Brownsville is a city located in the southernmost tip of Texas along the Rio Grande river across from Matamoros, Mexico. As of the 2020 census, Brownsville had a population of 183,299 making it the 16th largest city in Texas.
Demographics and Population Data
The following are some key facts about the demographics and population of Brownsville:
- 183,299 residents as of 2020, up from 183,046 in 2010
- 95.4% identify as Hispanic or Latino
- Median age is 29.8 years old
- Estimated 16.3% of residents live below the poverty line
Brownsville is predominantly a Hispanic community, with over 90% of residents identifying as such. The median age skews young compared to national averages. Education levels tend to be lower than national rates, with only 21.5% of adults over 25 holding a bachelor’s degree or higher according to Census data.
Major Employers and Industries
Some of the top employers and industries that drive Brownsville’s economy include:
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – education, health sciences
- Valley Baptist Medical Center – healthcare
- Brownsville Independent School District – education
- City of Brownsville government
- H-E-B grocery – retail
- SpaceX – aerospace manufacturing and testing facility
Other major industries that are vital to Brownsville’s economy include transportation and logistics, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. The city’s border location and access to rail, shipping ports and highways make it a strategic hub for importing and exporting goods between the U.S. and Mexico. Produce, cotton and livestock from the Rio Grande Valley also pass through Brownsville on the way to domestic and foreign markets.
Sports Teams
Brownsville does not have any major professional sports teams, but some college and amateur teams call it home. These include:
- Rio Grande Valley Ocelots – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley athletic teams (NCAA Division I)
- Brownsville Tritons – baseball team in the Coastal Collegiate Baseball League
- RGV Vipers – NBA G League affiliate team of the Houston Rockets
The city also has public sports complexes and venues that host youth athletics and regional tournaments for sports like soccer, baseball, softball, and more.
Famous Landmarks
Some of Brownsville’s most famous and unique landmarks include:
- Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park – preseves site of first battle of Mexican-American War
- Sabal Palm Sanctuary – nature preserve with hundreds of rare sabal palms and abundant wildlife
- Brownsville Historic Battlefield Museum – museum highlighting Civil War and Mexican-American War battles fought in Brownsville
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – large university campus spanning over 300 acres
Other landmarks showcasing Brownsville’s history and culture include the Old Brownsville Museum, the Historic Brownsville Museum, and the Children’s Museum of Brownsville.
Tourism
Although not a major tourist destination, Brownsville does see some visitors each year. Nearby beaches like South Padre Island and Boca Chica Beach help attract beachgoers and spring breakers. Ecotourism activities like birdwatching, fishing, and resorts also draw visitors. Some top attractions include:
- Palo Alto Battlefield – important historical site from Mexican American War
- UTRGV campus – art galleries, performing arts center, botanical gardens
- Sabal Palm Sanctuary – prime destination for birdwatchers to spot tropical birds
- Gladys Porter Zoo – 32-acre zoo with over 1,500 animals
- Historic downtown – boutiques, restaurants, museums, Market Square
Annual events like Charro Days fiesta also attract visitors to experience Brownsville’s Mexican culture and heritage.
Economy and Business
As mentioned earlier, some of the major industries and employers in Brownsville’s economy include:
- Education – UT Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville ISD
- Healthcare – Valley Baptist Medical Center
- Retail – H-E-B, Walmart, Lowe’s, supermarkets
- Manufacturing – aerospace, steel, plastic products, food processing
- Transportation and logistics
- Agriculture and agribusiness
The city has invested in developing new industrial parks and business incentives to attract more high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy companies, and skilled jobs. SpaceX has a major rocket testing facility just outside Brownsville that is bringing new aerospace jobs and investment to the region. The city’s strategic location on the U.S.-Mexico border also provides opportunities for cross-border trade and economic growth.
For more details on Brownsville’s economy and business environment, check out the Brownsville Economic Development Council’s website at brownsvilleedc.org.
Local Government
Brownsville has a council-manager style government. The city council consists of a mayor and six council members elected to represent districts within the city. The day-to-day operations are handled by a city manager appointed by the city council. Some of the city departments and services include:
- City Commission – Mayor and Commissioners
- Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) – electric, water, wastewater services
- Brownsville Police Department
- Brownsville Fire Department
- Public Works – streets, drainage, traffic engineering
- Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport
Residents can find information on city services, departments, meetings and local laws and ordinances on the City of Brownsville website.
Community and Civic Life
Brownsville has many community events, organizations and gathering places that allow residents to connect and get involved. Some examples include:
- City of Brownsville Facebook – Follow latest news and events
- City website – Calendar of city events and meetings
- Market Square – Historic downtown shopping/dining district with markets
- Charro Days Festival – Annual binational fiesta celebrating Brownsville’s Mexican culture
- Parks – Dean Porter Park, Linear Park, Brownsville Sports Park for recreation
- Museums – Children’s Museum, Historic Brownsville Museum, Old City Cemetery Center
- Performing arts – UTB Center for the Performing Arts, Camille Lightner Playhouse
The city is very engaged with showcasing its history and unique culture. Festivals like Charro Days and regular markets and events at Market Square bring the community together regularly.