Finding Harlingen at the crossroads of Southern Texas
Harlingen, Texas is a city at a crossroads – literally. It sits at the intersection of Interstates 69 and 2, and grew up as a distribution, shipping and industrial center for the Rio Grande Valley. Originally an agricultural town, Harlingen has remained a distribution hub, but it now has a diverse economy with health care, communications and education industries as major employers. Harlingen was incorporated in 1910, with a population of 1,126. During World War II, when Harlingen Army Airfield opened, the population surged from 23,000 in 1950 to 41,000 by 1960. As of the 2022 Census, the city has around 71,000 residents, more than half identifying as Hispanic or Latino. It become a destination for those who want to live in a South Texas city that is convenient to other metropolitan areas without the fast pace of a bigger city. “Harlingen is very calm. A lot of winter Texans have vacation homes here because you’re less than an hour from South Padre Island and you can get into Mexico easily,” says Zintiha Loya, Harlingen resident and Realtor with Keller William Realty LRGV who’s been selling homes in Texas for over 20 years. “Our medical field is huge, too. We have a lot of young professionals studying and working and eventually living here.”
Harlingen is conveniently located along highway 69E.
Highway 69E and I2 are easily accessible to Harlingen residents.
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Newly developed suburbs and balmy weather in Harlingen
Most of the homes in Harlingen were built after the 1970s, and the homes from this era are primarily bungalows and ranch styles, particularly in the more central neighborhoods. Three-bedroom bungalows may sell for between $235,000 and $270,000. In newer developments, most homes feature elements from the New Traditional and Craftsman styles. These range from $300,000 to $500,000 depending on the square footage and construction year. “New development is staying consistent, and homes sell easily,” Loya says. “We’re at a point where they build a couple of subdivisions, sell, and move on. And it’s more affordable housing here than nearby cities.” Harlingen’s population has been stable, with a decrease of 0.2% from April 2020 to July 2022, according to census data. Harlingen’s location in the southmost portion of Texas means heat is a critical factor in living there. Summer feels like a year-round event, with very humid, hot days and warm nights. November through February are the coolest months, averaging between 60 and 70 degrees.
Newer three bedroom craftman style homes can be found in central Harlingen area.
Cottage style homes are common throughout the downtown Harlingen area.
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Schooling with Harlingen ISD and the growing healthcare industry
The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District has a B grade from Niche and serves around 17,000 students, with four high schools within city limits. It’s ranked as the second-best school district in Cameron County out of nine districts and No. 115 out of 1,084 best places to teach in Texas. The district promotes a “STEM-inspired culture of learning” and includes the Harlingen School of Health Professionals, which trains high school-aged students for careers in a range of specialties like medical science research and dental science. The healthcare industry is a major economic driver in Harlingen, with three of the top 10 employers in Harlingen in the healthcare or medical industry. According to data from the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, the healthcare and biotech industries represent 30% of the total regional workforce. Because healthcare is a predominant employer in the region, colleges and universities emphasize their healthcare programs. Texas State Technical College, located in Harlingen, offers allied health programs to prepare students for careers in nursing, emergency medical services and biomedical equipment technology.
Texas State Technical College offers allied health programs in Harlingen.
Harlingen CISD has a B grade from Niche and serves about 17,000 students.
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Playing at Harlingen Sports Complex and birding migrations
Like many cities in the Rio Grande Valley, Harlingen is a popular birding destination due to the area being a critical area for bird migration in North America. More than 500 species of birds live in the valley, and Harlingen is home to one of nine World Birding Center locations in the Valley. It hosts the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, one of the longest-running bird festivals in the country. The Harlingen Parks and Recreation Department operates 22 parks with 556 total acres within the city of Harlingen. The largest, Harlingen Sports Complex, includes 80 acres of fields and amenities such as walking trails, softball fields, soccer fields, a fishing pond and basketball courts. The 55-acre Hugh Ramsey Nature Park offers opportunities for visitors to observe wildlife from javelinas to hummingbirds and is another popular birding spot.
Golf is another popular activity in Harlingen. The mild winters in the Rio Grande Valley allow golfers to play year-round, and the four public golf courses in Harlingen provide plenty of opportunities.
Harlingen residents frequent the various parks located throughout the area.
A Harlingen resident uses a trawl net to catch fish at Dixieland Park.
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The artistic, colorful views of Downtown Harlingen
Downtown Harlingen is a colorful place. Mosaic planters along the street add a pop of color to the palm-lined sidewalks, while 30 outdoor murals turn the central outdoor streets into an art experience. One such piece, The History of Mexico and Mankind artwork in Centennial Park, is made of 905 handcrafted ceramic tiles and includes images from Mexican legends and history. “Our downtown area has cute shops, cafés – we’re definitely excited to see things growing,” Loya says. “We wanted new restaurants and new businesses for long, and we’re finally getting that.” Some businesses in Harlingen, however, have stuck around for over 100 years; Grimsell’s Garden Center has been a shopping destination for gardening enthusiasts since 1909. Given Harlingen’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border, it’s no surprise that Mexican fare and barbeque features prominently in the dining scene downtown. Loya mentions that Harlingen Corners, near the south is the city, is where people head to find big-box stores and national retailer
Centennial Park is a community space dedicated to showcasing vibrant murals.
Downtown Harlingen is home to many local boutiques, antique, barbershops and shopping.
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Port of Harlingen – plus planes, trains and automobiles
Harlingen’s accessibility for commercial freight makes it a hub for moving goods. The Port of Harlingen is located 25 miles inland from the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway, which runs from Texas up the East Coast, and moves more than 3 million tons of cargo every year. Union Pacific operates a local rail terminal and switching yard in Harlingen, and the Valley International Airport and Harlingen Airpark provide access to air freight. Harlingen Industrial Park, a 500-acre site intended for industrial development, houses 34 businesses ranging from heavy equipment rental to auto parts manufacturing.
For individuals, getting around may be more challenging. The city is served by four bus lines that operate from 6:30am to 6:20pm, connecting downtown Harlingen to the surrounding areas of Santa Rosa, Primera, San Benito and La Feria. While the connecting thoroughfares of I-69E and I-2 connect residents to Brownsville and Mexico to the south and San Antonio to the north, traffic can become backed up during rush hour as residents make their way through the streets. For those traveling farther afield, the Valley International Airport is served by five airlines and offers daily nonstop flights to Austin, Houston, Dallas and nationwide.
Valley International Airport located in Harlingen is the largest airport in south Texas.
Port of Harlingen is a growing economic hub of South Texas located along the Arroyo River.
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Community cheers at Friday night lights
On the weekends, residents gather at Centennial Park for recurring events like Downtown at Sundown, which is held every third Saturday of the month and includes a market, beer garden and live music. Harlingen Art Night, held the last Friday of every month, features art exhibitions and shopping, while the Jackson Street Market Days allow local artisans to sell their unique collectibles or fresh food. “We really are a quiet town. Friday night lights is a big deal,” Loya says. “You see everyone you know in town at those bleachers.”
Crime statistics in Harlingen
Harlingen has lower crime rates than the Texas average. According to data that the Harlingen Police Department reported to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, there were 218 violent crimes reported in 2022, a rate of 307 per 100,000 residents, compared to Texas’s rate of 431 per 100,000 residents. The property crime rate in Harlingen in 2022 was 2,866 per 100,000 residents, compared to Texas’s overall rate of 2,299 per 100,000.
Luv Story Boutique is located on Polk Ave and 77 Sunshine Strip in Harlingen.
KK's Closet located in Harlingen offers a variety of styles of apparel and accessories.
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.
