Horse races and cowboy boots in Mercedes
Mercedes is known as the "Queen City" of the Rio Grande Valley because of the disputed belief it is named after a Spanish Queen. What isn't disputed is the original purpose of the city, initially designed for agriculture and land irrigation in the valley. Today, the city of 15,000 has evolved, but its roots are still prominent in the community. "Mercedes is very much a cowboy town," says Margiee Fender, a Realtor with Medina Real Estate. "You'll see horse races and cowboy boots; it's that kind of lifestyle."
The nearby outlets, highly rated schools and opportunity for housing stock are among the factors that draw valley residents to Mercedes. "It's very family-oriented; people will leave and move back to be closer to their families or start a family of their own," Fender says. The main employers in the area are the school district and nearby hospitals.
Modest homes in the Rio Grande Valley
Mercedes's median home sale price is $170,000, lower than the national median price of $405,000 and nearby Weslaco's median price of $245,000. Older, modest homes needing renovations can cost as little as $50,000. Pricier homes outside the city boundaries have several acres of land, usually costing between $300,000 and $500,000. "There aren't a lot of luxury homes," Fender says. "Some are older homes where the elderly no longer live, or the families outgrow them."
Community shows up for Friday night football
The Mercedes Independent School District serves about 4,500 students and receives a B-minus from Niche. Like many small-town Texas communities, residents turn up for high school sporting events. "It's a lot like Friday Night Lights; they are very big on supporting the high school," Fender says. For private schools, Macedonian Christian Academy in nearby Donna serves Pre-K through 12th grades and gets an A-minus from Niche.
Bull riding and carnival rides at the livestock show
The annual Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo is the community's biggest event. The event features PRCA Xtreme bull riding and rodeo, live music and a carnival. Running for 11 days every March, the rodeo and livestock show attracts thousands of visitors and includes over 80 food vendors.
After-school programs at Mercedes Recreation Center
Sunset Park is a 15-acre space a couple of miles north of Mercedes and is the second-largest park in the precinct. The park is highlighted by the athletic fields, a lighted walking trail with exercise stations and playground equipment. The Mercedes Recreation Center is home to various afterschool and summer programs for children. Outside the rec center is the Mercedes Sports Complex and Walking Trail, where residents play football and soccer in the fields or walk along the trails.
Dozens of brands at Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets
Mercedes's retail restaurant scene isn't as prominent as in some neighboring cities. "It's not as busy as Weslaco; it's more of a laid-back hometown," Fender says. The city has a handful of local restaurants and shops downtown and some local chains. The central hub for shopping is the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets, a mall featuring over a dozen outlets for big-name brands and some eateries. Fender notes that residents will often head to Weslaco and Harlingen for more shopping and dining options.
Interstate 2 leads to the rest of the valley
Mercedes sits in the center of the Rio Grande Valley, 5 miles from Weslaco. Interstate 2 is on the city's northern edge and connects it to larger nearby cities, like McAllen and Harlingen. The Valley Metro bus lines offer daily public transportation for the city and other Rio Grande Valley areas. Mercedes has direct access to nine international bridges, including Progreso International Bridge, 4 miles away. McAllen International Airport is 23 miles away and offers daily nonstop flights to Dallas and Houston. Knapp Family Health Center Mercedes is one of the main hospitals in the area.
Mercedes crime and environmental factors
According to FBI crime statistics, violent and property crime rates in Mercedes have been trending down in recent years but are still higher than the national average.
Severe weather, like tornadoes and thunderstorms, is less common in Mercedes and the Rio Grande Valley than in the rest of Texas. However, the area is prone to excessive heat, with August being the hottest month of the year, with an average high of 96 degrees.
Photography Contributed By
Mauricio Atilano
Video By
Hunter Severtson
