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Elsa

Elsa

Located in Hidalgo County

$207,468 Average Value
$141 Average Price per Sq Ft
18 Homes For Sale

Elsa is a small town of only 5,680 residents

A red caboose sits on the corner of North Broad Way Street in the small town of Elsa, a reminder of its railroad days. Neighbors often run into each other at concerts at The Garden at Pacific Trails or while cheering on the football team at the high school. "The city always throws festivals with live music. There is a new skate park, and they are working on a trail that will connect the length of the town," says Brett and Beatrize Johnson, owners of Betuzas Coffee Cafe. This Hidalgo County city started as a farming community but took with the establishment of the Texas and New Orleans Railroad in 1927. Since then, Elsa has grown exponentially and is even where the famous Ro-Tel brand started, now a hallmark in Tex-Mex cooking. While new homes and parks are on the way in Elsa, it still has that homey feel.  "The city has some good infrastructure. You get much bang for your buck here, and it's not too overcrowded," Johnson says.

New developments at Elsa City Park

Mario Leal City Park is on the west end of town, featuring several ballfields and the Elsa Public Library. Elsa's Parks and Recreation Department organizes annual events and youth sports like soccer and basketball. Kids also sign up for the Elsa/Delta United Pony League for baseball, which offers a division for boys and girls. Elsa City Park is a mile east of the library, popular for its new skatepark. The city is working on transforming the former Union Pacific Railroad grounds into a 22-acre linear park with trails and a splash zone. "The new commission is trying to be a bit more forward and add some urban things in a small town," says Eric Jimenez, a Realtor at Eric Real Estate Group who has sold houses in the area for eight years.

A playground in located in Mario Leal City Park.
A playground in located in Mario Leal City Park.
Multiple walking trails are located throughout the neighborhood of Elsa.
Multiple walking trails are located throughout the neighborhood of Elsa.
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Events held at The Garden at Pacific Trails

The Garden at Pacific Trails is the town's main event space, hosting concerts, group yoga and painting sessions. "The Garden is this cool, old industrial feed mill that they revamped into a cool party place," Johnson says. The Elsa Small Town Throwdown is held in January, a two-day cook-off with live boxing and music performances. In November, The Garden transforms into a fall festival with a pumpkin patch, hayrides and country dance lessons. During October, neighbors come for an evening of fright during the Halloween Haunted House.

Mornings are easy at Betuzas Coffee Cafe

Walmart Supercenter on South Broadway Street draws two million visitors annually, as it is a shopping hotspot for surrounding rural areas. However, long-time residents appreciate local and family-owned businesses. Since 1991, Charlie's Meat Market's red barn has drawn patrons for fresh meats and their smoked barbeque. Alameda Restaurant has seen generations grow up eating comforting dishes in its booths. Owned by a family native to the valley, Betuzas Coffee Cafe's menu consists of specialty lattes, empanadas and a small lunch menu. "We are one of the few family-owned coffee shops in town. We pride ourselves on our local flavors," says Johnson. "Elsa is the last safe haven of affordability in the Valley." Elsa is within 25 miles of Trenton Crossing Shopping Center and La Plaza Mall, two of Hidalgo County's most visited retail destinations.

Heb supermarket is conveniently located in the heart of Elsa.
Heb supermarket is conveniently located in the heart of Elsa.
Multiple shopping options are available in Elsa.
Multiple shopping options are available in Elsa.
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Commuting with Interstate 69C and Texas State Highway 107

Elsa is a car-dependent city found between the rural communities of La Blanca and Edcouch. The closest thoroughfares are Interstate 69C and Texas State Highway 107, which leads to McAllen and Mission in under 30 miles. McAllen is the fifth largest city in South Texas and is home to the McAllen International Airport. Mission Regional Medical Center is a longer drive, about 30 miles away. The Pharr International Bridge is 27 miles south, leading locals to Mexico without even hopping on a plane.  There are several churches in Elsa, including the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, established in 1956.

Elsa is located in the state of Texas, in Hidalgo County.
Elsa is located in the state of Texas, in Hidalgo County.

Charter school education at IDEA Elsa

The Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District serves around 4,500 students and earns a C on Niche. Several elementary schools are in town, including John F. Kennedy Elementary School on West 9th Street, ranked with a C-minus. David Ybarra Fine Arts Academy earns a C-minus and immerses 6th graders in a creative learning environment. Carlos F. Truan Jr. High School earns a C-minus, and Edcouch-Elsa High has a C-plus and is home to an early college program. B-minus rated IDEA Elsa on South Fannin Street is a free, public charter school with a rigorous college prep-based curriculum for kindergarten through eleventh graders.

Mix of old and new construction in Elsa

Ranch-style and prefabricated cottage homes rest closely together on Elsa's wide streetscapes. House styles vary, usually accompanied by fenced yards and paved driveways. New construction reflects Spanish Revival and custom contemporary builds. Prices typically range from under $100,000 for fixer-uppers to over $350,000 for move-in ready homes. "There are many investment opportunities because the home and appraisal district values are low," Jimenez says.  According to the CAP Index, Elsa has a Crime Score of 5 out of 10, slightly above the national average of 4. The Elsa Police Department regularly engages with the community through crime prevention programming and outreach.

A brick style home located in Elsa neighborhood.
A brick style home located in Elsa neighborhood.
A row of modern brick style homes in Elsa.
A row of modern brick style homes in Elsa.
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Pao Cordero
Written By
Pao Cordero
Mauricio Atilano
Photography Contributed By
Mauricio Atilano
Gabriel Miller
Video By
Gabriel Miller

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Victor Silva, an experienced agent in this area.

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Elsa Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$213,147
Median Sale Price
$215,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$209,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$297,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
27
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
39%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$141

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
18
Months of Supply
8.00

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Elsa Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
402
Median Age
31
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
32.1%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.7%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$48,749
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$65,419

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
79.4%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
22.7%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
5.5%
% Population in Labor Force
64.8%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
25''
Average Winter Low Temperature
50°F
Average Summer High Temperature
97°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

47 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®®

58 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Elsa