to escape the wave of executions associated with the War of Reform. In 1867 he purchased one square league (4428 acres (18 km²)) of the Santa Anita Land Grant from John and Salome Balli McAllen.
In the era spanning 1880 to 1890, he acquired more adjacent real estate holdings to yield a ranch over 75000 acres (303.5 km²) in extent; during this decade he grazed cattle, horses, and mules, and became an exporter of donkey
s to Cuba
. The first citrus
trees in Hidalgo County
were planted within the ranch property. Vela's grandson, Reynaldo Vela, discovered an artesian well which supplies a lake of about 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) in size, which lake was historically and inexplicably called Dry Lake. In the year 1975 a historical marker was placed at the ranch. In recent times family members manage the ranch holding, although it is subdivided into three tangent parcels.
In 1871, his daughter, Carlota, grew the first orange trees in Hidalgo County from the seeds of a fruit given her by a traveling priest. This is now an important citrus-producing area. The ranch had grown to 80000 acres (323.7 km²) when a school was built here in 1892. Delfina Post Office, named for another one of Vela's daughters, was opened in 1893 and a Catholic church in 1894. Laguna Seca Ranch is still owned by the Vela family. (1975)http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/shell-county.htm A historic cemetery
exists on the ranch property.
of 2000, there were 251 people, 68 households, and 62 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 111.4 people per square mile (43.1/km²). There were 75 housing units at an average density of 33.3/sq mi (12.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 75.70% White, 0.40% African American, 3.19% Native American, 19.92% from other races
, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 98.80% of the population.
There were 68 households out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples
living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 7.4% were non-families. 4.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.69 and the average family size was 3.84.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 34.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 112.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $29,063, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $20,250 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $9,282. About 26.1% of families and 37.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 52.2% of those sixty five or over.
In addition, South Texas Independent School District
operates magnet schools that serve the community.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Hidalgo County
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 251 at the 2000 census. It is part of the McAllen
McAllen, Texas
McAllen is the largest city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. It is located at the southern tip of Texas in an area known as the Rio Grande Valley and is part of the . Its southern boundary is located about five miles from the U.S.–Mexico border and the Mexican city of Reynosa, the Rio...
–Edinburg
Edinburg, Texas
Edinburg is a city in and the county seat of Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 77,100 at the 2010 census. The University of Texas–Pan American, the only fully accredited four-year university in the Rio Grande Valley, is located in Edinburg.Edinburg is part of the...
–Mission
Mission, Texas
Mission is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population was 77,058 at the 2010 census Mission is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan areas.-Geography:Mission is located at ....
Metropolitan Statistical Area
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metropolitan area
The McAllen–Edinburg–Mission Metropolitan Statistical Area , as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of one county – Hidalgo – in the Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas, anchored by the cities of McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr and Mission...
.
Geography
Laguna Seca is located at 26°16′41"N 97°55′28"W (26.278125, -97.924395).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 CDP has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), all of it land.
History
The Laguna Seca Ranch was initially established in the year 1867 by Macedonio Vela Senior and his wife Mercedes Chapa Cantu. Approximately ten years earlier, Macedonio Vela Senior fled from MexicoMexico
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...
to escape the wave of executions associated with the War of Reform. In 1867 he purchased one square league (4428 acres (18 km²)) of the Santa Anita Land Grant from John and Salome Balli McAllen.
In the era spanning 1880 to 1890, he acquired more adjacent real estate holdings to yield a ranch over 75000 acres (303.5 km²) in extent; during this decade he grazed cattle, horses, and mules, and became an exporter of donkey
Donkey
The donkey or ass, Equus africanus asinus, is a domesticated member of the Equidae or horse family. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African Wild Ass, E...
s to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. The first citrus
Citrus
Citrus is a common term and genus of flowering plants in the rue family, Rutaceae. Citrus is believed to have originated in the part of Southeast Asia bordered by Northeastern India, Myanmar and the Yunnan province of China...
trees in Hidalgo County
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...
were planted within the ranch property. Vela's grandson, Reynaldo Vela, discovered an artesian well which supplies a lake of about 5 acres (20,234.3 m²) in size, which lake was historically and inexplicably called Dry Lake. In the year 1975 a historical marker was placed at the ranch. In recent times family members manage the ranch holding, although it is subdivided into three tangent parcels.
In 1871, his daughter, Carlota, grew the first orange trees in Hidalgo County from the seeds of a fruit given her by a traveling priest. This is now an important citrus-producing area. The ranch had grown to 80000 acres (323.7 km²) when a school was built here in 1892. Delfina Post Office, named for another one of Vela's daughters, was opened in 1893 and a Catholic church in 1894. Laguna Seca Ranch is still owned by the Vela family. (1975)http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/shell-county.htm A historic cemetery
Cemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
exists on the ranch property.
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 251 people, 68 households, and 62 families residing in the CDP. 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 111.4 people per square mile (43.1/km²). There were 75 housing units at an average density of 33.3/sq mi (12.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 75.70% White, 0.40% African American, 3.19% Native American, 19.92% 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 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 98.80% of the population.
There were 68 households out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% 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, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 7.4% were non-families. 4.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.69 and the average family size was 3.84.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 34.3% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 112.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $29,063, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $20,250 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 CDP was $9,282. About 26.1% of families and 37.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.5% of those under the age of eighteen and 52.2% of those sixty five or over.
Education
Laguna Seca is served by the Edinburg Independent School District.In addition, 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...
operates magnet schools that serve the community.