Rio Grande City, Texas
Rio Grande City is a city of 15,396 people in Starr County, Texas, founded in 1848.
Why visit Rio Grande City
Townapedia lists 13 museums and landmarks, 8 parks and trails, 19 places to eat, 2 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include AMC Classic Rio Grande 10, Rio Grande City – Camargo International Bridge and Immaculate Conception School.
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 99°F; January lows average 45°F.
Weather in Rio Grande City
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Rio Grande City
Rio Grande City is a city in and the county seat of Starr County, Texas, United States. The population was 15,317 at the time of the 2020 census. The city is 41 miles (66 km) west of McAllen. It is connected to Camargo, Tamaulipas, via the Rio Grande City–Camargo International Bridge.
From the Wikipedia article Rio Grande City, Texas (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Rio Grande City – Camargo International Bridge
Bridge · 1.6 mi
Bridge between Texas and Tamaulipas
Museums and landmarks13
1 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds8
Restaurants and cafes19
Buffalo Wings & Rings
Restaurant · Wings · 1.9 mi
4521 East US Highway 83, Rio Grande City
Peter Piper Pizza
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.9 mi
4526 East US Highway 83, Rio Grande City
Red Diamond Chinese Buffet
Restaurant · Chinese · 2.3 mi
4760 East US Highway 83, Rio Grande City
Chick-fil-A
Fast food · Chicken · 1.8 mi
4505 East US Highway 83, Rio Grande City
Mo-Sa 06:30-23:00; Su off
7 more on the map.
History
The area around Rio Grande City was first settled by Spanish colonists on the southern bank of the river as Camargo. The northern bank became more densely settled after the Mexican-American War and United States' annexation of the territory.
In 1846 the northern bank was gradually developed— still under the name Camargo. It was used by the US Army as a supply depot for its invading Mexico as part of the Mexican–American War. The area was strategic as the furthest point up the Rio Grande that was navigable and regularly accessible to the era's steamboats.
During the early stages of the war, US soldier Henry Clay Davis married Hilaria de la Garza Falcon, a resident of Camargo south of the river. She was heiress to the land on the north side of the river that was developed as Rio Grande City. At the end of the war, Davis set out to organize this area into a formal city; he divided the land into plots to be sold.
At first, the area was referred to as Rancho Davis. He and other developers changed the name to Rio Grande City to attract Anglo-American investors and settlers. From its founding in 1848 until the Texas Mexican Railroad opened up in 1883, Rio Grande City was one of the most significant hubs of trade between Texas and Mexico. In addition, because of its prominence and exploits by local residents, it was part of the romanticized concept in the United States of the "Wild West".
From the History section of Rio Grande City, Texas on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay2
Quality Inn & Suites
Motel and hotel · 2.2 mi
4758 East US Highway 83, Rio Grande City
Churches and places of worship2
Shopping2
Gas and EV charging2
Schools, colleges and libraries21
General Ricardo Sanchez Elementary School
School · 2.4 mi
2801 West Eisenhower Street, Rio Grande City
Idea Rio Grande City College Preparatory
School · 2.7 mi
2803 W Monarch Ln, Rio Grande City
Healthcare2
H-E-B Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 1.6 mi
4031 East Main Street, Rio Grande City
Map of Rio Grande City
73 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 71°F | 45°F | 0.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Feb | 76°F | 50°F | 0.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Mar | 82°F | 56°F | 1.2 in | 0.0 in |
| Apr | 89°F | 63°F | 1.0 in | 0.0 in |
| May | 94°F | 70°F | 2.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Jun | 98°F | 74°F | 2.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 99°F | 75°F | 2.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 99°F | 75°F | 1.3 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 94°F | 71°F | 5.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 88°F | 63°F | 2.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Nov | 79°F | 54°F | 1.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Dec | 72°F | 47°F | 0.8 in | 0.1 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Rio Grande City Hcn (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Starr County has had 18 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2025-05-21: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
- 2021-02-19: Severe Winter Storms (Severe Ice Storm)
- 2021-02-14: Severe Winter Storm (Severe Ice Storm)
- 2020-07-26: Hurricane Hanna (Hurricane)
- 2020-03-25: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
McAllen-Miller International Airport (MFE) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 39 miles away.
- Palmview 29 mi east, about 47 min by car
- La Homa 30 mi east, about 48 min by car
- Alton 32 mi east, about 52 min by car
- Mission 33 mi east, about 53 min by car
- McAllen 37 mi east, about 1 h by car
- Hidalgo 40 mi southeast, about 1 h by car
- Edinburg 42 mi east, about 1 h by car
- Pharr 42 mi east, about 1 h by car
- Alamo 46 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Donna 51 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- OldRioGrandeCemetery, Mpinedag, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cortina War Texas Historical Marker, Pi3.124, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Texas historical marker Fort Ringgold, Pi3.124, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Texas historical marker Fort Ringgold under the confederacy, Pi3.124, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Texas historical marker for Fort Ringgold hospital, Pi3.124, CC BY-SA 4.0
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