Hidalgo County is a county located in the state of Texas. As of 2000, the population is 569,463. Its county seat is Edinburg⁶. Hidalgo County is named for Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the priest who raised the call for Mexico's independence from Spain.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,099 km² (1,583 mi²). 4,066 km² (1,570 mi²) of it is land and 33 km² (13 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.82% water.

Adjacent counties

• Brooks County (north)
• Kenedy County (northeast)
• Willacy County and Cameron County (east)
• Mexico (south)
• Starr County (west)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 569,463 people, 156,824 households, and 132,829 families residing in the county. The population density is 140/km² (363/mi²). There are 192,658 housing units at an average density of 47/km² (123/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 77.71% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 18.64% from other races, and 2.12% from two or more races. 88.35% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 156,824 households out of which 49.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.00% are married couples living together, 15.70% have a female householder with no husband present, and 15.30% are non-families. 13.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.30% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.60 and the average family size is 3.96.

In the county, the population is spread out with 35.30% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 16.00% from 45 to 64, and 9.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 27 years. For every 100 females there are 94.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $24,863, and the median income for a family is $26,009. Males have a median income of $21,299 versus $18,297 for females. The per capita income for the county is $9,899. 35.90% of the population and 31.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 45.50% of those under the age of 18 and 23.30% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

2004 Election

Hidalgo County was one of the few counties in Texas to choose Senator John Kerry . He received 63,035 of the votes there while George W. Bush only got 51,438 votes.

Cities and towns

External link

• Hidalgo County in Handbook of Texas Online at the University of Texas