The
Rio
Grande
Valley
The Rio Grande Valley is a 43,000 square mile sprawling metropolitan triangle located on the southernmost tip of Texas. A dynamic blend of residents and regional, national, and international businesses are locating and expanding throughout the area. The Valley is home to some of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and across the border in Mexico, generating robust growth and opportunity for the foreseeable future.
1 Spaceport 74 Industrial Parks
7 International Airports 7 International Bridges
3 Maritime Ports
A Thriving Region
at the Heart of South Texas
Our
Rio Grande
Valley
MAP
The Land
The Lower Rio Grande Valley (RGV) marks the eastern border between the United States and Mexico, formed by Starr, Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties. McAllen, Brownsville, and Harlingen shape the metropolitan triangle ranked among the top 5 fastest-growing areas in the U.S.
Just minutes from McAllen, the Mexican city of Reynosa has been one of Mexico’s fastest-growing industrial hubs for over a decade, fueling the Valley’s binational expansion.
The Economy
Since the 1960s, the RGV has thrived on cross-border manufacturing and logistics. Maquiladoras and relaxed U.S.–Mexico trade policies have driven industrial growth, warehouse development, and job creation.
The region now hosts major oil, gas, and petrochemical operations, along with textiles, food processing, and construction industries. With a low cost of living and a strong employment market, the Valley continues to attract workers and investors.
The People
Home to over 4 million residents across the U.S.-Mexico border, the RGV has a young and diverse population—nearly 60% under 35, and 90% Latino.
Education is a key growth driver, led by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), its medical school, and a Texas A&M campus in McAllen, all expanding advanced programs in science, engineering, and healthcare.
Real Estate
& Infrastructure
The Rio Grande Valley has become a binational corridor with strong performance across all asset classes industrial, retail, and multifamily.
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Industrial: Vacancy below 3%, driven by international trade and manufacturing.
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Retail: Expected to triple to $13.6B by 2030.
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Residential: High demand with steady absorption and population growth projected to 7 million (U.S. + Mexico) by 2040.
With 12 international ports of entry moving over $40B in trade annually, Harlingen and Brownsville are leading major infrastructure upgrades.
Ongoing investments in career training and technical education ensure a skilled workforce and sustainable long-term growth.
Mayor Cities
McAllen
Known as the “Jewel of the Rio Grande Valley,” McAllen is a thriving retail, tech, and logistics hub linking the U.S. and Mexico.
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Ranked a Top 10 U.S. city for business growth and job opportunities
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#1 “Boomtown for Rising Salaries”
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Most affordable place to retire (SmartAsset, 2018)
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Over 80 Fortune 500 companies operate in the McAllen–Reynosa region
Harlingen
A key port city investing in deeper shipping channels, modern rail yards, and logistics infrastructure.
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Los Indios Bridge enables rapid U.S.–Mexico trade
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Cold-storage and distribution growth tied to fresh-produce exports
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Home to Texas A&M technology and biomedical programs
Brownsville
Located near the Gulf, Brownsville combines industry and affordability.
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Port expansion to become one of the deepest on the Gulf Coast
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Stanley Black & Decker and SATA auto parts plants creating hundreds of jobs
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Home to UTRGV medical school
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Cost of living 10% below U.S. national average
