Known as the “killer bee capital of the world,” Hidalgo sits on the U.S.-Mexico border near Texas’ southernmost point. It got its nickname due to its welcoming of an otherwise unpleasant guest: the Africanized honey bee. The invasive species emerged in the 1950s after some queen bees escaped a breeding program in South America and hybridized with the local bee population. After wreaking havoc in Central and South America, the first U.S. colony of these “killer bees” was found near Hidalgo in 1990. The city government embraced the insects, and now a massive bee statue sits near city hall. The statue is seen by many as a reminder of the town’s resilience, creativity and spirit. "We took it as our pet. We called our hockey team the killer bees, the killer bee drive thru — the name just stuck. We really embraced it," says Charlie Barrios, marketing project manager for the Hidalgo Economic Development Corporation.
The city of Hidalgo is known as the "killer bee capital of the world" it's nickname is derived after an invasive species found in the area.
Monarch butterflies migrate to the area near the city of Hidalgo in the fall.
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Contemporary homes for less than national prices
Homes on the market in Hidalgo are mostly contemporary and single-story, many with steep rooflines and stylized brick. Several of these homes were built in 1990 or later. Vacant lots and new builds come on the market often. Older or smaller homes are more concentrated in the south-central part of town, closer to the border. The median home price is $241,000, more than half the national median.
New construction contemporary homes can be found in the east side of the city of Hidalgo.
Older stucco style homes are concentrated in the south-central part of the city of Hidalgo.
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Borderfest every year since 1976
Memorial Park is a green space in the heart of the town with a pool, splash pad, playground and sports facilities. Those who appreciate nature can check out the Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum and World Birding Center, which offers historical tours, hiking trails and a bird and butterfly habitat. The museum is the site of an early 1900s commercial-scale irrigation system that brought water from the Rio Grande into the desert town’s agricultural efforts. The Payne Arena, which was formerly home to several teams like the NBA G League’s Rio Grande Valley Vipers and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees ice hockey team, is now host to big-ticket concerts and other sports and entertainment events. Hidalgo is also the site of the yearly Borderfest, a three-day festival celebrating the local border culture with music, dancing, a parade and more. The festivities have expanded to recognizing cultures around the world and has since become one of the largest music festivals in South Texas.
A variety of bird species can be found near Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Park year round in the city of Hidalgo.
The Old Hidalgo Pumphouse was founded in the early-1900s and is now a museum on irrigation & farming history, with a bird habitat on site
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Duty-free goods near the border
Much of the retail options and chains in Hidalgo can be found along U.S. Highway 281 and South International Boulevard, where many items can be bought duty-free closer to the border. Boutiques, thrift stores, and local grocers are focus on the south-central business district area. The restaurant scene has a heavy Mexican influence, but spots like Rock & Roll Sushi and Black Diamond BBQ offer a few other options.
Rock & Roll Sushi is a casual Japanese restaurant serving sushi and other favorites in a nostalgic atmosphere located in south Hidalgo, Tx.
Black Diamond BBQ serves the best smoke baby back ribs in the city of Hidalgo.
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Schools managed by two districts
Hidalgo is partially served by the Hidalgo Independent School District, with some parts of town under Valley View Independent School District jurisdiction. Hidalgo ISD receives a B rating on Niche, and Valley View ISD holds a B-minus rating. The Hidalgo district serves just over 3,000 students at six schools and the Valley View district serves about 3,700 students at seven schools. The South Texas Independent School District manages the magnet schools in the area.
Valley View High School hosts grades 9th to 12th grade in the Las Milpas area.
Valley View North Elementary School
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McAllen International Airport, less than 15 minutes away
International Boulevard and Coma Avenue are two of the major thoroughfares throughout town. The McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge is the primary checkpoint into Mexico for the area, a primary reason for people to come to and stay in Hidalgo, according to Barrios. The nearest airport is McAllen International Airport, less than 15 minutes away. The closest hospitals are South Texas Health System McAllen and Rio Grand Regional Hospital, next to the airport. Hidalgo County has adopted an action plan for the next few years that focuses on transportation, road maintenance and community development. Many residents are employed in the commercial sector, largely in an area just north of town, or at the maquiladoras that made duty-free goods.
Higher crime and hot summers
According to the FBI, incidents of property crime rose 22% from 2022 to 2023, and violent crime incidents doubled in that time period. The area has hot, dry summers and mild winters, with rainfall peaking in September. Average highs in the summer can reach nearly 100 degrees.
Written By
Leilia Magee
Photography Contributed By
Mauricio Atilano
Video By
Samantha Houtchens
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