Mila Doce is a growing community north of Mercedes and the border
Mila Doce is in southeastern Hidalgo County in the Rio Grande Valley. Its name means mile twelve in Spanish, which is befitting as a road with that designation goes through the area. Mile 12 Road is a country-style road without sidewalks, like most in this rural area.
"The area has actually been experiencing growth and a lot of improvements that are bringing people in. There's some new construction, and some new commercial buildings and properties," says Jennifer Martinez, the broker/owner of Mariposa Realty RGV Inc. The population has quadrupled since 1990, when Mila Doce was first counted as a census-designated place. Today, there are about 8,300 people here, according to U.S. Census estimates. Most mailing addresses are assigned to Mercedes , and some to Weslaco . Each is a small city with commercial corridors within about 8 miles of Mila Doce.
Colonias and Hispanic culture are part of Mila Doce
Colonias, unincorporated border communities, are also part of Mila Doce. A lack of infrastructure, non-standardized lot configurations and homes built from scratch are among the markers of a colonia. "The communities just feel different," Martinez says, explaining that anyone who has been to Mexico would recognize the similarities. The U.S./Mexico border and the Progreso-Nuevo Progress International Bridge are about 12 miles from Mila Doce. Notably, the percentage of Hispanic residents in Mila Doce has been recorded as among the highest of all census-designated places in the country.
Mila Doce home prices are typically under $300,000
Among the area's 20th century homes, some of the oldest date to the 1970s, some of the smallest are under 800 square feet. Those from the 2000s to 2020s can range from about 1,400 to 2,900 square feet. Ranch-style, concrete and custom homes are among the options, and lots may be a 1/2 acre or larger. Prices range from about $100,000 to $290,000. "Most of the houses are starter homes in terms of price," Martinez says.
Places to shop and eat close to home or in Mercedes or Weslaco
Dollar General in Mila Doce provides some essentials, and Los Pinos Hardware has building supplies. Campos is among the markets with fruit and other produce and grocery items. Don Julio's Bakery specializes in pan dulce, Mexican sweet bread. Chatto's Taqueria, Mr. Birria Tacos y Mas and Moran's Pizzeria & Brunch are among the dining options. Both Mercedes and Weslaco offer a larger selection of restaurants and stores. Additionally, Weslaco has a Cinemark movie theater, and Mercedes has the WesMer Drive-in Theatre.
Most of the area is zoned to the Weslaco Independent School District
Most of Mila Doce is zoned to the Weslaco Independent School District. Schools include A. N. (Tony) Rico Elementary School, which receives a C-plus grade from Niche, and North Bridge Elementary School, which has a C. Mary Hoge Middle School receives a C, and Weslaco East High School has a C-plus. Schools of Choice enrollment includes early college high school programs in partnerships with South Texas College. A small portion of Mila Doce to the northeast is zoned to the Edcouch-Elsa Independent School District, which has an overall C-plus grade from Niche. Magnet schools in the South Texas Independent School District and tuition-free charter schools through IDEA Weslaco are also available.
A park a few miles away, and annual events in nearby cities
Judge Gilbert Garza Park, previously known as Weslaco City Park North, is a few miles away. It has more than a mile of trails, basketball and tennis courts and a splash pad. Annual events within about 8 miles of Mila Doce include Weslaco's Texas Onion Festival and the Rio Grande Livestock Show and Rodeo in Mercedes, both held in March. In April, the Spring Chirp Birding Festival at the Valley Nature Center takes place over three days.
Driving, bus service, access to the highway and medical facilities
Driving is the primary mode of transportation in Mila Doce. There's access to Interstate 2 about 6 miles to the south. There is limited bus service, with the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council's Valley Metro. One route goes through Mila Doce on the way from Edinburg to Weslaco, and stops may be requested. Some of the closest medical facilities are the South Texas Health System ER Weslaco and Knapp Medical Center, also in Weslaco. McAllen International Airport is about 23 miles from Mila Doce.
Mila Doce has environmental risks like the rest of Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County has ratings of relatively high risk in the categories for tornadoes, cold waves, heat waves and river flooding. Hurricanes are rated as very high risk. Parts of Mila Doce, such as areas near irrigation channels between Mile 11 and Mile 10 roads on the west side, may be vulnerable to flooding. However, more of that area is farmland or vacant, rather than residential.
![Robin Silberman]()
Written By
Robin Silberman
