Brownsville–Harlingen metropolitan area

The Brownsville–Harlingen Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of one county – Cameron – in the Rio Grande Valley region of South Texas, anchored by the cities of Brownsville and Harlingen.The 2012 U.S. Census Bureau estimate places the Brownsville–Harlingen metropolitan area population at 415,557 allotting it the eighth most populous metropolitan area in the state of Texas, it has recently been named the poorest city in the United States. The typical Brownsville-Harlingen, Texas household earns just $32,093 a year, or $21,564 less than the typical American household. The city is by several measures the poorest in the country. More than 35% of area residents live in poverty, the highest poverty rate in the country. Low incomes in the area may be the result of a poorly educated workforce. Just 64.6% of Brownsville area adults have at least a high school diploma, 22.3 percentage points fewer than the national figure. About 29% of area households rely on food stamps, the third highest share of any metro area in the country.

The area is known locally for its colonias — communities the government formed in the 1950s on worthless agricultural land. There are roughly 2,300 of these neighborhoods in Texas, mostly located along the Mexican border.

The Brownsville–Harlingen Metropolitan Statistical Area is also a component of the Brownsville–Harlingen–Raymondville Combined Statistical Area, which covers two counties (Cameron and Willacy) and had an estimated population of 416,766 as of July 1, 2009.

Counties

• Cameron

Communities

Incorporated places

• Town of Bayview
• City of Brownsville (Principal city)
• Town of Combes
• City of Harlingen (Principal city)
• Town of Indian Lake
• Town of Laguna Vista
• City of Los Fresnos
• Town of Los Indios
• City of Palm Valley
• City of Port Isabel
• Town of Primera
• Town of Rancho Viejo
• Village of Rangerville
• City of Rio Hondo
• City of San Benito
• Town of Santa Rosa
• Town of South Padre Island

Census-designated places (unincorporated)

Arroyo Alto Arroyo Colorado Estates Arroyo Gardens Bixby Bluetown Cameron Park Chula Vista Del Mar Heights El Camino Angosto Encantada-Ranchito El Calaboz Grand Acres Green Valley Farms

Iglesia Antigua Juarez La Feria North La Paloma La Tina Ranch Lago Laguna Heights Las Palmas II Lasana Laureles Lozano Olmito

Orason Ratamosa Reid Hope King San Pedro Santa Maria Solis South Point Tierra Bonita Villa del Sol Villa Pancho Yznaga

See also

• Texas census statistical areas