Scissors is both a colonia and an area with new subdivisions
Scissors is a community in southeastern Hidalgo County in the Rio Grande Valley. The Donna-Río Bravo International Bridge, about 7 miles south, leads into Mexico. According to the Texas State Historical Association, Scissors is a colonia, which is an unincorporated border community. "The best way to explain colonias is they feel more like Mexico. They are on the outskirts usually and just have a different feel," says Jennifer Martinez, the broker/owner of Mariposa Realty RGV Inc. "If you've been to Mexico, and you've been in the colonias, you know." Colonias may have minimal infrastructure and utilities, concrete and stick-built homes and nonstandardized lots. In contrast, Scissors also has newer suburban-style subdivisions with manicured front yards, evenly spaced lots and sidewalks.
Scissors, developed in the early 1960s, reported fewer than 500 residents in the mid-1980s. Nowadays, the population is about 3,200, according to U.S. Census estimates. "A lot of people who grew up in the area stay in the area," Martinez says.
Older and newer homes may differ in size and price
Ranch-style homes built from the mid-20th century on are among the oldest houses. These tend to be 600 to 1,600 square feet, whereas newer homes start at about 1,300 and may exceed 3,000 square feet. Walker Estates and Trinity Estates are 2020s subdivisions with mostly three-bedroom contemporary and custom homes. They are usually one-story but feature high ceilings and open-concept layouts. Older homes list from about $150,000 to $175,000; newer builds are roughly $200,000 to $350,000.
A community park, wildlife areas, a golf course and events
Schroeder Park has play equipment, a basketball court and picnic shelters. The Donna Sports Memorial Complex, which had a groundbreaking in September 2025, will be a comprehensive athletics facility and community hub. Southeast of Scissors are several sections of the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area, known for white-winged doves. The Tierra Santa Golf & Event Center has daily course fees and a variety of memberships.
Events draw the wider community together. Donna hosts a monthly Evenings at the Square series with music, vendors and food from September to February. In March, the Texas Onion Festival takes place in Weslaco , about 6 miles away, and the Rio Grande Livestock Show and Rodeo is in Mercedes , about 12 miles away. McAllen is about 16 miles away and hosts the weekend-long Fiesta de Palmas each May.
Enrollment options include the Donna Independent School District
Students may attend A.M. Ochoa Primary Science and Sports Academy and C. Stainke Intermediate Science & Sports Academy, both of which earn a C-minus grade from Niche. Ochoa serves students from prekindergarten to second grade, and Stainke is for third through fifth graders. These consolidated elementary schools opened as academies for the 2025-26 school year. A.P. Solis Middle School receives a C-plus, and W.A. Todd Middle School has a C. Donna High School has a C-plus and offers the Early College High School Program in collaboration with South Texas College. The Donna Independent School District offers open enrollment in terms of school choice, though parents selecting a nonzoned school will need to provide transportation. Additionally, the South Texas Independent School District, which serves Hidalgo and other counties, has magnet schools at the middle and high school levels.
Few businesses are in Scissors, but Donna and Weslaco have more
There are only a few businesses in Scissors, such as Los Angeles Bakery, which has an assortment of goods, like breakfast tacos and sweet bread. Tacos Angelin serves Mexican specialties and hamburgers and has a shady outdoor dining space. Vega's Drive Thru and El Principe MiniMart LLC are spots to pick up snacks and essentials. There's an H-E-B and Pop's Meat Market & Drive-Thru in Donna. Weslaco also has more shopping and dining options.
Highways, some public transportation and access to medical facilities
Scissors, though relatively car-dependent, has convenient access to major roads, as it's between Interstate 2 and U.S. Route 83 to the north and U.S. Route 281 to the south. Public transportation is available via the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council's Valley Metro, which has a Monday-Friday route from Donna to the Donna-Río Bravo International Bridge, with stops in Scissors. Knapp Medical Center and the South Texas Health System ER Weslaco are within about 7 miles. McAllen International Airport is about 17 miles away.
Potential for severe weather and flooding in the area
According to the FEMA National Risk Index, Hidalgo County is rated relatively high risk for heat waves, cold waves, tornadoes and riverine flooding, and the hurricane risk is categorized as very high. Martinez says that flooding, in particular, should be taken into account in this area. "Be cautious and double-check flood zones. Ask a Realtor or look at a governmental map." Insurance options for qualifying properties include FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.
Other environmental concerns in the area have been connected to the Donna Reservoir and Canal System, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deemed a Superfund Site. After multiyear remediation steps, including the removal of contaminated fish and sediment, monitoring by the EPA continues.
![Robin Silberman]()
Written By
Robin Silberman
