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Mercedes, TX

Frequently asked questions

Mercedes, TX

Mercedes is a U.S. city in Hidalgo County, Texas. The population was 15,570 at the 2010 census. It is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan areas. 

Mercedes is located in southeastern Hidalgo County at 26°8′58″N 97°55′7″W (26.149315, –97.918675). It is bordered to the west by Weslaco and to the east, in Cameron County, by La Feria.

The Interstate 2/U.S. Route 83 freeway passes through the northern side of Mercedes, leading west 21 miles (34 km) to McAllen and east 14 miles (23 km) to Harlingen. Mercedes is 9 miles (14 km) north of the Progreso–Nuevo Progreso International Bridge over the Rio Grande, connecting Texas with the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. 

According to the United States Census Bureau, Mercedes has a total area of 11.5 square miles (29.8 km2), of which 11.4 square miles (29.6 km2) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2), or 0.55%, is water.

Mercedes is known as "The Queen City of the Valley" or "La Reina del Valle". Mercedes was founded on September 15, 1907, by the American Rio Grande Land & Irrigation Company, and was incorporated on March 8, 1909.  It is one of the oldest towns in the Rio Grande Valley, and the city celebrated its centennial in 2007. 

The city was located in Capisallo Pasture, part of Capisallo Ranch owned by Jim Welles. This location was known as the Pear Orchard because of the vast numbers of prickly pear cactus growing there at that time.

The origin of the city name - Mercedes - is not clear. A common claim is that the first name given to the city was "Diaz" in honor of Porfirio Diaz, then president of Mexico. Later it was supposedly renamed "Mercedes Diaz" in honor of the president's wife, and from that, Mercedes became the Queen City. This story, however, is historically inaccurate, given that neither of Diaz's two wives was named Mercedes.

Mercedes places a strong emphasis on the health and wellness of its residents. The city is home to the Knapp Medical Center, a leading healthcare facility providing comprehensive medical services. This ensures that residents have access to quality healthcare close to home. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by the Mercedes Parks and Recreation Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include MidValleyFitness and The Grind. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Mercedes, such as the Sunset Park- Mercedes and Sunrise Hill Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Mercedes, TX include Estero Llano Grande State Park, Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and La Feria Nature Center.

Population: 16,258 (2020). Elevation: 47 ft (14 m). Area: 11.86 sq mi (30.72 km2). ZIP Code: 78570. Area code(s): 956.

FAQs

Who founded Mercedes, TX?

Mercedes is known as "The Queen City of the Valley" or "La Reina del Valle". The city of Mercedes was founded on September 15, 1907, by the American Rio Grande Land & Irrigation Company, and was incorporated on March 8, 1909. It is one of the oldest towns in the Rio Grande Valley, and the city celebrated its centennial in 2007.

Is Mercedes, TX a good place to live?

Living in Mercedes offers residents a sparse suburban feel as most residents own their homes. In Mercedes, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Mercedes and residents tend to be liberal.

What is the cost of living in Mercedes, TX?

Mercedes is part of the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Metro metro area, which is ranked 268 out of 273 cities across the US in terms of cost of living. According to C2ER (the Council for Community and Economic Research), the cost of living in Mercedes is estimated to be 80.9% of the national average making it one of the least expensive cities in the US. The total monthly expenditure you can expect to incur depends on the cost of housing, food, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and other miscellaneous goods and services. 

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Mercedes

Knapp Medical Center

Mercedes Parks and Recreation Department

MidValleyFitness 

The Grind

Sunset Park- Mercedes 

Sunrise Hill Park

Estero Llano Grande State Park

Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge

La Feria Nature Center

Kids Kiddle

Niche

Zero Down

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