Pharr, Texas
Encyclopedia
Pharr is a city in Hidalgo County
, Texas
, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 70,400. Pharr is connected by bridge
to the Mexican
city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas
. It 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 20.8 square miles (53.9 km²), of which, 20.8 square miles (53.9 km²) of it is land and 0.05% is water.
, and was a former president of the Louisiana - Rio Grande Sugar Company and the Louisiana - Rio
Grande Canal Company, which at one time owned eight thousand acres (32 km²) and which, in 1910, on this land built the town of Pharr.
Around the beginning of the 21st century, Pharr experienced strong growth and economic development. By 2009, its population had steadily increased to over 60,000 people .
In 2006, Pharr received "The All America City" award.
Pharr, along with the neighboring cities of San Juan
and Alamo
, (or "P-SJ-A") as the three have become known, is a community rich in bi-cultural diversity, beauty, and history. Pharr is located in the Rio Grande Valley
of South Texas, minutes from the Mexican
border.
Pharr is an unusual mixture. Its proximity to the border and beach has influenced the culture in the area. In turn, the area hangs on to its traditions despite the rapid growth and development the area has experienced. Hidalgo County is one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States, and Pharr has ridden this wave of development.
, similar to that of the Tampa Bay Area
of Florida
but with less precipitation and slightly higher summer maximum temperatures. The average high in January is 68 °F (20 °C), and the average low is 47 °F (8 °C). The average high is 100 °F (40 °C); the average low is 80 °F (25 °C) in August. The warm season is long, as average high temperatures are above 100 °F (40 °C) and average low temperatures are above 80 °F (25 °C) from June through September.
Average annual precipitation is only 21.0 inches (532.4 mm). 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 to be by far the wettest, averaging 3.6 inches (90.3 mm) of precipitation. The driest month is March, with only 0.7 inches (17.3 mm) of precipitation.
Despite frequent temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C), occasionally as early as February and as late the end of October, the highest temperature ever recorded in Pharr is only 110 °F (43 °C), once in 1998 and once in 1999. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Pharr is 13 °F (-11 °C), on January 12, 1962, which is far lower than would be expected at the same latitude in Florida or on the west coast of North America, due to its location in the middle of the continent.
of 2000, there are 46,660 people, 12,798 households, and 10,878 families residing in the city. The population density
is 2,240.2 people per square mile (864.9/km²). There are 16,537 housing units at an average density of 794.0 per square mile (306.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 79.46% White, 0.24% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 17.29% from other races
, and 2.04% from two or more races. 90.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,798 households out of which 47.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% are married couples
living together, 16.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 15.0% are non-families. 13.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.64 and the average family size is 4.02.
In the city the population is spread out with 34.8% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 27 years. For every 100 females there are 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $24,333, and the median income for a family is $25,916. Males have a median income of $19,169 versus $16,737 for females. The per capita income
for the city is $9,462. 35.5% of the population and 30.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 46.6% of those under the age of 18 and 23.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
operates the Pharr District Office in Pharr.
The United States Postal Service
operates the Pharr Post Office in Pharr.
. A small fringe portion is a part of the Hidalgo Independent School District
. Another small portion is a part of the Valley View Independent School District
.
In addition, residents are allowed to apply to magnet schools operated by the South Texas Independent School District
.
(approximately 17,000 students as of August 2007) in Edinburg and
South Texas College
(approximately 20,000 students) in McAllen.
KCAS The New 91.5 / "Know Christ As Savior" (English Traditional Christian & Southern Gospel)
KFRQ Q94.5 (Classic/Modern/Hard Rock)
KBTQ Recuerdo 96.1 (Mexican Oldies)
KVMV Family Friendly & Commercial Free 96.9 (Adult Contemporary Christian)
KRUC Radio Cadena Manantial 97.5 (Spanish Christian)
KGBT-FM Solamente Exitos 98.5 (Mexican Norteña)
KKPS Que Pasa 99.5 (Local Tejano Music)
KTEX South Texas Country 100.3 (Country)
KNVO-FM Super Star 101.1 (Bilingual Hit Music)
KBFM Wild 104 (Hip-Hop/R&B)
KJAV The Jack 104.9 ("Jack" Format)
KSOX Oldies 105.5 (Oldies)
KHKZ Hot Kiss 106.3 (Hit Music/Top 40)
KVLY Mix 107.9 (Adult Contemporary)
AM STATIONS (IN FREQUENCY ORDER)
KURV Talk Radio 710 AM
XHRIO (Channel 2, licensee: Univision, Fox affiliate)
KGBT (Channel 4, Harlingen, Texas, licensee: Barrington Broadcasting, CBS affiliate)
KRGV (Channel 5, Weslaco, Texas, licensee: Mobile Video Tapes, Inc., ABC affiliate)
XHAB (Channel 7 Televisa/Matamoros Mexico, McAllen, Harlingen-Brownsville)
XERV (Channel 9 Televisa/Matamoros Mexico, McAllen, Harlingen-Brownsville)
XHREY (Channel 12 TV AZTECA NORESTE/Reynosa Mexico, Rio Grande City-McAllen-Weslaco)
XHOR (Channel 14 TV AZTECA NORESTE/Reynosa Mexico, Rio Grande City-McAllen-Weslaco)
KVEO (Channel 23, Brownsville, Texas, licensee: Comcorp of Texas License Corp., NBC affiliate)
KTLM (Channel 40, Rio Grande City, Texas, licensee: Sunbelt Media Co., Telemundo affiliate)
KNVO (Channel 48, McAllen, Texas, licensee: Entravision Holdings, LLC.,Univision affiliate)
XHVTV (Channel 54 Multimedios TV/Reynosa/Matamoros Mexico, McAllen-Weslaco/ Harlingen-Brownsville)
KTIZ (Channel 52, Harlingen, Texas, licensee: Orbitz Broadcasting Corp., ION Television affiliate)
KMBH (Channel 60, Harlingen, Texas, licensee: RGV Educational Broadcasting, Inc. PBS)
PSJA ISD Website
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...
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 70,400. Pharr is connected by bridge
Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge
The Pharr–Reynosa International Bridge serves as one of the most important ports on entry for the U.S.-Mexico border. The bridge handles commercial vehicles as well as passenger-operated vehicles. The Pharr-Reynosa International bridge connects U.S...
to the Mexican
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...
city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas
Reynosa
Reynosa is a border city in the northern part of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from McAllen, Texas in the United States. As of 2010, the city of Reynosa counts with a population of 607,532...
. It 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
Pharr is located at 26°12′23"N 98°11′7"W (26.206334, -98.185174).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 20.8 square miles (53.9 km²), of which, 20.8 square miles (53.9 km²) of it is land and 0.05% is water.
History
The community was named after sugar planter Henry Newton Pharr. In 1900 Henry N. Pharr for a number of years was a director of the State National Bank of New Iberia, LouisianaNew Iberia, Louisiana
New Iberia is a city in and the parish seat of Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States, 30 miles southeast of Lafayette. In 1900, 6,815 people lived in New Iberia; in 1910, 7,499; and in 1940, 13,747...
, and was a former president of the Louisiana - Rio Grande Sugar Company and the Louisiana - Rio
Grande Canal Company, which at one time owned eight thousand acres (32 km²) and which, in 1910, on this land built the town of Pharr.
Around the beginning of the 21st century, Pharr experienced strong growth and economic development. By 2009, its population had steadily increased to over 60,000 people .
In 2006, Pharr received "The All America City" award.
Pharr, along with the neighboring cities of San Juan
San Juan, Texas
San Juan is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, United States. The population in July 2008 was 33,970 since then the population of San Juan increased since 2000 by +29.5%. The name reflects that of a founding father...
and Alamo
Alamo, Texas
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...
, (or "P-SJ-A") as the three have become known, is a community rich in bi-cultural diversity, beauty, and history. Pharr is located in 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...
of South Texas, minutes from the Mexican
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...
border.
Pharr is an unusual mixture. Its proximity to the border and beach has influenced the culture in the area. In turn, the area hangs on to its traditions despite the rapid growth and development the area has experienced. Hidalgo County is one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States, and Pharr has ridden this wave of development.
Climate
Pharr has a humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
, similar to that of the Tampa Bay Area
Tampa Bay Area
The Tampa Bay Area is the region of west central Florida adjacent to Tampa Bay. Definitions of the region vary. It is often considered equivalent to the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area defined by the United States Census Bureau. The Census Bureau currently...
of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
but with less precipitation and slightly higher summer maximum temperatures. The average high in January is 68 °F (20 °C), and the average low is 47 °F (8 °C). The average high is 100 °F (40 °C); the average low is 80 °F (25 °C) in August. The warm season is long, as average high temperatures are above 100 °F (40 °C) and average low temperatures are above 80 °F (25 °C) from June through September.
Average annual precipitation is only 21.0 inches (532.4 mm). 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
Atlantic hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season is the period in a year when hurricanes usually form in the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic are called hurricanes, tropical storms, or tropical depressions. In addition, there have been several storms over the years that have not been fully...
and tropical storms and hurricanes occasionally drop copious amounts of rainfall on the region, this month tends to be by far the wettest, averaging 3.6 inches (90.3 mm) of precipitation. The driest month is March, with only 0.7 inches (17.3 mm) of precipitation.
Despite frequent temperatures above 100 °F (38 °C), occasionally as early as February and as late the end of October, the highest temperature ever recorded in Pharr is only 110 °F (43 °C), once in 1998 and once in 1999. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Pharr is 13 °F (-11 °C), on January 12, 1962, which is far lower than would be expected at the same latitude in Florida or on the west coast of North America, due to its location in the middle of the continent.
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 are 46,660 people, 12,798 households, and 10,878 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...
is 2,240.2 people per square mile (864.9/km²). There are 16,537 housing units at an average density of 794.0 per square mile (306.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 79.46% White, 0.24% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 17.29% 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 2.04% from two or more races. 90.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,798 households out of which 47.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% are 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, 16.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 15.0% are non-families. 13.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.64 and the average family size is 4.02.
In the city the population is spread out with 34.8% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 27 years. For every 100 females there are 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 85.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $24,333, and the median income for a family is $25,916. Males have a median income of $19,169 versus $16,737 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 is $9,462. 35.5% of the population and 30.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 46.6% of those under the age of 18 and 23.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Government and infrastructure
The Texas Department of TransportationTexas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Texas. Its stated mission is to "work cooperatively to provide safe, effective and efficient movement of people and goods" throughout the state...
operates the Pharr District Office in Pharr.
The United States Postal Service
United 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 Pharr Post Office in Pharr.
Highways
- Pharr has U.S. 83U.S. Route 83U.S. Route 83 is one of the longest north–south U.S. Highways in the United States, at . Only four other north–south routes are longer: U.S. Routes 1, 41, 59 and 87. The highway's northern terminus is north of Westhope, North Dakota, at the Canadian border, where it continues as...
as its major east-west artery. U.S. 281U.S. Route 281U.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....
runs north-south through the city and intersects U.S. 83 at the center of the city and continues south to the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge.
Primary and secondary schools
The majority of Pharr is served by 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...
. A small fringe portion is a part of the Hidalgo Independent School District
Hidalgo Independent School District
The Hidalgo Independent School District is a public school district based in Hidalgo, Texas, United States. The district serves most of Hidalgo and the city of Granjeno as well as small portions of McAllen, Pharr, and San Juan...
. Another small portion is a part of the Valley View Independent School District
Valley View Independent School District (Hidalgo County, Texas)
Valley View Independent School District is a public school district based in unincorporated Hidalgo County, Texas , near Pharr.Valley View Independent School District is a public school district covering in the cities of Hidalgo, McAllen and Pharr, Texas...
.
In addition, 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...
.
Area colleges and universities
University of Texas–Pan AmericanUniversity of Texas–Pan American
The University of Texas–Pan American , founded as Edinberg College, is a state university located in Edinburg, Texas. Founded in 1927, it is a component institution of The University of Texas System. The university serves the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas with baccalaureate,...
(approximately 17,000 students as of August 2007) in Edinburg and
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...
(approximately 20,000 students) in McAllen.
Radio stations
KOIR Radio Esperanza 88.5 (Spanish Christian)KCAS The New 91.5 / "Know Christ As Savior" (English Traditional Christian & Southern Gospel)
KFRQ Q94.5 (Classic/Modern/Hard Rock)
KBTQ Recuerdo 96.1 (Mexican Oldies)
KVMV Family Friendly & Commercial Free 96.9 (Adult Contemporary Christian)
KRUC Radio Cadena Manantial 97.5 (Spanish Christian)
KGBT-FM Solamente Exitos 98.5 (Mexican Norteña)
KKPS Que Pasa 99.5 (Local Tejano Music)
KTEX South Texas Country 100.3 (Country)
KNVO-FM Super Star 101.1 (Bilingual Hit Music)
KBFM Wild 104 (Hip-Hop/R&B)
KJAV The Jack 104.9 ("Jack" Format)
KSOX Oldies 105.5 (Oldies)
KHKZ Hot Kiss 106.3 (Hit Music/Top 40)
KVLY Mix 107.9 (Adult Contemporary)
AM STATIONS (IN FREQUENCY ORDER)
KURV Talk Radio 710 AM
TV Stations
XHFOX (Channel 2, Matamoros, Tamaulipas (Mexico), licensee: Televisa, Fox affiliate)XHRIO (Channel 2, licensee: Univision, Fox affiliate)
KGBT (Channel 4, Harlingen, Texas, licensee: Barrington Broadcasting, CBS affiliate)
KRGV (Channel 5, Weslaco, Texas, licensee: Mobile Video Tapes, Inc., ABC affiliate)
XHAB (Channel 7 Televisa/Matamoros Mexico, McAllen, Harlingen-Brownsville)
XERV (Channel 9 Televisa/Matamoros Mexico, McAllen, Harlingen-Brownsville)
XHREY (Channel 12 TV AZTECA NORESTE/Reynosa Mexico, Rio Grande City-McAllen-Weslaco)
XHOR (Channel 14 TV AZTECA NORESTE/Reynosa Mexico, Rio Grande City-McAllen-Weslaco)
KVEO (Channel 23, Brownsville, Texas, licensee: Comcorp of Texas License Corp., NBC affiliate)
KTLM (Channel 40, Rio Grande City, Texas, licensee: Sunbelt Media Co., Telemundo affiliate)
KNVO (Channel 48, McAllen, Texas, licensee: Entravision Holdings, LLC.,Univision affiliate)
XHVTV (Channel 54 Multimedios TV/Reynosa/Matamoros Mexico, McAllen-Weslaco/ Harlingen-Brownsville)
KTIZ (Channel 52, Harlingen, Texas, licensee: Orbitz Broadcasting Corp., ION Television affiliate)
KMBH (Channel 60, Harlingen, Texas, licensee: RGV Educational Broadcasting, Inc. PBS)
Local Websites
City of PharrPSJA ISD Website