Select McAllen
Welcome to our Select McAllen section. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions from site selectors. Discover why McAllen is the perfect place for you, whether you're considering a move, looking for investment opportunities, or planning to expand your business.
Quinta Mazatlan World Birding Center
Population (2000-2024)
2024-2025 Sales Tax
Source: https://comptroller.texas.gov/transparency/local/allocations/sales-tax/
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Census-City of McAllen, Texas
Median Household Income (in 2023 dollars), 2019-2023
Population — in McAllen, Texas
The Rio Grande Valley is part of the international border region known as the Rioplex which includes the Mexican border cities between Matamoros and Ciudad Mier.
The steady growth of the McAllen Metro area is highlighted in the population forecast. The metro area comprised of Hidalgo and Cameron county is forecasted to double in growth by the year 2040.
Skilled workforce is one of the main requirements when companies look at cities to locate their operations. Educational institutions from the primary stage to the graduate level are key for McAllen to remain a competitive city in the retail selection process. With many excellent schools, colleges, and universities McAllen is becoming a premier place for education. 29% of the population holds a Bachelor’s degree or higher beating state and national averages of 26 and 28 percent, respectively. McAllen offers the ideal demographics for a company looking to expand, open, or relocate. The area boasts a fast-growing population which is young, educated and eager to staff your project.
McAllen Convention Center Pond
Retail — in McAllen, Texas
With a population around 140,000, McAllen generates more than $3 billion in gross retail sales thanks to 18 million people (an average of 39,000 people per day) who visit the city every year.
McAllen Means Business
— and Development
McAllen raises more sales tax per capita than almost any other Texas city — about $96.8 million (Calendar Year 2024 Allocation) — State of Texas Comptroller's Office.
McAllen International Airport
FAQ
Welcome to our FAQ section. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions from site selectors. Discover why McAllen is the perfect place for you, whether you're considering a move, looking for investment opportunities, or planning to expand your business.
Quality of Life
- 2024 McAllen was once again recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management.
- Keep McAllen Beautiful program painting 200+ standpipes and murals throughout City drawing visitors and tourism. In May 2024, Keep McAllen Beautiful unveiled first of its kind Aminated Standpipe
- #1 Safest Major Cities in Texas 2024 - McAllen recorded its lowest crime rate in 37 years. McAllen has reduced its crime rate by an extraordinary 76.6% decrease since 1995. The McAllen Police Department boasts 2.0 Officers for every 1,000 population in the City, the highest such ratio in South Texas.
- 3rd Safest City in United States - McAllen recorded its lowest crime in 37 years by the start of 23, with a sharp 77.8% decrease since 1995.
- New Fire Station #8 -This 5.8-million-dollar project will service the growing northside of McAllen and will house four firefighters and one fire engine company.
- New Fire Training Facility-This new 5.5-million-dollar Fire Training Facility will be a 10,000 square foot complex that will train our firefighters and lead South Texas as a key training site and safety partner.
- Adoption of Unified Development Code (UDC) in December 2024. Prepared over the course of three years, this Award-Winning Vision for McAllen's Future Growth sets up the City for Mixed-use development, relaxing of restrictions, creating walkable communities, and infill development that reduces time and money required to get those shovels in the ground faster. The “Envision McAllen 2040” Comprehensive Plan is a vision of a City on the rise that embraces growth and welcomes continued investment and progress.
- City of McAllen ranks #1 in terms of cost of living in U.S. in 2024, according to Realtor.com.
- The City of McAllen has reduced the Municipal Tax Rate for the fourth time in the last five years. The City has one of the lowest property tax rates in the Rio Grande Valley
- The Typical Home Value, forecast at End of Year 2024, of a Single-Family Home in the McAllen Housing Market is $275,000 according to Zillow Home Value Index.
- A Bustling Southern Foodie Destination-Boasting delicious multicultural dining experiences. There are 1,200+ food establishments in the city including brick and mortar restaurants, cafeterias, and food trucks.
- McAllen was ranked number four (#4) as best U.S. cities for a middle-class family of four by USA TODAY.
- The city also features a rich array of cultural attractions and prides itself in being a Destination City with over 800 events annually. In 2024, for the third time, the City was named IFEA World Festival and Event City.
- This includes the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, being voted the best Parade in the World for the Eighth Time.
- World Class events include the McAllen Public Library's World Languages Festival and South Texas Book Festival, South Pole Illuminated Festival, MXLAN Music & Arts Festival, the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Running Series, Planta Nativa at Quinta Mazatlán, and McAllen Convention Center's International CarFest to name a few.
Economic Powerhouse
- Calendar Year 2024 Sales Tax Allocation $96,850,222 (3.36% increase YOY) representing some $4.8B+ in Taxable Sales in the City of McAllen.
- #1 Calendar Year 2024 Sales Tax Allocation in the Rio Grande Valley.
- #2 Sales Tax Per Capita in State of Texas for Cities over 100,000 in population (per July 1, 2023, Census Data)
- Top 15th City in State for Sales Tax for Calendar Year 2024.
- In 2024, Census Hotel Rooms of 4,100 with $100M+ in yearly Hotel Revenue for three consecutive years. Hotel Data: (*Source: Texas Hotel Performance Factbook, Source Strategies, Inc. / STR)
- (2024) McAllen issued 1,291 residential permits a 42% increase (YOY) totaling more than $231.8 million dollars in construction value.
- (2024) +28% YOY increase in new recorded Subdivisions.
- (2024) 1,069 commercial permits totaling more than $131 million dollars in construction value.
- (2024) An Aggregate Total of 2,360 permits issued (Residential & Commercial) with some $363.3 million dollars in construction value.
Destination City
- The city also features a rich array of cultural attractions and prides itself in being a Destination City with 800+ events annually generating over 91 million dollars of economic impact. In 2024, for the third time, the City was named IFEA World Festival and Event City.
- The McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, was voted the best Parade in the World for the Eighth Time.
- World Class destination events include the McAllen Public Library's World Languages Festival and South Texas Book Festival, South Pole Illuminated Festival, MXLAN Music & Arts Festival, the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Running Series, Planta Nativa at Quinta Mazatlán, and McAllen Convention Center's International CarFest to name a few.
Innovative Future
- Medical Hub: New UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center -Construction on the $145 million project is on track for patient access starting in 1st Quarter of 2025.
Investment Infrastructure In Fiscally Sound City
- $652 million Budget, with $261 million expenditure for 180+ Capital Improvement Projects.
- $153 million-dollar general fund, provides 232 days of working capital, a number that greatly exceeds our city's 140 day required reserve.
- Metro McAllen North Transfer Center-This 8,000 square foot facility will serve as the new transit hub for McAllen's northern quadrant with passenger amenities, a ticketing area, and a 100-vehicle park and ride lot. This site will shorten headways, realign routes, and connect to UTRGV, South Texas College, and Texas A&M campuses.
- The McAllen International Airport announces its all-time total traveler record of over 1 million total passengers in a calendar year. This accomplishment reflects the airport's continued record-breaking growth and enhanced connectivity, due in large part to the addition of four new nonstop destinations to Austin, Cancun, Mexico City, and Tampa-St. Petersburg. Three new air carriers and four new nonstop routes from McAllen debuted in 2024: Austin via Delta Air Lines, Mexico City via Aero México, Cancun via Volaris and Tampa-St. Petersburg through Allegiant Air. These new flights are part of the airport's nine national and now international nonstop destinations
- In April 2025, Anzalduas International Bridge (Expansion) will open for northbound cargo. This $88M construction project consists of $63 million loan from North American Development Bank (NADBank) and a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This development will significantly enhance our capacity for facilitating exports of dried goods to U.S. markets.
Transportation/Logistics
- McAllen International Airport (MFE) service to New 2024 Destinations
o Cancun with Volaris
o Mexico City with Aeromexico
o Austin with Delta Airlines
o St. Petersburg, Florida with Allegiant Airlines - McCreery Aviation Company (Fixed-base Operators at MFE with Mechanics at site in McAllen, TX)
- McAllen Bridge System-For over 95+ years, the McAllen International Bridge System has connected Mexico and the United States, facilitating international commerce. To meet increasing demand, the Anzalduas International Bridge Board and McAllen City Commission, is constructing full cargo facilities at the Port of Entry. Opening in 2025, the Anzalduas Cargo Port will reduce wait times, save over $363 million in vehicle operating costs, and provide $270 million in time savings over 32 years, significantly enhancing global trade.
