Harlingen is a city in Cameron County in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States. The city covers more than 34 mi˛ (88 km˛) and is the second largest city in Cameron County and in the Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito metropolitan area. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 57,564. The 2005 U.S. Census estimate shows Harlingen had a population of approximately 66,498. Home to Lockheed Martin, an army of hospitals, the Regional Academic Health Center, and the Rio Grande Valley's largest and busiest airport, Harlingen is renowned as the logistics, medical, and travel hub of the Rio Grande Valley. The city is within proximity to the white sand beaches of South Padre Island as well as Mexico.
GeographyHarlingen is located at (26.192203, -97.696275)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 88.9 km˛ (34.3 mi˛). 88.2 km˛ (34.1 mi˛) of it is land and 0.7 km˛ (0.3 mi˛) of it (0.76%) is water.
Transportation AirportsHarlingen is known as the logistics center of the Rio Grande Valley. The city's airport, Valley International Airport (HRL), has a service area that encompasses the lower Rio Grande Valley and northern Mexico, serving more than two million people on both sides of the US-Mexico border. It is the largest international airport in the region and handles approximately 50% of all passenger traffic in the Rio Grande Valley. Valley International Airport lies in the northeastern portion of Harlingen and offers an attractive border-crossing option via the Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios. The airport has aligned itself as the Air Cargo Hub of the Rio Grande Valley and works closely with carriers such as UPS, DHL, FedEx, BAX Global, Menlo Worldwide, and Southwest Cargo. In 1975, Southwest Airlines began to fly to the Rio Grande Valley via the Harlingen Airport with four roundtrips each business day. Additional airlines that serve the airport include Continental Airlines and Sun Country Airlines. Sun Country Airlines offers direct seasonal service to Minneapolis/St. Paul during the winter season from November to April.
HighwaysTwo six-lane divided highways intersect in Harlingen: U.S. Highway 77 and U.S. Highway 83. U.S. Highway 77 connects to Interstate 37 at Corpus Christi. U.S. Highway 83 connects with Interstate 35 at Laredo.
International Trade BridgesThe Free Trade Bridge at Los Indios is a state of the art international bridge located just 10 miles south of Harlingen. This four-lane international crossing is one of the largest and most modern ports of entry in South Texas. With a full U.S. Customs inspection facility that accommodates up to 75 trucks simultaneously, the Free Trade Bridge is acclaimed as the most time-efficient crossing. The Free Trade Bridge accesses a four-lane highway in northern Mexico, offering a fast route to the border cities of Matamoros and Reynosa, as well as the industrial city of Monterrey. With the completion of Mexico's State of Tamaulipas new 'autopista', the Free Trade Bridge will provide a seamless highway connection for more efficient distribution of industrial products to interior Mexico.
PortsThe Port of Harlingen is located four miles east of Harlingen on Highway 106. It is 25 miles West of Mile Marker 646 on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, which stretches from the Mexican border at Brownsville, along the entire coast of the Gulf of Mexico to St. Marks, Florida. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway provides over 1,300 miles of protected waterway, 12' deep and 125' wide. The Harlingen Channel is maintained to a width of 125 feet and a depth of 12 feet and is supplied by the Arroyo Colorado, a fresh water river.
RailroadsUnion Pacific Railroad has a local terminal and switching yard in Harlingen. The Harlingen Industrial Parks and Port of Harlingen have direct rail access.
EducationAs of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 57,564 people, 19,021 households, and 14,360 families residing in the city. The population density was 652.4/km˛ (1,689.6/mi˛). There were 23,008 housing units at an average density of 260.7/km˛ (675.3/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 78.68% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 16.39% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. 72.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race; most are of Mexican descent, but there are also few numbers of Central and South Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans etc.
As in other cities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, a significant part of Harlingen's transient population and a significant contributor to its economy consists of 'Winter Texans.' Winter Texans are generally retirees from the northern Midwestern states and Canada who come to escape the northern winter weather between roughly November and March. Many live in trailer or recreational vehicle parks.
There were 19,021 households out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 16.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.44.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 90.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,296, and the median income for a family was $34,015. Males had a median income of $27,014 versus $21,795 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,886. About 19.3% of families and 24.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 34.7% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.
HealthcareHarlingen Medical Center is the advanced general acute care hospital in Harlingen. HMC specializes in advanced cardiovascular care, orthopedics, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology. The state of the art facility opened in 2003 and boasts over 100 beds, all private rooms. Harlingen Medical Center provides some of the most advanced and up to date medical care in the Rio Grande Valley.
Valley Baptist Medical Center (VBMC) was founded in 1925 on F Street in Harlingen. It is currently located at Ed Carey Drive and Pease Street. It is a 600-bed not-for-profit hospital that also serves as the regional trauma center. VBMC also operates a country club, a restaurant (Magnolia Grille), and an exercise facility (Valley Baptist Health & Fitness Center).
Harlingen's third hospital, Solara Hospital is a long-term acute care facility where patients can receive treatment for as long as a month, compared to general hospitals where patients are treated for shorter periods. The 41–bed hospital is owned by Solara Healthcare of Dallas, Valley Baptist Health System and local physicians.
Valley Diagnostic Clinic is a large outpatient facility with both primary care physicians and specialists in fields such as cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, etc.
The Regional Academic Health Center (RAHC) is a teaching hospital that serves as an extension campus of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Su Clinica Familiar offers services tailored to the border region, concentrating in the areas of dentistry, internal medicine, women’s health and pediatrics. Services are mostly tailored for the poor. It has a teaching partnership with the nearby Regional Academic Health Center.
In addition there are various smaller clinics, group and individual practices in the city.
Valley AirCare, Inc. provides emergency medical and critical patient transport helicopter service within 150 miles of its Harlingen base and fixed-wing service throughout North America.
The Ronald McDonald House on Treasure Hills Boulevard opened in 1998 and is funded by private donations, grants, and fundraising events. It is a 'home away from home' for families of children being treated for serious illness or injury. Many families travel to large medical centers to get the best treatment for their children. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a safe, comfortable place for a family to stay as they face the trauma of their child's illness. The family can stay in the House at a very nominal charge while their child is being diagnosed and treated for illness. There are 232 Houses in the United States and 22 other countries, providing approximately 6,000 rooms every night at Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide. Each Ronald McDonald House is run by a local non-profit organization comprised of members of the medical community, business and civic leaders, parents/volunteers, and McDonald's restaurant owners and operators.
Sports & RecreationHarlingen was home of the Rio Grande Valley White Wings, a Central Baseball League Minor league baseball team. The city lost the team in 2003, however, after the formation of United Baseball League in 2005, the team was reinstated.
Valley Race Park is a racetrack for Greyhound dogs. Valley Race Park was the first greyhound track in Texas to accept Pari-Mutuel wagering. The facility is fully air-conditioned and the grandstands totals over 80,000 square feet. The grandstand has over 400 monitors to pick-up the 50 plus Simulcast Live Racing signals from the top Greyhound and Horse tracks from all around the United States. Valley Race Park was shut down in the fall of 1995, but reopened after 5 years in the spring of 2000.
The World Birding Center has a location in Harlingen's Hugh Ramsey Nature Park. Work continues on designs for a new 7,250-square-foot visitors’ center at Hugh Ramsey Nature Park. The two-story center will include a gift shop, observation tower, meeting rooms and enclosed viewing areas. Meanwhile, visitors at both Ramsey Park and the Thicket will find parking and extensive trails, as well as maps, information and public restrooms.
Location: The intersection of U.S. Hwy. 77/83 and 'M' St. Amenities: 40 acres consisting of 5 lighted baseball/softball fields, 6 lighted tennis courts, playground equipment, park pavilion with barbecue pit, covered picnic shelters, soccer/athletic fields, restrooms, and the Victor Park Aquatic Center. Access to Arroyo Hike & Bike Trail on sidewalk along Highway 77/83 access road.
Location: The intersection of Morgan Blvd. and Grimes St. Amenities: 47 acres consisting of 18 lighted tennis courts with pro shop (HEB Tennis Center), park pavilion with barbecue pit, playground equipment, 6 little league baseball fields, scenic pond with freedom fountain, picnic tables, and restrooms.
Location: 3139 Wilson Rd. Amenities: 80 acres consisting of 4 lighted softball fields, 8 youth baseball fields (4 lighted), 2 soccer fields, fishing pond and pier, 2 basketball courts, playground, handicap accessible playground, one mile jogging/walking trail, covered picnic shelter, park pavilion with barbecue pit, and restrooms.
Location: 2501 S. Dixieland Rd. Amenities: 20 acres consisting of a playground, 9 hole disc golf course, park pavilion with barbecue pit, lake, and restrooms.
Location: Lon C. Hill Park (Across from the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium Complex) Amenities: 73 acres consisting of playground, covered picnic shelters, barbecue pits, 2 basketball courts, volleyball area, hummingbird and butterfly garden, and the Lon C. Hill Aquatic Center.
Location: 1101 Rangerville Road Amenities: 24 acres consisting of a playground, 3 soccer/athletic fields, .75 mile jogging trail, park gazebo with barbecue pit, and restrooms.
Location: 1000 Block South Loop 499 Amenities: 54 acres of wooded park land includes nature trails, observation blind overlooking the Arroyo Colorado, and restrooms.
Location: Intersection of New Hampshire St. and Hale St. Amenities: 29 acres consisting of 2 baseball fields, 2 soccer fields, nature trails with scenic overlooks of the Arroyo Colorado, playground, volleyball area, covered picnic shelter, and restrooms. Access to Arroyo Hike & Bike Trail.
Location: Harding Ave. Amenities: 9 acres consisting of a playground and covered picnic shelter. Access to Arroyo Hike & Bike Trail.
Location: 500 W. Harrison St. Amenities: 2 acres consisting of picnic areas, benches, playground, and bandstand.
Location: 1325 S. 77 Sunshine Strip Amenities: 11 acres consisting of playground, and picnic areas. Access to Arroyo Hike & Bike Trail.
Location: 410 '76 Drive Amenities: 7 acres consisting of jogging/walking trail, lake, and meditation garden.
Location: Intersection of S. 77 Sunshine Strip and Filmore St. Amenities: 2 acres consisting of playground, covered picnic shelters, and barbecue pits.
Location: Intersection of 3rd St. and McGregor St. Amenities: 2 acres consisting of playground and picnic areas.
Location: 501 La Fayette Amenities: Multi purpose fields including soccer and baseball. Bathroom facilities.
Culture MuseumsLocated on the grounds of the Marine Military Academy is the Iwo Jima Monument. The Iwo Jima Monument is the original full-sized creation of the renowned artist and sculptor, Dr. Felix de Weldon, and was used for the casting of the monument erected at Arlington Cemetery outside Washington, D.C. After completion of the monument this sculpture was placed in storage until the early 1980s when its creator donated it to the Academy. Donations were collected to fund the transport and reassembly of the monument, which was supervised by its creator and on 16 April 1982 the monument, was officially dedicated. The Visitors Center contains photographs documenting this event as well as a signed photograph of the monument on which the sculptor officially donated this 'original' monument to the Academy.
Beside the Iwo Jima Monument in Harlingen, is the grave of Harlon Block, a native of South Texas; one of the well-known Iwo Jima Flag Raisers.
FestivalsHome to Harlingen's art scene is the D'Arte Centre on Jackson Street.
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