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Harlingen is a city in Cameron County in the Rio Grande Valley region of southern Texas. As of the 2020 census, the population of Harlingen was 67,426, making it the 2nd largest city in Cameron County.

History

Harlingen was founded in 1904 when Lon C. Hill envisioned the Arroyo Colorado as a suitable place for development. The name Harlingen comes from the fact that Hill's land company was financed by Dutch investors, and Harlingen is a city in the Netherlands. The first settlers arrived in 1906, and the city was incorporated in 1910. Agriculture and shipping were early drivers of the local economy. The city's strategic location near rail lines and the Port of Brownsville allowed it to become a distribution hub for the Rio Grande Valley.

Some key moments in Harlingen's history include:

• 1909 - First public school built
• 1920 - First hospital established
• 1941 - Harlingen Army Airfield established
• 1949 - Valley International Airport opens
• 1967 - Marine Military Academy opens
• 1983 - Harlingen Performing Arts Theatre built
• 2003 - University Center opens

Learn more about the history of Harlingen at the Harlingen, Texas Wikipedia page.

Population

As of the 2020 census, the population of Harlingen was 67,426. This makes it the 3rd largest city in the Rio Grande Valley metro area behind Brownsville and McAllen. The racial makeup of Harlingen is:

• 88.2% White
• 1.4% Black
• 0.4% Native American
• 1.0% Asian
• 7.4% Other

89.3% of residents are Hispanic or Latino of any race. The median age in Harlingen is 32.7 years old. The city has seen steady population growth over the decades, more than doubling in size since 1980 when the population was 35,934.

Economy

Some of the major industries and employers in Harlingen include:

• Education
• Healthcare
• Government
• Retail
• Manufacturing
• Agriculture
• Transportation

Major employers in Harlingen include:

• Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District - https://www.hcisd.org/ - (956) 430-9500 - 407 N. 77 Sunshine Strip Harlingen, TX 78550
• Valley Baptist Medical Center - https://www.valleybaptist.net/ - (956) 389-1100 - 2101 Pease St Harlingen, TX 78550
• Walmart - Multiple locations
• City of Harlingen - https://myharlingen.us/ - (956) 216-5000 - 118 E. Tyler Ave. Harlingen, TX 78550
• Valley International Airport - https://www.flythevalley.com/ - (956) 430-8600 - 3002 Heritage Way Harlingen, TX 78550

The top industries in Harlingen are healthcare, retail trade, educational services, manufacturing, and construction. The median household income is $38,347, and the unemployment rate is 7.7% as of August 2022.

Learn more about Harlingen's economy at the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation.

Transportation

Harlingen is served by several major transportation infrastructure:

• Air: Valley International Airport (HRL) offers daily direct flights to major hubs including Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Charlotte among others.
• Highways: Interstate 69E and U.S. Route 77 connect Harlingen to the rest of the Rio Grande Valley and north to Corpus Christi. State Highways 336 and 509 also serve the city.
• Rail: Harlingen is served by the Union Pacific Railroad and the Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railroad.
• Bus: Harlingen Transit provides public transportation services throughout the city. Valley Metro offers regional bus connections.

Education

Public education in Harlingen is provided by the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, which serves most of Harlingen. There are 4 public high schools, 6 middle schools, and 22 elementary schools in the district. Some smaller portions of Harlingen are served by other districts including San Benito CISD and Los Fresnos CISD.

Higher education options in Harlingen include:

• Texas State Technical College - https://harlingen.tstc.edu/ - (956) 364-4000 - 1902 North Loop 499 Harlingen, TX 78550
• University of Texas Rio Grande Valley - https://www.utrgv.edu/ - (956) 665-2200 - 1201 West University Drive Edinburg, TX 78539 (Main Campus, Harlingen facilities at 2102 Treasure Hills Blvd)

Landmarks and Points of Interest

Some of the most popular landmarks and attractions in Harlingen include:

• Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle: 400 N Virgen de San Juan Blvd, Harlingen, TX 78550 - Known for its elaborate Spanish colonial architecture. GPS coordinates: 26.190617, -97.665077
• Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum: 2425 Boxwood St, Harlingen, TX 78550 - Cultural history museum with permanent and traveling exhibits. GPS coordinates: 26.189611, -97.695161
• Hugh Ramsey Nature Park: 1175 Gumwood Ave, Harlingen, TX 78552 - 200-acre nature preserve with hiking trails and wildlife. GPS coordinates: 26.178495, -97.659741
• Harlingen Performing Arts Theatre: 724 Fair Park Blvd, Harlingen, TX 78550 - State-of-the-art performing arts venue.
• Valley Race Park: 12415 US-77 Fronton, TX 78582 - Horse racing and betting.
• Marine Military Academy: 320 Iwo Jima Blvd, Harlingen, TX 78550 - Private college preparatory academy and military school.

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources and community websites for Harlingen:

• Visit Harlingen - Tourism and visitor information
• City of Harlingen Facebook - Official city government Facebook page
• Harlingen High School Football - Harlingen Cardinals football team
• Harlingen Public Library - Public library system
• Harlingen Rotary Club - Service organization
• Harlingen Waterworks - Municipal water provider
• Harlingen Chamber of Commerce - Local business association

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